Wisconsin Badgers Win WCHA Final Five Championship, Await NCAA Tournament Opponent

Strategic Insights -

The Wisconsin Badgers captured the WCHA Final Five championship by defeating North Dakota 3-2 in the title game. Senior Joe Bianchi was named the tournament's most valuable player after scoring the game-winning goal on a third-period power play and contributing two goals and an assist in Friday's semifinal victory over Colorado College. The Badgers, who finished second to North Dakota during the regular season, knocked off the defending national champions twice in 15 days.

Key Takeaways:

  • Joe Bianchi was named the tournament's most valuable player after scoring the game-winning goal and contributing two goals and an assist in Friday's semifinal victory over Colorado College.
  • The Badgers defeated North Dakota 3-2 in the championship game, with Bianchi scoring the game-winning goal on a third-period power play.
  • Wisconsin is 4-0 in Final Five title games, having won championships in 1988, 1990, 1995, and this year.
  • The Badgers await word on their NCAA tournament opponent, which will be announced today at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2.
  • The NCAA tournament field includes 12 teams, with the Badgers and Michigan being announced as regional hosts.
  • North Dakota, the defending national champions, had already secured a spot in the NCAA tournament by virtue of its regular-season title.
  • The Badgers' victory comes after losing three times to North Dakota during the regular season, with their last win being the regular-season finale in Grand Forks.
  • Joe Bianchi is a senior from Bloomington Jefferson and has been "silently our MVP" according to Wisconsin hockey coach Jeff Sauer.

Statistics:

  • The Badgers scored two goals in the first period, with North Dakota matching it in the second period.
  • Joe Bianchi scored two goals and an assist in one game, with one being the game-winning goal in the championship game.
  • Wisconsin's Graham Melanson won a battle of freshmen goaltenders, stopping 29 shots.
  • North Dakota's Karl Goehring, from Apple Valley, stopped 33 shots.

Sources:

  • Sauer, Jeff. "Wisconsin hockey coach Jeff Sauer." Wisconsin hockey coach Jeff Sauer, 2004.
  • "WCHA Final Five." WCHA Final Five, 2004.
  • "NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament." NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament, 2004.