The Wisconsin Badgers were pushed to the limit in every game but emerged as Carla Burg Cup Champions to close out an exciting tournament weekend.
Wisconsin entered the weekend as soft favorites, having earned the Southeast Division title in perfect form and topping the league-wide KRACH Rankings. However, they had significant challengers in Minnesota, St. Thomas, and Minnesota-Crookston, who were each motivated not only to win the title, but to improve their Central Region standings on the final weekend of the ACHA regular season. On the outside looking in, UW-Eau Claire, Jamestown, Minnesota State and Bethel all knew they’d have to run the gauntlet to earn the league’s autobid and keep their respective season going. Thus, the table was well set for the quarterfinal round on Friday night.
Throughout the WCCHA regular season, the top four seeds largely separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Although anything can happen over the course of 60 minutes, #1 through #4 all held serve in the first round, defeating their lower seeded opponents by a combined score of 24-4. The relatively high scoring opening round would not prove prophetic as the teams moved into the semifinals.
In Semifinal #1, it took until early in the third period for the first goal, and after a late push, it would prove decisive as Wisconsin outlasted Minnesota-Crookston for a razor-thin 1-0 victory. In the second semifinal, cross-town rivals met once again and regulation and overtime were not enough to separate the teams. In the shootout, Minnesota would score the only goal to earn the 3-2 win over St. Thomas.
Thus, the final was set on Sunday between #1 Wisconsin and #2 Minnesota – and the game lived up to its billing as a clash of titans. After a scoreless first period, it was the second that would ultimately determine the outcome of the game. After over 30 scoreless minutes, the Gophers broke the tie – but just 1:27 later the Badgers responded to even it back up. Wisconsin would then take a penalty, granted Minnesota a golden chance – but it was the Badgers who took advantage, netting a shorthanded goal to claim the narrow 2-1 lead. The third period was a tepid affair, with neither team granting the other any space. As the clock ticked down, Minnesota pushed hard but Wisconsin’s staunch defense repelled the attack. As the clock struck zero, the Badgers lept off the bench to celebrate their second overall WCCHA title and the 2025 Carla Berg Cup Championship.
THIRD PLACE GAME
CONSOLATION BRACKET
…. DRAFT IN PROGRESS ….