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Minnesota State knocked off Ferris State 4-1 in front of a heavily partisan Ferris State crowd in Grand Rapids, Michigan to win the WCHA playoff championship and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament; Minnesota State's second bid in as many years.
The Mavericks came into Saturday's championship game with a nation-leading 12-game unbeaten streak and nearly assured of a bid to the NCAA regardless of their outcome on Saturday night. The Mavericks didn't wait around for help from around the country, however, taking matters into their hands by winning the school's first ever Broadmoor Trophy.
Big contributions came from Minnesota State's fourth line in the championship victory. Fourth-liner Michael Huntebrinker scored just his second goal of the season to give the Mavericks an early 1-0, while linemate Brett Knowles added a back-breaking goal to give Minnesota State a 3-1 lead in the third period. Teddy Blueger would add an empty-net goal with seconds remaining to set off the team's celebration
Cole Huggins stopped 25 shots in the victory, giving him 61 saves on the weekend against only one goal allowed. He was named the tournament's most outstanding player for his efforts.
Minnesota State's excitement and Ferris State's disappointment will be short-lived as both will begin preparations immediately for next weekend's NCAA tournament.