WCHA Final Five/NCHC Frozen Faceoff: Share your memories here!

[Wilbur]

Believe it was the 2004 title game with the Sioux and Gophers.  Sold out Xcel energy center.  Wide open game that the Gophers won 5-4.  That was fantastic for college hockey. 

[gfhockey]

7 hours ago, MGsioux said:

Gf it's ok if you stay home.  Save your money.  Enjoy mommies basement buddy 

Why

[petey23]

Saw a friend stagger out of The Seville Club, jump in a Cab and watched as the cab drove about 150 yards and flipped a quick u-turn and dropped him at the entry of the Hampton Inn.

[SJHovey]

I'm going to admit that this weekend is sort of going to be a mixture of sadness and relief for me.

In the fall of 1987, a buddy that I had attended UND with was talking to me and we agreed that we should try to get tickets to the new "WCHA Final Four" that would be played the next spring in St. Paul.  We started out with three tickets, since my dad wanted to join us.  Within a couple of years we added a fourth seat for his brother.

I think it's interesting if you look back at the conference tournament, since it started that season.  You can almost divide it into three equal parts, each of which is dramatically different than the others.

The first dozen years were sort of a conference tournament trying to find its footing.  Those years in the St. Paul Civic Center were basically Minnesota home games, with a few of us from other schools sprinkled in.  Wisconsin probably did the best job of bringing fans, and they usually brought their band, but it was a Minnesota crowd.  But that fact really made the games fun, since the Civic Center was basically a house of horrors for MN, so we got to spend the tournament cheering goals by any team but MN, and laughing at their misfortune.

But it certainly wasn't a party.  St. Paul, in those years, was basically Gaza.  They would kick you out between the afternoon and night games, and there was no place to go.  The few years in Milwaukee were even worse, since the crowds were so much worse.

But as the first dozen years ended, and the tournament moved over to Target Center while the X was being built, you could sort of see some growth.  Other teams were having success at both the conference and national level, and it was showing in the tournament crowds.

The middle years, at the X and before the WCHA broke up, were obviously the golden years, and nothing more needs be said.  It was a perfect storm.  You had a new arena, in a city that had made an effort to have food, drink and hotel establishments within walking distance of it.  You had a period of dominance by the conference that was something to behold.  Five straight national champions.  Multiple programs with Frozen Four appearances.  Great players.

The last dozen years have been a disappointment.  I will forever be grateful to the NCHC for at least giving it a shot, and a fair shot at that.  I think the conference tournament, in one location, is clearly the best idea.  Unfortunately, the last dozen years or so have basically felt like attending a high school reunion where some past their prime guys just want to talk about the glory days.

But I think what I'll miss most of all is the annual get together with my friend from UND.  38 years is long time.  During that stretch we each missed one or two tournaments for various family commitments, but it's been a good run.  I'm glad that we at least get to watch UND one final time at the event.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

38 minutes ago, SJHovey said:

I'm going to admit that this weekend is sort of going to be a mixture of sadness and relief for me.

In the fall of 1987, a buddy that I had attended UND with was talking to me and we agreed that we should try to get tickets to the new "WCHA Final Four" that would be played the next spring in St. Paul.  We started out with three tickets, since my dad wanted to join us.  Within a couple of years we added a fourth seat for his brother.

I think it's interesting if you look back at the conference tournament, since it started that season.  You can almost divide it into three equal parts, each of which is dramatically different than the others.

The first dozen years were sort of a conference tournament trying to find its footing.  Those years in the St. Paul Civic Center were basically Minnesota home games, with a few of us from other schools sprinkled in.  Wisconsin probably did the best job of bringing fans, and they usually brought their band, but it was a Minnesota crowd.  But that fact really made the games fun, since the Civic Center was basically a house of horrors for MN, so we got to spend the tournament cheering goals by any team but MN, and laughing at their misfortune.

But it certainly wasn't a party.  St. Paul, in those years, was basically Gaza.  They would kick you out between the afternoon and night games, and there was no place to go.  The few years in Milwaukee were even worse, since the crowds were so much worse.

But as the first dozen years ended, and the tournament moved over to Target Center while the X was being built, you could sort of see some growth.  Other teams were having success at both the conference and national level, and it was showing in the tournament crowds.

The middle years, at the X and before the WCHA broke up, were obviously the golden years, and nothing more needs be said.  It was a perfect storm.  You had a new arena, in a city that had made an effort to have food, drink and hotel establishments within walking distance of it.  You had a period of dominance by the conference that was something to behold.  Five straight national champions.  Multiple programs with Frozen Four appearances.  Great players.

The last dozen years have been a disappointment.  I will forever be grateful to the NCHC for at least giving it a shot, and a fair shot at that.  I think the conference tournament, in one location, is clearly the best idea.  Unfortunately, the last dozen years or so have basically felt like attending a high school reunion where some past their prime guys just want to talk about the glory days.

But I think what I'll miss most of all is the annual get together with my friend from UND.  38 years is long time.  During that stretch we each missed one or two tournaments for various family commitments, but it's been a good run.  I'm glad that we at least get to watch UND one final time at the event.

No extra notes, my journey started well after yours in 2011 but it's nostalgia and camaraderie that keeps bringing me back.  One last trip down I94 for this final year's version to put a cap on it.  The end of an era. 

[SiouxFan100]

We can’t let it end

[Blackheart]

28 minutes ago, SiouxFan100 said:

We can’t let it end

All right...our line starts!

[SiouxFan100]

Starts sounds better than end!

[farce poobah]

On 3/16/2025 at 1:25 AM, gordwiser said:

2001... first year the Final Five is at the X.  Sioux were down 5-2 to St. Cloud with less than 6 minutes left.  People were starting to stream out.  Blais pulls the goalie and sure enough, the Sioux score and the exodus slows... then they score again... then again to tie it up.  The place was going nuts.  St. Cloud won in overtime, but it was the start of something grand with the Final Five and it was an amazing era for the WCHA.  I sat in the same seats with the same group with the same people surrounding us year after year, every year until the Final Five ended.  Didn't miss a game for 13 years... too many memories to name, but that game really sticks out for me.

 

*edited the the time of the comeback because I looked up the details! 

At the point it was 2-5 , my daughter age 8 looked at the scoreboard, saw we were behind with 6 minutes left and said, “We have Panzer. I think we will win.”  ❤️

[Blackheart]

18 hours ago, farce poobah said:

At the point it was 2-5 , my daughter age 8 looked at the scoreboard, saw we were behind with 6 minutes left and said, “We have Panzer. I think we will win.”  ❤️

 

Here you go...listening to the crowd after Roche's goal brings back so many good memories of the Final Five.  Packed house at the X with just a "few" Sioux fans in attendance.

[brianvf]

Man it was fun watching those guys skate back in those days.
Speed kills indeed.  Guys like Panzer, Spiewak, Notermann, etc.

Plus there were about 9-10 penalties that would have been called in today's game in those final five minutes. 

[farce poobah]

13 hours ago, SJHovey said:

I'm going to admit that this weekend is sort of going to be a mixture of sadness and relief for me.

In the fall of 1987, a buddy that I had attended UND with was talking to me and we agreed that we should try to get tickets to the new "WCHA Final Four" that would be played the next spring in St. Paul.  We started out with three tickets, since my dad wanted to join us.  Within a couple of years we added a fourth seat for his brother.

I think it's interesting if you look back at the conference tournament, since it started that season.  You can almost divide it into three equal parts, each of which is dramatically different than the others.

The first dozen years were sort of a conference tournament trying to find its footing.  Those years in the St. Paul Civic Center were basically Minnesota home games, with a few of us from other schools sprinkled in.  Wisconsin probably did the best job of bringing fans, and they usually brought their band, but it was a Minnesota crowd.  But that fact really made the games fun, since the Civic Center was basically a house of horrors for MN, so we got to spend the tournament cheering goals by any team but MN, and laughing at their misfortune.

But it certainly wasn't a party.  St. Paul, in those years, was basically Gaza.  They would kick you out between the afternoon and night games, and there was no place to go.  The few years in Milwaukee were even worse, since the crowds were so much worse.

But as the first dozen years ended, and the tournament moved over to Target Center while the X was being built, you could sort of see some growth.  Other teams were having success at both the conference and national level, and it was showing in the tournament crowds.

The middle years, at the X and before the WCHA broke up, were obviously the golden years, and nothing more needs be said.  It was a perfect storm.  You had a new arena, in a city that had made an effort to have food, drink and hotel establishments within walking distance of it.  You had a period of dominance by the conference that was something to behold.  Five straight national champions.  Multiple programs with Frozen Four appearances.  Great players.

The last dozen years have been a disappointment.  I will forever be grateful to the NCHC for at least giving it a shot, and a fair shot at that.  I think the conference tournament, in one location, is clearly the best idea.  Unfortunately, the last dozen years or so have basically felt like attending a high school reunion where some past their prime guys just want to talk about the glory days.

But I think what I'll miss most of all is the annual get together with my friend from UND.  38 years is long time.  During that stretch we each missed one or two tournaments for various family commitments, but it's been a good run.  I'm glad that we at least get to watch UND one final time at the event.

Great description.  I too was at the very first, at the old St Paul Civic Center.  If it was a reality show, it would have illustrated - in just about every way - how to do it the WRONG way.   Starting with really poor sightlines for hockey (low slope to the bottom bowl and the top bowl).  Ushers who couldn't tell us where the seats were.  Lack of concession quality.  A total lack of beer availability (as I recall, but in which my memory may be clouded IFYKWIM). The ice was horrifically bad and the UND vs Wisconsin game-  eagerly awaited by me as the rivalry was then intense - I feared for player safety and the game was stopped multiple times to fill in deep DEEP ruts.  And as noted above - No restaurants were open in downtown St Paul between games (we hightailed to a good Mexican in West St Paul).  

The lack of UND success for the first few years, which coincided with the end of Gino's tenure as coach, made buying tickets an exercise in hope.  But the 1995 WCHA Tournament gave us hope for the future. Going on the road and getting a sweep in St Cloud was uplifting, and by that point in the season new head coach Dean Blais had his guys buying into the system (or they weren't playing).  Even after losing the semifinal to Minnesota 3-2, I had goosebumps after watching the performance, and all I could think was "we are SO back!"

Another thrill was watching the rising tide of Green and White Sioux fans, year by year becoming greater in number and louder in voice.   Coinciding that thrill was seeing Wisconsin lose - year after year, until they finally won one (at the X, in the Big ten) that got UND into the NCAA's.  

The 1997 championship game was a fabulous memory.  No Sioux team ever needed last change more than that team (who earned it by getting 1 more total goal vs MN in the 4 league games that season, including 3 "meaningless" late in a 10-6 loss in October).  But they showed a lot of heart, and the couple thousand or so Sioux fans, joined by a lot of Badger red and most everyone else not Gopher fans, raised the roof when the overtime winner from Peter Armbrust went in.  

March 2000, at Target Center, during the Friday night game, I recall being the only one cheering wildly at the news Michigan had lost - mostly because I hated Michigan but also because it meant we could get a first-round NCAA regional bye by winning the WCHA (based on PWR higher than Michigan).  It was a while before I realized I was the only one cheering.   We had had troubles with the Badgers that year (they won the regular season title), and 30 seconds in, Ryan Bayda delivered a big hit to a Badger D-man right behind their own net, which set the tone for the whole game.  Yeah, Dany Heatly got a goal or two, but we raised another post-season title at the Target Center (and our only Target Center title, I think). 

March 2001, at the brand spanking new X in St Paul.  Couldn't believe how nice the arena, and couldn't believe how green the stands were getting.   My 10 year old pouted the whole weekend because St Cloud interfered with our goalie on the OT GWG.   (I didn't try to talk her out of it.)

For me, not every great moment was winning the whole thing.  Sometimes it was pride at seeing the team come out and play as fiercely for 3rd place as for the title.  Pride in wearing the jersey, pride in answering the call when it comes.  A lot of people I know live in jobs like that ( you answer the call and do your best, even when you aren't all that motivated, and the odds are against you), and its inspiring to see these young guys embody that too.

March 2007.   Freshman Chris VandeVelde scored 2 goals vs St Cloud on Friday (bringing his total to 3 for the season).  So for Saturday, my kids made a "VandeVelde for Hobey!!" sign. and held up to glass during warmups.  Toews, Oshie, and that year's eventual winner Ryan Duncan got a kick out of that and were ribbing him.  

March 2012.  We all remember the timeout game, and we all remember that team played without a full bench of players.  So winning Thursday-Friday-Saturday was icing on an inspiring cake.  A pinnacle of guts and glory that's hard to top.

 

[brianvf]

Old article from Schloss about the timeout game.  Great read with all the quotes from former players and coaches:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/ten-years-after-the-famous-timeout-game-the-players-and-coaches-tell-the-story-in-their-own-words

Quote

UND lost numerous key players from the previous year's team: Matt Frattin, Brad Malone, Evan Trupp, Jason Gregoire, Brett Hextall, Brent Davidson, Chay Genoway, Jake Marto and Derrick LaPoint. In the summer, the team's top recruit, first-round draft pick J.T. Miller, signed with the New York Rangers before stepping foot on campus. UND's other star recruit, Rocco Grimaldi, suffered a knee injury before the season and only played four games. Another recruit, Colten St. Clair was ruled ineligible because of an unforeseen issue with his high school transcript. And captain Mario Lamoureux separated his shoulder the week before the first game and played with it the entire year.

Quote

With 5:53 left in the second period, UND iced the puck. Hakstol called timeout to rest tired players. At that point, the Gophers led 3-0 and shots on goal were 23-6 Minnesota. After the timeout, UND outshot Minnesota 21-2 the rest of the game.

Quote

Mattson: That postgame really stands out to me, because that was one time after a game, where Hak looked completely like he was soaking in the moment. I don't remember his speech, but I remember him hanging out in the locker room and it looked like he was enjoying the moment, watching us players celebrate. That definitely stood out to me, because he was the most mission-focused coach I ever played for. He checked off one box, then moved to the other. But he was reveling in that moment and enjoying it.

 

[Oxbow6]

The NCHC tournaments at the Target Center were disasters. Went in 2014. Horrible venue and even worse staff working it. Vowed not to go back until they moved back to the X.  

[Blackheart]

2 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

The NCHC tournaments at the Target Center were disasters. Went in 2014. Horrible venue and even worse staff working it. Vowed not to go back until they moved back to the X.  

They had like one flipping door open to get from the box office area into the arena so it was absolutely packed to get inside.  Every time I went to get concessions or use the bathroom, they wanted to see my ticket before they let me back in my section.  Also, handrails about halfway down our section and then they just stopped.  Made it tough for the older fans to get down to their seats.  That place SUCKED.

[fightingsioux4life]

3 minutes ago, Blackheart said:

They had like one flipping door open to get from the box office area into the arena so it was absolutely packed to get inside.  Every time I went to get concessions or use the bathroom, they wanted to see my ticket before they let me back in my section.  Also, handrails about halfway down our section and then they just stopped.  Made it tough for the older fans to get down to their seats.  That place SUCKED.

The Target Center is more of a basketball facility. The X is one of the best hockey arenas in the country.

[Blackheart]

2 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

The Target Center is more of a basketball facility. The X is one of the best hockey arenas in the country.

yeah, I'd venture to say it's probably second best.

[fightingsioux4life]

1 hour ago, Blackheart said:

yeah, I'd venture to say it's probably second best.

I was thinking the same thing when I wrote that. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

2nd to the St Cloud Community College Concrete Center?

[Blackheart]

41 minutes ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

2nd to the St Cloud Community College Concrete Center?

How did you know?

[Dave Berger]

Last Call In St. Paul: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Discuss. 

Dave