The #10 University of Denver Pioneers took on arch-rival Colorado College Tigers in this first game of a best of three WCHA first round matchup. The game would end 5-3 on Denver's home ice at Magness Arena on the DU campus. This would end up being the final series long time Denver head coach George Gwozdecky would be behind the bench at home for the Pioneers, as the coach would be fired a few months later after another disappointing showing in the NCAA tournament. It was also the last WCHA series for both teams as both would move to the new NCHC conference the next season.