In 15 seasons of playoffs, the WSHL has witnessed it's most exciting ever.  First round of playoffs in the  Mid West Conference went pretty much according to the conference season ending standings with El Paso defeating San Antonio, and Boulder defeating Tulsa.  Boulder moved on to play at El Paso for the Mid West Conference Championship.

However in the Western Conference, there was some exciting hockey played as Fresno defeated San Diego and a upset in Idaho as 3rd Place Phoenix pulled out game 2 in Overtime, and went on to defeat Idaho in game 3 taking the visiting team berth in the Western Conference Championship. 

Round 2 and the Conference Championships proved the that the WSHL has reached a new pinnacle in the skill and competitiveness within the league.  The Mid West Conference went to 3 games with Boulder winning a close match in game 1, El Paso winning game two in a blowout.  Game 3 started out with Boulder taking control in the first 12 seconds of the game with a quick goal.  From that point on it was Boulder's game upsetting El Paso for the Mid West Championship and off to the Western Conference hosted League Championship. 

In the Western Conference, Phoenix arrived in Fresno after a long bus ride for the Sunday night opening game.  When the dust settled Phoenix pulled off it's 2nd OT win of the playoffs on a power play goal.  Game 2 saw the Fresno  Monsters take control of the game early and proceed to a victory evening up the playoff at one game a piece  going into game 3.  Well if things hadn't been exciting enough with the upset in El Paso, game 3 in Fresno proved how close the competition has become in the WSHL.  Phoenix midway through the 3rd period had a 2-0 lead, and a terrific team that Fresno is fought back and with only seconds remaining tied the game up at 2-2 in regulation.  After the required ice cut, the teams retook the ice and Phoenix pulled out is 3rd OT victory and defeated the Fresno Monsters for the Western Conference Championship.

Round 3 of the post season brought the Boulder Bison and Phoenix Polar Bears to Chandler Arizona for the WSHL League Championship.  How much more exciting could post season be - a lot more.  Game 1 of the Championship event saw regulation end in a tie at 4-4, with Phoenix involved in its 4th overtime game of the post season. Boulder breaking the Phoenix OT win streak, beat Phoenix in overtime to take the lead in the Championship Round.  Game 2 was almost a repeat of game 1 both team playing well however Phoenix took the lead late into the 3rd period when Boulder scored a goal with 8:37 left in the 3rd period to bring them within a goal of Phoenix. As the final minute of the game counted down and Boulder playing short handed, with 1.1 second to play, Boulder scores shorthanded to tie the game.  Needless to say the excitement level had peaked with both games 1 & 2 going to OT.  At 3:20 seconds into OT Phoenix involved in it's 5th OT game of the post season scored the winning goal and tying up the series at one a piece and its 4th victory in OT in post season.

Game 3, and winner take all began a half hour late and saw Phoenix score a power play goal in the 1st. period, Boulder tying it up early in the second, and minutes later Phoenix take the lead with its 2nd goal.  With the score remaining 2-1 Phoenix through the end of the 2nd period, the 3rd period was a heavily battled period with serious body contact as Boulder tried to equal the score.  With the period coming to an end, Boulder pulled their goalie and had several good scoring opportunities but Phoenix maintained their poise to win the game in regulation 2-1, without the need for overtime. It should be said that as the buzzer began its growl, Boulder put the puck in the net but referee Dan Pecora waived off the goal immediately. 

A tenth of a second sooner and the WSHL would have had it's 3rd OT in as many days at the Championship event, and Phoenix would have had 6 OT games out of 9 played in post season, but no such luck for Boulder.  Both teams are to be commended for their skill and competition in the Championship event, and they showed a fortune of sportsmanship while competing. Phoenix Coach Harry Mahood, and Boulder Coach Brent Cullaton are should  be recognized for the play of their respective teams.

The Phoenix Polar Bears was in 4th place with two weeks to go in the regular season moved up to 3rd place by post season play, and overcame some very good teams to be 2009-2010 WSHL Champions. 

Now its off to the National Championship Tournament for both Phoenix and Boulder March 26-31.