It was held between March 11 and 13, 1954, and concluded with Rensselaer defeating Minnesota 5-4 in overtime.
Despite its low membership the Tri-State League would send at least one representative to the tournament every year from 1952 through 1964 before being dissolved in 1972.
[1] Minnesota's victory in the semifinal over Boston College holds two separate records: the most goals scored by one team in an NCAA tournament game (14, tied with Michigan in 1953) and the largest single-game margin of victory in an NCAA tournament (+13).
Boston College, by being outscored 3-21 in their two games, also holds the worst single-tournament goal differential (-18).
The two best WIHL teams and a Tri-State League representative received bids into the tournament as did one independent school.