The first round was single elimination. Everyone in, one and done. Second round was best of three.
The attendance sucks because a) the games aren't part of season ticket packages b) Spring Break! No students = crappy attendance. There is no fix. Unless you figure out some way to miraculously convince 3,000 alumni and or general hockey fans that college hockey is an awesome take in great arenas at a fraction of NHL prices. It is what it is.
There were 11 teams so that scenario was not possible.