Golden Gophers Return to NCAA Championship Game
Thomas Vanek scored the game-winning goal in overtime for Minnesota. |
 |
April 10, 2003
Buffalo, N.Y.-- Freshman winger Thomas Vanek's unassisted goal 8:55 into overtime and the spectacular goaltending of sophomore Travis Weber gave the University of Minnesota a 3-2 victory over University of Michigan before 18,702 at HSBC Arena Thursday evening and propelled the defending national champion Golden Gophers into the 2003 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship game.
Seeking the program's fifth national title overall, Minnesota (27-8-9) will take on the University of New Hampshire (28-7-6) for the national crown on Saturday night, with faceoff set for 7:07 pm ET. The Frozen Four championship game will be telecast live on ESPN.
The Golden Gophers, looking to become the first team to win back-to-back NCAA championships since Boston University in 1971 and 1972, trailed by a 2-0 margin late in the second period following a first period tally by Michigan's Brandon Kaleniecki at 9:33 and a second period goal by the Wolverines' Jed Ortmeyer at 14:38.
Minnesota battled back however, striking for the first time late in the second when winger Troy Riddle converted from Vanek and forward Matt Koalska to make the score 2-1 and mark his 26th goal of the season.
The Golden Gophers then knotted the score at 2-2 just 1:35 into the third period when center Gino Guyer scored his 13th goal of the campaign, with assists from forward Barry Tallackson and defenseman Chris Harrington, to set up the overtime.
On the night, Travis Weber stopped 31 of 33 shots on goal for Minnesota while Michigan freshman netminder Al Montoya had 29 stops.
Both teams were blanked on the power-play, with Minnesota going 0-of-4 and Michigan going 0-of-5. In penalties, Minnesota was whistled for five minors for 10 minutes while Michigan had four minors for eight minutes.
In the first semi-final matchup on Thursday afternoon, the New
Hampshire Wildcats upended the Cornell Big Red, 3-2.
|
|
 |
