Minnesota Repeats as National Champions!
The Minnesota Golden Gopher players celebrate after winning the 2003 NCAA Menšs Frozen Four. |
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April 12, 2003
Buffalo, N.Y. - Left wing Thomas Vanek, center Jon Waibel and and right wing Barry Tallackson keyed a three-goal outburst in a five-minute span of the third period here Saturday (April 12) night to break open a 1-1 deadlock and goaltender Travis Weber stopped a total of 26 of 27 shots on goal to propel the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers to a 5-1 victory over the University of New Hampshire in the 2003 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship game before 18,759 at HSBC Arena.
Minnesota (28-8-9), claiming the school's fifth NCAA hockey title overall, thus becomes the first team to repeat as national champions since Boston University won a pair of crowns in 1971 and 1972.
"I'm feeling pretty good," said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia. "But first I'd like to congratulate New Hampshire on a great season. They are a class program and Dick Umile's a great coach. Losing your top scorer (Lanny Gare) at this time of the year is tough and I'm sure that had an impact.
"I'm really proud of this team because of how far they've come since the beginning of the year," added Lucia. "We're playing our best hockey of the year right now and that's been a key. It really was a team effort all year. A different player stepping up at different times throughout the season."
In the opening period, the two opponents traded goals, with Minnesota defenseman Matt DeMarchi scoring first at 10:58, with an assist from left wing Garrett Smaagaard. New Hampshire battled back to tie the game late in the opening session, on a power-play goal by left wing Sean Collins at 19:41.
Vanek, who was named the Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player, gave the Golden Gophers a 2-1 advantage when he scored his team-leading 31st goal of the season the eventual 2003 national championship game-winner at 8:34 of the third period, with center Matt Koalska drawing the lone assist.
"All year we battled hard," said Vanek, "and we played well tonight. That is why we are national champions."
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Vanek then also drew the lone assist on Waibel's goal just :25 seconds later at 8:59 to give Minnesota a 3-1 advantage before Tallackson stepped up to nail his eighth of the season on a power-play opportunity at 13:34 and up the lead to 4-1. Center Gino Guyer and defenseman Chris Harrington earned assists.
The game's final scoring play came on an empty-net goal by Tallackson at 18:31.
"First let me congratulate Minnesota and Don Lucia," said New Hampshire head coach Dick Umile. "They played great against us. We had a shot, when it was 1-1 after two periods. But they (Minnesota) made some great plays and took the game away us."
Game totals showed Minnesota with a 45-27 advantage in shots on goal. On the power-play, both teams were 1-of-5 and both clubs were whistled for six minor penalties for 12 minutes. In goal, the Golden Gophers' Weber had 26 saves while the Wildcats' Michael Ayers had 40.
The 2003 NCAA Men's Frozen Four All-Tournament Team consisted of forward Thomas Vanek of Minnesota, forward Nathan Martz of New Hampshire, forward Steve Saviano of New Hampshire, defenseman Paul Martin of Minnesota, defenseman Matt DeMarchi of Minnesota and goaltendter Travis Weber of Minnesota. Honored as the 2003 NCAA Men's Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player was forward Thomas Vanek of Minnesota.
The 2003 NCAA Men's Frozen Four championship ups the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's record number of national titles to 33 since the league's founding in 1951.
2003 NCAA Menšs Frozen Four Championship Game Summary @ HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
New Hampshire 1 vs Minnesota 5
New Hampshire Wildcats: 2 - Tyler Scott, RW; 3 - Robbie Barker, RW; 4 - Mike Lubesnick, D; 5 - Mike Mounsey, D; 7 - Tyson Teplitsky, D; 8 - Steve Saviano, RW; 9 - Sean Collins, LW; 10 - Justin Aikins, C; 11 - Nathan Martz, C; 12 - Colin Hemingway, RW; 15 - Jim Abbott, RW; 17 - Josh Prudden, C; 19 - Tim Horst, C; 21 - Preston Callander, LW; 22 - Kevin Truelson, D; 25 - Patrick Foley, LW; 27 - Garrett Stafford, D; 29 - Jeff Pietrasiak, G; 33 - Brian Yandle, D; 34 - Mike Ayers, G.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: 3 - Chris Harrington, D; 5 - Jon Waibel, RW; 6 - Judd Stevens, D; 7 - Gino Guyer, C; 9 - Andy Sertich, LW; 10 - Paul Martin, D; 13 - Keith Ballard, D; 17 - Garrett Smaagaard, LW; 18 - Grant Potulny, LW; 19 - Matt DeMarchi, D; 20 - Joey Martin, D; 21 - Troy Riddle, RW; 23 - Tyler Hirsch, RW; 24 - Matt Koalska, C; 25 - Jerrid Reinholz, C; 26 - Thomas Vanek, LW; 27 - Barry Tallackson, RW; 29 - Jake Fleming, C; 31 - Travis Weber, G; 33 - Justin Johnson, G.
1st Period: P1 UNH - Colin Hemingway (2-charging), 8:57; G1 UM - Matt DeMarchi 8 (Garrett Smaagaard 7), 10:58; P2 UM - Keith Ballard (2-roughing), 11:35; P3 UNH - Justin Aikins (2-hooking), 13:12; P4 UM - Garrett Smaagaard (2-hitting after the whistle), 18:01; G2 UNH - Sean Collins 22 (Nathan Martz 15, Justin Aikins 18), PPG, 19:41. 2nd Period: P5 UNH - Patrick Foley (2-charging), 2:33; P6 UM - Thomas Vanek (2-cross checking), 3:10; P7 UNH - Brian Yandle (2-interference), 15:27; P8 UM - Judd Stevens (2-obstruction holding), 18:39. 3rd Period: G3 UM - Thomas Vanek 31 (Matt Koalska 31), 8:14; P9 UM - Jon Waibel (2-hooking), 8:59; G4 UM - Jon Waibel 9 (Thomas Vanek 31), 11:25; P10 UNH - Nathan Martz (2-roughing), 11:43; G5 UM - Barry Tallackson 8 (Gino Guyer 16, Chris Harrington), PPG, 13:34; G6 UM - Barry Tallackson 9 (Grant Potulny 8), ENG, 18:31; P11 UNH - Tim Horst (2-hooking), 18:46; P12 UM - Jake Fleming (2-slashing), 18:46. Score by Periods: UNH 1-0-0 = 1; UM 1-0-4 = 5. PEN: UNH 6-12; UM 6-12. PPs: UNH 1-5; UM 1-5. Saves: Mike Ayers (UNH), 15-14-11 = 49 (59:28); Travis Weber (UM), 6-9-11 = 26 (60:00). Att: 18,759. Time: 2:33.
2003 NCAA Menšs Frozen Four All-Tournament Team: F - Thomas Vanek, Minnesota; F - Nathan Martz, New Hampshire; F - Steve Saviano, New Hampshire; D - Paul Martin, Minnesota; D - Matt DeMarchi, Minnesota; G - Travis Weber, Minnesota. 2003 NCAA Menšs Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player: Thomas Vanek, F, Minnesota.
