Denver Pioneers Earn First Trip To NCAA Frozen Four Since 1986
March 28, 2004
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Thanks to a sparkling, 33-save effort from the NCAA West Regional Most Outstanding Player Adam Berkhoel and a game-winning goal from junior Luke Fulghum, the second-seeded University of Denver hockey team advanced to its first Frozen Four in 18 years with a 1-0 win over tournament top-seed North Dakota Saturday night at the World Arena.
The Pioneers (25-12-5) captured the West Region and will take on Sunday's winner between Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth in the national semifinals on Thursday, April 8. North Dakota's (30-8-3) season ends one game short of its first Frozen Four since 2001.
"This was just a terrific hockey game," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "When time started ticking down in the third period I think everyone in the building knew that one goal was going to decide it and luckily for us, Max Bull got the goal we needed. We defeated an awesome WCHA champion tonight."
The game was scoreless through the first 20 minutes thanks to some spectacular saves from both goaltenders, Berkhoel and Jordan Parise of North Dakota. Berkhoel stopped all 13 Sioux shots in the first period, including three scoring chances directly in front of him. Parise was just as solid, stopping all six Denver shots that included three scoring chances.
The second period was more of the same, as both goaltenders kept the game scoreless with solid goaltending. North Dakota had the best scoring chance of the period, a two-on-one breakaway chance that failed to net a goal as the shot sailed over the net. North Dakota out-shot the Pioneers for the second straight period and held a 23-13 shot advantage after two periods.
North Dakota dominated the third period with a 10-4 shot advantage but was unable to capitalize on numerous scoring chances. Denver finally got the break both teams were looking for, as senior Lukas Dora (Lednice, Czech Republic) made a pass from the point to a wide-open Bull at the top of the left circle, who fired a slapshot at the Sioux net. Fulghum was in the middle of the circle and the puck hit him, deflecting the shot downward and passed a stunned Parise, who could do nothing but watch the puck go past him for a 1-0 Denver lead. North Dakota tried in vain to tie the game, but the Pioneers kept the Sioux out of the net for North Dakota's first shutout since the 2001 season.
"I just saw the play developing," Bull said. "I saw an open area and Dora got me the puck and I just ripped it. This is definitely one of the most emotional wins of my four-year career."
Denver will take on the winner of Minnesota and Minnesota State Mankato in the first national semifinal on Thursday, April 8. The Gophers and Bulldogs play for the Midwest Regional title on Sunday.
Denver 1 vs North Dakota 0
First Period: No Scoring. Second Period. No Scoring. Third Period; G1 Denver Luke Fulghum 13 (Max Bull 3, Lukas Dora 20), 17:31. Score by Periods: Denver 0-0-1=1; UND 0-0-0 = 0. Shots on Goal: Denver (6-7-4 = 17), UND (13-10-10 = 33); Saves: Adam Berkhoel (Denver), 13-10-10 = 33 (60:00), Jordan Parise (UND) 6-7-3 = 16. Pen: Denver 3-6, UND 3-6; PP: Denver 0-3, UND 0-3; Attendance: 6,047.
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