Minnesota Captures WCHA Final Five Title
March 15, 2004
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Minnesota captured the 2004 WCHA Final Five Championship with their first-ever win over Minnesota Duluth in the WCHA Final Five Championship game with a 4-2 victory Sunday at Ridder Arena. It is also the second time that the Gophers have won the regular season and tournament championship in the same year.
Minnesota Duluth lit the lamp first on Krista McArthur's unassisted goal at 9:08. Minnesota answered with Krissy Wendell's goal at 15:58, sending the game into the first intermission with a 1-1 score. Natalie Darwitz added the assist on Wendell's tally. Minnesota's Kelsey Bills gave the Gophers the lead as she converted a pass from Chelsey Brodt at 5:09 of the second period. Kelly Stephens put the Gophers up 3-1 with her power play goal at 12:49. Ashley Albrecht and Wendell added assists. Stephens then recorded her second goal of the game, the eventual game-winner, at 17:16 on a pass from Wendell. Minnesota Duluth's Julianne Jubinville added a goal at 16:41. Jenny Potter added the lone assist.
The Bulldogs outshot the Gophers 45-26 on the game, including holding a 20-10 shot advantage in a scoreless second period. Jody Horak made 43 saves while Minnesota Duluth's Riita Schaublin had 22 saves.
Minnesota's Krissy Wendell was named the 2004 WCHA Final Five Most Valuable Player. The 2004 WCHA Final Five All-Tournament team included Minnesota's Natalie Darwitz, Kelly Stephens and Jody Horak, Minnesota Duluth's Jenny Potter and Krista McArthur and Wisconsin's Molly Engstrom.
Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 5-4 in overtime in the third place game. Karen Rickard scored at 2:19 of the extra period to give the Badgers the victory. Lindsay Macy had two goals and an assist for Wisconsin while Jeni Creary had a goal and two assists for the Buckeyes.
In the other tournament games, Ohio State defeated Minnesota State 3-1 in the play-in game on Friday. Saturday, Minnesota Duluth topped Wisconsin 3-1 to earn a trip to the championship game while Minnesota posted a 5-1 win over Ohio State in the other semifinal.
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday, March 26
NCAA Women's Frozen Four, Providence, R.I.
Semifinal 1 4 p.m.
Semifinal 2 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 28
NCAA Women's Frozen Four, Providence, R.I.
Third place game 11:30 a.m.
Championship 3 p.m.
(all times CST)
RECENT Games
Friday, March 12
WCHA Final Five
Play-in Game
No. 4 Ohio State 3, No. 5 Minnesota State 1
Saturday, March 13
Semifinal Game 1
No. 3 Minnesota Duluth 3, No. 2 Wisconsin 1
Semifinal Game 2
No. 1 Minnesota 5, No. 4 Ohio State 1
Sunday, March 14
Third Place Game
No. 2 Wisconsin 5, No. 4 Ohio State 4 OT
Championship Game
No. 1 Minnesota 4, No. 3 Minnesota Duluth 2
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