2021 Hobey Baker winner Cole Caufield shoots against Michigan in a Wisconsin home game in November 2020 (photo: Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications).
PITTSBURGH – Wisconsin forward Cole Caufield was named the 2021 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award in a virtual award ceremony on Friday.
Caufield beat out Minnesota State junior goaltender Dryden McKay and North Dakota sophomore forward Shane Pinto. The three Hobey Hat Trick finalists were selected from an initial list of 10 candidates by the 30-member selection committee and online fan balloting.
“Obviously it means a lot to me and to my team back in Wisconsin,” said Caufield during the broadcast. “It was something I was working for all season. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Caufield led the nation in scoring this season with 30 goals and 22 assists in 31 games, a 1.68 points per game average.
Twenty-four goals came after Caufield’s return from the World Junior Championship in January where he won a gold medal with Team USA.
Caufield recorded 15 multiple point games in his final 18 contests and unloaded 165 shots on goal this season, averaging 5.3 shots per game. Both numbers led the nation.
He became the first Big Ten player in the eight seasons of the league to win back-to-back scoring titles and was the unanimous Big Ten player of the year this season. His two hat tricks in the 2020-21 campaign made him the first Badger to do so since Brad Englehart in the 1996-97 season.
In his freshman year, Caufield had 19 goals and 36 points. Despite speculation he might turn pro after his rookie campaign, he instead opted for a second season with the Badgers.
In 2019, Caufield was drafted 15th overall in the NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens, and signed a pro contract with the team after the Badgers were eliminated from the 2021 NCAA tournament by Bemidji State in the first round.
Caufield was unable to attend Friday’s ceremony live as he was playing in his first professional game with the AHL Laval Rocket in a 7 p.m. EDT contest against the Toronto Marlies but had recorded comments on the broadcast. Caufield is expected to speak to members of the media about the Hobey Baker Award at 10 p.m. EDT.
His former teammates and coach Tony Granato were watching the online ceremony from the Wisconsin campus.
Before attending Wisconsin, the Stevens Point, Wis., native shattered USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program goal-scoring records for a single season (72, besting Auston Matthews’ 55) and career (126, eclipsing Phil Kessel’s 104).
Caufield joins 2010 winner Blake Geoffrion as the only Wisconsin players to win the Hobey Baker Award. In 40 games, Geoffrion had 28 goals and 22 assists that season. The 2009-10 Badgers were runners-up to Boston College in the NCAA Frozen Four in Detroit.
Freshman Thomas Bordeleau led Michigan in scoring with a 30-point effort during the 2020-21 season (photo: Jonathan Knight).
Michigan freshman forward Thomas Bordeleau has been named the recipient of the 2021 Tim Taylor Award, given annually to the best first-year player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.
He is the second Wolverine player to win this award, following Kyle Connor in 2016.
The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale University and U.S. Olympic Team head coach.
A native of Terrebonne, Quebec, Bordeleau led Michigan in scoring with eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 24 games and had a plus-minus rating of plus-17 as well. He had three game-winning goals and earned Big Ten freshman of the year honors and was named Second Team All-Big Ten.
A 2020 draft pick of the San Jose Sharks (second round, 38th overall), Bordeleau follows in the footsteps of his father (Sebastian) and grandfather (Paulin) who both played in the NHL. Prior to Michigan, Bordeleau spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Tim Taylor, for whom the award is named, spent 28 seasons at Yale and became the school’s winningest head coach as he collected 337 victories. His tenure spanned from 1976-2006, while taking two years on leave to coach the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team as an assistant coach in 1984 and as the head coach in 1994.
Taylor was captain of the Harvard men’s hockey team before he graduated in 1963. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach on the Crimson staff under Ralph “Cooney” Weiland and Bill Cleary before beginning his time with the Bulldogs in New Haven, Conn.
Union senior Josh Kosack had compiled six goals and 16 points in 95 games prior to the 2020-21 season being cancelled (photo: Amanda Lopez).
Union senior forward Josh Kosack has been named the winner of the 2020-21 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award.
The award was established by the HCA in honor of former Army player Derek Hines, who was a “consummate team player and team builder.” Hines played at Army from 1999 to 2003 and was a four-year letter-winner as well as a co-captain his senior season. He was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2005 in Afghanistan.
Kosack, whose season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has excelled on and off the ice for four years in Schenectady. A finalist for the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award, he has combined hockey and volunteer work to help those around him.
“I had the honor of getting to know Josh through his recruiting process in 2015,” Union coach Rick Bennett said in a statement. “Since then, I have admired his dedication to become one of the finest student-athletes in our program’s history. During his four years at Union, Josh has excelled in academics and thrived in leadership on and off the ice. His selfless acts of community service are exemplary.
“Through his work ethic and humility in all he does, he has earned the respect of professors, athletic administration, coaches and peers.”
Two years ago, a chance encounter with a teenage fan at an away game inspired Kosack to create “Kozi’s Kids,” an initiative that gives local Schenectady children a chance to experience a college hockey game – many for the first time.
Through the program, which utilizes unused game tickets and concession vouchers from Union players, Kosack arranges for transportation to a Union men’s hockey game, gives children a tour of the locker room before the game, and also answers questions from the children about life as a college student and a student-athlete. The nature of Kozi’s Kids changed dramatically this year due to the pandemic, but that did not stop Kosack from giving back to the community in different ways.
Without hockey games to bring local children to this season, he singlehandedly raised more than $5,000 to purchase Christmas presents for Schenectady children this holiday season. And in the same week that his team received word that its 2020-21 season was canceled, Josh delivered more than 100 coats to a local Schenectady charity as part of a drive he initiated on campus.
Kosack is the first Union player and fourth player from the ECAC Hockey to win the award since its inception.
The 2020 winner was AIC senior forward Jared Pike.
Mike Richter Award winner Jack LaFontaine backstopped the Gophers to a Big Ten tournament title this season (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Minnesota goalie Jack LaFontaine was announced Friday as the 2021 Mike Richter Award winner as the top goaltender in Division I men’s hockey.
The Mississauga, Ontario, native set new Minnesota single-season records for save percentage (.934) and goals against average (1.79) while his five shutouts this year rank tied for the third most in a season by a Gopher. Among regular NCAA goaltenders this year, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect ranked first in wins, tied for first in save percentage, tied for second in shutouts, third in saves (717) and third in goals against average. In 16 games against nationally ranked opponents, he boasted an 11-5-0 record.
LaFontaine is the first Gopher to win the Mike Richter Award in the honor’s seven-year history.
This season LaFontaine was also named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, a First Team All-Big Ten selection and the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten tournament in 2020-21 while also earning recognition as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Saint Mary’s senior captain Delaney Wolf accepts the Hockey Humanitarian Award from Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation executive director Matt Patrick (photo: Deb Nahrgang, Saint Mary’s University).
PITTSBURGH — Saint Mary’s senior captain Delaney Wolf is the 2021 recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award.
The announcement was made during the virtual Friday Night at the Frozen Four awards ceremony.
The Bismarck, North Dakota, native was recognized for a long list of volunteer activities, which includes volunteering with the Humane Society, tutoring students, teaching elementary Spanish immersion students, serving at local senior living communities and working with a local warming center for the homeless.
Wolf has accomplished all of this while carrying a 4.0 GPA as a double major in biochemistry and Spanish and as a four-year defenseman for the Cardinals.
In preparing her acceptance speech, Wolf said she wanted to encourage others to volunteer and serve.
“Being involved with your community is what makes your community special and what makes it kind of feel like a home,” Wolf said. “Building those connections with people is especially important. And so by serving others, it’s a way to give back and build connections. And to grow as people from that.”
Wolf is the 10th woman and eighth Division III recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award, now in its 26th year.
“Each season, it is exciting to learn about many exceptional student-athletes who are committed to volunteerism,” said Matt Patrick, executive director of the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation. “Delaney’s academic and athletic achievements, leadership and long-term community focus are remarkable. We are delighted that she is this year’s recipient.”
The Hockey Humanitarian Award is accompanied by a $2,500 donation to a charity or non-profit of the recipient’s choice. Wolf selected the Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota for the Winona (Minnesota) Community Warming Center where she has served.
“I started going there my sophomore year, and I’ve met some pretty cool people. I got to know a lot of the regulars pretty well, and I know there’s a lot of stigma around homelessness,” Wolf said. “And a lot of the time, a lot of blame is placed on people who are affected by it.
“It’s really kind of amazing what the warming center does because it gives them somewhere where they feel safe and secure and know they can find somewhere warm to sleep, without having to worry about getting stopped by the police or getting mugged in an alley or something like that.”
Wolf readily admits that it wasn’t easy to serve at the warming center at first.
“I’m not going to lie,” Wolf said. “The first time I went I was nervous cause I was a young college-age girl and the majority of the guests there are middle-aged to older men who looked pretty rough because they don’t have the best living conditions. So knowing that, I was very on high alert, but once I got to know them, it was more like, ‘They’re just people too.'”
Saint Mary’s women’s hockey coach Sarah Murray said that while they had high expectations because it was Wolf’s second year as a finalist for the award, they were still “blown away by it.”
“As soon as we got the news, we called her right away,” Murray said. “And then there was just silence on the other end of the phone for a little bit, because I don’t think she could believe it either.”
Murray said that she has been asked how the culture at Saint Mary’s has shaped Delaney.
“Delaney came in the way she is,” Murray said. “She came in with the selflessness, the wanting to serve others like that. That had nothing to do with us. That was all her bringing that with her.
“She brings everyone along with her. People see what she does and they want to do the same thing, or even she brings them to the actual event and has them volunteer with her. They just look up to her leadership and just how she does things.”
Wolf’s advice to other student-athletes who would like to find a way to serve?
“Just start — because it’s hard to do it the first time. Because you don’t know what you’re doing or you don’t know anybody who’s going,” said Wolf.
“Bring a friend. Do something that you’ve never done before, because once you do it the first time, you know what to expect and it’ll be easy to go the second time. And hopefully you can find something that you can fall in love with.”
Maine coach Red Gendron died Friday at age 63 (photo: University of Maine).
The University of Maine released a statement Friday announcing that head men’s hockey coach Dennis “Red” Gendron experienced a medical condition Friday afternoon and has died. He was 63.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by Red’s sudden death,” says Maine president Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “He was a force in UMaine Athletics and in the legacy of our men’s ice hockey program. We mourn his passing and remember his many contributions to the generations of players he mentored and to the program that lit up Black Bear Nation and the state of Maine. Our thoughts are with his wife Janet, daughters Katelyn and Allison, his coaching staff and players. They have our support and respect for their privacy during this difficult time.”
“Words cannot express our deep sadness from the tragic, sudden loss of Red Gendron,” says Maine director of athletics Ken Ralph. “Our community and the entire UMaine Athletics family mourn the loss of Coach Gendron and we ask you all to keep him, his family, his friends, and our hockey staff and student-athletes in your thoughts through this agonizing time.”
“College hockey lost an absolute giant in the game today,” said Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf. “Red was a coach, mentor, colleague and friend to so many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his team.”
In eight seasons as Black Bears head coach, Gendron compiled a 103-137-32 record. Gendron succeeded Tim Whitehead as head coach in 2013.
Before being named the head coach of the Black Bears, Gendron was associate head coach at Yale, which won the 2013 NCAA Division I National Championship. Prior to Gendron’s two seasons at Yale, from 2005-11, he was an assistant coach at Massachusetts.
Hosts Jim Connelly and Ed Trefzger are joined by Chris Peters of Hockey Sense with Chris Peters and Todd Milewski, USCHO.com editor emeritus and writer for the Wisconsin State Journal and madison.com.
In a free-flowing conversation, they wrap up Thursday night’s Frozen Four semifinal games between St. Cloud State and Minnesota State and between UMass and Minnesota Duluth and look ahead at the Minutemen-Huskies final on Saturday.
Jordan Kawaguchi returned for his senior season with North Dakota and led the Fighting Hawks in scoring with 36 points in 2020-21 (photo: Russell Hons).
North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi has been selected as the 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award winner.
The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s hockey coaches, national hockey media, and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s hockey.
Kawaguchi is the first student-athlete from North Dakota to win the award.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character, and competition.
“My career as a student-athlete has molded me into becoming a leader on and off the ice, as well as in the community,” said Kawaguchi, who led the Fighting Hawks in scoring for the third consecutive year, in a news release. “As I go through the people I have met and the relationships I have built, it’s truly something special and something I will lean on in the future. Coming back for my senior year was the best decision I have made. It’s incredible to think how many positive things have come out of it. While I believe everyone has room to grow, I hope I set a good example for those in Grand Forks and have positively affected the community. That being said, I am humbled and honored to have won the Senior CLASS Award.”
In his first year at North Dakota, Kawaguchi quickly made his presence known with five goals and 14 assists. His stellar performance during the second half of the season resulted in being a co-recipient of North Dakota’s most improved player award. Kawaguchi continued his rise as a sophomore, leading the Fighting Hawks in goals, assists, and total points. Finishing second in the country in total points with 15 goals and 30 assists, he earned national recognition in his junior season. Kawaguchi, a consensus All-America first team selection, was named the USCHO.com national player of the year, NCHC forward of the year, and a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist.
Electing to return for his senior year, Kawaguchi earned his second consecutive All-NCHC first team selection and captained North Dakota to a 22-6-1 record. He led the Fighting Hawks with 36 points, tallying 10 goals and 26 assists.
“You would have to go long and far to find student-athletes who have made the type of impact throughout the course of their careers that Jordan Kawaguchi has,” said Fighting Hawks coach Brad Berry. “He made an impact and put his fingerprints on the program. He showed our younger group how to be a North Dakota hockey player every day. Jordan added to the tradition and left the program in a better place. He is mindful and thoughtful of others before himself, which is what a great leader is.”
Kawaguchi prides himself on his academics and community involvement, as well. He passed up multiple NHL free agent offers to graduate with his marketing degree. While at North Dakota, Kawaguchi has been a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Through his involvement with the organization, he has volunteered at food drives, pen pal programs, and Halloween bashes. Kawaguchi has also spent time volunteering with Special Olympics in Grand Forks.
Once UND’s season concluded, Kawaguchi signed a free-agent NHL contract with the Dallas Stars.
“Jordan Kawaguchi has excelled in all facets of being a student-athlete at the University of North Dakota,” said Erik Miner, executive director of the Senior CLASS Award. “He has displayed tremendous character through his achievements in the classroom, in the community, and on the ice. We congratulate Jordan Kawaguchi and the University of North Dakota for winning this award.”
2020-21 Senior CLASS Award Men’s Hockey First Team All-Americans
Nick Jenny, Robert Morris
Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota
Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota
Brannon McManus, Minnesota
Scott Reedy, Minnesota
2020-21 Senior CLASS Award Men’s Hockey Second Team All-Americans
Kevin Fitzgerald, St. Cloud State
Matt Hellickson, Notre Dame
Alex Limoges, Penn State
Zach Solow, Northeastern
Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac
UMass’ Garrett Wait tips in a pass from Bobby Trivigno in overtime against Minnesota Duluth (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — Massachusetts forward Garrett Wait talked after Thursday’s national semifinal game against Minnesota Duluth about “big boy pants.”
The expression refers to extra skating sessions that UMass players go through after practices throughout the season in the hopes of further conditioning the team.
That conditioning paid off for the Minutemen, and Wait in particular, as the transfer from Minnesota buried a pass from linemate Bobby Trivigno at 14:30 in overtime to give UMass a 3-2 victory over Minnesota Duluth.
The win advances UMass to the national championship game for the second consecutive Frozen Four where they will take on St. Cloud State, a 5-4 winner over Minnesota State on Thursday.
Despite being dominated at times over the first two periods and parts of the third, UMass ended up having more left in the tank down the stretch, particularly in overtime. UMass was outshot 21-11 over the first two periods and outscored 2-1.
But after Anthony Del Gaizo tied the game at 8:25 of the third, UMass dominated the extra frame, holding a 13-2 advantage in shots.
“Duluth is the best team we’ve played this year,” said UMass coach Greg Carvel. “They play a heavy style that we’re not used to playing against.
“After the second period I urged the players to realize it’s going to take more. And I thought the kids did a great job in the third period.”
Down the stretch of regulation and into the overtime, UMass continued to roll four lines while Minnesota Duluth shortened its bench.
“The one thing about this team is that they know what makes them good,” Carvel said. “And when they smell blood in the water, they all take it up a notch. I’m looking at the bench in overtime and the next line up, every time they were well rested.”
Coming into Thursday’s game, the dominant story line was not the players on the ice but those missing from the UMass lineup. The Minutemen had four players in COVID protocol after single a positive player test last Friday. That included starting goaltender Filip Lindberg and top goal scorer Carson Gicewicz.
That thrust Matt Murray into the starting role in net for the first time since Jan. 18 and also elevated Anthony Del Gaizo to the top line alongside Oliver Chau and Jake Gaudet.
Both players impacted the game. Murray stopped 36 of the 38 shots he saw, while Del Gaizo scored the tying goal.
After the game, Carvel announced that both Lindberg and Gicewicz, along with third-string goaltender Henry Graham, will fly to Pittsburgh on Friday and be available for the national championship game.
Minnesota Duluth took a 2-1 lead into the third period on the only goal of the middle frame off the stick of Cole Koepke. It came on a scramble in front of the UMass net. Murray lost his goal stick as Koepke first attempted to shoot. That shot was blocked by the UMass defense but Koepke’s second attempt went high blocker side for the 2-1 lead.
Prior to Thursday, Minnesota Duluth was 10-1-1 when leading after two periods and had been dominant in this tournament in recent years when taking a lead.
But Del Gaizo, who entered Thursday with just a single goal, put himself in great position to bury a rebound when both Josh Lopina and Trivigno each had whacks at the puck.
“Well, the thing I’ve learned about Anthony is that he rises in the NCAA Tournament,” Carvel said. “He scored two years ago our first goal against Harvard, really broke the dam.
“And he was the guy to go up and take the place of Gicewicz, because Anthony’s played as heavy as anybody. We know he’ll go to the net. We know he’ll finish hits. We know he’ll be a pest to play against.”
After a stalemate early between these two defense-first clubs, UMass opened the scoring in the first on the power play when Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute was whistled for holding at 14:57.
It didn’t take long for the Minutemen to score as offensively-talented defenseman Zac Jones fired home his ninth goal of the season from the left point as Gaudet set a great screen in front of Zach Stejskal (25 saves).
Laderoute atoned for the penalty just minutes later when he outmuscled UMass defenseman Aaron Bohlinger for a loose puck in the crease, tucking it past Murray.
When UMass and St. Cloud State face off in Saturday’s championship game, a first-time champion will be crowned. More significantly, though, for the first time since 2017, it won’t be Minnesota Duluth that is hoisting the trophy. Certainly a bittersweet moment for coach Scott Sandelin and his club, but even he admitted what this team has accomplished in the last five seasons — four straight Frozen Four appearances and two national titles — is quite significant.
“We fought some of the odds and got back here,” said Sandelin. “I told them to be proud of the accomplishment. It’s a very difficult thing to do. Sometimes the highs are unbelievable and the lows are really low. But you can learn from every and use it as motivation to get back here next year.”
St. Cloud State celebrates its 5-4 win Thursday night over Minnesota State in the first Men’s Frozen Four semifinal of the 2021 NCAA tournament (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH – In a year that has been about the next man up and showing resiliency for St. Cloud State, the battle-tested Huskies will now play for a national championship on Saturday night.
Nolan Walker’s redirect of Seamus Donohue’s shot with 53.2 seconds remaining in regulation broke a 4-4 tie, giving St. Cloud State a 5-4 victory to over Minnesota State in Thursday’s first semifinal.
They will face the winner of Thursday’s second semifinal between Minnesota Duluth and Massachusetts.
The Walker goal capped a wild third period and a crazy, back-and-forth hockey game.
The play developed as Kyler Kupka fished a loose puck from the left corner and fed it back along the boards to Donohoe. The senior defenseman fired a shot about 12 inches off the ice and Walker’s perfect hand-eye coordination produced the redirect over the glove of Minnesota State netminder Dryden McKay (17 saves).
The goal completed a third-period comeback for the Huskies, which have now trailed at some point in all three NCAA tournament games, rallying for victory.
The two teams entered the third deadlocked at 3 before Dallas Gerads started a two-on-one from the neutral zone for Minnesota State. Working a perfect give-and-go with Walker Duehr, Gerads stuffed the shot past David Hrenak (25 saves) at 4:18 of the third.
The 4-3 lead for Minnesota State was the first time the Huskies trailed in the game.
“With this team we’ve been able to bounce back all season long,” said freshman Joe Molenaar. “I think as the team we were set on sticking to our game and the best outcome would be the outcome.”
“That’s what’s special about this team,” said Walker. “Whenever we get down in a game, we never give up and we find a way to win.”
Though the Mavericks are known for their stifling defense and strong goaltender, St. Cloud State didn’t quit and with 9:46 remaining found the equalizer.
Will Hammer redirected a shot by Spencer Meier that bounced off McKay’s pad right to Molenaar, who potted and easy tap-in goal, this first of his collegiate career.
Molenaar was in the lineup on the fourth line wing after Kupka moved to the top line to replace Easton Brodzinski who broke his femur in the Albany Regional final. Both Kupka scored and added an assist while Molenaar scored one of the biggest goals of his hockey career.
“Kupka held his own on that line,” said St. Cloud coach Brett Larson. “He was able to play his game. He didn’t try to change his game and that’s what we asked out of him. And Molenaar went into a huge game after not playing for a while.”
Special teams have played a major role in the game. Both teams were perfect on the power play, St. Cloud scoring once and Minnesota State capitalizing on both of their man advantages.
Huskies captain Spencer Meier opened the scoring on the power play, pinching in from the point to be in perfect position to bury the rebound of Zack Okabe’s shot at 3:18 for the 1-0 lead.
Though it took Minnesota State until the 9:21 mark to get its first shot, when the Mavericks got a chance on the power play, they too capitalized.
Nathan Smith picked up a loose puck after the St. Cloud defense blocked a shot. Smith fired the puck through traffic blocker side on Hrenak to tie the game at 1 at 16:09.
The game wasn’t tied for long as Kupka provided the answer off the ensuing faceoff being in position for an easy tap-in when Walker feathered a nifty pass after freezing goaltender McKay. The goal came just 10 seconds after Minnesota State had drawn even on the power play.
Early in the second, the Huskies opened a two-goal lead taking advantage of a bad turnover by the Mavericks. Skating from his zone, Julian Napravnik made a blind, behind-the-back pass that went right to the stick of St. Cloud State’s Will Hammer, who promptly fired it high over the blocker of McKay.
Minnesota State, though, fought back.
At 12:07, Walker Duehr scored his 10th of the season burying the rebound of Dallas Gerads shot on an odd-man rush. Then, after a St. Cloud State penalty 45 seconds later, Smith scored his second of the game on the man advantage, cutting in from the half boards and firing a shot under the crossbar.
That set the stage for a wild third period and the dramatic finish that accompanied.
The loss is a difficult end to the season for both the Mavericks and their goaltender, McKay. The junior was the only Hobey Baker finalist to reach the Frozen Four after a season where he posted 10 shutouts.
Thursday was the first time this season McKay allowed five goals in a game and the first time since December 28, 2019, when he allowed five goals to, who else, but St. Cloud State, a 7-2 loss on that night.
Whether McKay returns for his senior year is unclear, but seven players in the lineup on Thursday were seniors who may or may not return next season for a fifth year. Coach Mike Hastings said seeing that senior class hurt after the game was difficult.
“It’s hard. There’s a group of upperclassmen in there, seniors, who have paved the way to get our program to where we are today,” said Hastings. “I want that group to be proud. Wounds heal, but they do take time. I’m just proud of what that group has done for our program, this team and our community.”
For St. Cloud, they will get the program’s first chance to play for a national title on Saturday. After last season, a year where the Huskies were below .500 but hoping for a postseason turnaround when the season was canceled due to COVID. That makes this win a little sweeter.
“Last year didn’t end, we never finished it. Who knows where we could’ve ended up,” Larson said. “We have a great group of guys I thought pushed this program to be better through a year where we lost 16 guys. Our senior group last year was a huge character group who didn’t get the chance to finish it.
“I think what they did was help build the foundation for this group. And this group is better off for that.”
Matt Murray stopped 36 shots for UMass on Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — After Wednesday’s practice at the Frozen Four, UMass coach Greg Carvel expressed confidence in his team to be able to step up despite the loss of four players to COVID protocol, forwards Carson Gicewicz and Jerry Harding and goaltenders Filip Lindberg and Henry Graham.
Early Friday morning after UMass’ 3-2 overtime win over Minnesota Duluth, Carvel admitted that goaltending actually was an area of concern going into Thursday’s national semifinal.
Not that Matt Murray isn’t a good goalie, said Carvel, but that he hadn’t played since Jan. 18, a weekend of home-and-home losses to Boston University, including one in overtime.
“It’s a tough situation,” said Carvel. “When you don’t have a live game, it’s hard. To be honest, that was the only thing I was worried about, losing a couple of players up front, we can overcome that.”
Murray said he has stayed ready, despite the lack of game time.
“I think ever since my last game I’ve really made sure to treat practices as games and give it everything I have every single day,” said Murray. “And I think that was able to help me put my best foot forward today and it felt natural.
“It felt great to be back in net,” Murray added, barely holding back a smile.
“I give him a lot of credit for how well he’s practiced and his effort and his attitude,” Carvel said.
Murray, who was 9-3-0 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average during the regular season, bested both numbers with 36 saves on 38 shots (.974) and a 1.61 GAA.
And he withstood an onslaught of shots, especially during the first two periods when UMass wasn’t playing well in Carvel’s eyes.
“I was kind of in the zone. It was going well for me all game. I felt great,” said Murray, who expressed some pride in the victory.
“Yeah, it’s a great feeling,” he said. “Obviously playing hockey is the best thing to do in the world. And it’s great to have such an amazing group of guys to share that kind of feeling with.”
During the postgame news conference, UMass announced that all but Harding who were unavailable Thursday will travel to Pittsburgh on Friday.
Though no decision has been announced on who will start in goal on Saturday, Murray is nevertheless pleased to have Lindberg and Graham return.
“I’m just happy to get the band back together,” said Murray of his fellow goaltenders. “Steigs (student equipment manager Zac Steigmeyer, who was the backup goalie for Thursday’s game) has been a great guy, filling up the extra goalie role. But us three have some really good chemistry.
“And obviously missing Carson is a big presence and everything,” said Murray about the team’s leading goal scorer.
“I think it’s going to be nothing but hard work and smiles when everyone comes back tomorrow.”
Minnesota Duluth players leave the ice after an overtime loss to UMass early Friday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — The run at history ran out of steam in overtime.
Minnesota Duluth was poised to be the first ever team to appear in four straight NCAA championship games, with a chance at being only the second to win three titles in a row.
The Bulldogs were blocking shots at a higher rate than UMass was recording shots on goal but they couldn’t hold off an oncoming charge by the Minutemen as the game wore on.
Playing defense for long stretches took a toll, coach Scott Sandelin said after UMass won 3-2 in overtime at PPG Paints Arena in a game that stretched into early Friday morning.
“I think the difference was we couldn’t get out of our zone,” he said. “And when you’re playing defense you run out of gas quick. …
“We made a lot of soft plays and couldn’t get pucks out. Some of it was just decisions. We needed to make better decisions, harder plays. …
“We blocked a lot of shots but nobody likes to defend. It’s tiring. They made us defend, and conversely we didn’t have a lot of energy going the other way.”
The disparity was obvious in overtime with the Minutemen coming at the Bulldogs in waves. It finally led to Bobby Trivigno feeding Garrett Wait for a back-door tip-in 14:30 into the extra session.
It was the Minutemen’s 13th shot on goal of overtime compared to just two for the Bulldogs. Shot attempts were 30-6.
“I think Duluth ran out of gas because they didn’t roll four lines,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “But I think we took it up a notch.”
While there were questions to the UMass players and Carvel about their fitness levels afterward, the Bulldogs were left to answer queries about how things fell apart.
They led 2-1 after two periods on goals by Tanner Laderoute and Cole Koepke. UMass had only 11 shots on goal through two periods and registered just four more in the third but got one from Anthony Del Gaizo to go in on a rebound to equalize.
Did the tank reach empty for the Bulldogs?
“Maybe a little bit,” Laderoute said. “We’ve played a lot of hockey. We’ve faced a lot of adversity. Our practices aren’t always the same with COVID and everything. Maybe a little bit. They had us on the ropes there at the end. You’ve got to give it to them — they’re an awesome team.”
Minnesota Duluth had won nine straight NCAA tournament overtime games dating to 1985. Zac Jones’ power-play goal for UMass in the first period put the Bulldogs into a deficit in an NCAA game for the first time in 352:32 of playing time.
They won the 2018 and 2019 championships after falling to Denver in the 2017 final. The 2020 tournament was canceled because of the pandemic.
“A lot of those guys, they don’t know this feeling,” Sandelin said. “Sometimes the highs are unbelievable and the lows are really low. But you can learn from everything. So hopefully we learn from this and use it as motivation to get back here next year.”
Filip Lindberg and Carson Gicewicz are two of the players scheduled to join UMass on Friday (photo: Rich Gagnon/UMass Lowell Athletics).
PITTSBURGH — Three of the four UMass players ruled out for Thursday’s Frozen Four semifinal against Minnesota Duluth because of COVID-19 protocols are scheduled to rejoin the team on Friday.
Leading scorer Carson Gicewicz, starting goaltender Filip Lindberg and backup goalie Henry Graham will travel to Pittsburgh later Friday, the school announced after the Minutemen’s 3-2 overtime victory against Minnesota Duluth.
Forward Jerry Harding also didn’t travel with the team to the Frozen Four this week after the team received a positive COVID-19 test last Friday.
NCAA protocols require players to quarantine until receiving two consecutive negative tests. UMass said Gicewicz, Lindberg and Graham will test Friday and Saturday morning; if those tests come back negative they’ll be able to dress for Saturday’s national championship game against St. Cloud State.
Matt Murray started in goal Thursday.
“I’m just happy to get the band back together,” Murray said early Friday after the overtime result.
PITTSBURGH — Photos from UMass’ 3-2 overtime victory against Minnesota Duluth in the Men’s Frozen Four semifinals at PPG Paints Arena.
2021 NCAA Men's Frozen Four semifinals: UMass vs. Minnesota Duluth
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8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
UMass captured its first NCAA hockey championship last April 8 in a thrilling win over Minnesota Duluth (photo: Jim Rosvold).
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
8 Apr 21: The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs play against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen in a national semifinal matchup in the 2021 Division I Men’s Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
UMass is into the national championship game after defeating Minnesota Duluth in overtime (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — Garrett Wait’s back-door goal at 14:30 of overtime gave Massachusetts a 3-2 victory over Minnesota Duluth in the second NCAA semifinal early Friday.
Massachusetts will face St. Cloud State, a 5-4 winner on Thursday in the opening semifinal, in Saturday’s championship game.
The game-winner came after forcing a turnover near the Minnesota Duluth blue line and then cycling the puck around until Bobby Trivigno slid a perfect pass cross-crease that Wait buried past Zach Stejskal into the open net.
The Minutemen forced overtime on Anthony Del Gaizo’s goal with 11:35 remaining in regulation Minnesota Duluth carried a 2-1 lead in the final frame after Cole Koepke’s goal at 10:59 of the second had given Minnesota Duluth at 2-1 lead.
But despite struggling to generate much offense early in the final frame, UMass did enough to create some havoc in front of Stejskal. Josh Lopina and Trvigno both had whacks at the puck, the latter creating a rebound to Stejskal’s left that Del Gaizo buried.
Koepke’s go-ahead goal came on a scramble in front of the UMass net. Goaltender Matt Murray lost his goal stick as Koepke first attempted to shoot. That shot was blocked by the UMass defense but Koepke’s second attempt went high blocker side for the 2-1 lead.
Seconds later, after a Minnesota Duluth turnover, UMass looked to have the equalizer as Reed Lebster seemingly had a wide-open net. That was until Stejskal flashed his right pad to rob Lebster.
After a stalemate early between these two defense-first clubs, UMass opened the scoring in the first on the power play when Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute was whistled for holding at 14:57.
It didn’t take long for the Minutemen to score as offensively-talented defenseman Zac Jones scored his ninth goal of the season from the left point as UMass captain Jake Gaudet set a great screen in front of Stejskal.
Laderoute atoned for the penalty just minutes later when he outmuscled UMass defenseman Aaron Bohlinger for a loose puck in the crease, tucking it past Murray.
Through regulation, Minnesota Duluth held a lopsided 36-15 edge in shots on goal. But in the extra session, the Minutement seemed to find an extra gear, outshooting Minnesota Duluth, 13-2, mostly by creating multiple turnovers like the one that led to the winning goal.
Minnesota Duluth’s Wyatt Kaiser and goalie Zach Stejskal and UMass’ Jake Gaudet work in front of the net on Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH – Anthony Del Gaizo’s goal with 11:35 remaining in regulation tied Thursday’s second semifinal at 2 and forced overtime between Massachusetts and Minnesota Duluth with a spot in Saturday’s national title game on the line.
Minnesota Duluth carried a 2-1 lead in the final frame after Cole Koepke’s goal at 10:59 of the second had given the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
But despite struggling to generate much offense early in the final frame, UMass did enough to create some havoc in front of Bulldogs netminder Zach Stejskal. Josh Lopina and Bobby Trivigno both had whacks at the puck, the latter creating a rebound to Stejskal’s left that Del Gaizo buried.
Koepke’s go-ahead goal came on a scramble in front of the UMass net. Goaltender Matt Murray lost his goal stick as Koepke first attempted to shoot. That shot was blocked by the UMass defense but Koepke’s second attempt went high blocker side for the 2-1 lead.
Seconds later, after a Minnesota Duluth turnover, UMass looked to have the equalizer as Reed Lebster seemingly had a wide-open net. That was until Stejskal flashed his right pad to rob Lebster.
After a stalemate early between these two defense-first clubs, UMass opened the scoring in the first on the power play when Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute was whistled for holding at 14:57.
It didn’t take long for the Minutemen to score as offensively-talented defenseman Zac Jones scored his ninth goal of the season from the left point as UMass captain Jake Gaudet set a great screen in front of Stejskal.
Laderoute atoned for the penalty just minutes later when he outmuscled UMass defenseman Aaron Bohlinger for a loose puck in the crease, tucking it past Murray.
Through regulation, Minnesota Duluth holds a lopsided 36-15 edge in shots on goal.
Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute finishes off a goal in the first period Thursday against UMass (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — A Cole Koepke goal at 10:59 of the second has given Minnesota Duluth at 2-1 lead over Massachusetts through two periods in the second semifinal of the Men’s Frozen Four.
The winner of the game will face St. Cloud State, a 5-4 winner over Minnesota State in Thursday’s opener, in Saturday’s championship game.
Koepke’s go-ahead goal came on a scramble in front of the UMass net. Goaltender Matt Murray lost his goal stick as Koepke first attempted to shoot. That shot was blocked by the UMass defense but Koepke’s second attempt went high blocker side for the 2-1 lead.
Seconds later, after a Minnesota Duluth turnover, UMass looked to have the equalizer as Reed Lebster seemingly had a wide-open net. That was until goaltender Zach Stejskal flashed his right pad to rob Lebster.
After a stalemate early between these two defense-first clubs, UMass opened the scoring in the first on the power play when Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute was whistled for holding at 14:57.
It didn’t take long for the Minutemen to score as offensively-talented defenseman Zac Jones scored his ninth goal of the season from the left point as UMass captain Jake Gaudet set a great screen in front of Stejskal.
Laderoute atoned for the penalty just minutes later when he outmuscled UMass defenseman Aaron Bohlinger for a loose puck in the crease, tucking it past Murray.
Minnesota Duluth and UMass players converge around the puck in the first period Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — Both Massachusetts and Minnesota Duluth scored goals in the latter half of the opening period and the game is tied at 1 through 20 minutes.
After a stalemate early between these two defensive-first clubs, UMass opened the scoring on the power play when Minnesota Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute was whistled for holding at 14:57.
It didn’t take long for the Minutemen to score as offensively talented Zac Jones scored his ninth goal of the season from the left point as UMass captain Jake Gaudet set a great screen in front of Bulldogs goaltender Zach Stejskal.
Laderoute atoned for the penalty just minutes later when he outmuscled UMass defenseman Aaron Bohlinger for a loose puck in the crease, tucking it past goaltender Matt Murray.
Minnesota Duluth doubled up UMass in shots on goal in the first, 10-5.
Minnesota State’s Jake Jaremko stops in front of St. Cloud State goalie David Hrenak’s net on Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH — Minnesota State was ready to add another entry to a series of firsts.
The Mavericks were 10 minutes away from slapping their name onto the final game of the bracket. After winning their first NCAA tournament game and getting to the Frozen Four for the first time less than two weeks ago, they had a lead in the third period Thursday.
Two critical plays, however, made for another dramatic pivot and gave St. Cloud State a first of its own — a debut in the national championship game.
The Huskies got a tying goal by Joe Molenaar midway through the final period and Nolan Walker’s last-minute winner in a 5-4 victory at PPG Paints Arena.
Senior defenseman Riese Zmolek didn’t see it as the Mavericks failing to see things through to the finish.
“They’re a good hockey team. They’re going to make plays,” he said. “Hats off to them late in that third period.”
After falling behind 3-1 in the second period, the Mavericks gained momentum with an inspired five minutes. Walker Duehr cut the deficit to one and Nathan Smith scored his second power-play goal of the game to equalize.
Dallas Gerads put Minnesota State ahead 4-3 early in the third period and things were tilting toward the Mavericks.
They led in the third period of 21 games this season entering Thursday and had closed out 20 of them. The only exception was a 4-3 overtime loss to Bemidji State on Feb. 27.
The Huskies added another one.
“Even a couple shifts before Molenaar scored, I felt like we were starting to get some jump back in our legs and were able to push the pace a little bit more and get up on the forecheck a little bit more,” St. Cloud State coach Brett Larson said. “Until then, I thought they really controlled the areas that they wanted to control and it was really difficult for us.”
Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings said he thought his players lost body positioning on Molenaar’s tying goal with 9:46 remaining. On Walker’s go-ahead goal with 53.2 seconds left, the Mavericks lost battles for the puck along the boards.
“We had some opportunities over that last 4½ minutes ourselves. They found a way to capitalize,” Hastings said. “I didn’t think we backed off. I just thought that they made a play. At that time of the game, that’s the difference.”
The result in a game of momentum swings left the Mavericks with the empty feeling of seeing the season end abruptly. There was another first for them to claim but it was snatched away.
“It’s unbelievable the distance we’ve come,” Smith said. “Riese and all the rest of the seniors, they paved the way for us. I just hope we can come back next year stronger.”
Joe Molenaar reacts after scoring Thursday night for St. Cloud State (photo: Jim Rosvold).
PITTSBURGH – When Easton Brodzinski suffered a broken femur in St. Cloud State’s win over Boston College in the Albany regional final – an injury that required a rod and two screws to fasten back together – it opened up a spot in the lineup for tonight’s national semifinal.
The next man up was freshman Joe Molenaar.
“When a guy like Easton goes down – he’s a guy who has mentored me all year, my roommate on the road,” said Molenaar. “For the whole team it was tough. At first thinking he’s such a big piece for our team, it’s heartbreaking.”
St. Cloud coach Brett Larson slotted Molenaar on the left wing with two seniors.
“Then once this week starts and I’m practicing on the line with Will Hammer and Jared Cockrell, two seniors who have been really good to me about keeping me prepared for moments like this,” Molenaar said. “I was excited to be in the lineup, (and to) give it a chance.”
Molenaar had played in just 11 games this season for the Huskies, and had yet to score a goal.
The rookie and his linemates twice took advantage of the opportunity to answer what Larson last week called a “rallying cry” – to step up and win for Brodzinski.
Hammer answered first when he picked off a drop pass in the Minnesota State zone, quickly turned, and fired it past Mavericks goalie Dryden McKay.
Then it was time for the next man up.
Molenaar scored his first career goal to tie the game at 4-4 after the Mavericks came back from that 3-1 deficit to lead 4-3, steering home a goalmouth pass from Hammer.
“Will got a nice tip on it and I found the soft spot and the puck bounced right on my stick. Probably one of the easier goals I’ve scored,” said Molenaar.
“A lot of people call them our fourth line,” said Larson. “But really the way our team is built, we think we have four first lines. They just play differently.”
That depth has been important to the Huskies all season.
“The value that Hammer’s line brings every night, no matter who is on it, has been one of the main parts of our success this year,” said Larson.
This time, it was Molenaar’s turn to contribute to that success.
“When you’re out of the lineup you always have to think you’re next man up,” said Molenaar.
“I just think all year long it’s been about doing whatever I can to help the team. Whether I’m in the lineup or not, just trying to have a positive impact every night. To get that goal tonight, it feels great.”
