University of Minnesota Athletics
Potulny and Johnson Lead Minnesota to WCHA Final Five Title
3/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Junior Gra nt Potulny scored two goals and added an assist in the first 10 minutes and Jus tin Johnson made 36 saves as Minnesota defeated No. 1 Colorado College, 4-2, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Golden Gophers claimed their fourth WCHA Final Five Championship in the last 10 years.
With the victory, the Golden Gophers will likely earn a number one seed in the West Regional which will be held next weekend at Mariucci Arena. The tournament pairings will be announced at 5 p.m. on ESPN tomorrow.
The Golden Gophers came out firing as Bar ry Tallackson fought off two CC defenders and one-handed the puck to Gra nt Potulny who fired it past Curtis McElhinney at the 1:29 mark. Just 20 seconds later on the same shift, Potulny dished from the corner to Tallackson who mishandled the puck but got it over to Guyer who stuffed it home.
At 5:25 on the power-play, Potulny put back a Tho mas Vanek wrister and the lead was 3-0. For Potulny, the two goals marked the seventh straight playoff game that he has scored a goal. He has 10 markers during that span.
Colorado College regrouped in the second period and finished the period on the power-play. Brett Sterling capitalized for the Tigers with just 14 seconds to go.
Leading 3-1 entering the third period, Minnesota spent most of the third in its own zone, but Jud d Stevens swatted the puck out of the zone and it was picked up by Gar rett Smaagaard. On the 2-on-1, Smaagaard fed across to Jon Waibel and his one-timer found the back of the net at 5:13.
The Tigers would not go away though as WCHA Player of the Year Peter Sejna dazzled the crowd with a shallow-angle wrister that he snuck past Johnson top-shelf.
Leading 4-2, the Golden Gophers held off the charging Tigers and the Xcel Energy Center erupted as the clock hit zero.
Making just his third appearance in the month, Johnson stopped a career-high 36 shots as he was named to the all-tournament team. He stopped 15 of 16 shots in the final period.
Defenseman Kei th Ballard joined Johnson and Potulny on the all-tournament team. Potulny was the named most valuable player after collecting three goals and an assist in the two games.
Just over 1,000 tickets remain for the NCAA West Regional which will begin on March 28 at Mariucci Arena. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Golden Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080
