University of Minnesota Athletics
WHK: Gophers Win Second Straight NCAA Championship
3/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Golden Gophers started the game with two penalties at 4:23 and 6:37 of the first period. Minnesota killed off both penalties, but were outshot 9-1. Once the Gophers returned to full strength, Minnesota rattled off five shots on Harvard goalie Ali Boe. Minnesota got on board at 17:24 of the first period, taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Wendell batted in a rebound after Darwitz took the initial shot.
The Crimson quickly tied the game 46 seconds into the second period when Jennifer Sifers scored an even strength goal. The Golden Gophers put the game back to a one goal lead on a power play goal when Wall rifled a slap shot at 7:58 of the second period, her second power play goal in two games. Darwitz and Kelly Stephens assisted on the play. However, the Crimson tied the game for the second time in the period at 10:33, scoring a power play goal from Sarah Vaillancourt, with Nicole Corriero and Julie Chu adding the assists. Just over eight minutes later, the Gophers tacked on their second goal of the period to give Minnesota a 3-2 lead. Ashley Albrecht fired a slap shot for her fourth goal of the season. Wendell and Darwitz assisted on the play.
The Crimson tied the game for the third time on a power play opportunity at 13:54 of the third period. Caitlin Cahow scored, while Chu and Vailliancourt had the assists.
With the game tied, 3-3, the two teams looked as if they were heading into overtime. However, at 18:52, Darwitz netted the gamewinner on a rebound attempt from Stephens. Darwitz finished the game with one goal and three assists. With her nine points in two games, Darwitz set the NCAA record for most individual points in the NCAA Frozen Four, surpassing her linemate Wendell who had eight points last year.
With her four-point performance in the national championship game, Darwitz surpassed former Harvard player Jennifer Botterill for points in a single NCAA season with 114. She finished her season with 42 goals and 72 assists for 114 points. Darwitz has the most points for a Minnesota hockey player, man or woman, in a single season. Former men’s Gopher player Aaron Broten had 106 points in the 1980-81 season.
The line of Darwitz, Stephens and Wendell had 20 points in this season’s NCAA Frozen Four. Along with Darwitz’s 114 points, Wendell finished with six points in the Frozen Four, and 104 on the season. Stephens had five points between the semi and national championship games and scored 76 points in her final season. All three set season career highs.
Jody Horak earned her 24th win of the season, posting a 24-2-2 record in her final campaign. Horak had nine saves in the first, 10 in the second and four in the third for a three-period total of 23.
The Gophers finish the season with an impressive 36-2-2 record and retained the No. 1 ranking in the nation the entire 2004-05 season. The Gophers finished the season with a Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season championship, a WCHA Tournament Championship and a NCAA championship for the second straight season.
It was the final game in Gopher jerseys for five seniors. Stephens finished her Gopher career ranked fourth in all-time scoring. She finished her Gopher career with 97 goals, 121 assists and 218 points in 148 games played. Horak posted a career record of 83 wins, 14 losses and six ties. She is the all-time winningest goalie in school history. Brenda Reinen finished her Gopher career with 36 wins, 3 losses and five ties in her four-year career. Noelle Sutton competed in 144 games with the Maroon and Gold, posting 53 points. Stacy Troumbly had three goals and three assists in her tenure at Minnesota.
The University of Minnesota will hold a pepfest in Ridder Arena to welcome back the two-time national champions, tomorrow. Estimated arrival time for the team will be 1:30.
