University of Minnesota Athletics
Frozen Four Moments: Ten Seconds
4/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
April 13, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS - The Gophers are looking back at some of the most memorable moments of the 2016 NCAA Women's Frozen Four, starting with the last 10 seconds of Minnesota's 3-1 win over Boston College in the national championship game.
With the Gophers leading by two, Boston College pulled goaltender Katie Burt for the extra attacker with 2:14 remaining in the game. The Eagles forced Amanda Leveille to make three saves in the final two minutes, and Minnesota had three chances to bury an empty-net goal inside 35 seconds remaining but all three attempts went wide. A BC player sent the puck into the Minnesota end with 2.5 seconds remaining, but the Gophers were already leaping over the bench to celebrate the program's seventh national title.
Gopher Sports: What were the last 10 seconds of the national championship game like for you?
Caitlin Reilly: It was a feeling I've never felt before. I don't know, just so many different emotions, obviously a lot of excitement. Everyone was just hugging each other and jumping up and down. We knew we had it, so it was just amazing. It couldn't be taken away from us in that moment.
Sophie Skarzynski: Well, the last seven minutes of the game were the longest seven minutes of my life. The last 10 seconds were just like having the chills. Even now, a month later, it still really hasn't sunk in. I remember standing next to Cara Piazza on the bench. She and I being on the same line and both being from Chicago, it was awesome to share that with her. We kind of looked over at each other and she said, 'Get ready, get ready.' Then I unbuckled two straps on my helmet and my chin strap, and I was one of the first ones out there, just wanted to be on the bottom of the dogpile.
Milica McMillen: I was on the ice and was standing at the far blue line, basically watching our team try to score an empty-netter. It didn't really feel like a championship the last 10 seconds. I almost forgot we were celebrating, and I had to quickly tear my helmet off. But, it was just pure excitement. I've usually been the first one to get to Amanda Leveille [to celebrate]. We're good friends and roommates, so it was very special to share that celebration with her. I just tried not to knock her over, but the pile did that.
Amanda Leveille: I think there were three seconds left, and BC took a shot on me. I remember making the save and standing up and Milica McMillen was probably two feet away from me. Then she just hopped on top of me, and after that the pile just kept getting heavier and heavier. I was screaming at people to get off me because it was a lot of weight.
Sarah Potomak: I was just screaming the entire time and jumping up and down. I think I went on the ice when there were still three seconds left. I remember being on the bench, freaking out, and hugging everybody. As soon as the buzzer went, I threw my gloves up in the air. Everything we had worked for was finally paying off. It was such an amazing moment to spend it with the team and celebrate together. It's one of my biggest highlights of my hockey career so far.
Kelsey Cline: The last 10 seconds of the championship were a different kind of excitement. I was kind of happy there at the end that we didn't put that empty-netter in because we were all ready to celebrate. I remember I was pushing people out of the way so I could get to the pile faster. I know I gave Paige Haley an elbow to get her back so I could jump over the boards first. There was a lot of jumping and a lot of hugging because everyone was ready to celebrate. I think we actually jumped out on to the ice with two seconds left. We were out there before the buzzer went off. I was nudging my way to the front so I could get at the bottom of that pile.
Check back to GopherSports.com as the Gophers relive other memorable moments from the Frozen Four.
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