Maine Finn
04-10-2004, 10:44 PM
MAINE FALLS TO DENVER IN NCAA FINALS 1-0
BOSTON, Mass. – Denver University scored a power-play goal in the first period and held on for a 1-0 win against the University of Maine in the 2004 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship game played Saturday night before 18,597 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Mass.
With the win, Denver improves to 27-12-5 and earns its sixth national championship and first since 1969. Maine’s season ends at 33-8-3.
In the first, after Maine had a power play goal overturned on replay, it was the Pioneers that would grab a 1-0 lead with a power-play marker at 12:26. Senior Connor James (Calgary, Alb.) outworked a Maine defender in the left win corner and fed a wide-open Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif.) in front of the Maine net. Gauthier’s went five-hole for his 18th goal of the season.
Both teams were able to generate chances while on the power play in the first period but not much else. Maine outshot Denver 6-4 in the opening frame. It was the second lowest total for shots on goal in a period by two teams in an NCAA title game.
Maine’s best chances of the second period came on a power play at the midpoint of the second frame, but quality bids by Colin Shields (Glascow, Scotland) and Mike Hamilton (Victoria, B.C.) were turned aside by Denver netminder Adam Berkhoel (Woodbury, Minn.).
Maine goaltender Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y.; 19 saves) made several big stops in the third period to give the Black Bears a chance, but Maine was unable to solve Berkhoel who finished with 24 saves to register just the third shutout in NCAA Championship game history.
The Black Bears had a great opportunity to score in the final minutes with a two-man advantage that turned into a 6-on-3 when Howard was pulled for the extra attacker. But the Pioneers weathered the storm.
Maine and Denver have now each won a game in head-to-head competition in the NCAA Tournament. In the school’s only previous meeting, Maine defeated Denver 4-2 to advance to the Frozen Four at the 1995 East Regional at Worcester, Mass.
Denver is now 6-2 in eight NCAA title game appearances. The Pioneers last championship game appearance was 1969. The Black Bears, who were playing in their fifth title game in the last eleven years, are 2-3 in NCAA Championship games.
The All-Tournament team was comprised of forwards Connor James (Denver), Dustin Penner (Maine – Winkler, Man.) and Junior Lessard (Minnesota-Duluth); defensemen Prestin Ryan (Maine – Arcola, Sask.) and Ryan Caldwell (Denver – Deloraine, Man.); and goaltender Adam Berkhoel (Denver) who was also named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Frozen Four.
-From GoBlackBears.com
Dammit! I watched this game from the second period on, and I've not gotten so profane over a game since I played softball. You gave it your best shot, Black Bears. You'll get 'em back next year!
~Emily
BOSTON, Mass. – Denver University scored a power-play goal in the first period and held on for a 1-0 win against the University of Maine in the 2004 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship game played Saturday night before 18,597 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Mass.
With the win, Denver improves to 27-12-5 and earns its sixth national championship and first since 1969. Maine’s season ends at 33-8-3.
In the first, after Maine had a power play goal overturned on replay, it was the Pioneers that would grab a 1-0 lead with a power-play marker at 12:26. Senior Connor James (Calgary, Alb.) outworked a Maine defender in the left win corner and fed a wide-open Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif.) in front of the Maine net. Gauthier’s went five-hole for his 18th goal of the season.
Both teams were able to generate chances while on the power play in the first period but not much else. Maine outshot Denver 6-4 in the opening frame. It was the second lowest total for shots on goal in a period by two teams in an NCAA title game.
Maine’s best chances of the second period came on a power play at the midpoint of the second frame, but quality bids by Colin Shields (Glascow, Scotland) and Mike Hamilton (Victoria, B.C.) were turned aside by Denver netminder Adam Berkhoel (Woodbury, Minn.).
Maine goaltender Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y.; 19 saves) made several big stops in the third period to give the Black Bears a chance, but Maine was unable to solve Berkhoel who finished with 24 saves to register just the third shutout in NCAA Championship game history.
The Black Bears had a great opportunity to score in the final minutes with a two-man advantage that turned into a 6-on-3 when Howard was pulled for the extra attacker. But the Pioneers weathered the storm.
Maine and Denver have now each won a game in head-to-head competition in the NCAA Tournament. In the school’s only previous meeting, Maine defeated Denver 4-2 to advance to the Frozen Four at the 1995 East Regional at Worcester, Mass.
Denver is now 6-2 in eight NCAA title game appearances. The Pioneers last championship game appearance was 1969. The Black Bears, who were playing in their fifth title game in the last eleven years, are 2-3 in NCAA Championship games.
The All-Tournament team was comprised of forwards Connor James (Denver), Dustin Penner (Maine – Winkler, Man.) and Junior Lessard (Minnesota-Duluth); defensemen Prestin Ryan (Maine – Arcola, Sask.) and Ryan Caldwell (Denver – Deloraine, Man.); and goaltender Adam Berkhoel (Denver) who was also named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Frozen Four.
-From GoBlackBears.com
Dammit! I watched this game from the second period on, and I've not gotten so profane over a game since I played softball. You gave it your best shot, Black Bears. You'll get 'em back next year!
~Emily