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Lady Dogs are NCAA champs for fourth time in school history
Championship is first for UMD since 2003 and eighth straight for WCHA
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/25
ASSOCIATED PRESS
UMD sophomore goalie and Frozen Four MVP Kim Martin (No. 30) hugs fellow sophomore
Emmanuelle Blais during the post-game celebration at the DECC.
The dream became a reality last week for the UMD women’s hockey team as they beat the University of New Hampshire and Wisconsin to become the 2008 National Champions. The tournament really began back on March 15 with the quarterfinal game against Mercyhurst College. Sophomore Emmanuelle Blais scored a power play midway through the third period to give UMD its first lead. They would never look back, winning 5-4 and progressing to the semifinals against the University of New Hampshire. “We played very tight in this game,” said coach Shannon Miller.
The Bulldogs hoped to use their home-ice advantage at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) in the semifinals on March 20, but the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was one of the toughest teams UMD has faced this season. The Wildcats scored just four minutes into the first period, and with UMD getting out-shot 7-1 through the first six minutes, things weren’t looking good for the Dogs. With just their second shot on net, the Bulldogs tied up the game with a goal by junior Sara O’Toole. Two minutes later, freshman Laura Fridfinnson tipped a shot from the point by sophomore Heidi Pelttari to give the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead going into the second. Thirteen minutes into the second period, UNH tied up the game at two-all.
At 10:27 in the third period and with just their 11th shot on goal, Fridfinnson once again tipped a shot from point, this time from freshman Haley Irwin, to give them the 3-2 lead. A critical 5-on-3 power play for New Hampshire with 6:15 left in the game was killed off completely by UMD’s special teams and secured the Bulldogs the 3-2 win and a berth in the National Championship. “We were all very excited for this game,” said Martin of the title game. Miller credited the victory to the teams’ mental strength and work ethic. “We believe; we work hard and good things happen for us,” said Miller. Martin stopped 41 shots in the game, which kept the Wildcats from winning despite the Bulldogs only getting 15 shots on net the entire game. The Bulldogs made them count, and they were headed into the Championship to face conference rival Wisconsin for the title.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bulldog captain Karine Demeule raises the
NCAA Championship trophy.
In front of a home crowd of 4,031 fans, the final game of the season was on. Wisconsin was hoping to avenge an overtime loss to UMD in the WCHA Final Face-off. Unfortunately for the Badgers, this was not the case.
UMD scored at 19:22 with a controversial goal by Irwin. The goal was reviewed, but after the lengthy discussion and evaluation, the goal stood. The tough play continued into the second period as penalties plagued the Dogs. A power-play goal by Blais at 11:48 and a short-handed goal by O’Toole gave UMD what would seem to be a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the third period.
With just three minutes left in the game, Wisconsin pulled their goalie in a last ditch effort, only to be thwarted by senior Karin Demeule, who scored an empty-netter to clinch the 4-0 shut out.
“We played an almost perfect game for 60 minutes, and everyone played outstanding,” said Miller.
While Martin did not win the Patty Kazaimer award, she was voted the tournament’s most outstanding player and named to the all tournament team, along with fellow teammates Fridfinnson, O’ Toole, junior Myriam Trepanier and Pelttari. Martin was more concerned about the team’s accomplishments rather than individual recognition. “I’d rather have the national championship than the award even though it’s such an honor,” said Martin.
