GOPHERS END WOLVERINES SEASON IN OVERTIME, 3-2
April 10, 2003

Thomas Vanek scored in overtime as Minnesota ends Michigan's season, 3-2, for the second consecutive year.

A quick whistle in the third period cost them the go-ahead goal and possibly their ticket to the national championship game.

With the game tied 2-2, a scramble in front of the Minnesota net saw the puck get shot towards Gophers goalie Travis Weber. The puck went under him and slowly came out behind him and in to the net. The red light went off, the Wolverines were celebrating, only one problem: referee Scott Hansen blew the whistle just inches before the puck crossed the goal line because he lost sight of it. The referee signaled no goal and it was confirmed he blew the whistle just before the puck entered the net on video review.

In overtime Vanek had the puck along the end boards behind Michigan goalie Al Montoya's right. Vanek did a quick 180-spin and whipped the puck along the red line towards the net and it bounced off in the inside of Montoya's left skate and into the cage.

Up until the controversial quick whistle, Michigan had done everything they set out to do. The past two Frozen Fours they fell behind 3-0, a lead they couldn't overcome.

Tonight, they jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but couldn't hold on.

In the opening stanza, Andrew Ebbett won a draw in the Gophers' zone to Brandon Kaleniecki, who wrist a shot past Weber.

Then in the second period, Jeff Tambellini tossed the puck from near the right corner towards net. The puck found Jed Ortmeyer in front and he put it five hole on Weber.

Minnesota cut the lead to 2-1 late in the second period when Montoya made a save but was accidentally knocked down by Andy Burnes. Troy Riddle controlled the rebound and despite still getting a piece of it, the puck trickled through Montoya and just across the goal line before he could grab it.

Early in the third period, Gino Guyer got loose in the high slot and one-timed a centering pass from Barry Tallackson through Montoya's five-hole to tie the game. The Gophers would go on to take the game in the extra session.

Minnesota will face New Hampshire in the NCAA championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ESPN.

A sad way to see the seniors end their Michigan careers. They were more focused this game than any other this season. They gave it everything they had and potentially lost it on a bad whistle.

They may not have ended their careers on the note they wanted, but that shouldn't take anything away from what they accomplished. It's more than just the CCHA regular season and tournament titles they brought home. It's the work ethic and leadership they brought to this team, and I think that will have a lasting effect for years to come.

There may not have been any Hobey Baker finalists on this squad, but they showed that if you work hard you'll get results. They overcame a lot of adversity this season with losing two players to the NHL, another to academics (Eric Werner), and all the injuries suffered, yet they never gave up, they never quit. This team didn't know the meaning of quit, and it's that mindset, I believe, that will make all the returnees realize their potential and what they are capable of doing next season.

Andy Burnes may be the only senior who plays regularly, but he's going to have a great supporting class of juniors and sophomores who will be hungry to get back to the Frozen Four after how this season ended.

Thank you, seniors, for all the memories, and best of luck to all of you in whatever your future holds.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/