Top-ranked Boston College was enjoying an undefeated season until Sunday, when they learned why Minnesota is called the State of Hockey.
The Gopher women’s hockey team beat the Eagles in Durham, New Hampshire to win the National Championship and score their seventh NCAA title. The final score was 3-1.
Those three goals were hard-fought for, but the game was arguably not one you’d call a nail-biter. Gophers forward Sarah Potomak got her team into a very early lead with a goal just 13 seconds into the first period.
After one period, the #Gophers lead off a @sarahpotomak9 goal in the first 13 seconds! #GWH pic.twitter.com/kkpXCZpWav
— Minnesota Women's Hockey (@GopherWHockey) March 20, 2016
It was a gap Boston College could never close, but the Eagles made their University of Minnesota opponents work for it. They matched the Gophers 12-12 in shots on goal by the end of the first period, and maintained a consistent and healthy lead in SOG until they were finally overtaken in the third period.
Some other drama during the game: BC had three power plays, one of which came during the second period when U of M’s Lee Stecklein was called for interference.
The Eagles scored their one and only goal in the third period with just under six minutes on the board. It wasn’t enough to stop Minnesota from taking the title, of course.
Taking Boston College down was no small feat. As the Star Tribune points out, the team led the country with 5.30 goals per game this year, but in a “signature performance,” U of M senior goalie Amanda Leveille deflected their shots with 31 saves.
And what a way for Leveille to go out. The Star Tribune notes it was the last game of her college career.
Fans and students are raving on social media about the victory, and there’s even talk of Gopher women’s hockey being a “dynasty,” with the Big Ten network pointing out they’ve won four of the last five national crowns:
Not just back-to-back champs, but that's four of the last five national crowns.
Congrats, @GopherWHockey! https://t.co/QexHIYoAH3
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 20, 2016
The dynasty is real: 4th title in the last 5 years!! Once again @GopherWHockey is the best in the country! pic.twitter.com/JfjhA4QBPU
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) March 20, 2016
As you can imagine, the team’s in a pretty good mood right now:
Pure joy. 😄 pic.twitter.com/YjydROtRRe
— Minnesota Women's Hockey (@GopherWHockey) March 20, 2016
