This was a real roller-coaster weekend! Starting with the USA-EUN game in the
 morning on Friday. We watched the last period on a big screen TV at the Blue-
 Line luncheon, disappointing finish. The Blueline lunch speakers coach
 Serratore and asst coach Mazzoleni were hilarious. They entertained us with
 tales of being goalies under Minnesota coach Woog when he was the coach of the
 St Paul Vulcans. Got us out of the doldrums after the USA loss.
 
 Friday night, the crowd was large (7100), but oddly quiet. We must have
 offended the hockey gods again, as we had Buzz Christiansen for the Referee.
 Denver dressed 12 freshmen to play and they DID PLAY....the Gophers on the
 other hand, seemed very off and I can only say that the mysterious UFO that
 stops by once a season must have been nearby and that the Gophers were really
 the Aliens from the nearby mother ship who needed to get in some ice time.;-)
 
 I must say that I was very distressed at the events in the third period, and
 when Denver tied the score I threatened to leave the game (of course I
 didn't!) The overtime was very tense and when Denver scored, the crowd (except
 for a few DU folks) got up and walked out grumbling and very upset! And THEN
 to find out that Wisconsin had lost their game and even a TIE would have given
 us the Championship!!! It wasn't pretty.
 
 Saturday night things were back to normal. Brandon Steege replaced Tony
 Bianchi, but that was the only substitution. On Friday night, only one line
 played with any verve, Saturday they all played like they KNEW that the trophy
 was in the building! Freshman Justin McHugh got the hat trick and Trent Klatt
 got two goals. As the third period wound down...the anticipation grew. The
 usher in my section whispered to me that I shouldn't leave, that they were
 going to present the MacNaughton Cup right after the game was over. I was
 elated, but also disappointed that I didn't have my camera with me. I had
 figured that we would be lucky to persuade Northern Michigan to part with it
 for our last home game next weekend. The band played the Battle Hymn during
 the last minute of play and then the Rouser the celebration began...
 
 I would especially like to thank Northern Michigan's A.D. and coach Rick
 Comley for his understanding and kindness in sending the MacNaughton Cup to
 Minnesota before the official end of the season. It was appreciated VERY MUCH
 by the approximately 6,000+ fans that remained to watch the presentation of
 the cup by WCHA Commissioner Otto Breitenbach.
 
 Gophers Joe Dziedzic, Tony Bianchi, John O'Connell, Jed Fiebelkorn and Jeff
 Callinan joined their teammates on the ice after donning their jerseys over
 their street clothes. The players made the traditional skate around the ice
 each one taking a turn at hoisting the 40 pound trophy over their heads! They
 eventually made their way back over to the bench where coach Woog was given
 his chance to hold it up for the cheering crowd. This was give the special
 "WOOOOG" cheer by the crowd. After Woog, assistants Butters and Mazzoleni each
 had their turn, to cheers from the crowd. The players then took the Cup and
 placed it at center ice, formed a circle and then saluted the crowd with their
 sticks held high. What a finish!!!!!  Thanks Gophers!
 
 Carol
 U of M
 GO Gophers!!!!          1991-1992 WCHA Champions!!!!
 
 p.s. watch for a posting on the famous MacNaughton Cup later today!