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!
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