Terriers win 4-3 in OT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just when it looked at those college hockey’s other Cinderella team, the Miami Redhawks, came oh so close to winning its first ever national championship, in any sport. With a two goal lead in the third period, the Boston University Terriers pulled their goalie with 3:30 left in the game. Zach Cohen got the Terriers to within one at the 19 minute mark of the third period. Than, Nick Bonino tied the score at three with just 18 seconds left when he one-timed a pass from Chris Higgins, and blew a shot by Miami goalie Cody Reichard’s glove hand for the tie. Philadelphia area native Colby Cohen became the hero of the night when the Terriers cycled the puck in the offensive zone. Eventually the puck got back to Cohen at the point. He let go of a blast that was deflected by a sliding RedHawk who tried to block the shot. The puck deflected into the air, and a screened Cody Reichard didn’t see the puck float past him and go into the upper right corner until he saw the puck go in the net. The goal set off a wild celebration at the 11:47 mark of overtime to give the Terriers a 4-3 victory over Miami and give BU it’s fifth national championship, and first since 1995. The Terriers also won titles in 1971, 1972, and 1978. BU finished the season with a school-record 35 wins and ended the 2008-09 season with a 35-6-4 record. The victory also gave head coach Jack Parker his 30th career NCAA Tournament triumph, an NCAA record. Miami University, meanwhile, finished the season with a 23-13-4 record and was playing in its first title game in any sport in school history. Miami, which has the most victories of any team in the country over the last four years, was making it’s first ever appearance in the Frozen Four, was one minute from capturing its first-ever title in any sport. Miami took its 3-1 lead on the strength of an opportunistic offense and a stifling defense. The RedHawks trailed 1-0 after one period, but scored three unanswered goals by three different players. BU took its 1-0 lead on a goal by Chris Connolly at the 15:15 mark of the first period, but Miami tied the contest on Gary Steffes’ 11th goal of the season two minutes into the second period. Miami’s Tommy Wengels put home a rebound at the 12:31 mark of the third period to give the RedHawks a 2-1 advantage with just 7:29 to play. Than, Miami took a two goal lead when Trent Vogelhuber scored his second goal of the season on a wicked wrist shot with just 4:08 to play. The goal brought the Miami fans to their feet with thoughts of their first ever title. BU head coach Jack Parker pulled Millan with 3:30 to play in regulation and skating with an extra attacker the rest of the game. Needless to say the gamble payed off as BU scored two goals in the final minute of the game to send the game into overtime. Both teams had 32 shots on the evening. All-Tournament Team (selected by the media) Forward Tommy Wingels Miami University Forward Colin Wilson Boston University Forward Nick Bonino Boston University Defenseman Kevin Roeder Miami University Defenseman Colby Cohen Boston University Goalie Kieran Millan Boston University Most Outstanding Perfomer Colby Cohen Boston University Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com