The Minnesota Men's Hockey Team finished 28-7-6 overall this season and 14-3-3 in Big Ten Conference play.
Union College is a phenomenal hockey team. You can't deny them that. They earned their way into the final game of the season and in the end, they also earned the National Championship title. Union has one drafted hockey player, who just transitioned from college hockey to the AHL to play with the Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers affiliate). Union does not have any players with athletic scholarships. And last but not least, the enrollment at the college is just under 2500.
In comparison to the Minnesota Gophers, yeah, Union could be considered the "underdog." But, they weren't. In fact, the Vegas odds had the Gophers as the underdog in the championship game. Union entered the NCAA Championship games ranked No. 1 in the nation by USCHO and USA Today. Many people underestimated what they were capable of, sure. But Union was certainly not an underdog. The Minnesota Gophers fell to Union College 7-4 in the NCAA Championship Game after a thrilling win over long time rival, North Dakota.
Etched in Stone
Senior defenseman, Justin Holl (@12JHoll), played the hero's role in the Gopher's storied season. With just 0.6 seconds left on the clock, Holl put one past North Dakota's goaltender to earn his way into Gopher Hockey history and the NCAA Championship Game. Minnesota was on the penalty kill and were just trying to make it to overtime alive. In fact, many of the players were already mentally preparing themselves for overtime during those final seconds of regulation. Holl's goal just further proved that you need to show up and play for all 60 minutes of the game. If not that, then at least 59.94 minutes.
Check out the video of Holl's goal below.
As heartbreaking as the loss to Union was, and how electrifying Justin Holl's buzzer beater goal was, one game or one moment should not define a season's worth of successes.
Filling The Role
After last season's loss to Yale in the first round of the NCAA games and the early departures of five Gophers, the 2013-2014 season was meant to be a rebuilding year. Nick Bjugstad (@NBjugstad72), Erik Haula (@EHaula), Nate Schmidt (@nateschmidt29), Zach Budish (@Burdish24), and Mark Alt (@MarkAlt20) all decided to leave the program early to pursue a professional career. The loss of five players along with senior, Seth Helgeson (@SHelgeson04), left a lot of gaps in the roster. However, the players that were left and the incoming freshmen stepped up to the plate. It was no secret that they had some big shoes to fill. Schmidt was a great defensemen and leader on the team, along with leading scorers Bjugstad and Haula. But, the Gophers exceeded everyone's expectations.
Filling The Role
After last season's loss to Yale in the first round of the NCAA games and the early departures of five Gophers, the 2013-2014 season was meant to be a rebuilding year. Nick Bjugstad (@NBjugstad72), Erik Haula (@EHaula), Nate Schmidt (@nateschmidt29), Zach Budish (@Burdish24), and Mark Alt (@MarkAlt20) all decided to leave the program early to pursue a professional career. The loss of five players along with senior, Seth Helgeson (@SHelgeson04), left a lot of gaps in the roster. However, the players that were left and the incoming freshmen stepped up to the plate. It was no secret that they had some big shoes to fill. Schmidt was a great defensemen and leader on the team, along with leading scorers Bjugstad and Haula. But, the Gophers exceeded everyone's expectations.
Fresh-what?
One of the key reasons the Gophers were so successful this season is because of the freshmen class. This rookie class led all other NCAA freshmen classes at the end of the season with 59 goals scored. In fact, out of the 143 goals that the Gophers scored this season, the freshmen class made up 41.3% of those goals. Freshman, Justin Kloos (@jkloos15) ended the season with 16 goals, Minnesota's leading goal scorer. Hudson Fasching (@Hfasching22) ended with 14 goals which was tied with Sam Warning, Kyle Rau (@KyleRau), and Seth Ambroz (@Ambroz17) for the second most goals on the team. The freshman class was able to even out the offense across all four lines. Kloos and Taylor Cammarata (@Cammy12Scores) provided some extra speed on the roster, and the chemistry the freshmen brought was an additive to the successful Minnesota team.
One of the key reasons the Gophers were so successful this season is because of the freshmen class. This rookie class led all other NCAA freshmen classes at the end of the season with 59 goals scored. In fact, out of the 143 goals that the Gophers scored this season, the freshmen class made up 41.3% of those goals. Freshman, Justin Kloos (@jkloos15) ended the season with 16 goals, Minnesota's leading goal scorer. Hudson Fasching (@Hfasching22) ended with 14 goals which was tied with Sam Warning, Kyle Rau (@KyleRau), and Seth Ambroz (@Ambroz17) for the second most goals on the team. The freshman class was able to even out the offense across all four lines. Kloos and Taylor Cammarata (@Cammy12Scores) provided some extra speed on the roster, and the chemistry the freshmen brought was an additive to the successful Minnesota team.
The Waiting Game
After the successful season that Minnesota had, now begins the waiting game. The wait to see if any players decide to leave the program early in order to further pursue their professional careers. Defensemen such as Brady Skjei (@BradySkjei) and Mikey Reilly (@mreilly93) will be in high demand. Rau, Fasching, and Wilcox will also get some looks. Last year, it was never expected that the Gophers would lose five players. It seems as if every year is a "rebuilding" year for Minnesota. Coach Don Lucia is trying to prevent that by recruiting some program guys that will stick around and set an example for others. As the spring and summer progress, we will find out more about the players and their decision.
After the successful season that Minnesota had, now begins the waiting game. The wait to see if any players decide to leave the program early in order to further pursue their professional careers. Defensemen such as Brady Skjei (@BradySkjei) and Mikey Reilly (@mreilly93) will be in high demand. Rau, Fasching, and Wilcox will also get some looks. Last year, it was never expected that the Gophers would lose five players. It seems as if every year is a "rebuilding" year for Minnesota. Coach Don Lucia is trying to prevent that by recruiting some program guys that will stick around and set an example for others. As the spring and summer progress, we will find out more about the players and their decision.
Serratore
The first, and only, professional contract that has been signed by a Minnesota player so far this year is senior, Tommy Serratore (@Serratore1489) . Serratore signed an Amateur Try Out contract with the Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers, AHL affiliate). He reported to the team the same day he signed. In only his second game, he scored his first professional goal to give the Phantoms a 3-2 lead over the Syracuse Crunch. The Phantoms went on to win the game 5-4 in a shootout.
The first, and only, professional contract that has been signed by a Minnesota player so far this year is senior, Tommy Serratore (@Serratore1489) . Serratore signed an Amateur Try Out contract with the Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers, AHL affiliate). He reported to the team the same day he signed. In only his second game, he scored his first professional goal to give the Phantoms a 3-2 lead over the Syracuse Crunch. The Phantoms went on to win the game 5-4 in a shootout.
The Beginning of the End
It's been a great year for the Minnesota Gopher Men's Hockey team.
The Gophers won the outdoor game against Ohio State in the Hockey City Classic.
The Gophers won the inaugural North Star College Cup against in-state rivals University of Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, and Mankato State University.
And although the ending wasn't what everyone had hoped, the Gophers landed themselves in the final game of the season.
Minnesota is graduating five seniors - Justin Holl, Tommy Serratore, Jake Parenteau (@jacobjames6), Nate Condon (@Condo16), and Michael Shibrowski (@shibby_01). Although there are still decisions to be made regarding players and their pursuit of professional careers, this team has the potential to become even more successful in the future. It truly is just the beginning of the end.
See you next season, Gophers.
It's been a great year for the Minnesota Gopher Men's Hockey team.
The Gophers won the outdoor game against Ohio State in the Hockey City Classic.
The Gophers won the inaugural North Star College Cup against in-state rivals University of Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, and Mankato State University.
The Gophers won the inaugural Big Ten Regular Season Conference Title.
The Gophers won the West Regional championship game against St. Cloud State and were the West Regional Champions.
Minnesota is graduating five seniors - Justin Holl, Tommy Serratore, Jake Parenteau (@jacobjames6), Nate Condon (@Condo16), and Michael Shibrowski (@shibby_01). Although there are still decisions to be made regarding players and their pursuit of professional careers, this team has the potential to become even more successful in the future. It truly is just the beginning of the end.
See you next season, Gophers.
