April 8, 2023
by Mike McMahon/Staff Writer (@MikeMcMahonCHN)
(photo: Rich Gagnon)
TAMPA, Fla. All it took was 10 seconds.
After dominating the third period and tying the game in the final moments, Quinnipiac only needed 10 seconds in overtime to win its first national championship.
Jacob Quillan took a center-ice faceoff just seconds into overtime, winning it back to Zach Metsa. The grad defenseman worked it up the right wall to Sam Lipkin, and Quillan drove the net, accepting a pass from Lipkan and slipping a backhander past Justen Close.
“It’s a neutral zone faceoff play,” Metsa said. “You just attack the middle and Lipper made an unbelievable pass back to Quillan, crazy finish. I had a great view of it. It was awesome to watch.”
“It’s awesome,” said Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold. “It’s awesome. I don’t know if I can even talk up here. Just awesome. We’re excited. So proud of these guys. Great group.”
Minnesota led 2-0 only to see it gradually slip away.
Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said, “Tip your hat to Quinnipiac. They’re very difficult. But we were in the right spot (to win). We turned the puck over for one (goal). The second one never should have went in. That was the unfortunate situation right there.”
Motko was alluding to a high-sticking penalty called on Logan Cooley late in the third. Quinnipiac’s tying goal wasn’t on the power play, but right after it ended, with an extra attacker.
“We had a chance. I’m crushed,” Motzko said. “We just have a wonderful group. The love in that room for that group, I’m just crushed for them and for all of us. Our fans were fantastic. We were in a good spot.”
The night ended with the Bobcats celebrating, but it began with them trying to find a way to recover from a messy opening few minutes.
The Gophers had a power play just 21 seconds into the game but couldn’t capitalize. Nevertheless, Minnesota did strike first a few minutes after that power play expired. John Mittelstadt, who watched his brother Luke score twice in the semifinals on Thursday, beat Quinnipiac goaltender Yaniv Perets on a wraparound play that Connor Kurth set up.
After Mittelstadt’s goal, both teams settled in and didn’t allow many scoring chances for the rest of the period.
Minnesota led 1-0 after the first period.
“For us, we had it,” Motzko said. “We had it. That one’s going to sting. That’s a crusher.”
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