Boston University Wins NCAA Title

FanHouse brings you full coverage of the 2009 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.

Boston University men's hockey is a well-established national power, having won four championships before this year and appearing in nine title games before 2009. Miami University has never even been to the Frozen Four before 2009, and the school has never won a national championship in any sport.

After an amazing comeback in the final minute, rallying from two goals down in the final minute of regulation, BU claimed its fifth title with a 4-3 overtime win.

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Colby Cohen took what appeared to be a harmless shot at the left point, but it deflected into the air off a Miami defenseman who dove to block it. The puck floated over Miami freshman goalie Cody Reichard and into the net.

It was the first NCAA title game to go overtime since 2002, when Minnesota beat Maine in St. Paul. The game was played before a sellout crowd of 18,522 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

NCAA Frozen Four Photos

Miami of Ohio goalie Cody Reichard misses the winning goal go past as Tommy Wingels, (9), stands nearby, with Boston University's Vinny Saponari , (27). Boston University's Colby Cohen scored the winning goal in the first overtime period of the final NCAA men's college hockey tournament Frozen Four in Washington Saturday, April 11, 2009. Boston University won 4-3.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Boston University's coach Jack Parker holds the trophy while they celebrate after their win in the first overtime period of the final NCAA men's college hockey tournament Frozen Four with Miami of Ohio in Washington Saturday, April 11, 2009. Boston University won 4-3.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Boston University's Colby Cohen (25) celebrates his winning goal with teammates, Kevin Shattenkirk (3), Chris Connolly and Vinny Saponari (27), after defeating Miami of Ohio for the championship in sudden death overtime in the final of the NCAA men's college hockey tournament Frozen Four, Saturday, April 11, 2009 in Washington. Boston won 4-3. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Boston University players celebrate after defeating Miami of Ohio for the championship in sudden death overtime in the final of the NCAA men's college hockey tournament Frozen Four, Saturday, April 11, 2009 in Washington. Boston won 4-3. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Boston University's Colby Cohen, left, celebrates with teammate Jason Lawrence after their win in the first overtime period of the final NCAA men's college hockey tournament Frozen Four with Miami of Ohio in Washington Saturday, April 11, 2009. Boston University won 4-3 and Cohen was MVP.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON - APRIL 11: The Boston Terriers pose with the championship trophy after the NCAA Men's Frozen Four Championship game on April 11, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Boston defeated the Miami Red Hawks 4-3 in overtime to win the national title. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON - APRIL 11: Head coach Jack Parker of the Boston Terriers has his head rubbed after his players dumped water over him after they defeated the Miami Red Hawks during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four Championship game on April 11, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Boston defeated Miami 4-3 in overtime to win the national title. Matt Gilroy #97 and Zach Cohen #11 stand by (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jack Parker;Matt Gilroy;Zach Cohen

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WASHINGTON - APRIL 11: Head coach Jack Parker of the Boston Terriers is doused with water by Matt Gilroy #97 and Zach Cohen #11 after they defeated the Miami Red Hawks during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four Championship game on April 11, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Boston defeated Miami 4-3 in overtime to win the national title. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jack Parker;Matt Gilroy;Zach Cohen

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Boston University didn't do this the easy way. They fell behind by two goals in the final five minutes of play, but the Terriers stormed back. They got one with just under a minute left to pull within one, and BU's Nick Bonino tied the score on a one-timer with 17 seconds left.

Miami played with a combination of physicality and poise, as Boston University had just two power play chances in the game. Miami had seven. While they came up empty on all of them, their discipline in staying out of the box was a huge factor in this game.

BU had the nation's second-ranked power play. Instead of letting them build momentum with extra-man time, the RedHawks frustrated the Terriers with a physical style that prevented BU from using their speed in the neutral zone. The Terriers took a number of penalties that were borne out of that frustration, and for a good part of the game, the BU bench just didn't seem to have a lot of life.

The Terriers were able to dominate the final three minutes of regulation, and they played with the kind of desperation that, when combined with a nearly-incomparable skill level, makes them impossible to stop. Their momentum carried into the overtime. While Miami had a couple nice chances, Boston University clearly had the advantage. The Terriers finally took advantage nearly 12 minutes in, when defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk dropped a pass to Cohen near the Miami blue line.

After Reichard made a number of saves to keep Miami playing in the overtime, it was a fluky bounce off a defender that ended the game.

In terms of championship games over recent years, this one was right up there with the best. The drama at the end of regulation, and a very exciting 12 minutes of overtime, showcase why college hockey is so much fun.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-11-2009 @ 10:48PM

fritzfoot said...

Congrats to BU but Miami deserved to win...they dominated play except for the final minute of regulation. They'll be back next year to prove they should be champions.

4-12-2009 @ 4:48AM

George said...

If Miami couldn't stop them from scoring two goals in the last minute of regulation, they didn't deserve to win...period. Complacency isn't the makeup of champions.