Photo: Chris O’Meara, Associated Press
The NCAA Frozen Four began on Thursday at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The final four included two Washington Capitals prospects, defenseman Ryan Chesley of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and goaltender Chase Clark of the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Boston University Terriers
In the first game on Thursday, the Golden Gophers, ranked #1 when the NCAA Hockey Championships began, faced the Boston University Terriers. The game started off as a close one, with Minnesota leading 2-1 after first period, and Boston University tying it at 2-2 not quite halfway through the second period. The game was tied 2-2 going into the third period.
Early in the third period, at 1:40, Golden Gophers’ defenseman Luke Mittelstadt scored the go-ahead goal on a power play that proved to be the game winner. Mittelstadt added an insurance goal less than two minutes later, at 3:29, to increase the Gophers’ lead to 4-2. Chesley had the primary assist.
LUKE WITH THE LASER (again) 🚨
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/MBDp0b8NS6
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 6, 2023
The Golden Gophers added two empty net goals, both by Logan Cooley. The final score ended up 6-2. The win advanced the Golden Gophers to the Frozen Four Final which will be played on Saturday night.
Highlights from tonight’s Frozen Four W! 🎥#PrideOnIce pic.twitter.com/jvrHVTap4n
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 7, 2023
Mittelstadt talked about the goal on which Chesley assisted after the game, “On that second one, [defenseman Ryan Chesley] gave me a great pass and there was another screen out front. I think we had guys in front of the net all night. We just keep firing the puck and good things will happen.”
Quinnipiac Bobcats Against Michigan Wolverines
The Quinnipiac Bobcats faced the Michigan Wolverines in the other semi-final game on Thursday. In a game that was tied 2-2 after two periods, the Bobcats scored three unanswered goals and won 5-2. Chase Clark, who is backup goalie to Yaniv Peretz, did not play in the game.
Peretz was a finalist for the Richer Award given to the NCAA Goalie of the Year award and ultimately finished as the runner up to Devon Levi. The Bobcats advanced to the Frozen Four Final to be played on Saturday.
Bobcats Down Michigan at Frozen Four, Advance to National Title Game – Quinnipiac University Athletics (gobobcats.com)
Looking Ahead
On Saturday, the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Quinnipiac Bobcats will meet in the Frozen Four Final. The game will be played at 8:00 p.m.
Quinnipiac, Minnesota Set for National Title Bout – Quinnipiac University Athletics (gobobcats.com)
By Diane Doyle
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