Michigan
Boston College
Wolverines Capture National Championship with Thrilling Overtime Victory
4/4/1998 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Boston, Mass. (FleetCenter)
Event: NCAA Frozen Four (Championship Game)
Score: Michigan 3, Boston College 2 (OT)
Records: U-M (34-11-1), BC (27-9-5)
Attendance:Â 18,276
Next U-M Event: Season completed
BOSTON, Mass. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team captured its second national championship in three seasons, both in overtime, and NCAA-record ninth in program history with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Boston College Eagles on Saturday (April 4) in front of a NCAA Final Four record 18,276 fans in the FleetCenter.
The Wolverines received a great game from freshman Mark Kosick, who scored two goals, and outstanding goaltending by senior Marty Turco, who made 28 saves for his second national title, but the hero of the game was freshman Josh Langfeld, who scored the title-clinching goal with 2:09 left in the first overtime period.
Following a Boston College two-on-one opportunity deep in the Michigan zone, the Wolverines cleared the zone and worked the puck in the corner to the left of the Boston College goal. Chris Fox took a pass from Scott Matzka deep in the corner and held the puck until he received support from Langfeld. Langfeld took the drop pass and, from the left wing boards, wristed what looked to be a harmless shot into the short side of the net for his 19th goal of the season -- and a goal that set off a wild celebration on the ice.
Turco turned aside four great Eagles scoring chances in the overtime session alone as he captured All-NCAA Tournament and tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Twenty-five seconds into the overtime session, BC forward Brian Gionta unleashed a slap shot from the slot, resulting in a great Turco pad save. Boston College then hit the crossbar and post on opportunities 8:00 and 10:40 into the extra session, before getting its final opportunity 33 seconds before Langfeld scored the game-winner.
Michigan tied the game, 2-2, with 6:12 left in the third period on Kosick's second goal of the night. Fox let go a hard, low shot from the inside of the faceoff circle to the right of the Boston College net, and it was redirected by Bill Muckalt. Boston College goaltender Scott Clemmensen, who had a tremendous game of his own (32 saves), made the stop, but Kosick was waiting at the goal crease to the left of the net and banged in the rebound for his 14th goal of the season.
Boston College got on the board first 4:19 into the game. The Eagles won a battle along the boards, and the puck came free to Mike Mottau. Mottau made a pass from his own zone to Kevin Caufield waiting at the Michigan blue line. Caufield skated into the faceoff circle to the left of the Michigan net and ripped a slapshot ice level past Turco to the glove side for his ninth goal of the season.
Michigan tied the game, 1-1, at 7:47 of the second period with hard work in front of the Boston College net. Defenseman Bubba Berenzweig pinched in from the point, gathered a pass from Greg Crozier and floated a wrist shot on net from the faceoff circle to the left of the Boston College goal. Clemmensen made the original save, but Muckalt and Kosick whacked at the rebound in the crease. Kosick was able to chip the puck over Clemmensen as the BC goalie was sprawled on the ice.
Boston College regained a one-goal lead on a power-play goal late in the second period. With 1:22 left in the period, defenseman Bobby Allen wristed a shot on goal from the blue line, which was redirected by Jeff Farkas just outside the goal crease. Turco made the initial save, but Mike Lephart was waiting for the rebound and roofed a shot for his 15th goal of the season and 2-1 Boston College advantage.
Kosick, Langfeld and Berenzweig joined Turco in earning all-tournament honors. Boston College forward Marty Reasoner and defenseman Mike Mottau rounded out the all-tournament team.
