BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite losing its way for two periods, UMass was able to recover just in time to survive and advance to Saturday's Frozen Four final thanks to Marc Del Gaizo’s strike 15:18 into overtime.
In their first ever trip to the Frozen Four, the Minutemen jumped out to a 3-1 lead on three power play tallies. However, Denver controlled play for much of the final two periods, eventually evening the score at three and forcing overtime.
However, it was Del Gaizo who gave UMass a 4-3 win and a berth in Saturday’s national championship game against defending champ Minnesota Duluth. He received a pass from Oliver Chau and took a stride or two before unleashing a slap shot that soared past DU goaltender Filip Larsson’s glove and into the back of the net.
“Probably the coolest moment of my life,” said Del Gaizo, a freshman defenseman from Basking Ridge, N.J. “Right now it seems like I'm dreaming. But, I mean, we're off to the national championship, so that's all that matters.”
UMass fell behind, 1-0, just 8:29 into the game when Denver capitalized on a five-minute major call against captain Niko Hildenbrand.
Just over three minutes later, it was UMass that capitalized on the power play. The team scored two five-on-three goals and a five-on-four goal in a span of 1:41.
MARC DEL GAIZO CALLED GAME!!!!#FrozenFour #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/48fcdQeuem
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2019
Bobby Trivigno redirected a Jacob Pritchard shot. Mitchell Chaffee slid the puck into an open net after good puck movement, including a primary assist from Cale Makar. Finally, John Leonard sniped a wrist shot from the high slot.
“I think everyone knows special teams can win you games. We were able to capitalize on a few opportunities in the first period,” said Makar.
Denver freshman Cole Guttman scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the third period to send the game to overtime. The young team was able to rebound and quell the storm before Del Gaizo’s heroics.
“Nobody's panicking. Everybody in the room was calm. We knew when we got the opportunity on the ice, we'd put one in. Fortunately (Del Gaizo) did for us,” said Makar.
Thursday's semifinal was marred with a lack of flow and a parade to the penalty box that included three video reviews resulting in five-minute majors and game misconducts. It's disappointing the NCAA can't get out of its own way in order to allow the players on the ice to decide a winner. Top six right wingers Chaffee and Hildenbrand were tossed from the game for UMass and Ryan Barrow was given the gate for Denver.
"The referees dictated a lot of the momentum...the refs were throwing everybody in the box who made a body check tonight," said Carvel, who was visibly upset with the officiating at times, and deservedly so.
Defending champs stand in the way
Minnesota Duluth, UMass’ combatant in Saturday’s title game, ended Providence’s season with a 4-1 win in the first national semifinal on Thursday evening.
UMD’s Justin Richards and PC’s Josh Wilkins traded second period goals, but Billy Exell tallied the game-winner at the 10:07 mark of the third period. Dylan Samberg and Richards added empty net tallies in the game’s waning moments.
The deciding goal came just a few minutes after Providence failed to convert on a prolonged five-on-three power play.
“Billy got a huge goal for us. Our penalty kill was outstanding on that five-on-three and five-on-four, which really gave us a shot in the arm,” said UMD head coach Scott Sandelin who has guided the Bulldogs to national championships in 2011 and 2018.
"Couldn't be more proud of our team. Again, just looking forward to playing on Saturday,” he continued.
Providence had a couple of golden chances on the five-on-three, but even head coach Nate Leaman admitted the failed conversion gave UMD a boost.
“It did swing momentum. I'm not going to lie to you. It did. We had a couple really good looks. (Brandon Duhaime) fed the one cross ice to Tyce (Thompson) that was well played. Then (Scott) Conway got the puck. We had the quick two-on-one at the net front. He tried to go short side. It thought we had two really good looks,” said Leaman, who has brought PC to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I believed in (this team) all year long. I thought if we won tonight, we were going to win a national championship. I was very proud of them. Like they know, all season long we believed this team could be this good or better. We had a lot of confidence in them,” said Leaman.
“It stings, but that's hockey sometimes,” he added.
???? Relive the best moments from National Semifinal 1 as @UMDMensHockey defeated @FriarsHockey, 4-1.#FrozenFour pic.twitter.com/BW6XnbjJR3
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2019
Providence will likely lose several key players early to pro signings. Defenseman Jacob Bryson (Buffalo Sabres), center Josh Wilkins (free agent), left wing Kasper Bjorkqvist (Pittsburgh Penguins), left wing Brandon Duhaime (Minnesota Wild), and right wing Jack Dugan (Vegas Golden Knights) are all flight risks.
