Best college hockey game you've ever seen

[RPI fan 4 life]

Games I was at
2006 Regional final in Worcester (BC 5, BU 0)
2008 National Championship game
2010 National Championship game

Games I wish I were at
2001 National Championship game
2000 SLU vs. BU 4 OT game

Both games that you wish you had attended were both played at the Pepsi Arena in Albany (now the TU center) and while the 2001 title game was a great game if you're a BC fan, the SLU-BU game was indeed a classic. I was at that game and it started at 12 Noon and finished at 6PM and then was followed by a Maine-Michigan game which almost went to OT until Maine, I believe scored in the last 90 seconds in regulation.

Of course, as an RPI fan, my greatest game I've ever seen was the 1985 NCAA semifinal with Minnesota Duluth. Adam Oates and Brett Hull played in that game and Duluth led 5-4 when Ken Hammond tied it for RPI with just over a minute to play and John Carter ended it for the Engineers in the 3rd OT with a PP goal. Heart was in my throat all evening...

 

[css228]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Both games that you wish you had attended were both played at the Pepsi Arena in Albany (now the TU center) and while the 2001 title game was a great game if you're a BC fan, the SLU-BU game was indeed a classic. I was at that game and it started at 12 Noon and finished at 6PM and then was followed by a Maine-Michigan game which almost went to OT until Maine, I believe scored in the last 90 seconds in regulation.

Of course, as an RPI fan, my greatest game I've ever seen was the 1985 NCAA semifinal with Minnesota Duluth. Adam Oates and Brett Hull played in that game and Duluth led 5-4 when Ken Hammond tied it for RPI with just over a minute to play and John Carter ended it for the Engineers in the 3rd OT with a PP goal. Heart was in my throat all evening...

Unfortunately I didn't see this one, but my uncle was at Lynah in March of 1979 for this miracle comeback

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

1989 National Championship: Harvard - Minnesota. Hated the outcome, but imho the game itself was just as good as 2002 Maine-UM and maybe even better.
2004 WCHA Final Five Championship: Minnesota v. North Dakota. Perhaps the greatest, back and forth game (imho with no cheap results) that I've been able to witness at any level.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

2004 WCHA Final Five Championship: Minnesota v. North Dakota. Perhaps the greatest, back and forth game (imho with no cheap results) that I've been able to witness at any level.

Agreed (I also mentioned it earlier). North Dakota was up 3-2 after 2, but Minnesota scored two quick goals to take a 4-3 lead early in the third. Then, Brandon Bochenski scores a shorty to tie it up at 4. Gophers scored with a little over 5 minutes left to take a 5-4 lead, then North Dakota got a powerplay with just under 5 minutes, and were unable to score. Both sides had several other chances, but unable to cash in. The talent that was on the ice was pretty impressive as well.

For North Dakota:
Drew Stafford
Brandon Bochenski
Zach Parise
Chris Porter
Brady Murray
Andy Schneider
Matt Jones
Matt Greene
Matt Smaby
Ryan Hale
Jordan Parise

For Minnesota:
Grant Potulny
Thomas Vanek
Keith Ballard
Ryan Potulny
(I'm sure there were others as well...)

Also, Don Adam reffed the game, and didn't completely **** it up...that alone should place it as one of the greatest games ever

 

[jeteye1717]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Not even close for me ... best game was in Albany in 2000 in which SLU beat BU 3-2 in the FOURTH OT on a goal by Robin Carruthers (I believe that it was just his 5th of that season) to advance the Saints to the Frozen Four. That game, to date still the longest NCAA Tournament game in history, featured 80 SOG's for SLU and 74 for BU. BU's Rick DiPetro kicked out 77, while SLU's Derek Gustaffson stopped 75 shots.

I was an awed spectator at this game too, and while the game action itself was certainly memorable, I'll remember it mostly because of the total ineptitude of the official scorer. If I have time I'll try and dig out some of the pertinent posts from the HOCKEY-L archives (this was pre-USCHO for all you young'uns

In a nutshell, the 'official' official scorer had to bow out late, so a last-minute stand-in was drafted to take his place. To say this woman (an Albany River Rats staffer, if I remember correctly) had no clue what constitutes a shot/save would be too kind. We were howling in the balcony as pucks would ring off the post and the SOG counter would tick up; several times a BU defenseman would gently guide the puck back to DiPietro for a cover-up (to force a face-off), and the SOG counter would tick up; line change dump-ins by both teams (more and more frequent as the game wore on and shifts shortened) that were handled by either keeper anywhere near his crease boosted the shot totals too. Sometime during the 1st or 2nd overtime we began to suspect that the all-time SOG record(s) would fall if the game dragged on and no one cared enough to intervene and 'educate' the official scorer. So our group took to 'counting down' the record with great amusement, and every clang off the cross-bar or cover-up outside either post was met with much hootin' & hollerin' as another SOG went up on the board. DiPietro and Gustaffson might 'officially' share the combined saves record of 152, but in reality it was far less, perhaps 125-130 or so. RPI was the host school, and some of the HFH staff who were there confirmed what had happened, but what's done was done, and that was that. If Maris' HR record deserves an asterisk in the official MLB record book, then so does this 'record' in its NCAA Hockey counterpart. An exciting game to be sure, but WOW - save inflation for the ages!

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

For Minnesota:
Grant Potulny
Thomas Vanek
Keith Ballard
Ryan Potulny
(I'm sure there were others as well...)

You're right about the reffing, and the Gophers also had Irmen, Koalska, Riddle, Tallackson, and my fave Jake Taylor.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

1989 National Championship: Harvard - Minnesota. Hated the outcome, but imho the game itself was just as good as 2002 Maine-UM and maybe even better.
2004 WCHA Final Five Championship: Minnesota v. North Dakota. Perhaps the greatest, back and forth game (imho with no cheap results) that I've been able to witness at any level.

2007 WCHA Final Five Championship (MN-UND; the Wheeler goal) for me. Simply amazing. (I'm only going by games seen in person, btw)

 

[Pigfarmer]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

BU -Northern.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

2007 WCHA Final Five Championship (MN-UND; the Wheeler goal) for me. Simply amazing. (I'm only going by games seen in person, btw)

I loved the result of the game, but imho the ending was more dramatic than the game start to finish which is why I thought of 2004. But I sure as heck don't begrudge the pick.

 

[Clifton]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

As a Michigan Homer:
1. The 1998 Michigan-North Dakota Regional Final. Bobby Hayes nets the winner in the loudest sporting event I've ever witnessed.
2. THE MOLLY GAME (See pages 2 and 3 of the article). Probably the only thing that keeps this from being No. 1 was the fact that the greatest "action" occurred BEFORE the game!

As a general college hockey fan - Probably the Wisconsin-BC (fixed) 2006 title game. Probably not the most exciting game I've seen, but any title game that ends with the potential tying goal hitting the post has to be up there.

 

[Biddco]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Of course, as an RPI fan, my greatest game I've ever seen was the 1985 NCAA semifinal with Minnesota Duluth. Adam Oates and Brett Hull played in that game and Duluth led 5-4 when Ken Hammond tied it for RPI with just over a minute to play and John Carter ended it for the Engineers in the 3rd OT with a PP goal. Heart was in my throat all evening...

Didn't he tie it up with a "DECC hop" off of the backboards? Took until 2011 for many UMD fans to finally get over that.

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Limiting this to games I've seen in person, and games not involving my alma mater:

4. 2009 West Regional Semifinal: UMD over Princeton in overtime, following not 1 but 2 extra-attacker last-minute goals.

3. 2004 National Championship: Denver edges Maine. A true "edge-of-your-seat" finale.

2. 2006 West Regional Semifinal: Holy Cross over Minnesota, in overtime. Cinderella gets to dance.

1. 1983 National Championship: Wisconsin over Harvard. Grand Forks came out in force to root for the Badgers, whose fans returned the favor by emptying most of the kegs in town, and won going away in Jeff Sauer's first season.

 

[Wol4ine]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Both games that you wish you had attended were both played at the Pepsi Arena in Albany (now the TU center) and while the 2001 title game was a great game if you're a BC fan, the SLU-BU game was indeed a classic. I was at that game and it started at 12 Noon and finished at 6PM and then was followed by a Maine-Michigan game which almost went to OT until Maine, I believe scored in the last 90 seconds in regulation...

I was there for that regional; but remember it a little different. The night before Michigan played Clarkson (iirc) and that went to OT. Clarkson had a goal (game winner) called off and then Michigan scored to win it. Then the next night the SLU-BU game was a 3OT game. I remember the Maine and Michigan players sitting in the stands for the first OT. But I think the times were off. I seemed to remember the first game not getting over until about 9PM. It was almost midnight when the Maine-Michigan game got over. MIchigan raced out to an early lead and was dominating. Then near the end of the second period Michigan stopped skating, they were dead tired. Maine, which had the bye the first night dominated them the rest of the game and won easily.

Sidenote: My memory must be fading. It was Colgate, not Clarkson. They played on a sunday so your times are probably right. It just seemed later as I had to drive back for work the next morning. The game ended 5-2 Maine, but was tied halfway through the third 2-2.

I remember Berenson was really upset the way we lost. With the OT the night before and the 3OT game before the Michigan players were in the tank . I don't know if it was rumor or what, but I've always believed that that game convinced him the tourney needs to expand to 16 teams so no one gets a bye.Three years later it was expanded to 16 teams.

 

[Happy Husky]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

Well,I dont know if this counts,but,best game was one I listened to on the radio,and I think there something to be said for using your imagination listening to a well called radio broadcast,it was last years Beanpot final,Boston vs.Northeastern back and forth and ended in a thrilling OT,that was the most exciting game I hadnt seen,the sad part was my team Northeastern lost (7-6) which was a heartbreaker but to enjoy a great game sometimes you have to sacrifice your favorite and just get into the action reguardless of the outcome.

 

[FloridaCat]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

#1. 1989 NC. Harvard v Minnesota. I sat a couple rows up behind the Gophers goal and had a good view when Harvard scored in OT. The St Paul CC and its clear dasher boards. Good memories.

#2. 1991 NC. My beloved NMU Wildcats v Boston U. Stuck at home after passing on Finals tickets due to finances and had to watch on TV. Bummer.

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

I will never forget the "Miracle at Mariucci": http://collegehockeystats.net/0809/boxes/mmndprn1.m27

Scored two goals in 39 seconds left to tie the game. The crowd went insane when UMD scored with .8 seconds left in the game. It sounded like a Justin Beiber concert

That was a great game. I was truly in shock when Duluth got the equalizer, and watching all those toga-clad fans erupt was pretty awesome

And of course last years' national championship game. Such relief when we scored on Hunwick! Once we did that I knew we could win the game. I was shockingly calm for overtime as we had played in so many before. I'll never forget the sounds before and after the GWG. Disbelief and tears of joy followed. A moment you never thought was going to happen to my favorite had occurred before my very eyes.

I actually teared up as well. Partly because I was so happy for the UMD, and partly because it brought back so many emotions from 9 years earlier when I was sitting (then jumping uncontrollably) in that same building experiencing much of what Bulldog fans were feeling at that moment.

 

[Snively65]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

3. 2004 National Championship: Denver edges Maine. A true "edge-of-your-seat" finale.

This one is my first choice for games that I have seen in person. Gabe Gauthier's PPG midway through the first against Jimmy Howard stands up as Adam Berkhoel holds off a 6 on 3 for the final 90 seconds. My brother in Colorado told me before the game that Berkhoel just might stand on his head in this one, which was a great call.

Best game that I have seen on TV was UNH 3-2 OT loss to Maine for 1999 NC in Anaheim; boo hoo, sniff, sniff. Another great goalie match up with Alfie Michaud besting Ty Conklin. Funniest part was when Souza tied the game early in the 3rd, I yelled and scared one of my friend's two cats who jumped straight up about two feet into the air; these cats loved to chase miniature pucks by skidding into the corners of the kitchen, just like in real hockey.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

As a general college hockey fan - Probably the Wisconsin-Maine 2006 title game. Probably not the most exciting game I've seen, but any title game that ends with the potential tying goal hitting the post has to be up there.

That was BC-Wisconsin in 2006 when Peter Harrold hit the post.

 

[theprofromdover]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

well,i dont know if this counts,but,best game was one i listened to on the radio,and i think there something to be said for using your imagination listening to a well called radio broadcast,it was last years beanpot final, boston college vs.northeastern back and forth and ended in a thrilling ot,that was the most exciting game i hadnt seen,the sad part was my team northeastern lost (7-6) which was a heartbreaker but to enjoy a great game sometimes you have to sacrifice your favorite and just get into the action reguardless of the outcome.

fyp.

 

[Clifton]

Re: Best college hockey game you've ever seen

That was BC-Wisconsin in 2006 when Peter Harrold hit the post.

Duh. I'm getting old

(fixed)