DENVER, Colo.?Senior captain Chris Porter scored at 9:43 of overtime to lift the Fighting Sioux to a 3-2 victory over top-seeded Minnesota today in the NCAA West Region final and into the NCAA Frozen Four. It is UND's third consecutive trip to the Frozen Four.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., native, who was named tournament most outstanding player, gathered the puck deep in the Minnesota corner, streaked behind the net and wrapped the puck around the far post past UM netminder Jeff Frazee for his 11th goal of the season and third of the tournament.
Porter's overtime heroics came eight days after the Sioux suffered an overtime loss to the Golden Gophers in the WCHA Final Five championship game.
On this day UND carried the play for much of the extra frame, outshooting Minnesota 7-3 with several quality scoring opportunities.
However, the Sioux were forced to rally from an early deficit for the second straight game after Minnesota's Mike Carman beat Philippe Lamoureux (Jr., Grand Forks) to the short side just 2:22 into the game.
UND did not take long to respond, though, as sophomore Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Duncan (So., Calgary, Alta.) took a rebound off the end boards, turned and slid the puck past an out-of-position Frazee to knot the game at 6:49. It was Duncan's team-leading 31st goal of the season.
The two teams battled through a scoreless second period despite UND holding a 14-7 edge in shots.
The Sioux staked their first lead of the game just 2:08 into the third period while on the power-play. Stationed at the bottom of the right faceoff circle, Jonathan Toews (So., Winnipeg, Man.) found defenseman Robbie Bina (Jr., Grand Forks) streaking to the net and threaded a perfect pass, and Bina slid the puck through Frazee's legs for his 10th goal of the season.
UND ran into trouble just over two minutes later when Kyle Radke (Jr., Bashaw, Alta.) was given a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct. But the Sioux held the Gophers to four shots on goal during the power play and killed it off, preserving the one-goal lead.
Minnesota did eventually net the equalizer with just 6:49 left in regulation when Jay Barriball one-timed a Mike Vannelli pass from the left faceoff circle while on the power play. Lamoureux got a piece of the shot, but it had enough on it to trickle in and tie the game.
UND held a 36-29 edge in shots on goal and both teams went 1-for-5 on the power play. Lamoureux, who made several quality saves throughout the game, finished with 27 saves.
It is the first time in school history the Sioux have advanced to three straight Frozen Fours and it is their 17th appearance overall. UND will face NCAA Northeast Region champion Boston College in the semifinals on Thursday, April 5.
Notes: Porter was joined on the all-tournament team by Bina, Oshie and Lamoureux. Minnesota's Carman and Vannelli rounded out the squad ... UND was 49-30 in the faceoff circle ... The three-day attendance of 33,549 set an NCAA West Regional tournament record ... The other Frozen Four semifinal will feature Midwest Region champion Michigan State against East Region champion Maine.
