Duluth Gets OT Winner; Season Comes To End

It was another instant classic, just this time BU was on the other side of the OT winner as Minnesota-Duluth knocked off the Terriers 3-2 in overtime on a power play to advance to the Frozen Four in Chicago.

The agony of defeat.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

1:39 into overtime, Bobo Carpenter was sent to the box for tripping, sending Duluth to the power play. Less than 20 seconds later, Minnesota-Duluth was pouring over the boards celebrating a trip to the Frozen Four. Adam Johnson wristed home the game-winner from the top of the circle after walking in from the point, getting around a hobbling Doyle Somerby, who had just blocked shot, and beat Jake Oettinger high blocker side.

“It's incredibly disappointing for us,” said coach Quinn. “They get the power play in overtime, which was the right call, I mean it's a penalty. Our penalty kill’s been great all year and we just weren’t able to kill the last one on a great play by them.”

BU had killed 27 straight penalties, the most since 2010 before UMD scored in overtime.

Back in the first, Clayton Keller got BU on the board just under eight minutes into the game on a nifty backhand that went top shelf on UMD goalie Hunter Miska. Minutes prior to the goal, Miska stoned JFK on a point-blank bid with a sensational leg save.

Keller's 21st goal of the year.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Duluth tied the game on a wraparound goal with just 17 seconds left in the opening period. BU was trying to set up an odd-man rush the other way, but the pass was broken up and from behind the goal line, Alex Iafallo swooped in and wrapped home his 19th goal of the year.

UMD took the lead with 8:22 left in regulation. Joey Anderson drove hard to the net and fired off a shot that Oettinger kicked back into the slot. Anderson followed his shot and buried it for his 11th of the year.

With their backs against the wall, BU played their best hockey of the weekend following the go-ahead goal. The applied pressure and created chances, but it was Patrick Harper, who tied the game up with just 3:13 left, after a great individual effort. Harper came in with speed and pulled up at the top of the circle, creating a bit of separation for himself to get a shot off that was perfectly placed off the inside crossbar.

“I thought we amped it up a bit after they made it 2-1, but I thought we were playing well leading into that before they got the second goal,” added Quinn. We just remained calm and kept grinding away, eventually, you might get a break and might able to beat him. Harper makes a heck of a play coming down and cutting in. He’s got such a quick release and that thing got into the net in a hurry.”

Despite the comeback, it was not meant to be.

It was a fantastic weekend out here in Fargo. It was everything you wanted in the playoffs: a roaring crowd, comebacks, and overtime. Yes, it was a disappointing result a really tough way to have the season end, but I had a wonderful time covering the team this year. Thanks to all who followed along. I’ll have a year-end write up sometime in the next few days, but other than that, see back here in October.