Minnesota Duluth claims its 2nd straight NCAA title
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Parker Mackay had a goal and an assist, Hunter Shepard stopped 18 shots and Minnesota Duluth won its second straight college hockey title, beating Massachusetts 3-0 on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (29-11-2) became the ninth school to successfully defend a title, and first since Denver in 2004 and ‘05. It’s the third championship for Minnesota Duluth, which beat Denver in the Frozen Four final a year ago and also won in 2011.
Shepard had his seventh shutout of the season and nation-leading 29th victory, improving his NCAA Tournament record to 8-0.
Mikey Anderson had a goal and two assists. Noah Cates scored with 2:42 remaining to seal the victory for the Bulldogs, who were making their third consecutive appearance in the final, dating to a 3-2 loss to Denver in 2017.
The Bulldogs’ experience on the big stage proved to be an edge over a young UMass opponent. The Minutemen (31-10) were making their first appearance in the championship game and in just the second tournament berth in school history.
UMass still closes a season in which it eclipsed its previous single-seasonbest win total of 21 in 2007, while also being two years removed from a fivewin finish in coach Greg Carvel’s first season.
Freshman goalie Filip Lindberg stopped 28 shots, and had little chance on either of the Bulldogs’ first two goals.
The Bulldogs dominated from the start and were outshooting the Minutemen 6-0 when Mackay opened the scoring 3:51 in, and 1:20 after UMass defenseman Marc Del Gaizo was penalized for interference.
Riley Tufte began the play by controlling a bouncing puck at the right boards and feeding Anderson at the left point.
Anderson immediately sent a pass into the slot, where a wide-open Mackay cut across and backhanded in a shot inside the left post. It was Duluth’s second power-play goal in its past 24 chances.