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Sosnowski's Goal
Caps Double Overtime Thriller
Box
Score
The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs seem to bring out the
best in UW-Stevens Point�s Michelle Sosnowski, though the sophomore waited
an extra long time on Saturday to bring out her very best.
The wait was well worth it, however, as Sosnowski
ended the longest game in Pointers� women�s hockey history with a double
overtime goal to lead UW-Stevens Point to a 3-2 win over UW-Superior for its
fourth straight NCHA playoff title.
Sosnowski scored 6:07 into the second 20-minute
sudden death session as the game was just nine seconds longer than the
previous duration record set in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal game at
Gustavus Adolphus in 2004.
The Pointers, who also won Friday�s semifinal game
over UW-River Falls in overtime and beat the Yellowjackets in double
overtime in the 2004 league title game, are now 18-6-2 overall and await a
possible NCAA tournament berth. The NCHA does not have an automatic bid to
the tournament, but at least one of the league�s teams will be selected on
an at-large basis. UW-Superior is now 18-6-3 overall and the teams split
their four meetings this season. NCAA tournament pairings will be released
on Sunday night.
Sosnowski scored two goals in Friday�s win and
also had a goal in each of the Pointers� NCHA tournament wins in 2006. She
scored the game-winner when Nicole Grossmann won the face off back to Tracy
Butler, who passed to Sosnowski.
The Pointers never trailed in the title game,
taking a lead just 3:45 into the game on a power play goal by Chris Hanson
that was assisted by Sosnowski. UW-Superior tied the game on a power play
goal by Brianne Mosher at the 1:45 mark of the second period, but Katy
Lankey put the Pointers back ahead less than two minutes later.
The Yellowjackets� Ashley Jenkins tied the game at
2-2 with a power play goal 4:16 into the third period and the teams skated
scoreless until Sosnowski�s score that came nearly 42 minutes later.
UW-Stevens Point held a 45-41 advantage in shots
as both goalies had big games. Amy Statz made 39 saves and was the winning
goaltender in the NCHA finals for the fourth straight year. Melissa
Kunzelman made 42 stops for the Yellowjackets, including 16 in the overtime
periods. |
