January 22, 2004
Michigan State Captures Gold in Vegas
Results of the NARCh College Division
As the NCRHA member organizations resumed play for the second semester, a select group of teams traveled to Las Vegas to represent the NCRHA and their respective regions at the NARCh WinterNationals. The group was comprised of three-time defending Champion Michigan State, 2003 runner-up University of Central Florida, as well as many of the nation's top teams from 6 of the 8 member organizations.
Teams squared off for Friday through Sunday in the round-robin portion of the tournament. With only 8 teams advancing, the games were all vital to a team's seedings. Some new teams and some older ones turned heads at the event with their strong play. For instance, MoorPark CC from the WCRHL failed to advance to the medal round but were one of the big surprises as they lost two one goal games in the round-robin. Also with strong showings were Missouri-Rolla, Towson University and South Florida.
It came as no surprise that Michigan State University led the way, going undefeated in the round-robin. After averting a close early exit to Missouri-Rolla by winning in OT 4-3, MSU beat South Florida 4-2 and awaited the winner of University of Central Florida and Towson for the right to be crowned NARCh WinterNationals Champion.
UCF beat Towson 4-1 which set up a rematch of last year's championship game. The two teams have met a number of times over the past 3 years but none were more exciting than the game this past Monday evening. Both teams started slow but then sparked the crowd to life with a virtual barrage of goals; the most dramatic coming with less then a minute left in regulation by UCF: shorthanded to tie the game. With the crowd chanting "UCF" and the clock winding down, the UCF goaltender made a game-extending save as the buzzer sounded.
MSU showed their resilience, though, and put an exclamation point on why they have won this event for 3 years running: a goal less then 2 minutes into the OT to secure their 4th title in as many years.
Congratulations go out to both the MSU and UCF teams for their outstanding play during the tournament, reaching the finals for a second straight year. All teams and member organizations should be proud of the play the teams exhibited.
Now back to what we have been waiting for: the Road to Anaheim....
Teams squared off for Friday through Sunday in the round-robin portion of the tournament. With only 8 teams advancing, the games were all vital to a team's seedings. Some new teams and some older ones turned heads at the event with their strong play. For instance, MoorPark CC from the WCRHL failed to advance to the medal round but were one of the big surprises as they lost two one goal games in the round-robin. Also with strong showings were Missouri-Rolla, Towson University and South Florida.
It came as no surprise that Michigan State University led the way, going undefeated in the round-robin. After averting a close early exit to Missouri-Rolla by winning in OT 4-3, MSU beat South Florida 4-2 and awaited the winner of University of Central Florida and Towson for the right to be crowned NARCh WinterNationals Champion.
UCF beat Towson 4-1 which set up a rematch of last year's championship game. The two teams have met a number of times over the past 3 years but none were more exciting than the game this past Monday evening. Both teams started slow but then sparked the crowd to life with a virtual barrage of goals; the most dramatic coming with less then a minute left in regulation by UCF: shorthanded to tie the game. With the crowd chanting "UCF" and the clock winding down, the UCF goaltender made a game-extending save as the buzzer sounded.
MSU showed their resilience, though, and put an exclamation point on why they have won this event for 3 years running: a goal less then 2 minutes into the OT to secure their 4th title in as many years.
Congratulations go out to both the MSU and UCF teams for their outstanding play during the tournament, reaching the finals for a second straight year. All teams and member organizations should be proud of the play the teams exhibited.
Now back to what we have been waiting for: the Road to Anaheim....