| April 30, 2003 |
STATEMENT OF REP. JIM RAMSTAD (R-MN)
University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey Team
Repeats as National Champions!
Mr. Speaker, the University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey Team did it again!
During our spring recess, Minnesota defeated New Hampshire 5-1 to win its second consecutive NCAA championship -- the first time a team has repeated as NCAA hockey champion in 31 years!
Mr. Speaker, the key to these back-to-back titles has been hard work by talented athletes, superior coaching by Head Coach Don Lucia and his staff and the greatest fans in hockey.
In the title game, Minnesota and New Hampshire were tied 1-1 until the final period, but a three-goal outburst over 5 minutes and 20 seconds of the third period iced the team’s second consecutive national title.
Minnesota has a long and proud hockey tradition as the hockey capital of the world. And all Minnesotans are extremely proud of our national champion Golden Gophers!
Unlike most repeat champions, this one came as somewhat of a surprise. The Gophers started the season slowly, but that’s to be expected of a team that lost so many key players after beating Maine in overtime in last year’s championship game.
Thanks to Coach Lucia’s inspiring leadership, great motivational skills and good chemistry, this year’s team started gathering steam as players returned to the lineup from injuries. Each player, coach, trainer and manager played a pivotal role during the season, picking each other up at crucial times.
Our University of Minnesota men’s hockey team also won the WCHA tournament on the road to its second consecutive national title.
Mr. Speaker, all Minnesotans and Gopher hockey fans everywhere are very proud of this great team.
The 2002-03 Gopher men’s hockey team, our “back to back” national champions, are now part of college hockey history. We congratulate our national champions -- for they are true champions on and off the ice!