Maine reaches NCAA hockey final

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 4 (UPI) -- More than six months after the death of its coach, Maine has one more hurdle in its emotional quest for a national championship -- the Minnesota Gophers.

Defenseman and captain Peter Metcalf scored a pair of goals Thursday to lead the underdog Black Bears to a 7-2 victory over top-ranked New Hampshire in the national semifinals of the NCAA Hockey Tournament.

Both of Metcalf's goals came on slapshots from the left point in the second period, giving Maine a 3-2 lead. Robert Liscak scored with 13 1/2 minutes left to ignite a four-goal third period for the Black Bears, who outshot New Hampshire, 40-25.

Paul Falco also scored two goals less than three minutes apart to cap the third-period uprising.

Hobey Baker finalist Darren Haydar of New Hampshire, who leads the nation with 66 points, was shut down by the Black Bears.

Sean Collins scored 21 seconds into the game for New Hampshire, but Liscak tied it 3:13 later. Steve Saviano gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead in the second period.

Maine, the third seed out of the East Region, is playing with as much heart as talent, using the inspiration from former coach Shawn Walsh to advance to its fourth championship game in 10 years.

After taking over a losing program in 1984, Walsh guided the Black Bears to a pair of national championships in 1993 and 1999. The Black Bears lost in the 1995 title game to Boston University. But on Sept. 24, Walsh died at the age of 46, losing a battle with kidney cancer.

Tim Whitehead, a former assistant under Walsh, was hired as interim coach last September after a five-year run at Massachusetts-Lowell.

The team has not forgotten its coach. Walsh's initials adorn a green shamrock on the left shoulder of the players' uniforms and there is an "SW" on the back of their helmets.

New Hampshire (30-7-3) was 2-1-1 against Maine this season, winning the Hockey East championship game on March 16 in Boston.

Ranked first in the nation, the Wildcats had won 10 straight games to make it to their first Frozen Four since 1999, when they lost to the Black Bears in the title game.

Maine (26-10-7) will play hometown favorite Minnesota (31-8-4) in the national championship contest Saturday night.

The Golden Gophers survived a third-period rally by Michigan to hold on for a 3-2 win and earn their 10th appearance in the finals and first since 1989.

Grant Potulny scored twice and Jeff Taffe netted the game-winner and added an assist for Minnesota, which is seeking its fourth NCAA title.

Goaltender Adam Hauser was brilliant through the first two periods, turning away 23 shots, including a diving glove save on Jed Ortmeyer in the final minute of the second.

Potulny scored at 4:20 of the first period to give the Gophers the lead and made Michigan pay for a too many men penalty early in the second, tipping in a point shot from Jordan Leopold for his 14th tally of the season.

Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn kept his team in it, making several point-blank stops during two power plays for the Gophers.

Taffe scored 1:40 into the third for a commanding 3-0 lead, but the Wolverines did not go down without a fight.

With 6:05 remaining, J.J. Swistak skated around Minnesota defenseman Keith Ballard in the left faceoff circle and deposited the puck behind Hauser to get the Wolverines on the board.

Ortmeyer scored with 94 seconds left, firing a slap shot from the left side that caromed off Hauser's left skate and into the net.

Blackburn was pulled for an extra attacker after Michigan controlled the ensuing faceoff, but Minnesota did not allow any quality chances.

The victory was Minnesota's first over Michigan in four postseason tries.