Do you believe in miracles? Notre Dame Knocks Off Favorite Michigan in OT, Advances to Championship

by CW on Apr 11, 2008 9:37 AM EDT in News Comment 4 comments

Last night combined so many things that I loved that I can only try to attempt to list the awesomeness.

Cheering for Notre Dame
Rooting against Michigan
Playoff hockey
Overtime
Gary Thorne
Michigan fans getting their hearts broken

The Irish stormed out to what seemed like an effortless 3-0 lead at the end of the first period, with Michigan goalie Billy Sauer resembling a delicious piece of swiss cheese, even when Notre Dame was short-handed. After a goalie change for the number one team in the tournament, in typical Notre Dame sports fashion, the maize and blue got two quick ones in the second to cut into the lead before pulling even at the beginning of the third.

I suppose that's when you could say things got really interesting, as the Irish rallied to go up 4-3, only to give up a pretty sketch goal from an impossible angle to tie it up. It seemed like Michigan had all the momentum to go with their great talent when they got on a power play with 2:54 remaining, but the Notre Dame penalty killing unit (2nd best in the nation) turned them away and forced overtime.

As my roommate blasted movie themes in an attempt to somehow add to the drama, Calle Ridderwall got a loose puck off a rebound and sent the Irish to the national championship game against Boston College, marking their second win over a number one seed so far this tournament (their third was over the defending national champ). The details of the goal were unclear, and relatively unimportant.

On the long walk from the dressing room to the ice en route to overtime, Ryan Thang had a message for his Notre Dame teammates.

"Come on boys, somebody make history tonight," Thang bellowed down the hallway. "It just takes one shot."

Calle Ridderwall was listening.

The freshman from Stockholm, Sweden, gathered a rebound in the high slot and beat Bryan Hogan stick side for a 5-4 Irish overtime win against No. 1 overall seed Michigan.

"We got the puck out to the point and Dan VeNard put it on net and I was fortunate enough to get the rebound," Ridderwall said. "I just took a quick shot, didn't really look and got lucky."

Team captain Mark Van Guilder saw a different version of the game-winner -- make that history-maker: "It looked like he picked a corner and knew exactly what he was doing."

Eyes closed. Eyes open. Semantics.

If you tuned in earlier in the evening, you saw our old friends, the Boston College Eagles, laying waste to the other number one seed in the tournament, North Dakota. I imagine it basically goes without saying that the Irish will have to turn in an amazing performance tomorrow night if they don't want to fall one game short - and they probably won't be aided by the Eagles going offsides all the time like the Wolverines - but it's been a fun ride so far regardless of how things end up.

I may be wrong here, but I don't think Notre Dame has won a national championship since fencing in 2005. It would be nice to end that little drought on Saturday night and have Coach Jackson bring some hardware back to South Bend.

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Comments

Great Game...and Great to see the Weasels Choke

Billy Sauer was a huge sieve in that first period. The Avalanche have to be VERY concerned, as he also was horrible last year in a regional at the Pepsi Center. Was his mind on his pro future last night?

And what kind of whacky goal was that Weasel goal that tied it up in the third. Oy! In any event, good luck Saturday night.

Make the CCHA proud with a second trophy for the conference.

http://huskermike.blogspot.com http://www.cornnation.com

by Husker Mike on Apr 11, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

that was great

it's been awhile since any ND team had a victory like that (football @AA Charlie's 2nd game in 2005?)

taking out BC would be equally awesome.

by Anthony Masons Haircut on Apr 11, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

I believe. Sometimes it will happen.

by Brucecity123 on Apr 14, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wow!

I always believe in miracles. And I MORE believe in Notre Dame. Notre Dame advances to Championship, which is really a miracle. But I think this is the result of the whole team's hardworking. I have prepared a lot for the Championship, I even got a Notre Dame Team Hat recently: http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=97319&ru=279 , I believe before long I will wear it to see the miracle on Notre Dame happen.

by gerardopen on Apr 16, 2008 3:51 AM EDT reply actions