BIG SANDY… he Men’s NCAA Frozen Four tourney has come and gone, and Union College out of Schenectady, NY, has won their first title ever by besting the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the title tilt 7-4. Union won in the semis by defeating Boston College 5-4 in a game that ended up a bit closer than it really was, and the Gophers got to the championship game by defeating longtime rival North Dakota by a most improbable 2-1 final. Improbable because the Gophers got the win on a Justin Holl goal with .6 seconds left on the clock, and shorthanded at that. It was the senior defenseman’s first tally of the year.
As Union held an edge in play against BC throughout their game, North Dakota would have to be given the edge versus the Gophers in that regard. But with the Gophers’ Adam Wilcox between the pipes, North Dakota was stymied on several grade A chances. But the Gophers had their chances as well, and North Dakota net minder Zane Gothberg of Thief River Falls stood tall. With the Gophers on the PK and the game looking like it was heading toward an OT, the Gophs won a faceoff in their end with about 9 seconds left, broke out of their zone, and headed up ice.
Kyle Rau had the puck, and when he crossed the blueline he let a shot go that was blocked and ended up right in Holl’s skates. He then kicked it up to himself and let a low far side shot go. It appeared that Gothberg may have been surprised by it, and it also appeared to be a bit of a “changeup” shot without a lot of zip on it. It went in and bedlam ensued.
In the title match the Gophers scored first, then Union tied the game. The Gophers went up 2-1 before Union rattled off three straight markers to finish the first 4-2. The Gophers came out, though, and got one back early in the 2nd for the only tally of the frame to make it 4-3 at intermission. The Gophers pressed hard but Union got a 5th goal. The Gophs did get another to close the gap to 5-4, but then Union got a 6th goal late when Kevin Sullivan turned Gopher D-man Ben Marshall inside out and put one past Wilcox. An empty netter followed for a 7-4 final. Congrats to Union; they have an excellent team.
Yes, I am a Gopher fan and have been since the sixties when I was a young kid growing up in St. Paul. My bond to the team is strong and I won’t be apologizing for it. I can only tell the UMD Bulldog faithful that for the first time in my life I have a second college team I pull for, and it is yours. When you won in 2011 I am quite certain that I let out a holler as loud as any of your followers. And if I had grown up here in the Ports, I would be as big a fan as anyone who claims your team as theirs.
Today? My disappointment is immense. I know it will take a few days to get over this game. When I get into something and really like it, or find it extraordinarily interesting, I am in full-tilt, no questions asked. Wait, it’s just a game, you say? Nah, no way….

THE STANLEY CUP TOURNAMENT begins on Wednesday and I’ll give you my 1st round short version thoughts as the matchup’s are now set. I have recently begun to study some of the new stat formats like Corsi and advanced analytics and while I think they have some merit, I have also read some articles questioning their value. So, at least for now I am going to rely on what I always have; my own two eyes and my gut feelings. So, without further ado;

IN THE WEST:
ANAHEIM DUCK vs. DALLAS NORTHSTARS, can 1st round fate befall the Duck 2 years in a row? If the NorthStars get some timely goaltending, yes. Ducks were hot early and cold lately. NORTHSTARS in 6 games…
SAN JOSE SHARK VS LOS ANGELES KINGS, the Kings have been one of the hottest teams late in the regular season, but the Sharks owe them one. Can they pull it off? No, KINGS in 7 games…
COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. MINNESOTA WILD, the Av’s have been perhaps the biggest surprise of this season, but right when you think the Wild are done they surprise too. They have played each other close this year, but for the Wild? AV’s in 6 games…
ST. LOUIS BLUE vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWK, STL dominated the Hawks in the regular season this year but got blown out in their last game. STL comes in banged up and on a 6 game losing streak, Blues party is ovah! HAWKS in 6 games…

IN THE EAST;
BOSTON BRUIN vs. DETROIT RED WING; the Bruins have won the Presidents Cup for the regular season, history says that is a curse. Still, I don’t know the Wings have enough to end the Bruin campaign, but I think they could scare the crap out of them, BRUIN in 6 games…
MONTREAL CANADIENS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, 2 pretty good clubs with a lot of air miles between them. This is a fairly even match up I think. If G Ben Bishop is ready for the series, it could go 7 games, but the Habs have Cary Price and he IS ready,  
CANADIEN in 6 games…
PITTSBURGH PENGUIN vs. COLUMBUS BLUEJACKETS, which Pengwah team shows up? The one that can score but can’t defend? Or the one that can defend but can’t score? What about injuries? I am tempted to pick CBJ here, but the money says PENS in 6 games…
NY RANGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYER, another hard one to handicap. The Ranger have had success against the Flyer in the recent past, but Philly is improved in goal and behind the bench. Hard to pick against the King in net for the RANGERS in 7 games…
This is the frosting on the cake that has been the 2013-2014 season of ice hockey! Amateur, High School, College, Olympics and now the NHL! (insert Howard Dean yell here) LETS PLAY HOCKEY! PEACE

Marc Elliott is a free lance sports opinion writer who splits time between his hometown in Illinois and Minnesota.