Gophers back at Frozen 4 for 1st time in 7 years

By Jon Krawczynski

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 28 2012 3:15 p.m. MDT

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Minnesota's Travis Boyd, right, celebrates with Jake Parenteau (6) after scoring on North Dakota goalie Aaron Dell during the second period of the NCAA men's college hockey tournament West Regional final, Sunday, March 25, 2012, in St. Paul, Minn.

Genevieve Ross, Associated Press

Summary

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are back in the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time in seven years.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Golden Gophers are back in the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time in seven years.

That may not seem like a long drought for newcomers Ferris State and Union. But it's a lifetime by the lofty standards held at one of the most prestigious hockey programs in the country.

Questions surrounded coach Don Lucia's job security heading into this season after two straight first-round exits in the WCHA tournament helped keep the Gophers from qualifying for the NCAAs.

But the Gophers won the WCHA regular season title and avenged a tournament final loss to North Dakota with a convincing 5-2 victory last weekend in the West Regional to advance to Tampa, Fla.

The Gophers will face Boston College on April 5 in the semifinals.

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