St. Cloud State beats Northern Michigan in 2OT
Tony Mosey scored on a power play 23 seconds into the second overtime to give St. Cloud State a 4-3 victory over Northern Michigan on Friday in the West Regional semifinals, the Huskies' first NCAA tournament victory.
Mosey tipped a pass from Garrett Roe between goalie Brian Stewart's pads.
``It's huge to finally get that monkey of our back,'' Mosey said. ``That same play had happened earlier and I missed a wide-open net so I knew that Roe was going to get it to me again and I had to put it in.''
St. Cloud State won after losing its first eight NCAA tournament games. The Huskies (24-13-5) will face Wisconsin, a 3-2 winner over Vermont, on Saturday night for a spot in the Frozen Four.
``It was a great college hockey game,'' Northern Michigan coach Walt Kyle said. ``There was great goaltending at both ends. We were nervous early and could not get into a rhythm at all. The difference tonight was definitely their power play.''
Roe, Travis Novak and Ryan Lasch also scored, and Mike Lee made 42 saves for St. Cloud State, which had 22 shots on goal in the first overtime.
``When we get back on our toes and start making some plays, we're a pretty good hockey team,'' Huskies coach Bob Motzko said. ``We were able to get three power-play goals tonight, which is our top guys getting out there. That's critical.''
Stewart made 50 saves for the Wildcats (20-13-8), who overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime. Justin Florek had a goal and an assist for Northern Michigan, which was playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999. The Wildcats only NCAA title was won in St. Paul in 1991.
``This season it seems like we've had penalty trouble a lot,'' Florek said after the Wildcats were whistled for eight penalties in the game. ``That hurt us, tonight especially with their power play.''
Wildcats defenseman Erik Spady tied it with less than 4 minutes left in regulation, firing a shot that beat Lee through a crowd.
Ray Kaunisto also scored for Northern Michigan.
