HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Another Connecticut university is celebrating an NCAA national championship.
Jacob Quillan scored 10 seconds into overtime to give Quinnipiac a 3-2 victory over Minnesota for its first NCAA hockey title Saturday night.
Victory rally
On Monday night, a rally will be held on the York Hill Campus at M&T Bank Arena located at 305 Sherman Ave.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Seats are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fans will receive a free championship shirt and rally towel while supplies last, university officials said.
The rally is expected to begin at 6 p.m.
Senior defenseman Zach Metsa, head coach Rand Pecknold, Quinnipiac University President Judy D. Olian, and Gov. Ned Lamont are expected to speak at the rally.
There will also be interactive elements to allow people to relive the Bobcats’ historic run.
Historic win
Quinnipiac (34-4-3) trailed for more than 50 minutes and took its first lead when Quillan moments into the extra period. The Bobcats won the faceoff to open OT, and Zach Metsa flipped a pass to a streaking Sam Lipkin, who fed Quillan for the winning goal.
It was the first Frozen Four championship game to go to OT since 2011.
John Mittelstadt scored from point-blank range with 14:25 left in the first period, and Jaxon Nelson gave Minnesota (29-10-1) a 2-0 lead when he re-directed a shot by Brock Faber that bounced off the wall into the net about five minutes into the second.
Cristophe Tellier’s goal with 12:39 left in the second period trimmed Quinnipiac’s deficit to 2-1.
With 3:28 to play in regulation and the Gophers leading 2-1, Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold went with an empty net, and 41 seconds later, Collin Graf — who leads the team with 21 goals this season but had yet to score in three-plus tournament games — to make it 2-2 and eventually force the extra period.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.