The Minnesota Golden Gophers have secured their spot in the 2014 National Championship thanks to some late game heroics by Justin Holl.
Skating shorthanded, the Gophers drove up the ice with less than 10 seconds remaining on the clock in a last ditch effort. After North Dakota blocked the initial shot, the puck bounced right to Holl’s feet. In a play which showed incredible quickness and awareness, along with a tremendous amount of skill, Holl kicked the puck from his feet to his stick and got off a quick shot which found its way off the post and into the back of the net with under a second left.
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The goal, incredibly enough, was Holl’s first on the season. It could not have come at a better time for the Golden Gophers though.
“Most of us were just focused on killing the penalty and getting into overtime,” Holl said. “It just developed where there were 5 seconds left and I might as well jump in (the offensive rush). And it went in.”
With the last second win, the Golden Gophers will now face Union College in the NCAA Championship game. Union College defeated Boston College 5-4 to earn their spot in the title game.
Minnesota and Union will play tomorrow, April 12, at 7:30pm. The game will air live on ESPN in the U.S.
