McGroarty scores twice, U-M wins back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles
Brandon Naurato and the Michigan hockey team marched into 3M Arena at Mariucci and knocked off the top-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers, 4-3. Compared to last season's Big Ten Tournament championship, it was the same result, by the same score, on the same sheet of ice.
It was a classic game between the Big Ten's two best teams, and it played out much like last year's Big Ten Tournament title game.
Minnesota jumped out to the early lead less than seven minutes into the game as it benefited from a 2-on-1 breakaway that left Michigan goaltender Erik Portillo with very few options.
It took Michigan a few minutes to answer, but when it did, it did in the blink of an eye. Rutger McGroarty scored back-to-back goals just 34 seconds apart, and all of a sudden it was a one-goal Michigan lead.
About midway through the second period, Hobey Baker candidate Logan Cooley tied the game at two goals apiece for Minnesota.
The game remained tied at two for the remainder of the second period, and it was setting up for an instant classic in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's Rhett Pitlick opened the third-period scoring with one of the most impressive goals of the college hockey season, and Minnesota had all of the momentum at the beginning of the final period.
Michigan didn't falter, though. Seamus Casey tied the game once again just a few minutes later. The goal was challenged by Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko, but the call was upheld, and the game remained tied.
With just over eight minutes to go in the game, and both teams looking for the go-ahead goal, Dylan Duke executed with an odd backhanded goal that beat Golden Gophers' goaltender Justen Close.
Minnesota pulled Close in the game's final minutes, but Michigan did a fantastic job of holding off the six-man Golden Gopher rush to claim its second consecutive Big Ten Championship.
McGroarty and Gavin Brindley earned the game's first and second stars in the victory.
Michigan will now undoubtedly be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and it will just await its placement in the national tournament, which will come on Sunday night.
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