AUBURN — Grand Canyon University Lopez defeated the Lindenwood University Lions 2-1 in triple overtime, sudden death and the Division I National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championship Saturday at Norwegian Savings Bank Arena. won the championship.
Senior Dylan Guy scored the winning goal at 2:47 of the third overtime, giving Grand Canyon (25-2-2) its first national title. The Lions (21-1-0), two-time defending champions, were undefeated before the game and defeated Lopez 4-1 on Friday to earn the No. 1 seed into Saturday's semifinals.
“This is what we wanted, this is what we've been working towards, and I'm honestly speechless. I can't even talk about it,” Guy said. “Today is the best day of my life.”
The winning goal was assisted by Nick Etelbrick.
Guy said he blacked out when he saw the back of the net open when he scored the winning goal, but knew he had a chance to score when the puck came out.
“Honestly, I couldn't believe it,” Guy said. “So we were the underdogs.”
After a scoreless first period, Grand Canyon sophomore Braydon Frisk scored the first goal of the game on a power play at 9:31 of the second period. Ruben Gonzalez had an assist.
Lopez held on to the lead and repelled Lindenwood's chances with less than 2 1/2 minutes remaining before a regulation break-up when Gonzalez was called to board at the 9:33 mark.
The Lions tied the game on the ensuing power play, and Christian Acosta scored on assists from Jackson Wozniak and Nathan Durance at 10:18 of the third period to make the score 1-1.
Lindenwood University goaltender Marky Hager makes a spectacular save against Grand Canyon University's Brydon Frisk during the Division I National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championship Saturday night at Norwegian Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. Ta. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Saturday's Division I national championship game epitomized the saying, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships,” as each team fought in front of the goal to keep the other from scoring. Both goalies blocked numerous shots that could have ended the game, keeping the game competitive.
Lindenwood coach Ron Beirsten called the triple-overtime game “the kind of game the nation wanted” and said Grand Canyon goaltender Maxim Curry was “phenomenal and substandard.”
Beilsten said there is no serious training to sustain a team into nearly 30 minutes of overtime after a 36-minute game, as games lasting this long are extremely rare in college roller hockey. Ta. He said this was the most competitive game he has led the team in his 21-year coaching tenure that includes 10 Division I championships.
“I’m proud that they all bought into what we wanted to do all year,” Beilsten said. “I’m proud that nine of the players on this team have moved up over the last few years from the second team that they’ve competed in here and are still competing tomorrow.”
Lindenwood's No. 2 team will face Ohio State in Sunday's AA division semifinals at 9:15 p.m. The AA title game will be played at 1:30 p.m., and the Division III championship will be played at 2:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon coach Rich Garvey said becoming a collegiate national champion is “incredible” and adds to his collection of world, state and national champion titles as a player. Ta.
“I don't think they're tired enough to party tonight,” Garvey said with a laugh. “We've got that big cup, so we're going to fill it. And how we got here, it's been a long road, but the fact that we're here is so amazing, so special, and we're going to fill it.” and I will never forget.”
Curry was a force to be reckoned with in goal for Lopez, making 54 saves on 55 shots. Several saves from Curry were important for Lopez to maintain the lead until near the end of regulation.
Curry joked that he thought this game would never end. He kept telling himself to focus on one save at a time, saying, “If I keep playing for them, they'll keep playing for me.”
“That guy,” Curry said, referring to Lindenwood goaltender Marky Hager. He got the team in the game as much as I got the team in the game. ”
Hager wowed the crowd in the first sudden-death overtime with a diving save in which he rolled sideways from one side of the goal to the other. Hager finished with 18 saves on 20 shots.
Grand Canyon had a huge 2-1 chance in the second overtime and almost ended the game, but Hager made a save with his right foot to keep the game going.
This season will be Curry's first at Grand Canyon, a sophomore. She used to play ice hockey. He believes Lopez's emphasis on team bonding led to this season's rink and the championship game.
“We've gone through a lot of adversity this past year. There were times when we probably weren't the best of friends and we were always yelling at each other,” Curry said. “But when the time came, we bonded. We had campfires together, everyone loved being here – that was the difference.
“At first it seemed like no one was enjoying being here, but now everyone seems to really like being here.”
Garvey called Lindenwood a “perennial powerhouse” and said he was happy to finally beat the Lions.
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