Peterson's Overtime Goal Lifts St. Cloud To Regional Victory
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Charlie Lindgren made 36 saves and freshman Judd Peterson scored in overtime to give St. Cloud State a 3-2 victory over Michigan Tech 3-2 on Friday in the West Regional semifinals of the NCAA hockey tournament.
Peterson's goal at 8:11 of overtime capped a comeback that started in the final minute of regulation and continued a surprising postseason run for St. Cloud, which finished sixth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
"We live to fight another day," St. Cloud coach Bob Motzko said. "Our experience has kept us in there time and time again in the second half of the season."
St. Cloud State will play North Dakota on Saturday for a spot in the Frozen Four. North Dakota beat Quinnipiac 4-1 in the second game.
Peterson said players and coaches in the St. Cloud locker room between regulation and overtime thought the game would be won by a fluke goal, and they were right. Peterson scored at the end of a 2-on-1 break that was created when Tech defenseman Riley Sweeney fell down just inside the St. Cloud zone.
"The defenseman happened to lose his balance and (Joe) Rehkamp jumped all over it," Peterson said about the start of the rush.
On the other end, Peterson gathered in a blocked shot and put it through the legs of Tech goalie Jamie Phillips. It was the fourth goal of the year for Peterson.
"It could happen to anyone," Tech senior Tanner Kero said about Sweeney's stumble. "You can't fault him at all. You feel bad for anyone in that situation."
It was a shocking ending for Tech (29-10-2), which piled up a 38-21 advantage in shots on goals in its first NCAA tournament game since 1981. Coach Mel Pearson's team had a chance to seal the win after Motzko pulled Lindgren for an extra attacker with about 2 minutes left, but misfired twice on open-net shots from center ice.
"I thought for the most part we carried the play, until the third period there for a little bit," Pearson said. "I don't know how much better we can play. We can finish better."
Standout St. Cloud center Jonny Brodzinski, who appeared to be doubtful to return after what was described as a lower-body injury in the first period, sent the game into overtime on a goal with 38 seconds left. Phillips, the Tech goalie, got caught out of position after trying to freeze the puck to the right of the goal, and Patrick Russell passed the puck behind the net to Brodzinski on the left side.
"Jonny did was Jonny does: Shoot the puck," Motzko said.
Kallie Kossila had the other goal for St. Cloud (20-18-1), scoring on the power play at 1:06 of the second period to tie the game at 1-all.
Tech received goals from Kero and C.J. Eick, the latter coming at 10:54 of the third period to give the Michigan team a 2-1 lead. By that time Lindgren had made 30 saves.
"Charlie Lindgren, we all know he is the MVP of the game," Motzko said. "He was outstanding."
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