Quinnipiac won the 2023 DI Men’s Hockey Championship over the OT winner

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TAMPA, Fla. For the first time in program history, Quinnipiac has reached the pinnacle of college hockey with a 3-2 overtime win over Minnesota to win the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship.

Jacob Quillan scored 10 seconds into overtime to win the game off an assist from Sam Lipkin (two assists).

It’s unreal, Quillan said. I mean the boys put in so much blood, sweat and tears all year long. Its a dream come true, you know. We finished it. We’re partying hard tonight.

It was Quillans’ third Frozen Four goal after scoring twice against Michigan in the semifinals. He finished the tournament with five goals and two assists for seven points in four games.

BOBCATS WIN!!!! BOBCATS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!

ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @QU_MIH pic.twitter.com/tN2CjZEJjP

NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023

We have a set game,” Quillan said of his goal. Lipkin finds the middle ground. i mean [Zach] Metsa gave a good pass and then [Lipkin] showed off his skills with a backhand dip. I returned with it to the opposite side and inserted it.

Collin Graf tied the game with a power-play goal with 2:47 left after head coach Rand Pecknold pulled Yaniv Perets (13 saves) as the extra forward.

Christophe Tellier also scored for the Bobcats (34-4-3), and Zach Metsa had three assists.

It’s just awesome,” QU head coach Rand Pecknold said. Was excited. I’m so proud of these guys. Great group. It’s great to see all my alums in the stands. I can’t even put it into words. i’m struggling right now.

Overtime hero Jacob Quillan (@quilly02) went 1-1 with @PatDonn12 break bringing home @QU_MIHfirst national championship #MFrozenFour pic.twitter.com/se4tBVkDN8

NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023

John Mittelstadt and Jaxon Nelson each scored for the Golden Gophers (29-10-1). Justen Close made 27 saves.

Hats off to Quinnipiac, but we were in the right place, Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said. Flip the puck for one [goal against]. The other should never have entered. You know, it was an unfortunate situation. So we had a chance.

I mean, I’m broke. We just have a great team. The love in that room and that group I’m just crushing on them. For all of us.

Mittelstadt opened the scoring after just over five minutes. QU’s Jayden Lee fanned the game with a breakaway throw, and Connor Kurth was right there pouncing on the turnover before sending it in front, where Mittelstadt put it home.

Nelson doubled their lead less than five minutes into the second period. Brock Fabers’ shot bounced huge off the end boards and Nelson was there to put it home.

The Bobcats answered about three minutes later. Zach Metsa held the puck at the blue line before driving down the wall and passing in front of Tellier for the redirect.

The third period was all Quinnipiac before Graf broke through, racked up offensive zone time and outscored the Gophers 14-2 in the period.

ROAD GAME. ROAD GAME. ROAD GAME. WE ARE WORKING OVERTIME.

ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @QU_MIH pic.twitter.com/7q792PkCe3

NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2023

QU previously reached the championship game twice, falling to Yale in 2013 and North Dakota in 2016, the latter also in Tampa.

I don’t know if it has really sunk in yet, Metsa said. It’s been a crazy journey to have that as a goal at the beginning of the year and to get to One, I’m happy for all the alums and guys that came before us that created a foundation that we could grow from. Its dream has come true.

Rand Pecknold gets a Powerade shower. This will party all the way to Hamden pic.twitter.com/IRbBRkIRwS

Patrick Donnelly (@PatDonn12) April 9, 2023