And the National Championship goes to...

I arrived at the Verizon Center on Saturday evening hoping for an exciting game, but halfway expecting the championship game to be anti-climatic. I'm glad I was wrong on that count. Miami University (Ohio) played a strong game against Boston University's number one ranked team. While BU lead 1-0 at the first intermission, the shots on goal totals favored Miami, showing that they were getting their own opportunities. And they capitalized in the second period, taking a 1-1 tie into the second intermission. And then the fun really began. When Miami scored their second goal to take their first lead of the game, the arena came to life! The fans from the two schools exchanged chants, and the atmosphere was electric. Then Miami scored again, providing what seemed to be an insurance goal, and the Miami faithful began to celebrate what they thought was going to be the first NCAA championship in school history (in any sport). However, the celebrations proved to be premature. Boston University was not about to roll over and play dead. BU called time out with three and half minutes left in the third period, and pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. Miami was unable to score on the empty net, sealing the victory, and with 59.5 seconds remaining on the clock, BU scored to cut Miami's lead to a single goal. BU continued to press the attack and with a mere 17.4 seconds remaining, they scored again to tie the game 3-3, forcing the game into sudden-death overtime. The overtime started with a fast exchange of offensive opportunities, but BU ultimately was able to make the best of their chances, scoring almost twelve minutes into overtime to secure their fifth national championship.

It was hard not to cheer for the underdog Miami team, and I was a bit disappointed to see them lose. But it was a truly exciting championship game, and to have experienced it in person was well worth the cost of the ticket.