Gophers Punch Ticket To Frozen Four

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GopherSports.com) – Justin Kloos scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and Hobey Baker Award finalist Adam Wilcox continued his great season in net with a 24-save shutout as Minnesota defeated St. Cloud State 4-0 in the 2014 NCAA West Regional final at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Sunday night, sealing the Golden Gophers 21st trip to the NCAA Frozen Four.

Kloos, who finished the weekend with three goals in two games, was named the West Regional Most Outstanding Player by the media following the game.

While the win most importantly continued Minnesota’s season, it was also a milestone for both Wilcox and head coach Don Lucia. For the netminder, it was his 50th career win, tying him for eighth all-time in Minnesota men’s hockey history. For the coach, it was his 650th career win, 10th all-time in NCAA history. The win also improved Minnesota’s all-time record in NCAA tournament games played at Xcel Energy Center to 6-0.

Minnesota was well-represented on the All-Tournament team for the West Regional. In addition to Kloos, Condon, Reilly, Wilcox and Brady Skjei were all voted among the tournament’s best.

At the Frozen Four, Minnesota will find a familiar foe waiting in the national semifinals – former WCHA rival North Dakota. The Gophers will take on UND on Thursday, April 10 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Game time is 7:30 p.m.