Undefeated Northeastern denies Voyageurs of third straight Division II championship
Rainy River’s reign atop Division II ended Sunday in an 8-1 loss to Northeastern in the championship of the ACHA national tournament at the Schwan’s Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
That is, until next season begins.
Rainy River failed to win its third straight national title in four years of the tournament, but when Northeastern moves into Division I in the fall, the Voyageurs will once again be the top returning team in Division II.
“Like I told the girls and other people, the bar is set pretty high and expectations are pretty high when you’re disappointed with finishing second in the nation,” RRCC head coach Evan Amdahl said.
The Voyageurs advanced to the championship by defeating the University of Vermont on Friday and the University of Delaware early Saturday in pool play before edging rival College of St. Scholastica in three overtimes late Saturday night.
In the 4-1 win over Vermont to open the tournament, Stevie-Lee Langford had two goals, Kyla Thorne dished out two assists and Kylie Harala and Brenley Anderson each scored a goal for RRCC. Katie Stearns earned the win in net.
Kelsey Fuerst was in net against Delaware and posted a shutout with 16 saves in a 3-0 win. Langford had two goals and an assist and Anderson had a goal and an assist.
In the semifinals, which began around 8:45 p.m. and ended at 12:15 a.m., RRCC’s biggest goal came from Langford at 2:57 of the third overtime. Tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, the Voyageurs and Saints had a 5-minute first overtime and 17-minute second overtime before Langford ended it in the third OT. Anderson, Courtney Scholler and Kaylynn McBurney all added a goal and an assist each, while Stearns registered the win with 31 saves.
In the championship, which was bumped back to a noon start so it could be played on a main rink, Northeastern proved quickly it was the best team in Division II. Northeastern advanced to the title with wins over South Dakota State University, St. Scholastica and Delaware.
The Huskies, which entered the championship with a perfect 20-0 record, led 4-1 after the first period.
“They were pretty dominant,” Amdahl said, noting the Huskies scored 150 goals during the regular season and surrendered a video game-like 4.
“We busted our butts and worked hard. It paid off in the long run, we just didn’t have it in the last game,” he said.
Anderson, who along with Langford was named to the All-Tournament first team, scored the Voyageurs’ only goal. Thorne was named to the All-Tournament second team.
RRCC ended the season with a 13-6 record.
“When you’re in the national finals three years in a row there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Amdahl said.
