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Women's Hockey August 6, 2018

Top 10 Clarkson Highlights - #1 Clarkson Women's Hockey Redefines Greatness with Third National Title

Just moments after Elizabeth Giguere outmuscled Colgate defenseman Shelby Wood and then went to her backhand to beat the Raiders' Julia Vandyk for the game-winning goal in the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team's 2-1 win against its conference rival for the NCAA Division I Women's Hockey National Championship, social media and the ensuing stories regarding a third title in five years were filled with a 'D' word that was followed with the letters Y.N.A.S.T.Y.

While the Golden Knights' run has been impressive so far, Minnesota-Duluth won three straight, Wisconsin won four of six (and three in a four-year span) and Minnesota won back-to-back titles twice in a five-year stretch, only to be interrupted by Clarkson.



What constitutes a dynasty can be argued, but what is not up for debate is Clarkson's place among the heavy hitters in NCAA Division I Women's Hockey. And the 'D' word, whether you're a believer or not, would join other 'D' words that Clarkson faced during its other title runs.

2014: David

The Green and Gold's first national championship doesn't exactly follow the true meaning of the biblical parable David versus Goliath, but it surely fits the sports analogy. The Gophers' place among women's hockey bluebloods was secure thanks to four previous titles, including back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. Minnesota's team was so confident heading into the game that the Gophers chose to where their third jersey so that they could have championship victories in each sweater. Shannon MacAulay's breakaway goal with under five minutes to go showed similarities to the David vs. Goliath story: the puck the stone, Minnesota the falling Philistine, and Clarkson the new ruler of Division I Women's Hockey. The difference was that the defeated Philistine came back for titles in 2015 and 2016, which created the second 'D' word….

2017: Doubters

Brushed aside in commentary and social media as one-time wonders by fans of teams in the Midwest, the Golden Knights nevertheless reached the NCAA Tournament in both 2015 and 2016, though each time they were eliminated before reaching the title game. Handicappers saw Wisconsin as the team to beat throughout 2016-17, as the Badgers were unanimously at the top of the final 10 polls of the regular season and chosen as the top squad in the first 21 polls of the season, including the pre-season rankings. The Badgers appeared to have little to worry about in facing Clarkson for the national title after winning games at Cheel Arena in October 2016, outscoring the Knights 7-3 with a 69-48 advantage in shots in a two-game series in Potsdam. Though the Badgers would double up the Knights 41-20 in shots in the championship game, none of those attempts could sneak past junior Shea Tiley and Clarkson won its second title, 3-0. No "it was an Olympic year" excuses, no "they snuck up" on us alibis; the doubters were out of reasons to question Clarkson's place.

2018: (Instant) Delirium

No longer the underdog darlings of NCAA Division I Women's Hockey, the Golden Knights had a bullseye on their backs all season long as the pre-season number one team and the top-seeded squad heading into the NCAA Tournament. Clarkson received everyone's best effort and no team was awestruck by the two-time national champions during the tournament. However, the Golden Knights fought off their opponents' best punch each time, earning wins with outstanding efforts in extra sessions. Upstart Mercyhurst University led the Knights 1-0 after two periods and appeared ready to become the first eight-seed to eliminate the top squad in the NCAA Tournament's first round. However, Michaela Pejzlova scored on the power play early in the third and Giguere caught the Lakers' goaltender out of position with a backhand at 16:52 in overtime to put the Knights in their third straight Frozen Four with a 2-1 win.

Accustomed to top level talent in the WCHA, Ohio State came in to its Frozen Four match up with the Knights looking for a win and not to bow down to the defending champions. After all, the Buckeyes swept a weekend series against top-ranked Wisconsin in early February and had plenty of confidence after shutting out the top offense in women's hockey (Boston College) on the road. Ohio State was close to repeating the effort against Clarkson's second-rated offense, but junior Loren Gabel showed why she was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award as the best player in the country, connecting on a one-time off a pass from Giguere at the 16:12 mark of overtime.

Although the Knights won two of the three previous meetings against Colgate, including the ECAC Championship game, familiarity often breeds confidence, and it wasn't as if the Raiders were somehow crashing a coronation, boasting a record of 34-5-1 entering the national title game. The Raiders showed no fear in their first appearance on the national stage. Clarkson's experience in the big game may have proven too much to overcome, but it was a freshman that would put Clarkson's campus and the throng of fans in Minneapolis in chaos with a third straight victory in overtime. Giguere, no normal freshman, scored her 27th goal of the season, splitting two defenders to gain possession of the puck, fighting off one with her off hand and then putting on a dazzling display of composure and puck control to flick in the game-winner. Spiking her gloves and stick in jubilation, Giguere set off yet another dizzying celebration for the Knights as a wild nine-day run of three overtime victories was complete.

Senior goaltender Shea Tiley was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four and was joined by Gabel, Giguere, and senior Savannah Harmon on the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. The Golden Knights likewise dominated the All-American squads as Gabel, Tiley, and Harmon were picked as First-Team All-Americans and Giguere named a Second-Team All-American.

With arguably the most talented offensive line in NCAA Division I Women's Hockey returning next year and a stable of talent that is among the best at the collegiate level, the Golden Knights are not far from truly defining the 'D' word that is too often and too easily thrown around. For now, let's stick with using a more familiar 'D' word as a sobriquet.

Defending National Champions.



TOP 10 2017-18 Clarkson Athletic Department Highlights

The Top 10 Clarkson University Athletic Department Highlights of 2017-18 were carefully selected by the Clarkson Sports Information Staff. Top 10 Clarkson highlights will be posted on Mondays throughout the summer.

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Players Mentioned

Shannon MacAulay

#4 Shannon MacAulay

F
5' 11"
Junior
Loren Gabel

#19 Loren Gabel

F
5' 4"
Junior
Savannah Harmon

#14 Savannah Harmon

D
5' 3"
Senior
Michaela Pejzlova

#10 Michaela Pejzlova

F
5' 6"
Sophomore
Shea Tiley

#35 Shea Tiley

G
5' 10"
Senior
Elizabeth Giguere

#7 Elizabeth Giguere

F
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Shannon MacAulay

#4 Shannon MacAulay

5' 11"
Junior
F
Loren Gabel

#19 Loren Gabel

5' 4"
Junior
F
Savannah Harmon

#14 Savannah Harmon

5' 3"
Senior
D
Michaela Pejzlova

#10 Michaela Pejzlova

5' 6"
Sophomore
F
Shea Tiley

#35 Shea Tiley

5' 10"
Senior
G
Elizabeth Giguere

#7 Elizabeth Giguere

5' 10"
Freshman
F