PITTSBURGH – Filip Lindberg had 25 saves, Aaron Bohlinger scored his first career goal and Massachusetts defeated St. Cloud State 5-0 on Saturday night to win the program’s first NCAA title.
After the St. Cloud State turnover, Bohlinger led an escape and dropped the puck on Ryan Sullivan whose one-touch pass set up Bohlinger’s one-timer to open the score about 7 minutes into the game. Reed Lebster’s wrap-around goal with about a minute to go in the first gave the Minutemen a 2-0 lead.
UMass (20-5-4), which extended its unbeaten streak to a program-record of 14 games, made its third NCAA Tournament appearance. The Minutemen lost 3-0 to Minnesota Duluth – which defeated UMass in Thursday’s semifinals – in the 2019 title game. The 2020 Frozen Four was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
David Hrenak had 17 saves for St. Cloud State (20-11-0), making the program its first appearance in the title game.
Philip Lagunov picked up a loose puck near the center ice, cut back to avoid a defender and scored a short goal about five minutes into the second half to make it 3-0. Matthew Kessel added a power play goal about eight minutes later and Bobby Trivigno capped the score in the third period.
Lindberg registered his record fourth career shutout in the NCAA Tournament. The junior from Finland entered the game leading the nation in goals against average (1.33) and bait percentage (.946).
UMass is 15-0-0 this season, scoring at least four goals.