Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

ROOTS & NOSTALGIA

It was a return to tournament roots, and nostalgia was in the air with an all-northern final as the single-class era was drawing to a close.  Roseau won its first state championship since 1961 with a 3-1 victory over Grand Rapids.  After Grand Rapids opened the championship game with a goal by Troy Cusey in the first period, Roseau answered with three unanswered goals to capture its fourth championship.  Chris Gotziaman had two goals in the three-goal flurry.  En route to the title, the Rams defeated larger-enrollment schools White Bear Lake (5-1) and Minnetonka (5-2).  Grand Rapids needed overtime in both of their games in a run-up to the championship match.  The Indians defeated Bloomington Kennedy 3-2 in overtime in the quarterfinals, and then topped Anoka by the same score in the semifinals.

SLAP SHOTS

• Future Hobey Baker Award winner Chris Marinucci, who would play collegiately at Minnesota-Duluth, was a Grand Rapids standout.
• It was the first time since 1972 that an all-northern final was played. In that year, Grand Rapids was involved, too, but lost 3-2 to International Falls.
• The beloved Minnesota Rink Rats t-shirts were born.
• Tournament Attendance: 97,718