[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION OF THE UMD LADY BULLDOGS FOR WINNING THE 2003 NCAA DIVISION 
               I NATIONAL WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my distinguished 
colleague from Minnesota in recognizing the University of Minnesota 
Duluth Women's Ice Hockey Team for winning their third straight 
national championship.
  A Stanley Cup-winning professional hockey player said that ``when you 
start a tournament, you stick with it.'' History has shown that the 
Lady Bulldogs maintain this same principle. In 2001 at the inaugural 
Frozen Four, they took on St. Lawrence University and won 4-2. The 
following year, they made it through the semifinals again, allowing 
them the opportunity to face Brown University, who they defeated 3-2 
for their second title.
  They entered this year's national tournament playing Dartmouth 
College in the semifinals, a game which was tied in the second period 
before UMD came back to win it 5-2.
  Two days later, in the championship, they met No. 2 seeded Harvard 
University in what has been referred to by some as the best women's 
college hockey game ever.
  Knowing what makes a good hockey game, I would have to agree. There 
was a near-capacity crowd; a first period ending score of 2-0, with 
Duluth in the lead; a solid return by Harvard in the second; and a 
scoreless first overtime, which resulted in a second where sophomore 
Nora Tallus scored the winning goal at 4 minutes and 19 seconds.
  This goal concluded the 84-minute game, giving the Lady Bulldogs 
their third and probably most memorable title, as it was won at home in 
front of a near-capacity crowd at the Duluth Entertainment Convention 
Center.
  I am pleased to stand here today, commending the UMD Women's Ice 
Hockey Team for winning the 2003 NCAA Division I National Collegiate 
Women's Ice Hockey Championship and recognizing the achievements of all 
the team's players, coaches, and staff.

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