[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-
                DULUTH'S MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. FRANKEN. Mr. President, I would also like to take a moment to 
congratulate the University of Minnesota-Duluth's men's hockey team for 
capturing their first ever NCAA Division I Championship. The UMD 
Bulldogs faced off against the Michigan Wolverines in St. Paul this 
past Saturday and, wow, it was an amazing game.
  Over 19,000 fans packed the Xcel Energy Center to watch a nail-biter, 
really, is what it was. Goaltenders Shawn Hunwick of Michigan and UMD's 
Kenny Reiter kept the game close, neither allowing a goal in the third 
period and sending the game into overtime.
  Stuck at 2-2 Bulldog Travis Oleksuk gathered the puck behind the 
Michigan goal just 3 minutes into the extra period. With the puck on 
his backhand, Oleksuk slid a pass in front of the net to hard-charging 
teammate Kyle Schmidt, Hermantown, MN.
  Kyle, only 10 days removed from hand surgery, buried the puck from 
just outside the crease. In a moment of pure exuberance, he skated to 
the half-line and dove onto his back, performing what I believe was a 
snow angel, as he slid on the ice. It was something to see. It was one 
of the most thrilling finishes in college hockey history.
  After 50 long years, Kyle's overtime goal gave the Minnesota-Duluth 
Bulldogs their first ever men's hockey NCAA Championship. In his tenth 
year at the helm, Coach Scott Sandelin led a tenacious and skilled 
Bulldog team that dominated on the power play and got timely 
goaltending throughout the tournament.
  I would be remiss if I didn't commend the Michigan Wolverines, who 
played fiercely and deserve congratulations for an excellent final 
game. I know everyone at the University of Minnesota-Duluth must still 
have smiles on their face after their victory, and I congratulate the 
players and coaches and the fans on a triumphant season.
  I would also be remiss if I didn't say that last year the women's 
hockey team, the Bulldogs also, won the women's NCAA Division I hockey 
tournament. So kudos to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the 
Bulldogs.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Arkansas is recognized.
  Mr. PRYOR. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Pryor pertaining to the introduction of S. 792 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. PRYOR. I thank the Chair.

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