Newly Formed Teams

NEWLY FORMED TEAMS rarely win the championship. But in its second year of existence, the women’s hockey team at the University of Minnesota–Duluth proved to be more than a bunch of raw rookies.

When coach Shannon Miller organized the Bulldogs squad, she went after the best talent available, even if it required crossing seas. Miller signed not only American players but also Canadians, Finns, Swedes, and Swiss.

In the team’s first year of competition, Minnesota–Duluth achieved remarkable success, finishing fourth in the national tournament sponsored by USA Hockey. The following year women’s hockey gained status as an NCAA sport.

Harvard, Dartmouth, St. Lawrence, and UMD filled the brackets for the first Frozen Four. The Bulldogs, a heavy underdog, advanced to the title game against the St. Lawrence Saints with a 6–3 win over Harvard.

The Saints took an early 1–0 lead in the finals, but Minnesota–Duluth tied the game on Jenny Hempel’s goal. At the break, Coach Miller encouraged her team to be more physical, and the Bulldogs dominated the rest of the way, outshooting St. Lawrence 13–2 in the second period.

Swedish Olympian Maria Rooth and Finnish Olympian Hanne Sikio scored second-period goals, giving the Bulldogs a commanding lead. Canadian Laurie Alexander boosted the margin to 4–1 on a third-period power play. Minnesota–Duluth held on for a 4–2 victory and garnered the first ever NCAA women’s hockey title.

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POINT The Minnesota team’s international flavor paid off. Miller couldn’t really recruit the top Americans because they had already committed to other universities. But she could gather the best from other nations. They welcomed the opportunity to go to college and take to the ice.

God has gathered the nations in our country. The world has come to the United States. More than 100 languages can be heard in homes throughout our largest cities.

Jesus Christ died for people from every nation and every language and welcomes them into his kingdom. He wants us to welcome them too.

GOAL! Are there people from other countries in your neighborhood, at your school, or on your favorite sports team? If so, learn more about their nation and culture. Befriend them if you can. Praise the God of all nations.