Maine Outlasts Michigan

The second longest game in NCAA Division I hockey history ended with a quick give-and-go goal that sent Maine back to the championship game and Michigan back home.

Dan Shermerhorn won a faceoff and darted unguarded to the net. He took a crisp return pass from Reg Cardinal, beat goalie Marty Turco from close range and gave Maine a 4-3 win 28 seconds into triple overtime.

Shermerhorn, who nearly won the game with a third-period goal, then skated to center ice where he was mobbed by teammates who poured over the boards. Turco, who had stopped 52 other shots, skated slowly, to his right, into the faceoff circle where the winning play began.

Maine (31-5-6) plays the title game Saturday against Boston University (30-6-3), which defeated Minnesota 7-3. BU earned a chance at its first championship in 17 years.

For Michigan (29-8-1), not even 100 minutes and 28 seconds of determined effort could end an 18-year wait to return to the championship game.

The longest game in NCAA Division I hockey history lasted 102 minutes, 9 seconds on Dec. 21 and 22, 1968. North Dakota won it, 5-4 over Minnesota.