I remember the loud thump that slap shot made when it came off of the pad (it is clearly audible in the ESPN Gary Thorne call of the same clip) and Ridderwall was right where he needed to be. The Pepsi Center went nuts, except for skunkies.

Many of the North Dakota fans were rooting for Notre Dame. Even more rooted for us in the final.

Mark Van Guilder (the Dad, obviously) saw me leaning against a wall in the concourse during the third intermission and I must have looked awful because he came up to me and said "Breathe. We're gonna win this game."

and well worth the 16-hour drive from South Bend

figure out how to beat the Fins.