By Gabbi Riggi

“Great moments are born from great opportunity,” Herb Brooks said in the 2004 movie Miracle. And the Clarkson Golden Knights created a great moment on Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 5-4 to win the 2014 NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship.

The No. 3 Golden Knights took a 2-1 lead out of the first period off a goal from Shelby Nisbet, who was on as the extra attacker for Clarkson on a delayed penalty against Minnesota.

The No. 1 Gophers tied the game 3-3 on a goal from Rachel Bona midway through the second period.

Though they were outshot 38-28 in the game, Clarkson pulled away in the third. The go-ahead goal came off a drop pass from Vanessa Gagnon, who left it in the slot for a Vanessa Plante one timer from the point, making it 4-3.

The game winning goal came with five minutes left to play, off of the Shannon MacAulay breakaway.

Minnesota’s Baylee Gillanders scored in the last three minutes to make it 5-4 but the Gophers could not tie it up once again.

Clarkson is the first non-WCHA team to win the national title. With more on the win is Kenisha McFadden from the TD Bank Sports Center.

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