Minnesota – Duluth , the team that was picked ahead of the Falcons in 1983 , was the only obstacle left in their path . The Bulldogs built a 3-1 lead through 2 periods and opened the third with a fourth marker . With no margin left for error Kruzich turned away everything else that came his way and allowed the Falcons to chip away at Duluth 's lead . When John Samanski 's tying goal sent the game into overtime it was only the fourth time in 37 years that the title game had needed extra time . Kruzich and his counterpart Rick Kosti saw to it that the game would be a classic when they both refused to yield the final goal through three additional 10-minute periods . With 1:47 remaining in the fourth overtime the Falcon 's Gino Cavallini finally broke the tie and gave Bowling Green the National Title . Both Kruzich and Kosti were named to the all-tournament team , the first time in history that players of any position split the vote but Kruzich was the sole recipient of the Tournament Most Outstanding Player award
Tournament Most Outstanding Player
List of NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Gary Kruzich