Crushed

The look on Bill Downey's face said it all as I walked under the stands at the Edge Arena following the Icers' early exit from the 2010 National Tournament.

It was the same look on the faces of the players - a mixture of shock and disbelief - as they filtered out to the lobby to be met and consoled by parents, family and friends after the Central Oklahoma Bronchos' 2-1 overtime upset of the Icers in Sunday's quarter final matchup.

I questioned whether or not the Bronchos would have any emotion left after their thrilling double-overtime win over archrival Oklahoma the night before - the first time the Bronchos had defeated the Sooners this season.

Lindenwood coach Derek Schaub told me the first 10 minutes would be the telltale sign for UCO. Taylor Cera scored just 2:12 into the contest, finishing off a 3-way passing play with Domenic Morrone and Nick Seravalli.

The Bronchos didn't wilt under a relentless Icers attack, but once again Penn State faced another hot goalie - Blairsville, PA native Justin Sgro.

Sgro, who played youth hockey with Chris Cerutti, was simply sensational. His thievery of Tim O'Brien late in the third period was a game-changer, and set the stage for the Bronchos' heroics.

With under 2 minutes left in regulation and Sgro on the bench for the extra attacker the Bronchos executed the faceoff play in the Icers zone to perfection.

Shawn Steggles won the draw back to defenseman Nick Novak, who floated a wrist shot past a screened Ted Hume with 1:29 left in regulation, sending the Bronchos and their fans into orbit.

The goal resulted in the fifth overtime game of the tournament, but like the Iowa State - Illinois contest that preceded this one, it was over early.

Jonathan Cannizzo, one of a baker's dozen Illinois natives on the UCO roster, blocked a shot just inside the Bronchos' zone and he was off to the races.

Cannizzo streaked into the Icers end and blasted a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that beat Hume high to the glove side just 1:42 into the extra frame.

Game - and the Icers season - over, and the celebration underway for the Bronchos.

But the clock could strike midnight for the Cinderella team at this year's ball. With Lindenwood easily dispatching Minot State 7-2 and Ohio taking care of Arizona State 5-3, UCO will face the defending champs from Lindenwood in one semi-final on Tuesday, while OU takes on Iowa State in an all-CSCHL semi.

A tip of the cap to UCO head coach Craig McAlister and his staff for the remarkable job of building their program from nothing to tournament semi-finalist in just four years.

I told coach McAlister after the game that I'm looking forward to their visit to Happy Valley next season.

A big thanks to seniors Steve Thurston, John Conte, Matt Kirstein and Ryan Paradis for their great play and above all for their leadership, which will be missed.

Finally, a special thank you to my friend Bill Downey. As a player and as a coach, Bill epitomizes Penn State hockey.

The Icers family will miss Bill, Amy and Ellie more than they will ever know. End of story, nothing more needs to be said.