So close

I was there in Anaheim.  I saw it with my own eyes and felt it in my stomach. I still do from time to time as the memory is as vivid as if it was only yesterday.  Watching this year's Frozen Four and the heartbreak of coming up just short made me think back to a first hand account of finishing as a runner up.

It was 14 years ago (1999) when my alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, came within inches of winning the NCAA Division I hockey national championship. And when I say inches, that may be exaggerating a bit.  A fraction of an inch may be more precise.

UNH had reached the NCAA's Frozen Four at The Pond (now Honda Center) in Anaheim, and since I was working on the West Coast, I figured I had to make the trip down to Southern California to cheer on the Wildcats.  Even if it was about a five hour drive from the Central Coast.

A convincing win over Michigan State in the semifinals sent the Wildcats to the championship game where they would face, who-else, but long-time rival and nemesis -- the University of Maine.

What little thoughts I had of not returning to Anaheim were quickly vanquished at the thought of seeing the Wildcats potentially parading around the ice with the national championship trophy held high. I was going.

My wife and I got back in the car and headed back to Anaheim, nervous, but excited. Perched in the front row of the upper balcony, we had the perfect view of the entire rink, and the UNH net directly below us (more on that shortly).

I was a nervous nut. I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I just sat on the edge of my seat hoping what the several thousand UNH fans in the arena, and many more back home in Durham, wanted to see, a UNH win.

Maine scored first and held a 2-1 advantage before UNH stormed back to tie the game and force, ugh ... overtime. Midway  into the extra period, UNH had a tremendous opportunity at the far end of the ice.

Hobey Baker award recipient Jason Krog sent an absolute rocket from just inside the blue line on the right side that clanked off the post by the Maine goalie, Alfie Michaud. The dreadful sound could be heard throughout the arena, but that ringing sound would soon change to a different, even worse sound.

The puck caromed around the dasherboard and led to a Maine break-a-way.  Coming right at us, we could see the whole play develop.  UNH netminder Ty Conklin would make the initial save on the Maine rush, but couldn't corral the rebound as the next thing I saw was the puck pop into the net over a sprawling, helpless Conklin.

It was rough, but sometimes games like that can put things into perspective and keep one humble. Life goes on and it's only a game.

It was a memorable ride. One that came so close to ending with the storybook national championship.

Less than an inch to be exact.