2002–03 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season

The 2002–03 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's hockey season, winning the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament championship and the NCAA national championship. The team was coached by Don Lucia and played their home games at Mariucci Arena.
The WCHA tournament championship was Minnesota's twelfth and its first since the 1995–96 season. It was their fifth NCAA national championship and marked the first time the team had won back-to-back national championships.
==Before the season==
===Recruiting===
==Roster==
Goaltenders	Goaltenders	Goaltenders 	Goaltenders	Goaltenders 	Goaltenders
# 	State 	Player 	Year 	Hometown (Previous School) 	Previous Team
31 	 	Travis Weber 	Sophomore 	Hibbing, MN (Hibbing High School) 	USNDT - NAHL
33 	 	Justin Johnson	Sophomore 	Ham Lake, MN (Blaine High School) 	Lincoln - USHL
34 	 	Dustin Smieja 	Freshman 	St. Paul, MN (St. Paul Johnson High School)	
Defensemen	Defensemen	Defensemen 	Defensemen	Defensemen 	Defensemen
# 	State 	Player 	Year 	Hometown (Previous School) 	Previous Team
2 	 	Peter Kennedy 	Freshman 	Brookfield, Nova Scotia (Cobequid Educational Centre)	Ottawa Jr. Senators - CJHL
3 	 	Chris Harrington 	Freshman 	St. Cloud, MN (St. Cloud Apollo High School) 	Omaha - USHL
4 	 	P.J. Atherton 	Freshman 	Edina, MN (Edina High School) 	Cedar Rapids - USHL
6 	 	Judd Stevens 	Sophomore 	Wayzata, MN (Wayzata High School) 	Green Bay - USHL
10 	 	Paul Martin – A	Junior 	Elk River, MN (Elk River High School) 	
13 	 	Keith Ballard 	Sophomore 	Baudette, MN (Millard North High School) 	Omaha - USHL
19 	 	Matt DeMarchi 	Senior 	Bemidji, MN (Manly Central High School) 	North Iowa - USHL
20 	 	Joey Martin 	Junior 	Rogers, MN (Buffalo High School) 	Omaha - USHL
Forwards	Forwards	Forwards 	Forwards 	Forwards 	Forwards
# 	State 	Player 	Year 	Hometown (Previous School) 	Previous Team
5 	 	Jon Waibel 	Junior 	Baudette, MN (Pioneer High School) 	USNDT - NAHL
7 	 	Gino Guyer 	Freshman 	Coleraine, MN (Greenway High School) 	
9 	 	Andy Sertich 	Freshman 	Coleraine, MN (Greenway High School) 	
14 	 	Chad Roberg 	Senior 	Duluth, MN (Duluth East High School) 	
16 	 	Nick Anthony – A 	Senior 	Faribault, MN (Shattuck-Saint Mary's) 	Twin Cities - USHL
17 	 	Garrett Smaagaard 	Sophomore	Eden Prairie, MN (Eden Prairie High School)	
18 	 	Grant Potulny – C	Junior 	Grand Forks, ND (Red River High School) 	Lincoln Stars - USHL
21 	 	Troy Riddle 	Junior 	Minneapolis, MN (Valley High School) 	Des Moines - USHL
23 	 	Tyler Hirsch 	Freshman 	Bloomington, MN (Shattuck-Saint Mary's) 	
24 	 	Matt Koalska 	Junior 	St. Paul, MN (Hill-Murray High School) 	Twin Cities - USHL
25 	 	Jerrid Reinholz 	Sophomore	Ramsey, MN (Anoka High School) 	UMD, Des Moines - USHL
26 	 	Thomas Vanek 	Freshman 	Graz, Austria (O'Gorman High School) 	Sioux Falls - USHL
27 	 	Barry Tallackson 	Sophomore	St. Paul, MN (St. Paul Johnson High School)	USNDT - NAHL
28 	 	Brett MacKinnon 	Sophomore	Wayzata, MN (Wayzata High School) 	Cedar Rapids - USHL
29 	 	Jake Fleming 	Sophomore	Osseo, MN (Millard North High School) 	Omaha - USHL
==Season standings==
Note: PTS = Points; GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against
==Regular season==
# 	Date 	Opponent# 	Rank# 	Site 	Score 	Goaltender 	Record 	Points 	
1 	October 12*† 	vs. #15 Ohio State 	#1 	Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 	7–2 	Weber 	1–0–0 	— 	
2 	October 18* 	@ #3 New Hampshire 	#1 	Whittemore Center Arena • Durham, NH 	5–5 (OT) 	Johnson 	1–0–1 	— 	
3 	October 19* 	@ #3 New Hampshire 	#1 	Whittemore Center Arena • Durham, NH 	1–3 	Weber 	1–1–1 	— 	
4 	October 25 	@ Michigan Tech 	#2 	John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI 	5–4 	Weber / Johnson 	2–1–1 	2 	
5 	October 26 	@ Michigan Tech 	#2 	John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI 	3–3 (OT) 	Johnson 	2–1–2 	3 	
6 	November 1* 	Alabama-Huntsville 	#4 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	12–1 	Weber 	3–1–2 	— 	
7 	November 2* 	Alabama-Huntsville 	#4 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	4–2 	Johnson 	4–1–2 	— 	
8 	November 8 	@ Minnesota State 	#3 	Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 	2–3 	Weber 	4–2–2 	3 	
9 	November 9 	@ Minnesota State 	#3 	Alltel Center • Mankato, MN 	7–4 	Johnson 	5–2–2 	5 	
10 	November 15 	#7 Colorado College 	#8 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	3–7 	Johnson 	5–3–2 	5 	
11 	November 16 	#7 Colorado College 	#8 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	2–2 (OT) 	Weber 	5–3–3 	6 	
12 	November 22 	Michigan Tech 	#9 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	4–2 	Weber 	6–3–3 	8 	
13 	November 23 	Michigan Tech 	#9 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	2–1 	Weber 	7–3–3 	10 	
14 	November 29*‡ 	Michigan State 	#9 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	5–5 (OT) 	Weber 	7–3–4 	— 	
15 	December 1*‡ 	#8 Michigan 	#9 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	1–3 	Weber 	7–4–4 	— 	
16 	December 6 	@ Wisconsin 	#10 	Kohl Center • Madison, WI 	3–0 	Weber 	8–4–4 	12 	
17 	December 7 	@ Wisconsin 	#10 	Kohl Center • Madison, WI 	3–2 	Weber 	9–4–4 	14 	
18 	December 9* 	Team Italy (exh.) 	 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	4–2 	Weber 	9–4–4 	— 	
19 	December 27*$ 	Yale 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	7–3 	Weber 	10–4–4 	— 	
20 	December 28*$ 	#6 Boston College 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	2–1 (OT) 	Weber 	11–4–4 	— 	
21 	January 3 	St. Cloud State 	#4 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	3–4 	Weber 	11–5–4 	14 	
22 	January 4 	@ St. Cloud State 	#4 	National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN 	3–3 (OT) 	Weber 	11–5–5 	15 	
23 	January 10 	#1 North Dakota 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	2–4 	Weber 	11–6–5 	15 	
24 	January 11 	#1 North Dakota 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	6–3 	Weber 	12–6–5 	17 	
25 	January 17* 	U.S. Under-18 Team (exh.) 	 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	6–0 	Johnson 	12–6–5 	— 	
26 	January 24 	Minnesota State 	#8 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	2–2 (OT) 	Weber 	12–6–6 	18 	
27 	January 25 	Minnesota State 	#8 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	4–4 (OT) 	Weber 	12–6–7 	19 	
28 	January 31 	@ Alaska Anchorage 	#7 	Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, AK 	4–0 	Weber 	13–6–7 	21 	
29 	February 1 	@ Alaska Anchorage 	#7 	Sullivan Arena • Anchorage, AK 	4–1 	Johnson 	14–6–7 	23 	
30 	February 7 	@ #1 Colorado College 	#7 	World Arena • Colorado Springs, CO 	2–6 	Weber 	14–7–7 	23 	
31 	February 8 	@ #1 Colorado College 	#7 	World Arena • Colorado Springs, CO 	3–2 	Johnson 	15–7–7 	25 	
32 	February 14 	Wisconsin 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	5–2 	Weber 	16–7–7 	27 	
33 	February 15 	Wisconsin 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	8–1 	Johnson 	17–7–7 	29 	
34 	February 21 	@ Minnesota-Duluth 	#6 	Duluth Entertainment Convention Center • Duluth, MN 	5–4 	Weber 	18–7–7 	31 	
35 	February 22 	@ Minnesota-Duluth 	#6 	Duluth Entertainment Convention Center • Duluth, MN 	4–5 (OT) 	Johnson 	18–8–7 	31 	
36 	February 28 	#13 Denver 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	3–3 (OT) 	Weber 	18–8–8 	32 	
37 	March 1 	#13 Denver 	#7 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	8–5 	Weber 	19–8–8 	34 	
38 	March 7 	@ #2 St. Cloud State 	#6 	National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN 	5–3 	Weber 	20–8–8 	36 	
39 	March 8 	#2 St. Cloud State 	#6 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	1–1 (OT) 	Weber 	20–8–9 	37 	
*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*Non-Conference Game. †Hall of Fame Game. ‡College Hockey Showcase. $Dodge Holiday Classic. #Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.
==Postseason==
===WCHA Playoffs===
# 	Date 	Opponent# 	Rank# 	Site 	Score 	Goaltender 	Record 	
1 	March 14* 	Michigan Tech 	#6 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	3–1 	Weber 	21–8–9 	
2 	March 15* 	Michigan Tech 	#6 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	5–2 	Weber / Johnson 	22–8–9 	
3 	March 21‡ 	vs. #9 Minnesota State 	#5 	Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 	3–2 (OT) 	Johnson 	23–8–9 	
4 	March 22$ 	vs. #1 Colorado College 	#5 	Xcel Energy Center • St. Paul, MN 	4–2 	Johnson 	24–8–9 	
*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*WCHA First-Round (best of three). ‡WCHA Final Five Semifinal. $WCHA Final Five Championship.#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.
===NCAA Playoffs===
# 	Date 	Opponent# 	Rank# 	Site 	Score 	Goaltender 	Record 	
1 	March 28* 	Mercyhurst 	#4 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	9–2 	Weber 	25–8–9 	
2 	March 29† 	#6 Ferris State 	#4 	Mariucci Arena • Minneapolis, MN 	7–4 	Johnson / Weber 	26–8–9 	
3 	April 10‡ 	vs. #4 Michigan 	#2 	HSBC Arena • Buffalo, NY 	3–2 (OT) 	Weber 	27–8–9 	
4 	April 12$ 	vs. #3 New Hampshire 	#2 	HSBC Arena • Buffalo, NY 	5–1 	Weber 	28–8–9 	
*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.	*NCAA First-Round (West Regional). †NCAA Quarterfinal (West Regional). ‡NCAA Semifinal (Frozen Four). $NCAA Championship (Frozen Four).#Rankings from USA Today/American Hockey Coaches Association poll released prior to games.
== Season Stats ==
====Scoring Leaders====
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	PIM
Thomas Vanek 	45	31	31	62 	60
Troy Riddle 	45	26	26	52 	50
Keith Ballard	45	12	29	41 	78
Matt Koalska 	41	9 	31	40 	26
Paul Martin 	45	9 	30	39 	32
====Goaltending====
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L	SO	Sv% 	GAA
Travis Weber 	34	1994	18	6	7 	.902	2.50
Justin Johnson	14	765 	10	2	2 	.885	2.90
==Awards and records==
===Records===
===Milestones===
==References==
Minnesota
Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers
Category:NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four seasons
Category:NCAA men's ice hockey championship seasons
Category:2002 in hockey
Category:2003 in hockey
Category:NCAA seasons