UPDATE: 6:00 AM, Monday, April 10, 2023

A 3-2 overtime loss in the NCAA National Championship made for an unfortunate end to the season for Justen Close and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Leading for a majority of the game, the Gophers were forced into an extra-frame after a late push from their opponent. Overtime only lasted 10 seconds as a faceoff play resulting in the game winner sent the Quinnipiac bench into a frenzy.

UPDATE: 6:00 PM Thursday, April 6, 2023

Justen Close and the Minnesota Golden Gophers are heading to the national championship after a 6-2 win over Boston University Thursday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Close made 29 saves on 31 shots for the win, and Hobey Baker finalist Logan Cooley had two goals and an assist to lead the Gophers attack.

Minnesota will play the winner of Michigan and Quinnipiac on Saturday night at 6:00 Saskatchewan time. 

Original Article: 6:00 AM Thursday, April 6, 2023

Former Kindersley Jr. Klippers goaltender Justen Close is getting set for the biggest stage in NCAA hockey down in sunny Tampa, Florida.

The Frozen Four begins tonight, as Close and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are in the final group for the second year in a row. They face off against the Boston University Terriers this afternoon at 3:00 PM local time for a shot to meet either rival Michigan or Quinnipiac in the finals.

They earned their spot in the national semi-final after taking down both Canisius and St. Cloud State in Fargo, North Dakota at their respective NCAA Regional Tournament. 

We spoke with Close prior to the tournament's opening round in Fargo, and you can find his full comments in the story below as the senior goaltender will hope to close out his Golden Gophers career with helping bring a championship to the State of Hockey.