Bloomfield's Andrew Miller Named Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player

Bloomfield Hills native Andrew Miller is on top of the collegiate hockey world.

The captain of the Yale Bulldogs not only hoisted the NCAA Frozen Four championship trophy high above his head Saturday night following the 4-0 victory over Quinnipiac in Pittsburgh, but he skated away with the tournament's Most Outstanding Player Award. 

It was a fitting finish to Yale's improbable run to its first national title — in any sport. The Bulldogs were the 15th seed in the 16-team field, and knocked off their East Coast Athletic Conference rival Quinnipiac, the nation's top-ranked team that won all three contests between them earlier in the season.

“I think it’s difficult to beat anyone in college hockey,” Miller said in a post-game interview with NCAA.com. “Night in and night out, there is so much parity. In the NCAA tournament, anybody can beat anybody, and whoever has the hottest goalie and plays the best team game wins. I think we did that for the last four games.”

Fellow senior Jeff Malcolm was outstanding in net, stopping all 36 shots he faced. Miller scored a goal midway through the third period, but Malcolm's play, and a stingy defensive effort by the entire team prevented any need for late-game heroics like his game-winning score in a 3-2 overtime win over UMass Lowell on Thursday.

Miller, a standout forward who helped Cranbrook to consecutive state titles in 2006-07, also assisted on another goal, making him Yale's career leader in that category. Michigan native Clinton Bourbonais (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) also tallied a goal and an assist in the championship game.

The Cranbrook faithful didn't let Miller's performance go unnoticed.

"It was so exciting, and this is coming from someone who rarely watches hockey. Congrats, Andrew and the rest of your teammates. What an awesome game! We're proud of you, Andrew!" wrote Winifred A. Davies-Hancock on Cranbrook Facebook page.

"Big big win tonight. Awesome," commented Susan Davis Feiten.

Anyone that missed the game can watch it online on ESPN.com.