John Gray, a sophomore who played only three games prior to the National Invitational Tournament, delivered two stellar performances to lead the Icers to the championship and earn the MVP award to boot.

Gray was the man in the net tallying 49 saves as the ice hockey team shocked host Ohio University in the second round at the National Invitational Tournament. It marked the first time OU was held scoreless for a period -- ever.

Gray was the goalie again when the Icers beat Iowa State and seized the NIT championship, breaking North Dakota State University's five-year reign as champions.

"With the pressure he was under it was remarkable," assistant coach Ray Lombra said. "(Iowa State) would knock him over and back him into the net."

Gray was surprised that he was started in the championship game, although he said there was "a good hint I would play." He also received a spot on the all-NIT first team, along with teammates Mike Cardonick, a forward, and defenseman Geoff Martha. Forward John Ioia was named to the second team.

The all-NIT awards vindicated the Icers, who only placed one player, Josh Brandewene, on the all-ICHL first team. Brandewene also received the League Sportsmanship Award.

Cardonick had the most reason to be happy. The No. 4 scorer when the all-ICHL team was named, he was only given an honorable mention although three people who had at least 10 fewer points placed ahead of him.

Especially puzzling was the fact that while the No. 3 Icers placed only one player on the ICHL first team, No. 4 Buffalo State placed two.

The NIT should help the Icers leave behind the bad aftertaste from the all-ICHL team.

"We can beat anybody now," Gray said.

Notes: The Icers will try to defend their ICHL title at the ICHL playoffs, March 9-11 at Conestoga University in Kitchener, Ontario . . . The last team to win the NIT championship before North Dakota State University's five-year run was Penn State.