The University of North Dakota men's ice hockey team has found a home about 1,700 miles from Grand Forks: Providence, Rhode Island.

The capital of the nation's smallest state was kind in a big way to the Fighting Sioux, who won their seventh national championship -- and third in the city of Providence -- by defeating Boston College, 4-2.

"I'm so proud of these guys because they really kicked it in gear after we lost the (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) regular season," North Dakota head coach Dean Blais said. "To win another championship in Providence is wonderful. The city has been a tremendous host."

With both teams trading chances in the first two periods, goaltending was a key issue. Boston College's Scott Clemmenson and North Dakota's Karl Goehring made several key saves. The Eagles managed two goals and the Sioux one after two periods.

North Dakota's Lee Goren posted two third-period goals to help the Sioux to the title. The game-winner scored by North Dakota's Jason Ulmer came with 5:34 left in the game. Ulmer skated into the Boston College zone and fed Goren, who fired a shot low to Clemmenson's stick side. Clemmenson made the stop but the rebound came to Ulmer, who snapped the puck into the back of the net.

With the championship, North Dakota trails Michigan by two for the overall lead in NCAA titles. Maine, last year's champion, was knocked out of the Frozen Four by North Dakota, ensuring a new champion. Boston University is the last team to repeat (1971-72). The Fighting Sioux (31-8-5) won their fifth straight championship game dating back to 1980.

"I knew we could come back because we had something special this year," said Goren, a senior. "It's a great feeling to win your last game and go out on top. For the freshmen coming in, that's something they can gun for the next three years."

Boston College (29-12-1) again tasted disappointment after being tantalizingly close. The Eagles, who have not won a championship since 1949, participated in their 16th Frozen Four and second title game in three years.

"You have to tip your hat to North Dakota," said Boston College head coach Jerry York. "They are an excellent team and did the things you had to do in the third period to win."

To reach the finals, North Dakota ousted Maine, 2-0, and Boston College ended St. Lawrence's championship bid, 4-2. St. Lawrence punched its ticket to Providence with a four-overtime win over Boston University in the longest NCAA ice hockey tournament game.

All-tournament team honors went to North Dakota netminder Goehring, defensemen Mike Mottau (Boston College) and Mike Commodore (North Dakota), and forwards Bryan Lundbohm (North Dakota) and Jeff Farkas (Boston College). Goren was named the tournament's most outstanding player.

SEMIFINALS

North Dakota 2, Maine 0

First period: No scoring. Penalties: ND -- Kevin Spiewak (interference), 2:41; ND -- Travis Roche (holding), 4:11; M -- Michael Schutte (roughing), 7:24; ND -- Mike Commodore (holding), 10:20; ND -- Jim Leger (elbowing), 15:25.

Second period: ND -- Bryan Lundbohm (Aaron Schneekloth), 7:35 (pp); ND -- Kevin Spiewak (Jason Notermann), 13:35, (sh). Penalties: M -- Doug Janik (cross-checking), 0:33; ND -- Tim O'Connell (holding), 4:00; M --Peter Metcalf (slashing), 7:26; M -- Cliff Loya (delay of game), 9:40; ND -- Mike Commodore, (slashing), 13:25.

Third period: No scoring. Penalties: ND -- Mike Commodore (holding), 12:56; ND -- Travis Roche (cross-checking), 7:36; M -- Brendan Walsh (interference), 8:07; M -- Doug Janik (slashing), 15:20.

Shots on goal: Maine -- 8-8-14 -- 30; North Dakota -- 10-13-11 -- 34. Saves: M -- Matt Yeats, 10-11-11 -- 32; ND -- Karl Goehring, 8-8-14 -- 30. Penalties: M -- 7 for 14 min.; ND -- 7 for 14 min. Power plays: M -- 0 for 7; ND -- 1 for 6. Officials: Matt Shegos (referee), Bill Jones (assistant referee), Jeff Fulton (assistant referee). Attendance: 11,484.

Boston College 4, St. Lawrence 2

First period: SL -- Jason Windle (Erik Anderson), 16:15. Penalties: SL -- Justin Harney (holding), 5:15; BC -- Krys Kolanos (hooking), 8:05; SL -- Justin Harney (slashing), 18:08.

Second period: BC -- Blake Bellefeuille (unassisted), 5:40 (sh); SL -- Charlie Daniels (unassisted), 10:38 (pp). Penalties: BC -- Kevin Caulfield (holding), 4:31; BC -- Bobby Allen (interference), 9:05; SL -- Kevin Venrusso (slashing), 15:38.

Third period: BC -- Mike Mottau (Bill Cass, Jeff Farkas), 3:04; BC -- Jeff Farkas (unassisted), 18:03; BC -- Brian Gionta (unassisted), 19:59 (en). Penalties: BC -- Orpik (holding), 1:08; SL -- Erik Anderson (hooking), 1:36

Shots on goal: Boston College 9-11-12 -- 32; St. Lawrence 9-10-9 -- 28. Saves: BC -- Scott Clemmensen 8-9-9 -- 26; SL -- Derek Gustafson 9-10-9 -- 28. Penalties: BC -- 4 for 8 min.; SL -- 4 for 8 min. Power plays: BC -- 0 for 4; SL -- 1 for 4. Officials: Mike Schmitt (referee), John LaDuke (assistant referee), Kevin Langseth (assistant referee). Attendance: 11,484.

CHAMPIONSHIP

North Dakota 4, Boston College 2

First period: ND -- Mike Commodore (Bryand Lundbolm, Tim Skaperud), 3:48; BC -- Jeff Farkas (Blake Bellefeuille, Brian Gionta), 16:47 (pp). Penalties: ND -- Aaron Schneekloth (cross-checking), 6:32; BC -- Jeff Giuliano (hooking), 10:02; ND -- Ryan Bayda (slashing), 11:35; ND -- Chad Mazurak (high-sticking) 16:28; BC -- Jeff Giuliano (hooking), 17:13.

Second period: BC -- Marty Hughes (Brian Gionta), 6:59. Penalties: ND -- Chad Mazurak (holding), 0:25; ND -- Tim O'Connell (slashing), 3:04; BC -- Bench minor (too many men on the ice, served by Marty Hughes), 4:21; BC -- Ales Dolinar (slashing), 10:45; ND -- Mike Commodore (holding), 10:45; ND -- Mike Commodore (tripping), 14:26.

Third period: ND -- Lee Goren (Ryan Bayda), 2:43; ND -- Jason Ulmer (Lee Goren), 14:22; ND -- Lee Goren (unassisted), 19:14 (en). Penalties: none.

Shots on goal: Boston College -- 13-6-4 -- 23; ND -- 13-12-11 -- 36. Saves: BC -- Scott Clemmensen 12-12-8 -- 32; ND -- Karl Goehring, 12-5-4 -- 32. Penalties: BC -- 4 for 8 min.; ND -- 7 for 14 min. Power plays: BC -- 1 for 6; ND -- 0 for 3. Officials: Matt Shegos (referee), Bill Jones (assistant referee), Jeff Fulton (assistant referee). Attendance: 11,484.