Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, filed the following floor statement in recognition of Western Washington University's win in the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey championship game:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishment of the Western Washington University Vikings Ice Hockey team, which defended their national title at the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey Championship on March 17.

Under the leadership of Head Coach John Dougan, the Vikings had a regular season record of 23 wins, four ties, four losses and a four-and-one record in the tournament. Western showed great heart and perseverance. After losing the first game of the tournament, they fought their way to the national championship.

Led by the strong play of Western goalie and the tournament's most valuable player Tyler Zetting, the Vikings concluded the tournament and defense of their national title with a two-to-one overtime win against top-ranked Le Moyne College.

We are proud of this team in Bellingham and across Northwest Washington and we look forward to their future successes on and off the rink.