1955–56 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season

The 1955–56 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team represented the University of Michigan in college ice hockey. In its 12th year under head coach Vic Heyliger, the team compiled a 20–2–1 record, outscored opponents 109 to 49, and won the 1956 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. The Wolverines defeated St. Lawrence 2–1 in overtime in the first round of the Frozen Four. They then defeated Michigan Tech by a 7–5 score in the championship game at Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 1956 championship was Michigan's sixth NCAA hockey championship in nine years.

1955–56 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season
National Champion
WIHL Champion
NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference1st WIHL
Home iceWeinberg Coliseum
Record
Overall20–2–1
Home11–1–1
Road7–1
Neutral2–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachVic Heyliger
Captain(s)Bill MacFarland
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey seasons
« 1954–55 1956–57 »

Goalie Lorne Howes was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player and was also named Most Valuable Player in the 1956 NCAA Tournament. Team captain Bill MacFarland was the team's leading scorer with 19 goals, 28 assists, and 47 total points in 23 games. Howes, MacFarland, and defenseman Bob Schiller were all named to the All-American college hockey team.[1]

Standings
1955–56 Western Intercollegiate Hockey League
Conference Overall
GP W L T PCT PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan†181521.85819803723202110949
Michigan Tech201460.70017826128217015683
Colorado College181080.5561472662817110144100
Minnesota2211101.523126360291612110680
North Dakota207130.3501067932811161100129
Denver16682.438105858261211313084
Michigan State181170.056235822351805596
† indicates conference regular season champion
Note: All games played between league members counted in the standings. When teams played each other twice, two points were awarded for a win, one point for a tie.

When teams met each other four times, one point was awarded for a win, one-half point for a tie. Maximum of 24 points available.[2]

Schedule

Conference games against Michigan State, Michigan Tech and Minnesota were only worth 1 point in the standings.

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
December 3 vs. McGill* Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 5–3  1–0–0
December 9 at North Dakota Winter Sports Building • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 5–1  2–0–0 (1–0–0)
December 10 at North Dakota Winter Sports Building • Grand Forks, North Dakota L 2–4  2–1–0 (1–1–0)
December 13 at Denver Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan T 3–3 OT 2–1–1 (1–1–1)
December 14 at Denver Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 6–2  3–1–1 (2–1–1)
January 6 at Michigan State Demonstration Hall • East Lansing, Michigan W 5–2  4–1–1 (3–1–1)
January 7 vs. Michigan State Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 3–1  5–1–1 (4–1–1)
January 13 vs. Minnesota Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 2–0  6–1–1 (5–1–1)
January 14 vs. Minnesota Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 2–1  7–1–1 (6–1–1)
January 20 at Michigan State Demonstration Hall • East Lansing, Michigan W 3–2 OT 8–1–1 (7–1–1)
January 21 vs. Michigan State Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 7–1  9–1–1 (8–1–1)
February 7 vs. Colorado College Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan L 3–6  9–2–1 (8–2–1)
February 8 vs. Colorado College Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 7–2  10–2–1 (9–2–1)
February 17 at Minnesota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 5–3  11–2–1 (10–2–1)
February 18 at Minnesota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2  12–2–1 (11–2–1)
February 24 vs. Montreal* Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 5–2  13–2–1 (11–2–1)
February 25 vs. Montreal* Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 10–1  14–2–1 (11–2–1)
March 2 at Michigan Tech Dee Stadium • Houghton, Michigan W 5–2  15–2–1 (12–2–1)
March 3 at Michigan Tech Dee Stadium • Houghton, Michigan W 6–3  16–2–1 (13–2–1)
March 9 vs. Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 5–1  17–2–1 (14–2–1)
March 10 vs. Michigan Tech Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 5–1  18–2–1 (15–2–1)
NCAA Tournament
March 16 vs. St. Lawrence* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National Semifinal) W 2–1 OT 19–2–1 (15–2–1)
March 17 vs. Michigan Tech* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National Championship) W 7–5  20–2–1 (15–2–1)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[3]

Regular season

McGill: Dec. 3, 1955

On December 3, 1955, the Wolverines opened their season with a 5-3 victory over McGill in front of a sellout crowd of 3,700 at the Coliseum in Ann Arbor. Dick Dunnigan scored two goals for Michigan. Bill MacFarland, Ed Switzer, and Wally Maxwell scored one each. Team captain MacFarland sustained "a severe ankle sprain" after colliding with the boards in the third period. The Michigan Daily praised the play of the newest Wolverine, Wally Maxwell: "His scoring punch and sharp passing should make him one of Michigan's leading offense threats."[4]

at North Dakota: December 9–10, 1955

The Wolverines next played a Friday/Saturday series against the North Dakota Fighting Sioux on December 9 and 10, 1955, at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Michigan won the first game, 5-1, before a "violently partisan" crowd of 3,800 at Grand Forks. Michigan's goals were scored by Dick Dunnigan, Ed Switzer, Tom Rendall, Jay Goold, and Wally Maxwell. Goalie Lorne Howes made 23 saves.[5]

The Wolverines lost the second game to North Dakota by a 4-2 score. Michigan goalie Lorne Howes was struck by the puck above his left eye at the start of the third period and sustained a gash. The game was delayed while Howes had the wound stitched. Ed Switzer and Bernie Hanna scored Michigan's goals. South Dakota's final goal came late in the third period after Michigan coach Vic Heyliger pulled the goalie for an extra skater.[6]

Denver: December 13 and 14, 1955

The Wolverines returned home for a Tuesday/Wednesday series against the Denver Pioneers on December 13 and 14, 1955. In the Tuesday night game, the teams played to a 3-3 tie before a crowd of 2,500 at the Coliseum in Ann Arbor. Michigan held a 3-1 lead with five minutes left in the game, but the Pioneers scored twice, including a tying goal with 49 second remaining. Neither team scored in the 10-minute overtime period, and the game ended in a tie. Wally Maxwell scored two goals in the game, and Ed Switzer scored one. With the tie, Michigan fell to 1-1-1 in three WIHL games.[7]

Michigan won the Wednesday night game by a 6-2 score in front of a crowd of 2,700 at the Coliseum. Defenseman Bob Pitts was the star of the game with two goals and a strong defensive performance. Team captain Bill MacFarland also scored twice. Michigan's remaining goals were scored by Ed Switzer and Tom Rendall. Denver's second goal came on an errant effort by Michigan to clear the zone. A Michigan defender inadvertently passed the puck backward into the net. After the game, Michigan coach Vic Heyliger said, "When these boys want to play hockey, they can really get out there and play. This is what we've been waiting for."[8]

Ineligible Players

On February 7th the Big Ten ruled that Mike Buchanan and Wally Maxwell were ineligible to play due to having accepted expense money from outside sources while playing in high school.[9] While the ruling ended the college careers of both players, no action was taken against Michigan as the violations occurred prior to either player entering college. Furthermore, Michigan was not required to forfeit any games in which either player had participated (including the 1955 national championship in which Buchanan had played).

1956 NCAA championship

After compiling an 18–2–1 record and winning the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL) championship, Michigan was invited to participate in the Frozen Four for the ninth consecutive year. The 1956 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was held at Broadmoor Arena at The Broadmoor, a luxury hotel located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. St. Lawrence University (from Canton, New York) and Boston College were invited from the East and Michigan and Michigan Technological University (from Houghton, Michigan) were invited from the West.[10][11]

Semifinal vs. St. Lawrence

On March 16, 1956, the Wolverines faced the St. Lawrence Saints in the opening round. Neither team scored in the first period, as Michigan goalie Lorne Howes made 11 saves and the Wolverines were held to five shots on goal. St. Lawrence took a 1–0 lead with an unassisted goal by McKinnon with less than a minute remaining in the second period. St. Lawrence goalie Whittier had 15 saves in the second period. At the 3:59 mark in the third period, Michigan tied the score at 1–1 as Ed Switzer scored a goal with assists by Neil McDonald and Bob Pitts. Howes made 13 saves in the third period (30 saves in the game), and the third period ended in a tie. In the overtime period, Tom Rendall scored the winning goal at the 1:21 mark with an assist from Don McIntosh.[10]

Championship vs. Michigan Tech.

On March 17, 1956, the Wolverines faced the Michigan Tech Huskies in the championship game. The Wolverines and Huskies had played four times in the regular season with Michigan winning all four games by a combined score of 21–7. In the championship game, Michigan struck first with a goal by Ed Switzer, assisted by Neil McDonald, only 23 seconds into the game. The period ended with Michigan ahead 4–3. Michigan's remaining goals in the first period were scored by Neil McDonald (assist by Bob Schiller at 9:22), Aubrey (unassisted at 11:04), and Schiller (assist by McDonald at 13:11). Michigan goalie Lorne Howes made 19 saves in the first period. In the second period, Michigan Tech took a 5–4 lead, scoring two goals in the opening 7:15. The Wolverines tied the score at 5–5 on a goal by Ed Switzer, assisted by Bernie Hanna at 7:58. Michigan then took the lead, scoring two goals within 11 seconds of the other. Switzer scored at the 14:38 mark (assist by Dick Dunnigan), and Neil McDonald followed with an unassisted goal at 14:49. The third period was scoreless as Howes tallied 19 more saves. Switzer's third goal of the game gave him a hat trick.[11]

(W1) Michigan vs. (W2) Michigan Tech
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st UM Ed Switzer McDonald 00:23 1–0 UM
MTU Dick Wilson J. McManus 02:42 1–1
UM Neil McDonald Schiller 09:22 2–1 UM
UM Don McIntosh Rendall 10:14 3–1 UM
MTU Pete Aubry unassisted 11:04 3–2 UM
UM Bob Schiller McDonald 13:11 4–2 UM
MTU Dick Wilson unassisted 19:45 4–3 UM
2nd MTU Tom Kennedy Wilson 24:47 4–4
MTU Pete Aubry – PP Wilson 27:25 5–4 MTU
UM Ed Switzer Hanna 27:58 5–5
UM Ed Switzer – GW PP Dunnigan 34:28 6–5 UM
UM Neil McDonald unassisted 34:49 7–5 UM
3rd None

All-Tournament Team

Michigan goalie Lorne Howes, who totaled 46 saves in the championship game, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. Michigan players also took five of six first-team spots on the Associated Press All-Tournament Team. The Michigan players so honored were Howes, defensemen Bob Pitts and Bob Schiller, center Tom Rendall, and wing Ed Switzer.[13][14] Shortly after winning the championship, the members of the Michigan hockey team selected Bob Pitts as captain of the 1956–57 Michigan hockey team.[15]

Roster and scoring statistics

Fourteen players received varsity letters for the 1955–56 Michigan hockey team. Those 14 players are listed in bold below. Richard T. Brown received the Manager's "M".[16]

No.NameYearPositionHometownS/P/CGamesGoalsAssistsPtsPIM
1Lorne HowesSeniorGKirkland Lake, ON–––––
2Mike BuchananJuniorDOttawa, ON–––––
3Bob ShillerJuniorDRiverside, ON–––––
4Bernie HannaJuniorDCalgary, AB–––––
5Bob PittsJuniorDCastlegar, BC–––––
6Dick DunniganJuniorRWEdmonton, AB–––––
7Bill MacFarlandSeniorLWToronto, ON2319284745
8Jerry KarpinkaJuniorLWEdmonton, AB–––––
9Jay GooldSeniorRWKirkland Lake, ON–––––
10Wally MaxwellSophomoreFToronto, ON–74118
11Neil BuchananJuniorDOttawa, ON–––––
12Tom RendallJuniorCWinnipeg, MB–––––
14Don McIntoshSophomoreCToronto, ON–––––
15Neil McDonaldSophomoreCPreston, ON–––––
16Morley ChinSophomoreFToronto, ON–––––
17Ed SwitzerSophomoreLWPreston, ON–––––
Baden CosbyJuniorFGravenhurst, ON–––––
Total

[17]

See also

References
  1. "Another NCAA Championship: Hockey Team Wins Sixth National Crown In The Last Nine Years". The Michigan Alumnus. April 14, 1956. p. 304.
  2. "2009-10 WCHA Yearbook 97-112" (PDF). WCHA. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  3. "Through the Years: Season-By-Season Results" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  4. "Wolverines Stun McGill, 5-3, With Second Period Strength; MacFarland Injured In Game". The Michigan Daily. December 4, 1955. pp. 1, 3.
  5. "'M' Puck Squad Beats Sioux, 5-1: Wolverines Notch First WIHL Win; Five Players Share Scoring Honors". The Michigan Daily. December 10, 1955. p. 1.
  6. "Nodaks Stun Icers, 4-2: Howes Gets Minor Injury, Needs Stitches, But Finishes". The Michigan Daily. December 11, 1955. p. 3.
  7. Dave Grey (December 14, 1955). "Denver Icers Rally To Tie Wolverines: 'M' Blows 3-1 Lead As Pioneers Score Twice in Last Five Minutes". The Michigan Daily. p. 1.
  8. Dave Rorabacher (December 15, 1955). "Icers Trounce Denver Sextet, 6-2; Pitts Stars". The Michigan Daily. p. 1.
  9. "Big Ten Bars Buchanan, Maxwell". The Michigan Daily. February 21, 1956. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  10. "Michigan Skaters Gain: Wolverines Beat St. Lawrence in Overtime Game, 2–1". The New York Times. March 17, 1956.
  11. "Michigan Topples Michigan Tech, 7–5: Takes Second Straight Title in College Hockey as Switzer Excels". The New York Times. March 18, 1956.
  12. "Team History" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  13. "Michigan Hockey Record Book" (PDF). University of Michigan. p. 17.
  14. "Michigan Captures NCAA Hockey Title". Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era. March 19, 1956. p. 14.
  15. "Pitts Selected As Ice Captain". St. Joseph, Mo., Gazette. March 20, 1956.
  16. "Athletic Awards for 1955–56 Winter Sports". The Michigan Alumnus. April 14, 1956. p. 305.
  17. "Univ. of Michigan 1955-56 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
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