1978–79 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season

The 1978–79 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team represented the University of Minnesota in college ice hockey. In its 7th year under head coach Herb Brooks the team compiled a 32–11–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time. The Golden Gophers defeated North Dakota 4–3 in the championship game at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan to win their third national championship.

1978–79 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season
National Champion
Big Ten, Champion
WCHA Tournament, co-Champion
NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference2nd WCHA
1st Big Ten
Home iceWilliams Arena
Record
Overall32–11–1
Conference20–11–1 / 10–2
Home20–4–1
Road9–7–0
Neutral3–0–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachHerb Brooks
Assistant CoachesBrad Buetow
John Perpich
Mike Foley
Captain(s)Bill Baker
Alternate captain(s)Phil Verchota
Steve Christoff
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1977–78 1979–80 »

Season

Early Lead

Minnesota began the 1978–79 season well, winning two games before each of their losses through mid-November. Steve Janaszak, one of the four remaining players from Minnesota's last national championship team, received the lion's share of minutes in goal as the Gophers built an early lead in both the WCHA and Big Ten. After the calendar had turned to December, Minnesota visited a resurgent North Dakota who had already climbed up to second place in the conference. The teams split the series and Minnesota headed home with an 11–4 record.

The Gophers played host to three ECAC Hockey teams during the winter break and though Harvard gave them a good game, Minnesota swept both weekend to build their record to 15–4. When the Gophers returned to conference play they throttled Michigan with Janaszak posting his only shutout of the season. That dominance likely led to a bit of soft play the following weekend when the Gopher's didn't show up against Minnesota–Duluth and the squad played its first weekend all season without recording a win.

Trouble on the Road

After the failed homestand Minnesota spent the following two weekends outside of Minnesota. The first series against Wisconsin began well but the Badgers salvaged a split in the second game. The Gophers then headed southwest to play Denver and lost both games to a middling Pioneer squad. With their conference record dented, Minnesota returned to the Williams Arena and hosted two weak teams over two weeks, easily winning four games, before ending up in Notre Dame where they lost two close affairs. The pair of losses were at an inopportune time because it allowed North Dakota to build a 5-point lead in the WCHA race.[1]

While the two teams would play to end the season Minnesota needed help from a bad Michigan State team who were fighting just to make the conference tournament. Before they could worry about that, however, they had to take care of business at home against Michigan Tech. The Gophers won both of their games and watched as the Fighting Sioux lost on Saturday to give Minnesota a chance at the conference title. The next weekend Minnesota opened with a 5–2 win over North Dakota but could not keep the momentum going and failed to win the crown after losing the second game.

WCHA Tournament

With their second-place finish Minnesota was guaranteed home ice for the conference playoffs. After breezing through the first round against Michigan Tech, Minnesota hosted Minnesota–Duluth, one of only two team to have a winning record against the Golden Gophers in the regular season. Minnesota fought valiantly in the first game with Janaszak turning aside all but one shot from a potent Bulldog attack. Minnesota pulled away in the second game, scoring six times, and captured their sixth WCHA Tournament title.

NCAA Tournament

While the Gophers earned one of the two WCHA bids, the other went to North Dakota and because the Fighting Sioux had finished the regular season with a better conference record, Minnesota was slotted into the second western seed. Because of this Minnesota was forced to begin the tournament against CCHA champion Bowling Green who had proven the year before that they could compete on a national stage. Minnesota proved the stronger team, however, winning the first round match 6–3 and punching their ticket to Detroit.

In the semifinals Minnesota met New Hampshire, the top offence team in the east, and the two battled a close contest for 60 minutes with the Gophers ending up as the victors. In the championship game Minnesota faced UND for the seventh time that season. The Fighting Sioux elected to start senior Bill Stankoven over freshman Bob Iwabuchi despite the underclassmen's superior numbers. That choice did not pan out as the Gophers scored three times in the first period and took a 2-goal lead into the second. Iwabuchi found himself in goal from the remainder of the contest but the Fighting Sioux had a tough hill to climb. Janaszak played strong throughout the game but couldn't stop North Dakota from cutting into the lead with a late second period goal. Neal Broten restored the two goal advantage less than three minutes into the third but UND narrowed the gap back to 1 with just over ten minutes to play. The two teams fought desperately in the final half-period but neither side was able to score and Minnesota earned their third national title in only 6 years.

Awards and Honors

For his superlative play in the three games, Steve Janaszak was named Tournament MOP and was on the All-Tournament Team with teammates Mike Ramsey, Steve Christoff and Eric Strobel.[2] Defenseman Bill Baker was the team's sole representative on the AHCA All-American West Team[3] and the All-WCHA First Team[4] while team scoring leader Steve Christoff made the WCHA Second Team.

The 1978–79 Minnesota team joined the 1948–49 Boston College Eagles as the only teams to win a championship with all of their players having been born in one state or province and was the second time Minnesota had won a championship with only American players. Two Gophers were taken in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft with both (Mike Ramsey and Neal Broten) becoming All-Stars.

Head Coach Herb Brooks would leave Minnesota that summer when he signed on to serve as the bench boss for the US National Team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Unsurprisingly, Brooks drew heavily from the program he ran for seven season with 8 of 20 players coming from the 1979 championship team: Bill Baker, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, Steve Janaszak, Rob McClanahan, Mike Ramsey, Eric Strobel and Phil Verchota.

Standings
1978–79 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
North Dakota†*3222100441681104230111245144
Minnesota*3220111411771164432111239147
Minnesota-Duluth3218104401761414022144213170
Wisconsin3219112401641384125133215172
Notre Dame3217141351611533818191184196
Denver3214162301471744320203188217
Michigan Tech3213163291521413817183182165
Colorado College3211192241441853812242165218
Michigan State3212200241221803615210140192
Michigan32625113117190368271132210
Championship: Minnesota, North Dakota
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Minnesota†1210202080434432111239147
Wisconsin128401673504125133215172
Michigan1239064375368271132210
Michigan State12390646773615210140192
† indicates conference regular season champion

Schedule
Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Exhibition
October 20 vs. North Dakota* Minot, North Dakota (Exhibition) W 6–5 
Regular Season
October 21 vs. North Dakota* Eveleth Hippodrome • Eveleth, Minnesota (Hall of Fame Game) W 5–3  1–0
October 28 vs. Wisconsin Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 8–4  2–0 (1–0 / 1–0)
October 29 vs. Wisconsin Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota L 5–9  3–0 (1–1 / 1–1)
November 3 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 6–4  3–1 (2–1 / 2–1)
November 4 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 6–5 OT 4–1 (3–1 / 3–1)
November 10 vs. Notre Dame Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota L 2–3  4–2 (3–2 / 3–1)
November 11 vs. Notre Dame Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 4–1  5–2 (4–2 / 3–1)
November 17 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota W 5–4 OT 6–2 (5–2 / 3–1)
November 18 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota L 4–5  6–3 (5–3 / 3–1)
November 24 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado W 8–3  7–3 (6–3 / 3–1)
November 25 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado W 8–3  8–3 (7–3 / 3–1)
December 2 vs. Michigan Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 8–2  9–3 (8–3 / 4–1)
December 3 vs. Michigan Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 10–5  10–3 (9–3 / 5–1)
December 15 at North Dakota Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota L 1–4  10–4 (9–4 / 5–1)
December 16 at North Dakota Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 6–3  11–4 (10–4 / 5–1)
December 22 vs. Princeton* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2  12–4 (10–4 / 5–1)
December 23 vs. Princeton* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2  13–4 (10–4 / 5–1)
December 27 vs. Harvard* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 5–4  14–4 (10–4 / 5–1)
December 28 vs. Yale* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 7–3  15–4 (10–4 / 5–1)
January 5 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 10–1  16–4 (11–4 / 6–1)
January 6 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan W 3–0  17–4 (12–4 / 7–1)
January 12 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota T 6–6 OT 17–4–1 (12–4–1 / 7–1)
January 13 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota L 1–6  17–5–1 (12–5–1 / 7–1)
January 19 at Wisconsin Dane County Coliseum • Madison, Wisconsin W 3–2  18–5–1 (13–5–1 / 8–1)
January 20 at Wisconsin Dane County Coliseum • Madison, Wisconsin L 3–4  18–6–1 (13–6–1 / 8–2)
January 26 at Denver DU Arena • Denver, Colorado L 4–5  18–7–1 (13–7–1 / 8–2)
January 27 at Denver DU Arena • Denver, Colorado L 2–4  18–8–1 (13–8–1 / 8–2)
February 2 vs. Michigan State Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 7–4  19–8–1 (14–8–1 / 9–2)
February 3 vs. Michigan State Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 11–3  20–8–1 (15–8–1 / 10–2)
February 10 vs. Colorado College Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 8–5  21–8–1 (16–8–1 / 10–2)
February 11 vs. Colorado College Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 9–2  22–8–1 (17–8–1 / 10–2)
February 16 at Notre Dame Athletic & Convocation Center • Notre Dame, Indiana L 2–3  22–9–1 (17–9–1 / 10–2)
February 17 at Notre Dame Athletic & Convocation Center • Notre Dame, Indiana L 7–8  22–10–1 (17–10–1 / 10–2)
February 23 vs. Michigan Tech Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2  23–10–1 (18–10–1 / 10–2)
February 24 vs. Michigan Tech Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 7–3  24–10–1 (19–10–1 / 10–2)
March 2 vs. North Dakota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 5–2  25–10–1 (20–10–1 / 10–2)
March 3 vs. North Dakota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota L 2–4  25–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
WCHA Tournament
March 6 vs. Michigan Tech* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA First Round Game 1) W 5–3  26–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
March 7 vs. Michigan Tech* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA First Round Game 2) W 6–1  27–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
Minnesota Wins Series 11-4
March 10 at Minnesota–Duluth* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA Second Round Game 1) W 2–1  28–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
March 11 at Minnesota–Duluth* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA Second Round Game 2) W 6–3  29–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
Minnesota Wins Series 8-4
NCAA Tournament
March 18 vs. Bowling Green* Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota (First Round) W 6–3  30–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
March 22 vs. New Hampshire* Olympia Stadium • Detroit, Michigan (National Semifinal) W 4–3  31–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
March 23 vs. North Dakota* Olympia Stadium • Detroit, Michigan (National Championship) W 4–3  32–11–1 (20–11–1 / 10–2)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[5]

Roster and scoring statistics
No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
11Steve ChristoffJuniorCRichfield, MN4338397750
17Don MichelettiJuniorLWHibbing, MN41363672112
14Neal BrotenFreshmanCRoseau, MN4021507118
6Bill BakerSeniorDGrand Rapids, MN4412425438
9Tim HarrerJuniorRWBloomington, MN4328255338
10Eric StrobelJuniorRWRochester, MN4430225234
7Rob McClanahanJuniorLWSaint Paul, MN4317324934
12Phil VerchotaSeniorLWDuluth, MN4418244252
21Bart LarsonFreshmanD / LWBloomington, MN44933424
18Steve UlsethSophomoreLWRoseville, MN378182612
4Mike RamseyFreshmanDMinneapolis, MN347172438
28Mike GreederSophomoreDMahtomedi, MN402121460
24Bob BergloffSophomoreDBloomington, MN371111248
5Joe BakerSeniorDWhite Bear Lake, MN220101040
23John MeredithJuniorRWMinneapolis, MN322799
3Steve PepperSophomoreDEdina, MN3425718
20Jeffrey TealFreshmanLWRochester, MN3924612
15Dave TerwilligerSophomoreDEdina, MN3714518
19Kevin HartzellFreshmanFSaint Paul, MN202240
22Bradley DoshanSophomoreDHastings, MN2504412
29Jay LarsonFreshmanDMinneapolis, MN101234
2Peter HayekJuniorD / LWRobbinsdale, MN70334
25Brian ZinsFreshmanDHoyt Lakes, MN51012
26Wayne LarsonSophomoreCMinneapolis, MN91012
30Jim JetlandFreshmanGGrand Rapids, MN4----
1Steve JanaszakSeniorGSaint Paul, MN40----
Total

[6]

Goaltending statistics
No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
1Steve Janaszak4124282910113111161.8953.23
35Jim Jetland4230310141110.8883.68
Total44321111451

1979 Championship Game

(W1) North Dakota vs. (W2) Minnesota
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st MIN Steve Christoff Verchota 4:11 1–0 MIN
MIN John Meredith Strobel and Ulseth 8:05 2–0 MIN
UND Bill Himmelright – PP Taylor and Maxwell 17:10 2–1 MIN
MIN Joe Baker Micheletti and Broten 19:22 3–1 MIN
2nd UND Kevin Maxwell Eades and Taylor 38:02 3–2 MIN
3rd MIN Neal Broten – GW Christoff and Larson 42:48 4–2 MIN
UND Marc Chorney Burggraf and Taylor 49:56 4–3 MIN

Players drafted into the NHL

1979 NHL Entry Draft
= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[8] = NHL All-Star[8] and NHL All-Star Team = Did not play in the NHL
RoundPickPlayerNHL Team
111Mike RamseyBuffalo Sabres
342Neal BrotenMinnesota North Stars

[5]

References
  1. "North Dakota men's hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  2. "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  3. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  4. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. "Minnesota men's hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  6. "Minnesota Golden Gophers 1978-79 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  7. "2008-09 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  8. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
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