1985–86 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season

The 1985–86 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team represented Michigan State University in college ice hockey. In its 7th year under head coach Ron Mason the team compiled a 34–9–2 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time in its history. The Spartans defeated Harvard 6–5 in the championship game at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

1985–86 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season
National Champion
1986 Great Lakes Invitational Champion
1986 CCHA Champion
1986 NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference1st CCHA
Home iceMunn Ice Arena
Record
Overall34–9–2
Conference23–7–2
Home20–1–2
Road9–7–0
Neutral5–1–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachRon Mason
Assistant CoachesTerry Christensen
George Gwozdecky
Captain(s)Don McSween[1]
Alternate captain(s)Mitch Messier
Kevin Miller
Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey seasons
« 1984–85 1986–87 »

Season

Michigan State entered the 1985–86 season looking for a bit of redemption. After winning the previous four conference tournament titles, but failing to make it past the national quarterfinals three times, Ron Mason was beginning to be pegged as a great coach who couldn't get his team over the hump. Though Michigan State lost its top three scorers from the year before they did return the goaltending tandem of Bob Essensa and Norm Foster who had helped the Spartans set a new NCAA record with 38 wins. With so few seniors on the squad, the captaincy went to junior defenseman Don McSween. While the roster was a little light on four-year players, Michigan State did bring in one of the most highly touted prospects in Joe Murphy along with 7 other freshmen who would see significant ice time with the Spartans.

Early Season Struggles

MSU got off to a good start with a pair of road wins over Ohio State before splitting a home-and-home with a surging Western Michigan squad. After three wins and a tie against lesser programs, the Spartans took on arch-rival Michigan and split another home-and-home series. After a week of exhibition matches against the Canadian National Team MSU again split a weekend series and while their home record was stellar they had dropped to 3–3 on the road. That mark wasn't improved when they split another road series against the normally hapless Illinois–Chicago and then dropped both road games against a good Lake Superior State team. The Spartans were able to recover a bit in the conference standings with a pair of home wins against the Buckeyes and lift their record to 11–6–1 before losing in their first non-conference game of the year to the former CCHA team Northern Michigan, their only home loss of the season.

Great Lakes Invitational

Michigan State entered the Great Lakes Invitational having won the previous 3 years but the team was in need of a shock to the system to shake it out of its doldrums. They got just that when they were pushed to the limit in the semifinal by WCHA bottom-feeder Michigan Tech, escaping with a 2–1 win in overtime. The next night it was almost as if a different team hit the ice when the Spartans cruised to an 8–3 win in the championship over defending national champions Rensselaer. Don McSween was named MVP of the tournament.

Charging Up the Standings

Michigan State had a good deal of ground to make up in the second half of their season and the kicked it off with a sweep of Western Michigan and Miami they were slowed down by Ferris State and Michigan who provided MSU with a tie and loss respectively, but the Spartans were buoyed by playing 7 of their final 8 games at home and they took every game to finish the season at 23–7–2 in CCHA play, one win ahead of both Western Michigan and Bowling Green. The biggest standout for the year was former walk-on Mike Donnelly who had amassed a huge number of goals and was beginning to draw attention from NHL scouts.

CCHA Tournament

The Spartans entered the CCHA Tournament against Michigan and while the Wolverines had beaten MSU twice both had been in the Wolverine's arena and with Michigan State playing host the Spartans were able to drop Michigan in both games to take the quarterfinal series. Michigan State headed down the road to Detroit for the championship rounds, and faced stiff competition from lake Superior State but the Spartans edged out the Lakers 3–2 in overtime. In the championship game the following night MSU's offense, which finished second-best in the nation, failed them and they could only manage a single goal against Western Michigan's Bill Horn, ending their 4-year reign as CCHA Tournament champion.

NCAA Tournament

Fortunately, the Spartans had played well enough over the course of the season to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They had played so well, in fact, that they were seeded ahead of Western Michigan and would play at home in the quarterfinal round. MSU used the massive home advantage they had to beat Boston College in both games and advance to the Frozen Four. In the semifinal MSU was met by perennial power Minnesota who had upset the top eastern seed Boston University in the quarters. Both teams were built around scoring and that fact shone through the game; Michigan State won the match 6–4 with Norm Foster turning aside 42 shots.[2]

With the win Michigan State made its first championship game in 20 years and only had Harvard left to stop them. Before the game had even started, however, MSU gained an advantage over the Crimson; Hobey Baker Award winner Scott Fusco had injured his knee in the other semifinal and couldn't play in the final.[3] Despite missing their best player, Harvard got off to a fast start gaining a 2–0 lead by the 8-minute mark. MSU cut the lead in half at the end of the first but Allen Bourbeau scored his second goal of the night to give the Crimson their 2-goal lead back. Harvard's third goal was scored on just their seventh shot of the night and it looked as if the Spartans were outclassed. Not to be deterred, however, Jeff Parker cut the lead back to one with Bourbeau's third of the night coming 10 minutes later. Mike Donnelly scored his 58th goal of the season just before the end of the second to give MSU a fighting change in the final period.

Sure enough MSU's offense came through when needed and two freshman found the back of the net before the three-minute mark to give the Spartans their first lead of the night. Harvard responded with the tying goal four minutes later and the two teams fought furiously to regain the lead. with just under three minutes to play Donnelly scored his second of the game to give MSU the lead and the Spartans held on to win the National Championship.[1]

Awards and Honors

Mike Donnelly was awarded the Tournament MOP and was joined by Norm Foster, Don McSween and Jeff Parker on the All-Tournament Team. Donnelly was also named to the AHCA All-American West First Team while McSween was named to the Second Team. Donnelly and McSween both made it onto the All-CCHA First Team while Bob Essensa made the Second team. Joe Murphy was awarded the CCHA Rookie of the Year and would become the first college player to be take first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Murphy was joined by 12 of his teammates from the 1985–86 Spartans, an astounding number of NHL players for a college team.

Mike Donnelly's 59 goals was the highest total scored since the NCAA created Division I in 1973. Only Phil Latreille has scored more in a season, doing so in the early 1960s, before there were any divisions in college ice hockey.

Rick Tosto became the first player in NCAA history to win national titles with two separate teams. After winning with Renssealer in 1985 he transferred closer to his home of Dearborn Heights, Michigan and won with the Spartans.

Standings
1985–86 Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan State†32237248177124453492245161
Bowling Green322390461791294228140218164
Western Michigan*322390461891384432120256177
Lake Superior State3217141351331244324181170153
Ohio State3216151331571774323191219203
Ferris State3213172281521743817192191202
Illinois-Chicago3212200241371614014251164197
Michigan3210220201511843812260182222
Miami3232728113177388282158201
Championship: Western Michigan
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule
Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
October 11 at Ohio State OSU Ice Rink • Columbus, Ohio W 6–2  1–0 (1–0)
October 12 at Ohio State OSU Ice Rink • Columbus, Ohio W 5–2  2–0 (2–0)
October 18 at Western Michigan Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan L 1–5  2–1 (2–1)
October 19 vs. Western Michigan Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 4–3  3–1 (3–1)
October 25 vs. Miami Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 5–2  42–1 (4–1)
October 26 vs. Miami Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 7–2  5–1 (5–1)
November 1 vs. Ferris State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan T 5–5 OT 5–1–1 (5–1–1)
November 2 at Ferris State Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan W 5–3  6–1–1 (6–1–1)
November 8 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan L 4–5  6–2–1 (6–2–1)
November 9 vs. Michigan Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 6–2  7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 15 vs. Canadian National Team Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (exhibition) W 3–5  7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 16 vs. Canadian National Team Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (exhibition) W 5–4 OT 7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 22 vs. Bowling Green Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 4–3 OT 8–2–1 (8–2–1)
November 23 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio L 5–6 OT 8–3–1 (8–3–1)
November 28 at Illinois–Chicago UIC Pavilion • Chicago, Illinois W 6–4  9–3–1 (9–3–1)
November 29 at Illinois–Chicago UIC Pavilion • Chicago, Illinois L 2–3  9–4–1 (9–4–1)
December 6 at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan L 3–7  9–5–1 (9–5–1)
December 7 at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan L 5–6 OT 9–6–1 (9–6–1)
December 14 vs. Ohio State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 6–5 OT 10–6–1 (10–6–1)
December 15 vs. Ohio State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 8–0  11–6–1 (11–6–1)
December 19 vs. Northern Michigan* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan L 2–3  11–7–1 (11–6–1)
Great Lakes Invitational
December 28 vs. Michigan Tech* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (Tournament Semifinal) W 2–1 OT 12–7–1 (11–6–1)
December 29 vs. Rensselaer* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (Tournament Championship) W 8–3  13–7–1 (11–6–1)
January 4 vs. Western Michigan Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 4–2  14–7–1 (12–6–1)
January 5 at Western Michigan Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan W 8–5  15–7–1 (13–6–1)
January 10 at Miami Goggin Ice Arena • Oxford, Ohio W 8–3  16–7–1 (14–6–1)
January 11 at Miami Goggin Ice Arena • Oxford, Ohio W 6–3  17–7–1 (15–6–1)
January 17 at Ferris State Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan W 8–6  18–7–1 (16–6–1)
January 18 vs. Ferris State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan T 9–9 OT 18–7–2 (16–6–2)
January 24 vs. Michigan Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 7–5  19–7–2 (17–6–2)
January 25 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan L 3–5  19–8–2 (17–7–2)
January 31 vs. Northern Arizona* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 12–2  20–8–2 (17–7–2)
February 1 vs. Northern Arizona* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 9–3  21–8–2 (17–7–2)
February 7 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio W 7–4  22–8–2 (18–7–2)
February 8 vs. Bowling Green Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 6–4  23–8–2 (19–7–2)
February 14 vs. Illinois–Chicago Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 4–2  24–8–2 (20–7–2)
February 15 vs. Illinois–Chicago Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 7–2  25–8–2 (21–7–2)
February 21 vs. Lake Superior State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 8–5  26–8–2 (22–7–2)
February 22 vs. Lake Superior State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 5–4  27–8–2 (23–7–2)
CCHA Tournament
February 28 vs. Michigan* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (CCHA Quarterfinal game 1) W 4–3  28–8–2 (23–7–2)
March 1 vs. Michigan* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (CCHA Quarterfinal game 2) W 5–2  29–8–2 (23–7–2)
Michigan State Wins Series 9-5
March 7 vs. Lake Superior State* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (CCHA Semifinal) W 3–2 OT 30–8–2 (23–7–2)
March 8 vs. Western Michigan* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (CCHA Championship) L 1–3  30–9–2 (23–7–2)
NCAA Tournament
March 22 vs. Boston College* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (National Quarterfinal game 1) W 6–4  31–9–2 (23–7–2)
March 23 vs. Boston College* Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan (National Quarterfinal game 2) W 4–2  32–9–2 (23–7–2)
Michigan State Wins Series 10-6
March 27 vs. Minnesota* Providence Civic Center • Providence, Rhode Island (National Semifinal) W 6–4  33–9–2 (23–7–2)
March 29 vs. Harvard* Providence Civic Center • Providence, Rhode Island (National Championship) W 6–5  34–9–2 (23–7–2)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[1]

Roster and scoring statistics
No.NameYearPositionHometownS/P/CGamesGoalsAssistsPtsPIM
14Mike DonnellySeniorLWDetroit, MI4459389765
8Kevin MillerSophomoreRWLansing, MI45195271112
12Mitch MessierJuniorRWRegina, SK3824406436
9Joe MurphyFreshmanCLondon, ON3524376150
16Bill ShibickyJuniorFBurnaby, BC44173956104
27Brian McReynoldsFreshmanCPenetanguishene, ON4514243878
5Don McSweenJuniorDDetroit, MI459293818
11Jeff ParkerJuniorRWWhite Bear Lake, MN4115203588
21Tom TilleySophomoreDTrenton, ON429253448
17Bruce RendallFreshmanLWThunder Bay, ON4514183268
7Danton ColeFreshmanRWPontiac, MI4311102122
15Bobby ReynoldsFreshmanRWFenton, MI459101926
4Brad BeckSeniorDVancouver, BC413151840
10Geir HoffFreshmanLWBergen, NOR393111414
3Brad HamiltonFreshmanDCalgary, AB433101352
19Rick TostoSophomoreFDearborn Heights, MI30481210
22Sean ClementSophomoreDNepean, ON40471140
6Chris LuongoFreshmanDDetroit, MI3815629
25Dee RizzoSeniorDPittsburgh, PA2805512
28Rick FernandezSeniorLWDearborn, MI120336
26Dave ArkeilpaneJuniorFAmherst, NY1920214
41Norm FosterJuniorGVancouver, BC240110
33Bob EssensaJuniorGToronto, ON230112
18Dave ChiappelliSophomoreFPontiac, MI10000
Bench----45---14
Total245406651955

[1]

Goaltending statistics
No.NameGamesMinutesWinsLossesTiesGoals AgainstSavesShut OutsSV %GAA
33Bob Essensa2313331741745481.8813.33
41Norm Foster2414141751876200.8773.69
Total45–3492161–1––

1986 Championship Game

(W2) Michigan State vs. (E2) Harvard
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st HAR Steve Armstrong Follows and Ohno 2:15 1–0 HAR
HAR Allen Bourbeau MacDonald and Smith 8:10 2–0 HAR
MSU Mitch Messier Shibicky 17:55 2–1 HAR
2nd HAR Allen Bourbeau Barakett and Pawlowski 20:53 3–1 HAR
MSU Jeff Parker Miller and Tilley 26:48 3–2 HAR
HAR Allen Bourbeau Krayer and Benning 36:09 4–2 HAR
MSU Mike Donnelly Miller and Messier 38:30 4–3 HAR
3rd MSU Brad Hamilton Messier and Shibicky 41:06 4–4
MSU Brian McReynolds Rendall and Parker 42:15 5–4 MSU
HAR Andy Janfaza Carone and Chiarelli 46:46 5–5
MSU Mike Donnelly – GW Murphy 57:09 6–5 MSU

Players drafted into the NHL

1986 NHL Entry Draft
= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[5] = NHL All-Star[5] and NHL All-Star Team = Did not play in the NHL
RoundPickPlayerNHL Team
11Joe MurphyDetroit Red Wings
230Neil Wilkinson†Minnesota North Stars
3149Don Gibson†Vancouver Canucks
6115Mike O'Toole†St. Louis Blues

† incoming freshman

[6]

References
  1. "Michigan State Spartans 2018-19 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  2. "Fast finish for the Spartans". Sports Illustrated. April 7, 1986. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  3. "N.C.A.A. HOCKEY; MICHIGAN ST. BEATS HARVARD FOR TITLE". The New York Times. March 30, 1986. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  4. "Michigan State 2013-14 Hockey History" (PDF). Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  5. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  6. "1986 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
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