1975–76 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season

The 1975–76 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team represented the University of Minnesota in college ice hockey. In its 4th year under head coach Herb Brooks the team compiled a 28–14–2 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year and seventh all-time. The Golden Gophers defeated Michigan Tech 6–4 in the championship game at the DU Arena in Denver, Colorado to win their second national championship.

1975–76 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season
National Champion
WCHA Tournament, co-Champion
NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference3rd WCHA
3rd Big Ten
Home iceWilliams Arena
Record
Overall28–14–2
Conference18–13–1 / 4–8
Home13–6–0
Road12–8–2
Neutral3–0–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachHerb Brooks
Assistant CoachesBrad Buetow
Captain(s)Pat Phippen
Alternate captain(s)Warren Miller
Tom Vannelli
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1974–75 1976–77 »

Season

Fast Start

After a disappointing end to what was otherwise a tremendous season, Minnesota entered the 1975–76 campaign with a fairly young team. Herb Brooks' squad had only two seniors and four juniors leaving the team rather shorthanded in terms of experience. The Gophers' didn't let their youth stand in the way of a fast start, however. Minnesota won their first game in October over the US National Team which kicked off a 5-game winning streak. The Gophers suffered their first loss in their first true road game of the season when they were beaten by Denver in overtime. While Minnesota recovered to earn a split for the weekend, that series was the start of a 10-game trend where they alternated wins and losses. At the end of December Minnesota finally stopped losing every weekend and put together another 5-game winning streak to push their record to 14–5.

New Year and .500 hockey

The Gophers began 1976 with a series against the defending national champions, Michigan Tech and while they split the series, the two teams combined for 25 goals in the two games. Minnesota then took seven out of eight points against Notre Dame and Denver before visiting Michigan and dropping both contest to the surprisingly strong Wolverines. After two more wins at Minnesota–Duluth the Gophers lost two more Big Ten contests, this time to Michigan State. Two losses dropped Minnesota's Big Ten record to 2–6 though they were still well positioned with a 19–10–1 mark in the WCHA. The following weekend the Gophers split with Wisconsin to guarantee that they would finish with a losing record in the Big Ten and continued to split each weekend for the remaining 4 weeks of the regular season.

WCHA Tournament

Despite their mediocre finish, Minnesota managed to hold onto home ice for the first round of the WCHA Tournament and played host to Colorado College. The Gopher defense stepped up in the first game and gave Minnesota a 4-goal margin of victory that allowed the team to cruise to a 10–5 series win after taking the second contest. Minnesota was forced to hit the road for the second round, heading to Michigan State and facing off against the nation's leading scorer in Tom Ross. Minnesota was able to hold the Spartan offence to only two goals in the first game but could only manage two itself and the match ended in a 2-2 tie. both offenses woke up for the deciding second game and managed to score six times in regulation. Overtime was played at the same high pace but the goaltenders turned aside everything that came their way for over 40 minutes before Minnesota broke the tie and captured their third straight WCHA championship. Jeff Tscherne recorded 72 saves in the win, a Minnesota team record as of 2018.[1]

NCAA Tournament

As they had two years earlier, Minnesota opened as the underdog against ECAC champion Boston University and just like 1974 the Gophers were able to send the Terriers packing. In the championship game Minnesota met Michigan Tech for the third consecutive year, the only time in NCAA where the same two team made the final three years running (as of 2019). The defending champion Huskies had produced a stellar season thus far and had already set a new NCAA record with 34 wins on the season. The top offense in the nation was led by future NHL-er Mike Zuke who had posted 103 points on the season and was only two behind Tom Ross for the scoring title. It didn't take much time from the start of the contest to figure out that it was not Jeff Tscherne's night. Michigan Tech scored three times in under four minutes to build a huge lead less than twelve minutes into the contest. Tscherne remained in net for the rest of the period and was able to stem the tide but it was a power play goal from Tom Vannelli at the end of the first that gave Minnesota some breathing room. Tscherne was replaced by Tom Mohr from the second on and the junior netminder was given time to settle in when Minnesota opened an offensive salvo on the Michigan Tech net. The Gophers outshot the Huskies 16–3 in the second and scored three times to erase the Tech advantage and take the lead themselves. Michigan Tech halted the Gopher charge with their fourth goal that came with 36 seconds to play to send the teams into the final frame in a tied game. The play was much more even in the third but Minnesota managed to score first with team captain Pat Phippen's goal near the middle of the stanza. Mohr held the Huskies off the scoresheet and allowed Warren Miller to cap the scoring with 30 seconds left.

Minnesota's second championship in three years was even more improbable that their first and the 1976 Golden Gophers became the first team since the 1948–49 Boston College Eagles to have a national champion composed entirely of American players. Furthermore, with Jim Boo having been raised in Minnesota they were the second team to have all of their players hail from one state.

Tom Vannelli's 5 points in the title tile earned him the Tournament MOP, however, for the only time in its history the NCAA did not name an All-Tournament Team. No Minnesota players were named to the AHCA All-American West Team[2] and only Reed Larson made an appearance on an All-WCHA Team,[3] earning first-team honors.

Three Minnesota players were taken at the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. Reed Larson went on to have a very successful NHL career, becoming a three-time NHL All-Star.

Standings

1975–76 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan Tech†*32257050190134433490255177
Michigan State3220120401541394023152193176
Minnesota*3218131371291194428142190158
Michigan3217150341571413921180196176
Notre Dame3215152321431403819172171173
Colorado College3215161311311333815221151181
Wisconsin3211192241371513812242153177
Denver3212200241201403916230165175
Minnesota-Duluth3212200241321603615210159179
North Dakota3212200241191553615210142168
Championship: Minnesota, Michigan Tech
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan State129301857494023152193176
Michigan128401669523921180196176
Minnesota12480842534428142190158
Wisconsin12390649633812242153177
indicates conference regular season champion

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
October 25 vs. US National Team* Eveleth HippodromeEveleth, Minnesota (Hall of Fame Game) W 5–2  1–0
October 27 vs. Saint Louis* Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 4–3  2–0
October 28 vs. Saint Louis* Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 6–3  3–0
November 7 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 5–4 OT 4–0 (1–0)
November 8 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 4–2  5–0 (2–0)
November 14 at Denver DU ArenaDenver, Colorado L 2–3 OT 5–1 (2–1)
November 15 at Denver DU ArenaDenver, Colorado W 5–1  6–1 (3–1)
November 21 at Michigan State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan L 1–3  6–2 (3–2 / 0–1)
November 22 at Michigan State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 4–2  7–2 (4–2 / 1–1)
November 28 vs. Wisconsin Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 2–4  7–3 (4–3 / 1–2)
November 29 vs. Wisconsin Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 6–1  8–3 (5–3 / 2–2)
December 3 vs. US National Team* Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 1–3  8–4 (5–3 / 2–2)
December 5 vs. North Dakota Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 4–2  9–4 (6–3 / 2–2)
December 6 vs. North Dakota Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 3–6  9–5 (6–4 / 2–2)
December 19 vs. Colorado College Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2 OT 10–5 (7–4 / 2–2)
December 20 vs. Colorado College Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 3–2  11–5 (8–4 / 2–2)
December 27 at Saint Louis* St. Louis ArenaSt. Louis, Missouri W 7–4  12–5 (8–4 / 2–2)
December 28 at Saint Louis* St. Louis ArenaSt. Louis, Missouri W 7–5  13–5 (8–4 / 2–2)
January 2 vs. Michigan Tech Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 10–5  14–5 (9–4 / 2–2)
January 3 vs. Michigan Tech Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 2–8  14–6 (9–5 / 2–2)
January 9 at Notre Dame Athletic & Convocation CenterNotre Dame, Indiana W 6–3  15–6 (10–5 / 2–2)
January 10 at Notre Dame Athletic & Convocation CenterNotre Dame, Indiana T 4–4 OT 15–6–1 (10–5–1 / 2–2)
January 16 vs. Denver Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 3–1  16–6–1 (11–5–1 / 2–2)
January 17 vs. Denver Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 6–4  17–6–1 (12–5–1 / 2–2)
January 23 at Michigan Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan L 3–7  17–7–1 (12–6–1 / 2–3)
January 24 at Michigan Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan L 3–5  17–8–1 (12–7–1 / 2–4)
January 30 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena AuditoriumDuluth, Minnesota W 5–3  18–8–1 (13–7–1 / 2–4)
January 31 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena AuditoriumDuluth, Minnesota W 6–3  19–8–1 (14–7–1 / 2–4)
February 6 vs. Michigan State Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 2–4  19–9–1 (14–8–1 / 2–5)
February 7 vs. Michigan State Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 4–5 OT 19–10–1 (14–9–1 / 2–6)
February 13 vs. Wisconsin Dane County ColiseumMadison, Wisconsin W 5–4 OT 20–10–1 (15–9–1 / 3–6)
February 14 vs. Wisconsin Dane County ColiseumMadison, Wisconsin L 3–9  20–11–1 (15–10–1 / 3–7)
February 20 at Colorado College Broadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado W 4–1  21–11–1 (16–10–1 / 3–7)
February 21 at Colorado College Broadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado L 3–4  21–12–1 (16–11–1 / 3–7)
February 27 vs. Michigan Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 2–5  22–12–1 (17–11–1 / 4–7)
February 28 vs. Michigan Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 7–4  22–13–1 (17–12–1 / 4–8)
March 5 at North Dakota Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 5–3  23–13–1 (18–12–1 / 4–8)
March 6 at North Dakota Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota L 1–5  23–14–1 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
WCHA Tournament
March 10 vs. Colorado College* Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA First Round Game 1) W 5–1  24–14–1 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
March 11 vs. Colorado College* Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota (WCHA First Round Game 2) W 5–4  25–14–1 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
Minnesota Wins Series 12-5
March 13 at Michigan State* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (WCHA Second Round Game 1) T 2–2 OT 25–14–2 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
March 14 at Michigan State* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (WCHA Second Round Game 2) W 7–6 3OT 26–14–2 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
Minnesota Wins Series 9-8
NCAA Tournament
March 14 vs. Boston University* DU ArenaDenver, Colorado (National Semifinal) W 4–2  27–14–2 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
March 15 vs. Michigan Tech* DU ArenaDenver, Colorado (National Championship) W 4–2  28–14–2 (18–13–1 / 4–8)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[1]

Roster and scoring statistics

No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
15Tom VannelliJuniorCSaint Paul, MN4426436972
10Warren MillerSeniorFSouth Saint Paul, MN4426315752
11Pat PhippenJuniorLWRoseville, MN4117335050
9Tom YounghansSophomoreRWSaint Paul, MN4419244394
26Reed LarsonSophomoreDMinneapolis, MN4213294294
7Don MadsonFreshmanCGrand Rapids, MN4214243832
3Joe MichelettiJuniorD / CInternational Falls, MN337243146
18Tom GorenceFreshmanRWSaint Paul, MN4016102624
6Bill BakerFreshmanDGrand Rapids, MN448152328
25Daniel BonkFreshmanFSouth Saint Paul, MN427152232
22Ken Yackel Jr.SophomoreRWSouth Saint Paul, MN37961539
21Bruce LindSophomoreDRichfield, MN425101573
14Mark LambertSophomoreCSaint Paul, MN44681422
4Robin LarsonSophomoreDRoseville, MN412121423
12Phil VerchotaFreshmanLWDuluth, MN42831155
17Russ AndersonSophomoreDMinneapolis, MN392911111
19Bob FishFreshmanLWWarroad, MN243362
2Brad MorrowSeniorDAnoka, MN271348
24Tim RaineyFreshmanRWBloomington, MN2612312
8Tony DornFreshmanDThief River Falls, MN2411212
23Bryan FredricksonSophomoreRWMinneapolis, MN1001116
20Jim BooSophomoreDRolla, MO1901121
5Joe BakerSophomoreDWhite Bear Lake, MN0----
1Steve JanaszakFreshmanGSaint Paul, MN4----
30Tom MohrJuniorGHopkins, MN12----
35Jeff TscherneSophomoreGEdina, MN29----
Total

[4]

Goaltending statistics

No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
30Tom Mohr12733831333160.9112.70
35Jeff Tscherne29178319911048640.8933.50
1Steve Janaszak423812021750.7815.30
Total44281421580

1976 Championship Game

(W1) Michigan Tech vs. (W2) Minnesota

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st MTU Warren Young Joelson, Dempsey 7:55 1–0 MTU
MTU Warren Young Joelson and Decker 10:36 2–0 MTU
MTU Jim Murray Jessee 11:31 3–0 MTU
MIN Tom VannelliPP Younghans and Phippen 17:05 3–1 MTU
2nd MIN Joe Micheletti Larson and Vannelli 22:55 3–2 MTU
MIN Bill Baker Vannelli and Phippen 30:26 3–3
MIN Tom Gorence Larson 32:47 4–3 MIN
MTU Nels Goddard Roberts and Zuke 39:24 4–4
3rd MIN Pat PhippenGW Vannelli and Larson 48:37 5–4 MIN
MIN Warren Miller Phippen and Vannelli 59:30 6–4 MIN

Players drafted into the NHL/WHA

1976 NHL Amateur 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
222Reed LarsonDetroit Red Wings
354Bill BakerMontreal Canadiens
575Phil VerchotaMinnesota North Stars

[1]

1976 WHA Amateur Draft

= Did not play in the WHA
RoundPickPlayerWHA Team
549Bill BakerNew England Whalers

[1]

References

  1. "Minnesota men's hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  2. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. "Minnesota Golden Gophers 1975-76 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  5. 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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