1986–87 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season

The 1986–87 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 9th year under head coach John Gasparini the team compiled a 40–8–0 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eleventh time.[1] The Fighting Sioux defeated defending champion Michigan State 5–3 to win the championship game at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

1986–87 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season
National Champion
WCHA, Champion
WCHA Tournament, Champion
1987 NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference1st WCHA
Home iceWinter Sports Center
Record
Overall40–8–0
Conference29–6–0
Home26–2–0
Road12–6–0
Neutral2–0–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachJohn Gasparini
Assistant CoachesDean Blais
Cary Eades
John Marks
Captain(s)Bob Joyce
Alternate captain(s)Mickey Krampotich
Ian Kidd
North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey seasons
« 1985–86 1987–88 »

Season

Early Season

After a rather dismal season, North Dakota was expected to improve but not challenge for the WCHA title in 1987.[2] The team, however, received a major boon from two players that changed their fortune. The first was from freshman goaltender Ed Belfour, a 21-year old player who had spent the past three years in relative obscurity in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The second was from returning sophomore Tony Hrkac who had produced well in his first campaign but spent the entire 1985-86 season with the Canadian National Team.

The two players were instrumental in Gino Gasparini's team getting off to a fast start, winning its first 8 games and jumping out to a huge lead in the conference standings. While Belfour was establishing himself in net as one of the top players in the country, Hrkac was on an all-time scoring pace, flanked by Bob Joyce and Steve Johnson. The Fighting Sioux split a pair of weekends on the road but they used their indomitable home crowd to their advantage and finished the month of November with a 14–2 record (13–2 in conference).

December Slump

North Dakota began December with another road split and followed that with their first home loss of the year, losing to a middling US International squad. Though they recovered slightly in the second game of the weekend the team lost both games of its holiday weekend in New England. Having lost four of their previous five games and producing some of their worst performances of the season, it appeared that the Fighting Sioux might be sliding back to the pack but a 4-game stretch at home came at the perfect time.

Winning Streak

UND hosted the two Boston schools at the beginning of January and took both games, dispelling any doubts about their ability to compete with Eastern teams, then welcomed in WCHA powerhouse Minnesota. The defense returned in force, holding the Gophers to two goals in each game and allowing Hrkac to lead the Sioux to consecutive wins and seat North Dakota atop the conference standings.[3]

The Fighting Sioux continued their winning streak for another five weeks, taking 14 matches before their next loss which came on the final weekend of the regular season. UND finished with a record of 31–7 and won the WCHA handily, ending 7 points above Minnesota.

WCHA Tournament

As the top seed, North Dakota would be able to play each round of the conference tournament at home. They faced Minnesota–Duluth in the quarters, easily dispatching the Bulldogs in both games. Next up was Colorado College who had upset in-state rival Denver. The Tigers fell 6–2 in the first game and the 4-goal advantage allowed the Fighting Sioux to get away with a sloppy effort in the rematch; CC won the second game but only by a single goal and North Dakota advanced to the Championship with a 7–4 series win.

North Dakota met Minnesota once more in the finals and again, despite possessing one of the top offenses in the country, couldn't get much past the Fighting Sioux defense. UND won both games by a 5–3 score and won the WCHA championship, their first in 7 years. The 36 wins they had at that point set a new program record while Tony Hrkac finished with 104 points, just 6 points away from a new NCAA record.

NCAA Tournament

North Dakota received the top western seed, and played another home series, this time against ECAC Hockey Runner-Up St. Lawrence. UND won both games to take the total-goal series 9–4 with Hrkac piling up the points (2 goals and 5 assists), breaking Bill Watson's record for points in a season with two games yet to play. Additionally, the Fighting Sioux tied the NCAA record for wins in a season with 38 (Michigan State, 1985).

UND met 1986 Runner-Up Harvard in the semifinal at the Joe Louis Arena. Once again Hrkac was the story of the game, scoring a goal and adding three assists as the Fighting Sioux trounced the Crimson 5–2 to reach the championship. On defending National Champion Michigan State stood in their way but just as they had against Harvard, UND got off to a quick start; this time with was Ian Kidd who led the way with a goal and two assists in the first period. North Dakota built a 3–0 lead after 20 minutes while allowed only 2 shots from the Spartans to reach Ed Belfour. MSU woke up in the second period, scoring twice on 8 shots, but the Sioux added another goal of their own as well as a fifth goal in the third to hold off Michigan State. The Spartans eventually scored their third of the game but it came too late to mount a comeback and North Dakota won their fifth national championship.

Awards and Honors

Tony Hrkac scored 12 points in four tournament games, the second-highest total ever (behind the 13 points by both Aaron Broten (1981) and Tony Amonte (1990) as of 2019) and was awarded the tournament MOP despite scoring only once in the championship match. He was joined on the All-Tournament team by Ed Belfour, Ian Kidd and Bob Joyce. Just prior to the championship game Hrkac received the Hobey Baker Award as the top Division I athlete and finished the season as the first North Dakota player to lead the NCAA in scoring.[4] Hrkac's 116 points in an NCAA record for a single season and is 7 better than the next-highest total (as of 2019). Head coach Gino Gasparini, for leading his team to the first-ever 40-win season, was awarded the Spencer Penrose Award as the top Division I coach, also a first for North Dakota. Hrkac, Joyce and Kidd were also named to the AHCA All-American West First-Team,[5] while Belfour was a Second-Team All-American.

All four players were also on the All-WCHA First Team[6] with Hrkac being named as the conference Most Valuable Player[7] and Gasparini as the Coach of the Year for the third time.

Both Ed Belfour and Tony Hrkac left the program after the season to begin their professional careers. Hrkac played a long time in the NHL, amassing 371 over 758 games while Belfour finished his career with the then-3rd-most wins in NHL history (484) and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.[8]

Standings

1986–87 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
North Dakota†*3529605820094484080264129
Minnesota352591511761234934141248165
Denver3516163351501494019183182172
Wisconsin3517171351271344223181160155
Northern Michigan3516181331311444018211151164
Colorado College3512221251431514217241171176
Michigan Tech3511231231181824011281130218
Minnesota-Duluth3511231231141633911271121184
Championship: North Dakota
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
October 10 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena AuditoriumDuluth, Minnesota W 6–2  1–0 (1–0)
October 11 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena AuditoriumDuluth, Minnesota W 7–1  2–0 (2–0)
October 17 at Denver DU ArenaDenver, Colorado W 5–2  3–0 (3–0)
October 18 at Denver DU ArenaDenver, Colorado W 11–5  4–0 (4–0)
October 24 vs. Northern Michigan Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 8–4  5–0 (5–0)
October 25 vs. Northern Michigan Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 6–4  6–0 (6–0)
October 31 vs. Wisconsin Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 9–4  7–0 (7–0)
November 1 vs. Wisconsin Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 6–2  8–0 (8–0)
November 7 at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan L 5–8  8–1 (8–1)
November 8 at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan W 4–2  9–1 (9–1)
November 14 at Minnesota Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota W 4–1  10–1 (10–1)
November 15 at Minnesota Williams ArenaMinneapolis, Minnesota L 1–4  10–2 (10–2)
November 21 vs. Colorado College Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 7–3  11–2 (11–2)
November 22 vs. Colorado College Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 11–2  12–2 (12–2)
November 28 vs. New Hampshire Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 10–0  13–2 (13–2)
November 30 vs. Yale* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 6–4  14–2 (13–2)
December 5 at Colorado College Broadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado W 4–3 OT 15–2 (14–2)
December 6 at Colorado College Broadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado L 2–3  15–3 (14–3)
December 12 vs. US International* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota L 3–5  15–4 (14–3)
December 13 vs. US International* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 6–3  16–4 (14–3)
December 27 at Maine Alfond ArenaOrono, Maine L 4–5  16–5 (14–4)
December 28 at Lowell Tully ForumBillerica, Massachusetts L 1–4  16–6 (14–5)
January 2 vs. Boston College Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 7–5  17–6 (15–5)
January 4 vs. Boston University Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 4–3  18–6 (16–5)
January 9 vs. Minnesota Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 5–2  19–6 (17–5)
January 10 vs. Minnesota Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 4–2  20–6 (18–5)
January 16 at Providence Schneider ArenaProvidence, Rhode Island W 5–1  21–6 (19–5)
January 18 at Northeastern Matthews ArenaBoston, Massachusetts W 4–1  22–6 (20–5)
January 23 vs. Michigan Tech Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 11–2  23–6 (21–5)
January 24 vs. Michigan Tech Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 11–2  24–6 (22–5)
January 30 at Wisconsin Dane County ColiseumMadison, Wisconsin W 5–4  25–6 (23–5)
January 31 at Wisconsin Dane County ColiseumMadison, Wisconsin W 2–1  26–6 (24–5)
February 6 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 5–0  27–6 (25–5)
February 7 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 9–3  28–6 (26–5)
February 13 vs. Denver Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 4–1  29–6 (27–5)
February 14 vs. Denver Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota W 5–2  30–6 (28–5)
February 20 at Northern Michigan Lakeview ArenaMarquette, Michigan L 3–6  30–7 (28–6)
February 21 at Northern Michigan Lakeview ArenaMarquette, Michigan W 5–0  31–7 (29–6)
WCHA Tournament
February 28 vs. Minnesota–Duluth* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Quarterfinal game 1) W 5–3  32–7 (29–6)
March 1 vs. Minnesota–Duluth* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Quarterfinal game 2) W 8–1  33–7 (29–6)
North Dakota Won Series 13-4
March 8 vs. Colorado College* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Semifinal game 1) W 6–2  34–7 (29–6)
March 9 vs. Colorado College* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Semifinal game 2) L 1–2  34–8 (29–6)
North Dakota Won Series 7-4
March 13 vs. Minnesota* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Championship game 1) W 5–3  35–8 (29–6)
March 14 vs. Minnesota* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Championship game 2) W 5–3  36–8 (29–6)
North Dakota Won Series 10-6
NCAA Tournament
March 20 vs. St. Lawrence* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (National Quarterfinal game 1) W 3–1  37–8 (29–6)
March 21 vs. St. Lawrence* Winter Sports CenterGrand Forks, North Dakota (National Quarterfinal game 2) W 6–3  38–8 (29–6)
North Dakota Won Series 7-2
March 26 vs. Harvard* Joe Louis ArenaDetroit, Michigan (National Semifinal) W 6–2  39–8 (29–6)
March 28 vs. Michigan State* Joe Louis ArenaDetroit, Michigan (National Championship) W 5–3  40–8 (29–6)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

† All scheduled games between WCHA and Hockey East teams in the regular season were counted in the standings for both conferences.

[9]

Roster and scoring statistics

No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
21Tony HrkacSophomoreCThunder Bay, ON48467011648
20Bob JoyceJuniorLWWinnipeg, MB4852378942
7Steve JohnsonJuniorWGrand Forks, ND4826447038
4Ian KiddSophomoreDGresham, OR4713476058
8Mickey KrampotichSeniorLWHibbing, MN4727275418
15Scott KoberinskiSophomoreCNorth Battleford, SK4819274634
11Malcom ParksSeniorWEdmonton, AB4818213950
14Lee DavidsonFreshmanCWinnipeg, MB4116122865
10Perry NakonechnySeniorWDauphin, MB436142042
6Tom BensonJuniorDVictoria, BC470202080
19Scott DubSophomoreLWPark River, ND461181981
25Brett BobyckFreshmanCRegina, SK468111916
17Russ ParentFreshmanDWinnipeg, MB472171950
27Mike LaMoineSophomoreDGrand Forks, ND472171936
22Grant ParanicaSophomoreRWWinnipeg, MB425101538
3Murray BaronFreshmanDKamloops, BC414101462
9Jeff BowenSeniorLWEast Grand Forks, MN45581342
16Tarek HowardSeniorDOlds, AB32191038
18Bill ClaviterSeniorFVirginia, MN2022410
5Darryn FossandFreshmanDBemidji, MN161238
29Ed BelfourFreshmanGCarman, MB340226
23Gary KaiserFreshmanFFargo, ND901118
35Scott BrowerJuniorGViking, AB150114
24Scott BrickeyFreshmanWPort Huron, MI50114
13Rick ForstJuniorLWEsterhazy, SK10000
1Greg StromeSeniorGMuenster, SK10000
Total264418682888

[10]

Goaltending statistics

No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
29Ed Belfour3420492940818763.9152.43
35Scott Brower158031140442820.8653.09
1Greg Strome1400003210.8754.48
Total4840801293.9022.69

1987 Championship Game

(W1) North Dakota vs. (W2) Michigan State

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st UND Ian KiddPP Joyce 15:07 1–0 UND
UND Murray Baron Bowen and Kidd 16:44 2–0 UND
UND Bob Joyce Kidd and Hrkac 17:02 3–0 UND
2nd MSU Tom Tilly McReynolds and Messier 28:30 3–1 UND
UND Malcolm ParksGW Koberinski 35:05 4–1 UND
MSU Kevin Miller unassisted 36:56 4–2 UND
3rd UND Brent Bobyck Parent 47:54 5–2 UND
MSU Kip Miller Miller 58:34 5–3 UND

Players drafted into the NHL

1987 NHL Entry Draft

[12]

= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[13] = NHL All-Star[13] and NHL All-Star Team = Did not play in the NHL
RoundPickPlayerNHL Team
363Geoff SmithEdmonton Oilers
6108Garry ValkVancouver Canucks
6113Mike McCormickChicago Blackhawks
10201David MarvinSt. Louis Blues
12233Neil EisenhutVancouver Canucks

† incoming freshman

1987 NHL Supplemental Draft

[14]

= Did not play in the NHL
PickPlayerNHL Team
5Mike LaMoineDetroit Red Wings
18Steve JohnsonVancouver Canucks

See also

References

  1. "North Dakota Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  2. "THE SIOUX CAME THROUGH". Sports Illustrated. April 7, 1987. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  3. "Minnesota men's ice hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  4. "NCAA - All-time season". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  5. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  6. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  7. "WCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  8. "Class of 2011 announced for Hall of Fame". The Sports Network. 2011-11-02. Archived from the original on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  9. "North Dakota Hockey 2018-19 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  10. "North Dakota Fighting Sioux 1981-82 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  11. "North Dakota Hockey 2015-16 Media Guide" (PDF). North Dakota. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  12. "1987 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  13. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  14. "1987 NHL Supplemental Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
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