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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan State 32 23 7 2 48 177 124 45 34 9 2 245 161
Bowling Green 32 23 9 0 46 179 129 42 28 14 0 218 164
Western Michigan* 32 23 9 0 46 189 138 44 32 12 0 256 177
Lake Superior State 32 17 14 1 35 133 124 43 24 18 1 170 153
Ohio State 32 16 15 1 33 157 177 43 23 19 1 219 203
Ferris State 32 13 17 2 28 152 174 38 17 19 2 191 202
Illinois-Chicago 32 12 20 0 24 137 161 40 14 25 1 164 197
Michigan 32 10 22 0 20 151 184 38 12 26 0 182 222
Miami 32 3 27 2 8 113 177 38 8 28 2 158 201
Championship: Western Michigan
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule

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Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
October 11 at Ohio State OSU Ice RinkColumbus, Ohio W 6–2  1–0 (1–0)
October 12 at Ohio State OSU Ice RinkColumbus, Ohio W 5–2  2–0 (2–0)
October 18 at Western Michigan Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan L 1–5  2–1 (2–1)
October 19 vs. Western Michigan Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 4–3  3–1 (3–1)
October 25 vs. Miami Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 5–2  42–1 (4–1)
October 26 vs. Miami Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 7–2  5–1 (5–1)
November 1 vs. Ferris State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan T 5–5 OT 5–1–1 (5–1–1)
November 2 at Ferris State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan W 5–3  6–1–1 (6–1–1)
November 8 at Michigan Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan L 4–5  6–2–1 (6–2–1)
November 9 vs. Michigan Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 6–2  7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 15 vs. Canadian National Team Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (exhibition) W 3–5  7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 16 vs. Canadian National Team Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (exhibition) W 5–4 OT 7–2–1 (7–2–1)
November 22 vs. Bowling Green Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 4–3 OT 8–2–1 (8–2–1)
November 23 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio L 5–6 OT 8–3–1 (8–3–1)
November 28 at Illinois–Chicago UIC PavilionChicago, Illinois W 6–4  9–3–1 (9–3–1)
November 29 at Illinois–Chicago UIC PavilionChicago, Illinois L 2–3  9–4–1 (9–4–1)
December 6 at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan L 3–7  9–5–1 (9–5–1)
December 7 at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan L 5–6 OT 9–6–1 (9–6–1)
December 14 vs. Ohio State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 6–5 OT 10–6–1 (10–6–1)
December 15 vs. Ohio State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 8–0  11–6–1 (11–6–1)
December 19 vs. Northern Michigan* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan L 2–3  11–7–1 (11–6–1)
Great Lakes Invitational
December 28 vs. Michigan Tech* Joe Louis ArenaDetroit, Michigan (Tournament Semifinal) W 2–1 OT 12–7–1 (11–6–1)
December 29 vs. Rensselaer* Joe Louis ArenaDetroit, Michigan (Tournament championship) W 8–3  13–7–1 (11–6–1)
January 4 vs. Western Michigan Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 4–2  14–7–1 (12–6–1)
January 5 at Western Michigan Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan W 8–5  15–7–1 (13–6–1)
January 10 at Miami Goggin Ice ArenaOxford, Ohio W 8–3  16–7–1 (14–6–1)
January 11 at Miami Goggin Ice ArenaOxford, Ohio W 6–3  17–7–1 (15–6–1)
January 17 at Ferris State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan W 8–6  18–7–1 (16–6–1)
January 18 vs. Ferris State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan T 9–9 OT 18–7–2 (16–6–2)
January 24 vs. Michigan Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 7–5  19–7–2 (17–6–2)
January 25 at Michigan Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan L 3–5  19–8–2 (17–7–2)
January 31 vs. Northern Arizona* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 12–2  20–8–2 (17–7–2)
February 1 vs. Northern Arizona* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 9–3  21–8–2 (17–7–2)
February 7 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio W 7–4  22–8–2 (18–7–2)
February 8 vs. Bowling Green Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 6–4  23–8–2 (19–7–2)
February 14 vs. Illinois–Chicago Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 4–2  24–8–2 (20–7–2)
February 15 vs. Illinois–Chicago Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 7–2  25–8–2 (21–7–2)
February 21 vs. Lake Superior State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 8–5  26–8–2 (22–7–2)
February 22 vs. Lake Superior State Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan W 5–4  27–8–2 (23–7–2)
CCHA tournament
February 28 vs. Michigan* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (CCHA Quarterfinal game 1) W 4–3  28–8–2 (23–7–2)
March 1 vs. Michigan* Munn Ice ArenaEast 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 ArenaDetroit, Michigan (CCHA Semifinal) W 3–2 OT 30–8–2 (23–7–2)
March 8 vs. Western Michigan* Joe Louis ArenaDetroit, Michigan (CCHA championship) L 1–3  30–9–2 (23–7–2)
NCAA tournament
March 22 vs. Boston College* Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, Michigan (National Quarterfinal game 1) W 6–4  31–9–2 (23–7–2)
March 23 vs. Boston College* Munn Ice ArenaEast 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 CenterProvidence, Rhode Island (National Semifinal) W 6–4  33–9–2 (23–7–2)
March 29 vs. Harvard* Providence Civic CenterProvidence, 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

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No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
14 Mike Donnelly Senior LW Detroit, MI   44 59 38 97 65
8 Kevin Miller Sophomore RW Lansing, MI   45 19 52 71 112
12 Mitch Messier Junior RW Regina, SK   38 24 40 64 36
9 Joe Murphy Freshman C London, ON   35 24 37 61 50
16 Bill Shibicky Junior F Burnaby, BC   44 17 39 56 104
27 Brian McReynolds Freshman C Penetanguishene, ON   45 14 24 38 78
5 Don McSween Junior D Detroit, MI   45 9 29 38 18
11 Jeff Parker Junior RW White Bear Lake, MN   41 15 20 35 88
21 Tom Tilley Sophomore D Trenton, ON   42 9 25 34 48
17 Bruce Rendall Freshman LW Thunder Bay, ON   45 14 18 32 68
7 Danton Cole Freshman RW Pontiac, MI   43 11 10 21 22
15 Bobby Reynolds Freshman RW Fenton, MI   45 9 10 19 26
4 Brad Beck Senior D Vancouver, BC   41 3 15 18 40
10 Geir Hoff Freshman LW Bergen, NOR   39 3 11 14 14
3 Brad Hamilton Freshman D Calgary, AB   43 3 10 13 52
19 Rick Tosto Sophomore F Dearborn Heights, MI   30 4 8 12 10
22 Sean Clement Sophomore D Nepean, ON   40 4 7 11 40
6 Chris Luongo Freshman D Detroit, MI   38 1 5 6 29
25 Dee Rizzo Senior D Pittsburgh, PA   28 0 5 5 12
28 Rick Fernandez Senior LW Dearborn, MI   12 0 3 3 6
26 Dave Arkeilpane Junior F Amherst, NY   19 2 0 2 14
41 Norm Foster Junior G Vancouver, BC   24 0 1 1 0
33 Bob Essensa Junior G Toronto, ON   23 0 1 1 2
18 Dave Chiappelli Sophomore F Pontiac, MI   1 0 0 0 0
Bench - - - - 45 - - - 14
Total 245 406 651 955

[1]

Goaltending statistics

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No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
33 Bob Essensa 23 1333 17 4 1 74 548 1 .881 3.33
41 Norm Foster 24 1414 17 5 1 87 620 0 .877 3.69
Total 45 34 9 2 161 1

(W2) Michigan State vs. (E2) Harvard

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March 29[4] Michigan State 6 – 5 Harvard Providence Civic Center


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 DonnellyGW Murphy 57:09 6–5 MSU

Players drafted into the NHL

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= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star[5] = NHL All-Star[5] and NHL All-Star team = Did not play in the NHL
Round Pick Player NHL team
1 1 Joe Murphy Detroit Red Wings
2 30 Neil Wilkinson Minnesota North Stars
3 149 Don Gibson Vancouver Canucks
6 115 Mike O'Toole St. Louis Blues

† incoming freshman

[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Michigan State Spartans 2018-19 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). Michigan State Spartans. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2019. 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  5. ^ a b 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.