1976–77 Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey season

The 1976–77 Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in college ice hockey. In its tenth year under head coach Bob Johnson, the team compiled a 37–7–1 record (26–5–1 against Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) opponents) and outscored all opponents 264 to 161.[1] The Badgers received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1977 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament by winning the 1977 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, the only singular WCHA tournament champion over a 16-year period (1965 to 1981). They defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats in the Frozen Four semifinals and then beat WCHA- and Big Ten-rival Michigan Wolverines by a 6–5 score in overtime to win the national championship in Detroit, Michigan.

1976–77 Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey season
National Champion
Big Ten, Champion
WCHA, Champion
WCHA Tournament, Champion
NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference1st Big Ten
1st WCHA
Home iceDane County Coliseum
Record
Overall37–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Home16–5
Road13–2–1
Neutral8–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachBob Johnson
Assistant CoachesGrant Standbrook
Captain(s)Mike Eaves, Steve Alley, John Taft
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1975–76 1977–78 »

Goalie Julian Baretta was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament. He had two shutouts and a .905 save percentage for the season. The team's leading scorer was junior defenseman Craig Norwich with 18 goals, 65 assists, and 83 points. Norwich was the third defenseman (Bob Heathcott, 1952; Dan Lodboa, 1970) in NCAA history to lead his team in scoring while winning a National Title in the same season (the next occurrence was 2018).

Season

Head coach Bob Johnson returned to the program after taking a year off to coach the Team USA at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. The Olympic team finished a disappointing 5th-place after taking Silver in 1972 but the Badgers had fared even worse in Johnson's absence. Wisconsin went 12–24–1 under interim coach Bill Rothwell, compiling their first losing season since returning to varsity status in 1963 (The Badgers would not have another losing season until 1995–96).[2]

Seeking to erase the previous year from their collective memories, the Badgers opened with a 6–7 overtime loss to dual conference rival Michigan but evened their record with an overtime win the following day. Over the next six games, Wisconsin scored no less than 5 times, winning each match until Michigan State handed them their second defeat of the season. After trading wins with several teams, and losing a match to HC Spartak Moscow, Wisconsin won 12 games in a row after the new year, rocketing up the standings to take first place in the WCHA. Wisconsin finished the regular season winning 26 of their 32 WCHA games to capture their first conference title and were led by Craig Norwich in scoring. Norwich's 63 points in WCHA play was good for third best across the conference and paced all defensemen by a wide margin.

Prior to the season, the NCAA instituted a new policy where they gave their tournament selection committee the ability to add up to four additional teams to the tournament.[3] In response to this the WCHA changed their tournament format to have a solitary champion that would receive an automatic tournament bid rather than two co-champions who would both proceed to the national championship. This format would be in place for only the 1977 season and would revert to a co-champion system in 1978.[4] Because of this Wisconsin would have to face three rounds of competitors rather than the customary two to win the WCHA tournament.

The Badgers played 8th-place Colorado College in the quarterfinals, who made the tournament over Michigan State based on tie-breakers. Though the Tigers had lost all four games to Wisconsin in the regular season they had done so with only seven fewer goals than the Badgers. In the two-game series Colorado College held Wisconsin's high-powered offense to only three goals twice, far below their average, but could only manage one score in each contest. In the semifinals the Badgers faced off against an upstart Minnesota squad that had defeated #2 seed Notre Dame in the opening round. The Golden Gophers were no match for the Badgers who took the series 17–8 and were set against Michigan in the championship series. Wisconsin got off to a great start, taking the first game 4–0, before cruising to a WCHA championship with a 5–4 win in the following game to take the series 9–4. The title gave Wisconsin an automatic bid to the 1977 NCAA tournament as the #1 western seed.

In their first game at the Olympia Stadium Wisconsin played New Hampshire, who possessed the #1 offense in the east. The two teams fought to a 3–3 tie after regulation but Julian Baretta kept everything out of the Badger's net in the extra frame and allowed Mike Eaves to score the game-winner.[5] The championship match set Johnson's Badgers against Farrell's Wolverines for the seventh time that season. Wisconsin's offensive firepower was apparent from the start and the Badgers jumped out to a 3–0 lead on the strength of two power play goals. Michigan replied with two man-advantage markers of their own to cut the score to 3–2 but goals by Mike Meeker and Mark Johnson at the beginnings of the second and third periods rebuilt the Badger's 3-goal lead. The Wolverines, however, would not go away and Mark Miller scored 26 seconds after Johnson's second goal of the game. Dave Debol notched his second less than a minute later to cut Wisconsin's lead to 1 goal and it was completely erased with less than 6 minutes in regulation by John Wayman. With the score tied and the Badger's reeling Baretta kept the score tied 5–5 and allowed Wisconsin to regain their footing as the two teams headed into overtime. In what turned out to be the shortest overtime period in NCAA championship history, Steve Alley backhanded the puck past Michigan netminder Rick Palmer and sent the Badger faithful into paroxysms of joy.[6][7]

Wisconsin won its second National Title in 5 years on the strength of its power play, scoring a then-record 93 goals on the man-advantage over the course of the season. Only the 1980 Minnesota team has scored more (99).[8] Mark Johnson set a NCAA record for freshman in assists (44) and points (80) and was named WCHA Freshman of the Year. Bob Johnson was named as the WCHA Coach of the Year while Julian Baretta and Craig Norwich earned both First Team All-WCHA and AHCA All-American honors. Mike Eaves was selected for the WCHA Second Team and an All-American while John Taft received a spot on the WCHA Second Team.[9][10]

Standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Wisconsin†*32265153192122453771264161
Notre Dame3219103411641273822133191147
Michigan3220120401831514528170260211
Denver3216142341541514021172206187
North Dakota3216160321681583819190202184
Michigan Tech3215161311431503819181177178
Minnesota3213163291351444117213177202
Colorado College3211201231561704013252194209
Michigan State3211201231221713614211145189
Minnesota-Duluth32624214119192379262148219
Championship: Wisconsin
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Wisconsin†12930187847453771264161
Michigan127501468614528170260211
Minnesota125701046564117213177202
Michigan State12390641693614211145189
† indicates conference regular season champion

Schedule

During the season, Wisconsin compiled a 37–7–1 record, the best year the program has ever produced.[11] Its schedule was as follows.[12]

DateOpponentScoreResultVenueLocationRecord (WCHA / Big Ten)
Oct. 15, 1976Michigan ‡6–7*LossDane County ColiseumMadison, WI0–1 (0–1 / 0–1)
Oct. 16, 1976Michigan ‡7–6*WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI1–1 (1–1 / 1–1)
Oct. 22, 1976Western Ontario11–2WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI2–1 (1–1 / 1–1)
Oct. 23, 1976Western Ontario8–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI3–1 (1–1 / 1–1)
Nov. 5, 1976Minnesota–Duluth †5–4WinDECCDuluth, MN4–1 (2–1 / 1–1)
Nov. 6, 1976Minnesota–Duluth †7–5WinDECCDuluth, MN5–1 (3–1 / 1–1)
Nov. 12, 1976Colorado College †6–5WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI6–1 (4–1 / 1–1)
Nov. 13, 1976Colorado College †5–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI7–1 (5–1 / 1–1)
Nov. 19, 1976Michigan State ‡2–5LossMunn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, MI7–2 (5–2 / 1–2)
Nov. 20, 1976Michigan State ‡8–0WinMunn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, MI8–2 (6–2 / 2–2)
Nov. 26, 1976Notre Dame †1–4LossDane County ColiseumMadison, WI8–3 (6–3 / 2–2)
Nov. 27, 1976Notre Dame †4–3WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI9–3 (7–3 / 2–2)
Dec. 3, 1976Minnesota ‡4–3*WinWilliams ArenaMinneapolis, MN10–3 (8–3 / 3–2)
Dec. 4, 1976Minnesota ‡7–2WinWilliams ArenaMinneapolis, MN11–3 (9–3 / 4–2)
Dec. 10, 1976North Dakota †6–2WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI12–3 (10–3 / 4–2)
Dec. 11, 1976North Dakota †11–6WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI13–3 (11–3 / 4–2)
Dec. 29, 1976Harvard3–4LossDane County ColiseumMadison, WI13–4 (11–3 / 4–2)
Dec. 30, 1976Harvard7–5WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI14–4 (11–3 / 4–2)
Dec. 31, 1976HC Spartak Moscow1–2LossDane County ColiseumMadison, WI14–5 (11–3 / 4–2)
Jan. 7, 1977Minnesota ‡7–1WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI15–5 (12–3 / 5–2)
Jan. 8, 1977Minnesota ‡4–5LossDane County ColiseumMadison, WI15–6 (12–4 / 5–3)
Jan. 14, 1977North Dakota †7–6*WinRalph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, ND16–6 (13–4 / 5–3)
Jan. 15, 1977North Dakota †8–7*WinRalph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, ND17–6 (14–4 / 5–3)
Jan. 21, 1977Colorado College †6–3WinBroadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, CO18–6 (15–4 / 5–3)
Jan. 22, 1977Colorado College †4–1WinBroadmoor World ArenaColorado Springs, CO19–6 (16–4 / 5–3)
Jan. 28, 1977Michigan State ‡10–6WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI20–6 (17–4 / 6–3)
Jan. 29, 1977Michigan State ‡9–2WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI21–6 (18–4 / 7–3)
Feb. 4, 1977Michigan ‡3–2WinYost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, MI22–6 (19–4 / 8–3)
Feb. 5, 1977Michigan ‡11–8WinYost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, MI23–6 (20–4 / 9–3)
Feb. 11, 1977Michigan Tech †8–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI24–6 (21–4 / 9–3)
Feb. 12, 1977Michigan Tech †4–3WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI25–6 (22–4 / 9–3)
Feb. 18, 1977Minnesota–Duluth †7–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI26–6 (23–4 / 9–3)
Feb. 19, 1977Minnesota–Duluth †6–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI27–6 (24–4 / 9–3)
Feb. 25, 1977Denver †3–6LossDU ArenaDenver, CO27–7 (24–5 / 9–3)
Feb. 26, 1977Denver †5–2WinDU ArenaDenver, CO28–7 (25–5 / 9–3)
Mar. 4, 1977Notre Dame †8–3WinJoyce CenterNotre Dame, IN29–7 (26–5 / 9–3)
Mar. 5, 1977Notre Dame †3–3*TieJoyce CenterNotre Dame, IN29–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
WCHA TOURNAMENT
Mar. 9, 1977Colorado College3–1WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI30–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Mar. 10, 1977Colorado College3–1WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI31–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Wisconsin Wins Series 6–2
Mar. 12, 1977Minnesota9–5WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI32–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Mar. 13, 1977Minnesota8–3WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI33–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Wisconsin Wins Series 17–8
Mar. 16, 1977Michigan4–0WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI34–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Mar. 17, 1977Michigan5–4WinDane County ColiseumMadison, WI35–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
Wisconsin Wins Series 9–4
NCAA TOURNAMENT
March 25, 1977New Hampshire4–3*WinOlympia StadiumDetroit, MI36–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
March 26, 1977Michigan6–5*WinOlympia StadiumDetroit, MI37–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)
264–16137–7–1 (26–5–1 / 9–3)

* Denotes overtime periods
† WCHA game
‡ Big Ten and WCHA game

National Championship

(W1) Wisconsin vs. (W2) Michigan
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st WIS Steve Alley – PP Norwich and Eaves 2:29 1–0 WIS
WIS Dave Herbst Norwich and Lundeen 9:27 2–0 WIS
WIS Mark Johnson – PP Eaves and Alley 15:12 3–0 WIS
UM Kip Maurer – PP Manery and Palmer 16:13 3–1 WIS
2nd UM Dave Debol – PP Maurer and Palmer 21:33 3–2 WIS
WIS Mike Meeker Johnson and Suter 22:54 4–2 WIS
3rd WIS Mark Johnson Grauer and Meeker 41:10 5–2 WIS
UM Mark Miller Debol and Todd 41:36 5–3 WIS
UM Dave Debol Thayer 42:14 5–4 WIS
UM John Wayman Maurer 54:22 5–5
1st Overtime WIS Steve Alley – GW Eaves and Ulseth 60:23 6–5 WIS
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st UM Kris Manery Hooking 1:12 2:00
WIS Dave Herbst Hooking 5:48 2:00
UM Dane Hoene Tripping 15:01 2:00
WIS Murray Johnson Elbowing 15:21 2:00
WIS Craig Norwich High–Sticking 19:20 2:00
UM John Wayman High–Sticking 19:20 2:00
2nd WIS Steve Alley Hooking 20:30 2:00
WIS Dave Herbst Tripping 22:54 2:00
UM Dean Turner Interference 28:44 2:00
WIS Bob Suter Roughing 34:44 2:00
WIS Craig Norwich Roughing 37:13 2:00
3rd WIS Craig Norwich High–Sticking 41:55 2:00
UM Dane Hoene High–Sticking 41:55 2:00
UM John McCahill Hooking 45:03 2:00
WIS John Taft Tripping 48:41 2:00

Roster and scoring statistics
No.NameYearPositionHometownS/P/CGamesGoalsAssistsPtsPIM
5Craig NorwichJuniorDEdina, MN4418658370
17Mike EavesJuniorCDenver, CO4528538118
10Mark JohnsonFreshmanCMinneapolis, MN4336448016
11Steve AlleySeniorLWAnoka, MN4532316350
7John TaftSeniorDMinneapolis, MN4215435841
9Les GrauerSophomoreLWLeader, SK4321335442
19Mike MeekerSophomoreWKingston, ON4126275350
22Dave LundeenSeniorCMinneapolis, MN44182947110
25Dave HerbstJuniorWSaint Paul, MN4514193372
16Tom UlsethJuniorRWMoorhead, MN4213183110
8Norm McIntoshJuniorDGrande Prairie, AB458202858
20Mark CapouchJuniorRWGrand Forks, ND4411122314
2Bob SuterSophomoreDMadison, WI3831518107
18Murray JohnsonJuniorWMinneapolis, MN43761340
26Ron GriffinFreshmanDDetroit, MI35581314
15Tim PhippenFreshmanLWSaint Paul, MN2735816
3John SuterJuniorDMadison, WI4023530
24Tim PhippenSophomoreCSaint Paul, MN4313412
29Jim ScheidFreshmanCRochester, MN71230
23George GwozdeckySeniorLWThunder Bay, ON121238
14Brad MullinsJuniorDNorth Bay, ON1510112
12Ian PerrinJuniorDSpy Hill, SK80110
4John GregoryJuniorDMaple Ridge, BC100110
1Julian BarettaSophomoreGMadison, WI260110
30Dave McNabSeniorGSan Diego, CA30000
21Clark KavolinasSophomoreWSurrey, BC80004
27Mike DibbleSeniorGMinneapolis, MN220000
Total860264441705794

[14]

Goaltending Statistics
No.NameGamesMinutesWinsLossesTiesGoals AgainstSavesShut OutsSV %GAA
30Dave McNab36020032200.8803.00
1Julian Baretta26145821207571420.9053.08
27Mike Dibble22121914518368600.8924.08
Total2737377116114222.8983.53

Players drafted into the NHL/WHA

1977 NHL amateur draft
= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[15] = NHL All-Star[15] and NHL All-Star Team = Did not play in the NHL
RoundPickPlayerNHL Team
466Mark JohnsonPittsburgh Penguins
584Julian BarettaLos Angeles Kings
7120Bob SuterLos Angeles Kings

[16]

1977 WHA Amateur Draft
= Did not play in the WHA
RoundPickPlayerWHA Team
322Mark JohnsonBirmingham Bulls
651Julian BarettaEdmonton Oilers
758Bob SuterBirmingham Bulls

[17]

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See also

References
  1. "2009–10 WCHA Yearbook 113–128" (PDF). WCHA. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  2. "Wisconsin Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  3. "Title Unknown" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  4. "2009–10 WCHA Yearbook 129–144" (PDF). WCHA. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  5. "PAST: 1977 TITLE TEAM ESTABLISHED SOLID FOUNDATION". Madison.com. 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  6. "Badgers men's hockey: A celebration 40 years in the making for Wisconsin's 1977 champions". Madison.com. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  7. "1977 NCAA Men's Champs". Wisconsin Broadcasting Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  8. "Division I Men's Records" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  9. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  10. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  11. "Wisconsin Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  12. "Badger Hockey 2005–06 Media Guide" (PDF). Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  13. "1977 Championship Boxscore" (PDF). Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  14. "1976–77 U. of Wisconsin roster and statistics". Hockey DB. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  15. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  16. "1977 NHL amateur draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  17. "1977 WHA Amateur Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
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