1979–80 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season

The 1979–80 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 2nd year under head coach John Gasparini the team compiled a 31–8–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time.[1] The Fighting Sioux defeated Northern Michigan 5–2 to win the championship game at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

1979–80 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season
National Champion
WCHA, Champion
WCHA Tournament, co-Champion
1980 NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference1st WCHA
Home iceWinter Sports Center
Record
Overall31–8–1
Conference21–6–1
Home20–2–0
Road9–6–1
Neutral2–0–0
Coaches and Captains
Head CoachJohn Gasparini
Assistant CoachesJim Nelson
Rick Wilson
Captain(s)Mark Taylor
Alternate captain(s)Marc Chorney
Erwin Martens
North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey seasons
« 1978–79 1980–81 »

Season

Early Season

After finishing as the national runner-up in John Gasparini's first year as head coach, North Dakota was hoping to continue their renaissance after a decade of futility. The Fighting Sioux began their season with a four-game home stand and did not look particularly strong, splitting both weekends against Colorado College and Michigan Tech. After taking both road games against a bad Denver team, UND hosted St. Lawrence and won both games to push their record to 6–2.

After splitting a road series against Michigan State, North Dakota hosted Minnesota in a rematch of last year's championship game, winning both games and surging to the top of the WCHA. UND sandwiched an exhibition game against the eventual gold-medalist US National Team between their series against the Golden Gophers and the Bulldogs, though in the later set the Fighting Sioux could only manage a split.

Over the winter break North Dakota played two non-conference series. Up first Ohio State at home where UND dominated the two games. A couple of weeks later the Fighting Sioux found themselves in Marquette to take on Northern Michigan. While North Dakota was distinguishing itself as the class of the WCHA, NMU possessed an even more impressive record at 14–2 and continued to prove they were no fluke by downing North Dakota in both games.[2]

Second Half

The two losses didn't harm UND that much as they didn't affect the team's top seed in the WCHA. However, just for good measure, the Fighting Sioux swept the next two weekends (both at home) against conference opponents to take a stranglehold of the conference. UND's lead was so large by this point that when they could only earn one win in the next four games it hardly mattered to their conference standing.

After the poor road trip UND played their third national team of the season, finally managing to take town an Olympic squad, albeit the one that would finish dead-last at the 1980 winter games. After the win North Dakota went on a winning streak, beginning at home where they hadn't lost since early November. UND won their final 8 regular season games, including 4 on the road (which had given them trouble all season) to finish with a stellar 25–8–1 record and easily win the WCHA.

WCHA Tournament

With the top seed, North Dakota played host to Michigan State and avenged their early-season loss with a comfortable 8–1 win in the first game. With a 7-goal lead to work with the Fighting Sioux were able to relax in game 2 and win the series 13–4. The second series against Notre Dame was more of the same with UND taking a huge lead after a 10–4 win, eventually capturing the series 17–8. North Dakota won their second consecutive WCHA title and fourth overall and received the top western seed for the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament

UND opened against ECAC Hockey runner-up Dartmouth for the second time in as many years and had a nearly identical performance. After the 4–1 victory UND met the #1 team in the country, Northern Michigan. The teams had two of the top offenses in the nation (only Minnesota scored more goals) and game would see the top four NCAA scorers on the ice at the same time. despite being a freshman Darren Jensen had distinguished himself as the best option in goal for North Dakota and, having learned from his error the previous year, Gasparini started the Creston in goal. Doug Smail would open the scoring just before the mid-point of the first period but shortly thereafter leading scorer and team captain Mark Taylor would be knocked out of the game with an injury. Smail, the leading goal scorer, would take over and score twice more to produce only the second natural hat-trick in championship history. Phil Sykes would in on the scoring in the third period, his fourth point of the night. After the goal the Wildcat offence finally woke up and scored, scoring twice in a span of 51 seconds, but three minutes the game was put away when Smail tied the NCAA record with his fourth goal of the contest, again with a primary assist from Sykes. North Dakota won the championship having outshot NMU 45–22, ending their 16-year championship drought.

Awards and Honors

Doug Smail won the tournament MOP for his nearly single-handed victory in the championship game and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Phil Sykes and Marc Chorney. Mark Taylor finished 4 points back of the scoring title but was named to the AHCA All-American West Team[3] along with Howard Walker. Both Walker and Taylor made the All-WCHA First Team[4] while Smail and Chorney were named to the Second Team.

Darren Jensen would win his first start the following season, extending his undefeated streak to 15 games to start a career; still an NCAA record (as of 2016).[5]

Three players were selected in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft with all three reaching the NHL.

Standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
North Dakota†*282161.76814789403181217119
Minnesota*3218140.5631731554126150263179
Colorado College3016131.5501541643921171200208
Michigan2613112.5381311183823132205167
Notre Dame2813141.4821501463918201202199
Minnesota-Duluth3215170.4691661813817210191207
Michigan Tech2812142.4641411203818182181160
Michigan State2812160.4291181673814240158227
Wisconsin3012180.4001461463615201172182
Denver268171.327951353613221141169
Championship: Minnesota, North Dakota
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule
Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Exhibition
October 16 vs. Canadian National Team* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (Exhibition) L 3–6 
October 19 at Minnesota–Duluth* Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota (Exhibition) W 7–2 
Regular Season
October 26 vs. Colorado College Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota L 2–3  0–1 (0–1)
October 27 vs. Colorado College Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 9–4  1–1 (1–1)
November 2 vs. Michigan Tech Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 4–3  2–1 (2–1)
November 3 vs. Michigan Tech Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota L 3–5  2–2 (2–2)
November 9 at Denver DU Arena • Denver, Colorado W 4–3  3–2 (3–2)
November 10 at Denver DU Arena • Denver, Colorado W 3–0  4–2 (4–2)
November 16 vs. St. Lawrence* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 4–3  5–2 (4–2)
November 17 vs. St. Lawrence* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–0  6–2 (4–2)
November 23 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 9–2  7–2 (5–2)
November 24 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan L 4–5 OT 7–3 (5–3)
November 30 vs. Minnesota Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 6–3  8–3 (6–3)
December 1 vs. Minnesota Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–6 OT 9–3 (7–3)
December 4 vs. US National Team* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (Exhibition) L 1–6  9–3 (7–3)
December 7 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota L 4–5 OT 9–4 (7–4)
December 8 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota W 4–3 OT 10–4 (8–4)
December 21 vs. Ohio State* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–2  11–4 (8–4)
December 22 vs. Ohio State* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 8–2  12–4 (8–4)
January 4 at Northern Michigan* Lakeview Arena • Marquette, Michigan L 2–4  12–5 (8–4)
January 5 at Northern Michigan* Lakeview Arena • Marquette, Michigan L 3–4 OT 12–6 (8–4)
January 11 vs. Notre Dame Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–4  13–6 (9–4)
January 12 vs. Notre Dame Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 3–1  14–6 (10–4)
January 18 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–3  15–6 (11–4)
January 19 vs. Minnesota–Duluth Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 5–1  16–6 (12–4)
January 25 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado L 8–9 OT 16–7 (12–5)
January 26 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado W 7–3  17–7 (13–5)
February 1 at Michigan Tech Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan T 3–3 OT 17–7–1 (13–5–1)
February 2 at Michigan Tech Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan L 4–6  17–8–1 (13–6–1)
February 6 vs. Japanese National Team* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (Exhibition) W 7–2  17–8–1 (13–6–1)
February 8 vs. Denver Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 7–1  18–8–1 (14–6–1)
February 9 vs. Denver Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 5–2  19–8–1 (15–6–1)
February 15 at Minnesota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 5–3  20–8–1 (16–6–1)
February 16 at Minnesota Williams Arena • Minneapolis, Minnesota W 6–2  21–8–1 (17–6–1)
February 22 vs. Michigan Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 5–2  22–8–1 (18–6–1)
February 23 vs. Michigan Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota W 4–3  23–8–1 (19–6–1)
February 29 at Wisconsin Dane County Coliseum • Madison, Wisconsin W 8–1  24–8–1 (20–6–1)
March 1 at Wisconsin Dane County Coliseum • Madison, Wisconsin W 4–3  25–8–1 (21–6–1)
WCHA Tournament
March 7 vs. Michigan State* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA First Round game 1) W 8–1  26–8–1 (21–6–1)
March 8 vs. Michigan State* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA First Round game 2) W 5–3  27–8–1 (21–6–1)
North Dakota Wins Series 13-4
March 14 vs. Notre Dame* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Second Round game 1) W 10–4  28–8–1 (21–6–1)
March 15 vs. Notre Dame* Winter Sports Center • Grand Forks, North Dakota (WCHA Second Round game 2) W 7–4  29–8–1 (21–6–1)
North Dakota Wins Series 17-8
NCAA Tournament
March 27 vs. Dartmouth* Providence Civic Center • Providence, Rhode Island (National Semifinal) W 4–1  30–8–1 (21–6–1)
March 28 vs. Northern Michigan* Providence Civic Center • Providence, Rhode Island (National Championship) W 5–2  31–8–1 (21–6–1)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[6]

Roster and scoring statistics
No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
11Mark TaylorSeniorCVancouver, BC4033599228
8Doug SmailSeniorWMoose Jaw, SK4043448770
25Phil SykesSophomoreWDawson Creek, BC3722274934
19Rick ZaparniukSeniorCEdmonton, AB4015314634
16Marc ChorneyJuniorDThunder Bay, ON397384554
24Rick MyersSeniorWEast Grand Forks, MN3318203818
22Cary EadesSophomoreWBurnaby, BC3016122850
4Brad CoxSeniorDLethbridge, AB393252826
3Howard WalkerSophomoreDGrande Prairie, AB397182557
18Dean DachyshynFreshmanWDevon, AB401282088
9Dusty CarrollFreshmanCCharlottetown, PE398111924
10Glen WhiteFreshmanFRosetown, SK408101814
17Erwin MartensSeniorWCartwright, MB347101728
5Mickey VolcanFreshmanDEdmonton, AB332141638
21Paul ChadwickJuniorWWilliams Lake, BC40781565
14Frank BurggrafSophomoreCRoseau, MN34471136
23Mike NeitzkeSeniorWDetroit Lakes, MN24461032
2Craig LudwigFreshmanDEagle River, WI3318932
20Travis DunnSophomoreDWinnipeg, MB3706632
6Conway MarvinSophomoreDWarroad, MN2005512
30Bob IwabuchiSophomoreGEdmonton, AB200114
15Troy MagnusonFreshmanWChanhassen, MN600010
1Pierre LamoureuxFreshmanGFort Saskatchewan, AB0000
Mel DonnellyJuniorGFort Frances, ON50000
1Darren JensenFreshmanGCreston, BC150000
Total

[7]

Goaltending statistics
No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
1Darren Jensen158841301333961.9232.24
1Mel Donnelly5––––––1.8972.40
Pierre Lamoureux–––––––0.8133.00
30Bob Iwabuchi20115714––704940.8763.63
Total40–3181119–2––

1980 Championship Game

(W1) North Dakota vs. (A) Northern Michigan
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st UND Doug Smail Sykes and Taylor 9:43 1–0 UND
UND Doug Smail Sykes and Dunn 12:48 2–0 UND
2nd UND Doug Smail – GW Sykes 23:12 3–0 UND
3rd UND Phil Sykes unassisted 48:42 4–0 UND
NMU Bill Joyce Waddell and Laidlaw 54:29 4–1 UND
NMU Terry Houck Hanson and Pyle 55:20 4–2 UND
UND Doug Smail Sykes and Burggraf 58:21 5–2 UND

Players drafted into the NHL

1980 NHL Entry Draft
= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[8] = NHL All-Star[8] and NHL All-Star Team = Did not play in the NHL
RoundPickPlayerNHL Team
350Mickey VolcanHartford Whalers
357Troy Murray†Chicago Black Hawks
361Craig LudwigMontreal Canadiens
592Darren JensenHartford Whalers
9170Ed Cristian†Winnipeg Jets

† incoming freshman

[9]

gollark: I'm fixing all the warnings now.
gollark: Anyway, that is a mere *glimpse* of my brilliance at C.
gollark: What do you want me to do, fix the warnings?
gollark: It compiled fine with `-Wall`.
gollark: Are you implying it's bad AT ALL?!

See also

References
  1. "North Dakota Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  2. "Northern Michigan Wildcats Men's Ice Hockey Record Book" (PDF). Northern Michigan Wildcats. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  3. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  4. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. "Schlossman: University of North Dakota men's hockey's top line looks to continue streak in second half". The Dickinson Press. Jan 15, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  6. "North Dakota Hockey 2018-19 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  7. "North Dakota Fighting Sioux 1979-80 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  8. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  9. "1980 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
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