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1991–92 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season

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1991–92 Lake Superior State Lakers
men's ice hockey season
National Champion
CCHA Tournament, Champion
NCAA Tournament, Champion
Conference2nd CCHA
Home iceNorris Center
Record
Overall30–9–4
Conference20–8–4
Home18–1–1
Road6–8–3
Neutral6–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachJeff Jackson
Assistant coachesDoug Laprade
Ron Rolston
Joe Shawhan
Captain(s)Mark Astley
Sandy Moger
Mike Bachusz
Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1990–91 1992–93 »

The 1991–92 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey team represented the Lake Superior State University in college ice hockey. In its 2nd year under head coach Jeff Jackson the team compiled a 30–9–4 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the sixth time.[1] The Lakers defeated Wisconsin 5–3 to win the championship game at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York.

Season

After two consecutive 30+ win seasons Lake Superior was expected to take a step back. Losing its top five scorers from 1990–91, the formerly high-scoring Lakers would need to find a sway to get over the postseason hump that had seem them bow out in the national quarterfinals two years in a row. Stepping into the breach was freshman Brian Rolston, the 11th overall pick in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and probably the most heralded prospect ever to appear in a Laker uniform. Also returning was the nations' top goaltender from the previous season, Darrin Madeley.

Good Start

In their first five games Lake Superior looked to be just as impressive as they had been over the past two seasons, winning each game by an average of five goals. In those games, however, they weren't playing good teams. When the team took on defending national champion Northern Michigan in early November they earned a split in the home-and-home series. While they did acquit themselves well, losing the road game was the start of a pattern that would continue throughout the entire season.

The next weekend, at perennial power Michigan State, Madeley demonstrated that he was going to have another strong season by limiting the Spartans to a single goal in each game but LSSU could only manage a split after being shut out in the first game. Even when facing lowly Illinois–Chicago on the road, Lake Superior could only keep the weekends even. While their defensive game was strong, None of their players were particularly strong on offense; no Laker finished the season in the top 40 in scoring and the best points per game for Lake State was Sandy Moger's 1.21 ppg, good for 88th in the country.[2]

Home Dominance

While the Lakers struggled to win on the road they were absolutely deadly at home. When eventual CCHA champion Michigan came to town in early December the Lakers earned a sweep in the series but did so with a 10–0 demolition of the Wolverines. Unfortunately, Lake Superior immediately surrendered that advantage with only 1 point against Miami the week after. Lake Superior was able to balance out their adequate road swings with stifling defense at home; only twice did the Lakers give up more than three goals at the Norris Center but timely offense allowed them to win both games.

The only blemish on their otherwise impeccable home record came from Michigan State. The Spartans took three points from LSSU in early February, the only two games in Sault Ste. Marie that the Lakers did not win. That poor home series also could not have come at a worse time; having lost both games at Michigan the week before Lake State was in a dogfight with their southern rivals for the top spot in the CCHA. With all three teams separated by just 3 points, the conference would be determined by how the final month of the season played out.[3][4]

Down to the wire

While Lake Superior and Michigan swept their respective weekends in mid-February, Michigan State could only manage a single point against lowly Bowling Green. The Lakers then earned a much-needed 3 points on the road against Western Michigan while the Wolverines all but ended the Spartans hopes with a sweep at the Joe Louis Arena. Michigan was now ahead of Lake State by 1 point with four games to play. With their next series against bottom-feeding Ohio State the Lakers had hopes that they could end their road woes but instead the team produced its worst defense efforts of the season, surrendering 15 goals in the two games and dropping five points behind the Wolverines, guaranteeing Michigan the CCHA championship. MSU, meanwhile, had recovered after their debacle at 'The Joe' and crept up into a tie with Lake State for second place. Not wanting to drop even further back, Lake Superior showed their mettle by taking both games against Western Michigan to finish one point ahead of the Spartans (who held the tie breaker) and lock up the second seed in the CCHA Tournament.

CCHA Tournament

In their final home games of the year, Lake Superior easily defeated Illinois–Chicago in the conference quarterfinals, winning twice before heading to Detroit. The semifinals saw them pitted against the Spartans but again, MSU failed in the Red Wings' building and the Lakers won the game 5–3. Michigan met them in the finals and were looking to avenge the championship loss from 1991. Tournament MVP Darrin Madeley stole the show, holding the conference's top offensive team to a single goal en route to the Laker's championship.

NCAA Tournament

While the CCHA crown guaranteed Lake Superior a spot in the NCAA Tournament, it was not enough to earn them a bye into the quarterfinals. Lake Superior was given the third western seed, which would have allowed them to play at home in years past, but the NCAA Tournament format had been changed for 1992. The first two rounds were now single-game elimination, like the championship rounds. With that came the ability create regional brackets with a single venue used as host. All games played by teams in the western regional were held at the Joe Louis Arena, a distinct advantage for CCHA teams. Lake Superior used that advantage and trounced Alaska–Anchorage in the quarterfinal. Two nights later they took on Minnesota, the team that led the nation in wins, and again dominated the competition with an 8–3 victory.

Showing just how strong they were that year, Michigan, Michigan State and Lake Superior State all made the Frozen Four, the most the CCHA has ever produced. At least one of those teams would make the finals when MSU took on Lake State. The two squads battled to a 2–2 tie after two periods before Mark Astley scored the game winner midway through the third. LSSU's defense held the Spartans to six shots in the final frame and gave the Lakers their second championship appearance.[5]

Controversial Finish

With only a surprising Wisconsin team standing in their way, the Lakers started the game well but soon found themselves down a goal. Wisconsin added a power play marker before the end of the first and Lake Superior, who had had trouble scoring at times during the season, were hoping that the game wasn't already out of hand. Rather than the game being remembered for performances by players, however, referee Tim McConaghy called an inordinate amount of penalties in the game. Many in attendance had difficulty in understanding the calls and things went from bad to worse when the Badgers' captain Doug MacDonald was given a 10-minute misconduct for questioning the calls. While the Lakers were hit for 10 penalties in the game, Wisconsin players headed to the box 15 times and Lake Superior managed to use the disproportionate advantages to even the game after 40 minutes.[6]

Michael Smith scored early in the third to give the Lakers their first lead of the game but a power play goal by Jason Zent tied the game at 3-all. Just after the fifteen-minute mark Brian Rolston scored to put Lake State up 4–3 and Wisconsin began a furious attempt to come back. With three minutes to play Blaine Moore was charged with elbowing to the obvious frustration of the Badgers. Wisconsin was forced to pull their goaltender but an empty-net goal by Jay Ness salted away the game and gave Lake Superior their second National Championship.

The Lakers had outshot Wisconsin 37–27 in the game while both teams scored twice on the power play, but the enduring legacy from the match was a confrontation between McConaghy and Wisconsin team members after the game. The ugly incident would eventually lead to three separate suspensions, a sour finish for what should have been a Lake Superior triumph.

To make matters worse, Wisconsin's participation was later vacated for unrelated violations by team members[7] leaving the 1992 championship one of the most mired in controversy in NCAA history.

Awards and Honors

Regardless of Wisconsin's response, Paul Constantin, who had started the laker's comeback in the second period, was named the tournament MOP and joined Darrin Madeley, Mark Astley and Brian Rolston on the All-Tournament team.[8] For the second year in a row Madeley possessed the best goals against average in the nation, posting the best numbers for any qualifying goalie in seven years. His stellar play earn him an AHCA First-Team All-American spot along with Astley.

Both Madeley and Astley were on the All-CCHA First Team[9] while Steve Barnes and Sandy Moger made the second team. Astley was also named as the Best Offensive Defenseman in the CCHA.[10]

Standings

1991–92 Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan† 32 22 7 3 47 150 104 44 32 9 3 215 144
Lake Superior State* 32 20 8 4 44 141 78 43 30 9 4 203 100
Michigan State 32 18 7 7 43 149 105 44 26 10 8 199 143
Western Michigan 32 14 12 6 34 119 114 36 16 14 6 140 130
Miami 32 12 14 6 30 124 145 40 18 16 6 165 183
Ferris State 32 11 15 6 28 102 127 38 13 18 7 119 148
Illinois-Chicago 32 8 18 6 22 101 132 36 10 20 6 123 152
Ohio State 32 8 19 5 21 134 182 38 12 21 5 162 211
Bowling Green 32 7 20 5 19 123 156 34 8 21 5 133 165
Championship: Lake Superior State
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Record
Regular Season
October 18 vs. Laurentian* Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 9–2  1–0
October 25 at Ferris State Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan W 6–1  2–0 (1–0)
October 26 at Ferris State Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan W 3–2 OT 3–0 (2–0)
November 1 vs. Bowling Green Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 8–1  4–0 (3–0)
November 2 vs. Bowling Green Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 8–3  5–0 (4–0)
November 7 at Northern Michigan* Lakeview Arena • Marquette, Michigan L 1–4  5–1 (4–0)
November 9 vs. Northern Michigan* Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 8–1  6–1 (4–0)
November 15 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan L 0–1  6–2 (4–1)
November 16 at Michigan State Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan W 3–1  7–2 (5–1)
November 22 vs. Miami Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 5–1  8–2 (6–1)
November 23 vs. Miami Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 8–5  9–2 (7–1)
November 29 at Illinois–Chicago* UIC Pavilion • Chicago, Illinois W 5–2  10–2 (8–1)
November 30 at Illinois–Chicago* UIC Pavilion • Chicago, Illinois L 1–3  10–3 (8–2)
December 6 vs. Michigan Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 3–2 OT 11–3 (9–2)
December 7 vs. Michigan Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 10–0  12–3 (10–2)
December 13 at Miami Goggin Ice Arena • Oxford, Ohio L 1–4  12–4 (10–3)
December 14 at Miami Goggin Ice Arena • Oxford, Ohio T 2–2 OT 12–4–1 (10–3–1)
January 3 vs. Ohio State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 9–1  13–4–1 (11–3–1)
January 4 vs. Ohio State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 6–0  14–4–1 (12–3–1)
January 10 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio W 4–3  15–4–1 (13–3–1)
January 11 at Bowling Green BGSU Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio T 6–6 OT 15–4–2 (13–3–2)
January 24 vs. Illinois–Chicago Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 5–0  16–4–2 (14–3–2)
January 25 vs. Illinois–Chicago Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 7–5  17–4–2 (15–3–2)
January 31 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan L 3–4  17–5–2 (15–4–2)
February 1 at Michigan Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan L 0–1  17–6–2 (15–5–2)
February 7 vs. Michigan State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan T 3–3 OT 17–6–3 (15–5–3)
February 8 vs. Michigan State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan L 1–4  17–7–3 (15–6–3)
February 14 vs. Ferris State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 8–2  18–7–3 (16–6–3)
February 15 vs. Ferris State Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 5–1  19–7–3 (17–6–3)
February 21 at Western Michigan Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan W 5–1  20–7–3 (18–6–3)
February 22 at Western Michigan Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan T 1–1 OT 20–7–4 (18–6–4)
February 28 at Ohio State OSU Ice Rink • Columbus, Ohio L 4–7  20–8–4 (18–7–4)
February 29 at Ohio State OSU Ice Rink • Columbus, Ohio L 2–8  20–9–4 (18–8–4)
March 6 vs. Western Michigan Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 6–1  21–9–4 (19–8–4)
March 7 vs. Western Michigan Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan W 3–2  22–9–4 (20–8–4)
CCHA Tournament
March 13 vs. Illinois–Chicago* Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (CCHA Quarterfinal game 1) W 3–1  23–9–4 (20–8–4)
March 14 vs. Illinois–Chicago* Norris Center • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (CCHA Quarterfinal game 2) W 9–2  24–9–4 (20–8–4)
Lake Superior State Won Series 2-0
March 21 vs. Michigan State* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (CCHA Semifinal) W 5–3  25–9–4 (20–8–4)
March 22 vs. Michigan* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (CCHA Championship) W 3–1  26–9–4 (20–8–4)
NCAA Tournament
March 27 vs. Alaska–Anchorage* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (West Regional Quarterfinal) W 7–3  27–9–4 (20–8–4)
March 29 vs. Minnesota* Joe Louis Arena • Detroit, Michigan (West Regional Semifinal) W 8–3  28–9–4 (20–8–4)
April 2 vs. Michigan State* Knickerbocker Arena • Albany, New York (National Semifinal) W 4–2  29–9–4 (20–8–4)
April 4 vs. Wisconsin* Knickerbocker Arena • Albany, New York (National Championship) W 5–3  30–9–4 (20–8–4)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

[11]

Roster and scoring statistics

No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Pts PIM
12 Paul Constantin Senior LW Burlington, ON Ontario 43 21 31 52 48
23 Sandy Moger Senior RW 100 Mile House, BC British Columbia 42 26 25 51 111
7 Mark Astley Senior D Calgary, AB Alberta 43 12 37 49 65
20 Vincent Faucher Senior LW Dorion, PQ Quebec 42 23 25 48 88
11 Brian Rolston Freshman C Flint, MI Michigan 41 18 28 46 16
14 Clayton Beddoes Sophomore C Bentley, AB Alberta 38 14 26 40 24
3 Steve Barnes Sophomore D Gravenhurst, ON Ontario 43 3 28 31 37
9 Wayne Strachan Freshman RW Fort Frances, ON Ontario 42 12 18 30 35
19 John Hendry Junior LW Mississauga, ON Ontario 43 13 13 26 59
25 Dean Hulett Junior RW San Juan, PR Puerto Rico 37 10 15 25 66
5 Michael Smith Junior D Winnipeg, MB Manitoba 43 8 17 25 34
15 Jay Ness Sophomore C Grand Forks, ND North Dakota 42 9 10 19 20
8 Mike Morin Freshman F Melville, SK Saskatchewan 37 10 5 15 26
21 Kurt Miller Sophomore LW Bemidji, MN Minnesota 15 6 7 13 32
16 Rob Valicevic Freshman RW Detroit, MI Michigan 36 8 4 12 12
2 Tim Hanley Freshman D Terrace Bay, ON Ontario 38 3 8 11 14
26 Mike Bachusz Junior D Waterford, MI Michigan 37 2 5 7 12
22 Jim Peters Sophomore D Barrie, ON Ontario 34 2 4 6 55
6 Darren Wetherill Sophomore D Regina, SK Saskatchewan 31 1 5 6 52
30 Darrin Madeley Junior G Holland Landing, ON Ontario 38 0 4 4 4
24 Dan Angelelli Freshman RW Roseville, MN Minnesota 23 0 3 3 34
10 Jason Welch Freshman C Sault Ste. Marie, MI Michigan 2 0 1 1 4
35 Blaine Lacher Sophomore G Medicine Hat, AB Alberta 10 0 1 1 0
1 Brian Lukowski Junior G Buffalo, NY New York (state) 1 0 0 0 0
13 Brad Willner Freshman D Edina, MN Minnesota 16 0 0 0 8
Total

[12][13]

Goaltending statistics

No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
30 Darrin Madeley 38 2144 25 6 4 64 816 2 .917 2.07
35 Blaine Lacher 10 410 5 3 0 22 – 1 - 3.22
1 Brian Lukowski 1 30 0 0 0 2 – 0 – 4.00
Total 43 – 30 9 4 100 – 3 – –

1988 National Championship

(W3) Lake Superior State vs. (E6) Wisconsin

April 4 Lake Superior State 5 – 3 Wisconsin Knickerbocker Arena


Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st WIS Jason Zent 1–0 WIS
WIS Jason Zent – PP 2–0 WIS
2nd LSSU Paul Constantin – PP 2–1 WIS
LSSU Tim Hanley 39:54 2–2
3rd LSSU Michael Smith 3–2 LSSU
WIS Jason Zent – PP 3–3
LSSU Brian Rolston – GW 55:08 4–3 LSSU
LSSU Jay Ness – PP EN 5–3 LSSU
Goaltenders
Team Name Saves Goals against Time on ice
WIS Duane Derksen 4
LSSU Darrin Madeley 24 3

Players drafted into the NHL

1992 NHL Entry Draft

No Lakers were selected in the 1992 NHL Draft. [14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lake Superior Men's Hockey Team History". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  2. ^ "NCAA - 1991-1992". Elite Prospects. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "THROUGH THE YEARS:SEASON-BY-SEASON RESULTS" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "Michigan State men's ice hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Michigan State Spartans. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "1992 NCAA champions to be inducted into LSSU Athletics Hall of Fame". Lake Superior State Lakers. July 6, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  6. ^ "HOCKEY; Amid Fury, Lake Superior St. Prevails". The New York Times. April 6, 1992. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship History". NCAA. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  9. ^ "CCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  10. ^ "CCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  11. ^ "Lake Superior State Men's Hockey Record Book" (PDF). Lake Superior State Lakers. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "Lake Superior State Univ. 1991-1992 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  13. ^ "1991-92 Lake Superior State University roster and statistics". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  14. ^ "1992 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
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