Wikipedia

1968–69 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season

The 1968–69 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 13th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 26–6–0 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time. The Pioneers defeated Cornell 4–3 in the championship game at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This was Denver's second consecutive championship and fifth in eleven years. Senior goaltender Gerry Powers tied the all-time NCAA career record of 76 wins in the championship match against the record-holder Ken Dryden.

1968–69 Denver Pioneers
men's ice hockey season
National champion
WCHA Tournament, co-champion
NCAA Tournament, champion
Conference1st WCHA
Home iceDU Arena
Record
Overall26–6–0
Conference14–6–0
Home16–2–0
Road6–4–0
Neutral4–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachMurray Armstrong
Captain(s)Keith Magnuson
Tom Miller
Craig Patrick[1]
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey seasons
« 1967–68 1969–70 »

Season

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Denver was hoping to be the first team to defend its National Title since the 1961 Denver squad. With only three players leaving (due to graduation) Murray Armstrong's team had a good chance to repeat. Unfortunately, the team stumbles out of the gate, losing both games in its opening series at North Dakota. The Pioneers returned to Colorado for a home-and-home series against a weak Colorado College team before going back on the road. In Houghton Denver lost its third road game to Michigan Tech before finally managing a win the following night to pull their record back to even. Denver then took two games against still-building Minnesota–Duluth and ended the first part of its schedule against two national teams with the Broadmoor World Tournament. The Pioneers were able to defeat a non-olympic US Team handily before tying the Czech Team two days later (though the game was called for Denver).

The Pioneers began the new year with a series against Colgate and dominated the eastern team in both contests. After earning a road split with Michigan Denver returned to Colorado and didn't have to leave the state for the remainder of the year. Denver went 12–2 down the stretch, playing only 1 road game at Colorado College but its loss to Michigan Tech on February 1 cost the Pioneers their chance to win the Conference championship.

Denver finished as the top western seed for the WCHA Tournament and after dropping the league's poorest team (UMD) in the first game they were given a gift from Colorado College who had knocked off North Dakota in the regional semifinal. Denver's defense continued its strong play and earned the Pioneers their second consecutive WCHA title and a trip to the 1969 NCAA Tournament.

Despite having finished second in the WCHA, Denver possessed a better record and the defending national champions were given the top western seed, placing them in the semifinal against Harvard. Denver easily dispatched the Crimson 9–2, leaving only the 27–1 Cornell Big Red standing in their way. Cornell was both the top offensive and defensive team in 1968–69 and were led by the NCAA's all-time wins leader Ken Dryden.[2] Denver, however, was able to reply with Gerry Powers, who had only one fewer wins than the future Hall of famer. The two titans clashed in one of the more anticipated national championships in history and early on it was apparent that Denver had come to play when Tom Gilmore deflected the puck past Dryden less than three minutes in. Cornell tied the game a little over 10 minutes later and the two teams ended the first ties 1-all. Both goalies continued to stymie the opposition until a Cornell penalty allowed Denver to pull ahead once more but this time it only took the Big Red two minutes to tie the game for a third time. Denver's withering attack continued to pressure Dryden and two more pucks got past the Cornell netminder to give Denver a late 2-goal edge. The drama of the contest was not finished, however, and after coincidental minors left the teams at 4-on-4, Cornell scored with the extra space then pulled Dryden to effectively give their team a power play in the final minute but Powers stood firm and allowed Denver to keep their lead and win the championship.

Keith Magnuson led the team's offence from the blueline in the title game and his three assists won him the tournament MOP. He was joined by teammates Tom Miller, Bob Trembecky and Gerry Powers on the All-Tournament first team.[3] Powers joined a very select group of goaltenders who won consecutive national titles and was the last to do so until Hunter Shepard in 2019. Magnuson and George Morrison were named to both the AHCA All-American West Team and All-WCHA First Team while Powers and Miller made the Conference Second Team. Morrison, for leading Denver in both goals and points, won the WCHA Sophomore of the Year Award.[4]

Standings

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1968–69 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PCT GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Michigan Tech†* 20 14 5 1 .725 86 56 32 21 9 2 144 95
Denver* 20 14 6 0 .700 94 50 32 26 6 0 160 71
North Dakota 22 15 7 0 .682 97 89 29 18 10 1 130 125
Michigan 18 10 8 0 .556 75 63 28 16 12 0 124 101
Minnesota 22 11 9 2 .545 74 60 29 13 13 3 113 96
Michigan State 18 7 10 1 .417 51 57 28 11 16 1 91 123
Colorado College 18 4 14 0 .222 47 94 28 12 16 0 105 121
Minnesota–Duluth 22 3 19 0 .136 64 119 29 6 23 0 91 147
Championship: Michigan Tech, Denver
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule

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Date Opponent# Rank# Site Decision Result Record
Exhibition
November 8 vs. DU Hilltoppers* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado - W 4–0 
November 10 vs. DU Hilltoppers* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado - W 12–4 
Regular Season
November 15 at North Dakota Winter Sports Building • Grand Forks, North Dakota Powers L 3–4  0–1 (0–1)
November 16 at North Dakota Winter Sports Building • Grand Forks, North Dakota Powers L 5–7  0–2 (0–2)
November 22 vs. Colorado College DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 7–0  1–2 (1–2)
November 23 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado Powers W 4–2  2–2 (2–2)
November 30 vs. DU Hilltoppers* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado (Exhibition) - W 11–2  2–2 (2–2)
December 6 at Michigan Tech Dee Stadium • Houghton, Michigan Powers L 1–3  2–3 (2–3)
December 7 at Michigan Tech Dee Stadium • Houghton, Michigan Powers W 5–1  3–3 (3–3)
December 20 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota Powers W 4–3  4–3 (4–3)
December 21 at Minnesota–Duluth Duluth Arena Auditorium • Duluth, Minnesota Powers W 7–4  5–3 (5–3)
December 27 vs. US National Team* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (Broadmoor World Tournament) Powers W 6–0  6–3 (5–3)
December 29 vs. Czech National Team* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (Broadmoor World Tournament) Powers W 2–2†  7–3 (5–3)
January 3 vs. Colgate* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 9–1  8–3 (5–3)
January 4 vs. Colgate* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 13–3  9–3 (5–3)
January 10 at Michigan Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan Powers L 4–5 OT 9–4 (5–4)
January 11 at Michigan Weinberg Coliseum • Ann Arbor, Michigan Powers W 5–3  10–4 (6–4)
January 17 vs. Minnesota–Duluth DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 8–2  11–4 (7–4)
January 18 vs. Minnesota–Duluth DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 8–2  12–4 (8–4)
January 24 vs. Colorado College DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 6–0  13–4 (9–4)
January 25 at Colorado College Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado Powers W 2–1  14–4 (10–4)
January 31 vs. Michigan Tech DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 3–0  15–4 (11–4)
February 1 vs. Michigan Tech DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers L 2–4  15–5 (11–5)
February 4 vs. North Dakota DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 6–0  16–5 (12–5)
February 7 vs. North Dakota DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 4–3  17–5 (13–5)
February 14 vs. Michigan State DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 9–4  18–5 (14–5)
February 15 vs. Michigan State DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers L 1–2  18–6 (14–6)
February 21 vs. Canadian National Team* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 5–3  19–6 (14–6)
February 22 vs. Canadian National Team* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 3–2  20–6 (14–6)
February 18 vs. Alberta* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 5–1  21–6 (14–6)
March 1 vs. Alberta* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado Powers W 3–2  22–6 (14–6)
WCHA Tournament
March 6 vs. Minnesota–Duluth* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado (WCHA First Round) Powers W 4–1  23–6 (14–6)
March 8 vs. Colorado College* DU Arena • Denver, Colorado (WCHA Second Round) Powers W 3–1  24–6 (14–6)
NCAA Tournament
March 13 vs. Harvard* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National Semifinal) Powers W 9–2  25–6 (14–6)
March 15 vs. Cornell* Broadmoor World Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado (National championship) Powers W 4–3  26–6 (14–6)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll.
Source:

† game called 1–0 for Denver.

[1]

Roster and scoring statistics

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No. Name Year Position Hometown S/P/C Games Goals Assists Points PIM
16 George Morrison Sophomore LW Toronto, ON   32 40 18 58 12
8 Tom Miller Senior F Kitchener, ON   30 13 33 46 14
13 Don Thiessen Junior F Saskatoon, SK   – – – 35 -
15 Bob Trembecky Senior C Drumheller, AB   32 13 22 35 -
2 Keith Magnuson Senior D Saskatoon, SK   32 7 27 34 48
14 Lynn Powis Sophomore C Saskatoon, SK   30 17 12 29 21
9 Al Genovy Junior C Flin Flon, MB   30 8 19 27 19
12 Tom Gilmore Junior F Flin Flon, MB   31 11 13 24 28
4 Randy Ward Senior D Calgary, AB   – – – 19 –
17 Craig Patrick Junior RW Detroit, MI   17 7 8 15 6
6 Dale Zeman Senior D Saskatoon, SK   – 2 11 13 54
3 Tim Gould Senior D Saskatoon, SK   32 3 10 13 32
7 Gerry Jonasson Junior F Winnipeg, MB   – – – 11 –
19 Bill Pettinger Sophomore D Edmonton, AB   22 – – 10 –
11 Rich Blanche Junior F Hamilton, ON   – – – 7 –
5 Ed Hamilton Junior D Winnipeg, MB   – – – 5 –
- John Saville Sophomore D Weston, ON   – – – 3 –
18 Terry Leifson Senior F Leinan, SK   – – – 0 –
- Dan Helm Sophomore D Saskatoon, SK   – – – 0 –
1 Frank Daly Senior G Reading, MA   1 – – – –
1 Gerry Powers Senior G Brampton, ON   32 – – – –
Total

[5]

Goaltending statistics

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No. Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
1 Gerry Powers 32 – 26 6 0 – – 5 .915 2.23
1 Frank Daly 1 – 0 0 0 – – 0 1.000 0.00
Total 32 – 26 6 0 – – 5 – –

1969 championship game

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(W1) Denver vs. (E1) Cornell

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March 15[6] Denver 4 – 3 Cornell Broadmoor World Arena


Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st DEN Tom Gilmore Powis and Magnuson 2:41 1–0 DEN
COR Dan Lodboa Pattison 13:09 1–1
2nd DEN George Morrison - PP Miller and Magnuson 30:25 2–1 DEN
COR Brian Cornell Tufford 33:31 2–2
3rd DEN Bob Trembecky - PP Magnuson and Patrick 44:17 3–2 DEN
DEN Tom Miller - GW Zeman 51:50 4–2 DEN
COR Gordon Lowe Giullani 58:40 4–3 DEN

Players drafted in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft

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Round Pick Player NHL team
6 68 Lynn Powis Montreal Canadiens

[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Denver Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  2. ^ "Cornell Men's Hockey Media Guide History & Records" (PDF). Cornell Big Red. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  3. ^ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  4. ^ "WCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "Denver Pioneers 1968-69 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Denver men's hockey 2017-18 media guide" (PDF). Denver Pioneers. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "1969 NHL Amateur Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
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