University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Highlights

The Falcons won the National Championship in a best two-out-of-three game series against Elmira College and the games were played in up-state New York. The Falcons won the first game, 7-1, but dropped a 5-3 decision on Saturday. In the mini-game the Falcons took a 3-0 win and the title.

Seven players scored in the 7-1 win on Friday. John Albert scored in the first period. UWRF held a 3-1 lead after two. Jeff Schaaf and Butch Kaebel scored the goals. The Falcons exploded for four goals in a three minute span to get the win. Arron Scott, Steve Hammer, Mark Verigin and Tom Niles got the goals. Goalie Chris Hanson made 27 saves and the Falcons had 45 shots on goal.

In Saturday's 5-3 loss, Elmira scored once in the first period and twice in the second and third stanzas. Niles scored in the second period to make it a 2-1 game. Elmira scored twice to take a 4-1 lead after two. But the Falcons put togther a strong third period. Mike O'Hara and Hammer scored to make it a 4-3 game. Elmira scored later to make it a 5-3 final. Chris Hanson made 34 saves and the Falcons had 31 shots on goal. The momentum the Falcons gained in the third period carried over to the mini-game. Tom Griffith scored at 8:13 to give the Falcons the lead. Arron Scott (14:46) and Mike O'Hara (14:55) scored empty-net goals. Chris Hanson made six saves and the Falcons had 15 shots on goal.

The Falcons finished 31-6-1 overall. The 31 wins is a single-season school record. The Falcons also won the NCHA regular-season and playoff championships.

The Falcons beat UW-Stevens Point, 6-5 and 9-5 in the NCAA quarterfinals. UWRF topped Bemidji State, 6-4 and 5-3 in the NCAA semifinals. Those games were all played at home in Hunt Arena.

The Falcons lost their first game of the season, but then won seven straight. The Falcons then put together a 14-game win streak.

Arron Scott led the team in scoring (28-47-75) and the 47 assists and 75 points are single-season team records. He led the team with nine power-play goals and seven game-winners. Butch Kaebel was second in scoring (26-36-62). Goalie Chris Hanson played in 30 games and finshed 24-5-1 with a 3.25 goals against average and a .887 saves percentage.

The team set several school records; goals (229), assists (340), points (569), power-play goals (52), short-handed goals (17), penalties (528) and penalty minutes (1,206).

1988 NCAA National Champions

Front row, left to right: Tony Sperling, Rick Kozuback, head coach, Mark Verigin, Mike O'Hara, Chris Hanson, Tom Griffith, Steve Hammer, Mark Tabrum, assistant coach, Ted Schrick. Middle, left to right: Rick McNamara, academic advisor, Chris Helson, Jeff Schaaf, Chad Hanson, Mark Ulvin, Darren Soland, Mike Kelly, Jason Berglund, Joe Lagoo, Butch Kaebel, Ken Surbaugh, student trainer. Back, left to right: Arron Scott, Gordy Hahn, Paul Gibson, James Cernia, Jeff Stiff, Mark McConnell, John Albert, Tom Niles, Paul Glenovich, Jim Mussianti.

-- Championship Series Result --

River Falls 7, Elmira 1
Friday, March 25 at Elmira, N. Y.
Scoring by period
Elmira 0 1 0-1
River Falls 1 2 4-7
Scoring summary
First period: RF Albert (Verigin), 16:32, PPG. Second period: RF E Swarbrick (Hopwood), 9:43. RF Schaaf (McReynolds, Lagoo), PPG, 7:11. RF Kaebel (Scott), 10:24. Third period: RF Scott (Hahn, Kaebel), 14:20. RF Hammer (McReynolds, Niles), PPG, 15:21. Verigin (Hammer, Griffith), 16:57. RF Niles, 17:33. Shots on goal: E 28, RF 48. Saves: Mongillo (E) 38, Boker (E) 3, Hanson (RF) 27. Penalties: E 17-60, RF 16-38. Power plays: E 0-9, RF 3-7. Officials: Dan Murphy, John Gallagher, Steve Wisinowski. Att: 3,100.

Elmira 5, River Falls 3
Saturday, March 26 at Elmira, N. Y.
Scoring by period
Elmira 1 3 1-5
River Falls 0-1-2-3
Scoring summary
First period: E Banas (Morrissey, Chiappelli), PPG, 19:46. Second period: E Carli (Banas, Marinaro), PPG, 9:53. E Banas (Marinaro), 11:39. RF Niles (Soland, Lagoo), 11:29. E Chiappelli (Chubb, Nelson), 17:58. Third period: RF O'Hara, 5:40. E RF Hammer (Scott, Lagoo), PPG. 11:14. E Haviland (Williams), 13:12. Shots on goal: E 37, RF 34. Saves: Mongillo (E) 31, Hanson (RF) 32. Penalties: E 11-30, RF 14-28. Power plays: E 2-9, RF 1-5. Officials: Dan Murphy, John Gallagher, Steve Wisinowski. Att: 3,450.

River Falls 3, Elmira 0 (mini-game)
Saturday, March 26 at Elmira, N. Y.
Scoring by period
Elmira 0-0
River Falls 3-3
Scoring summary
First period: RF Griffith (Verigan, Schaaf), 8:13. RF Scott, SHG, ENG, 14:46. RF O'Hara, SHG, ENG, 14:55. Shots on goal: E 6, RF 15. Saves: Mongillo (E) 6, Hanson (RF) 12. Penalties: E 4-8, RF 4-8. Power plays: E 0-2, RF 0-2. Officials: Dan Murphy, John Gallagher, Steve Wisinowski. Att: 3,450.

Head coach: Rick Kozuback
Assistant coach: Mark Tabrum
Student trainer: Ken Surbaugh