歪歪漫画

GRAND FORKS 鈥� It鈥檚 been nine years since the University of North Dakota won its last NCAA hockey championship. Its eight championships are the third-most behind Denver and Michigan.

By the fall of 1958, Michigan had already won six times and Denver once, beating UND 6-2 in the previous spring鈥檚 title game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

For UND to capture its first championship on March 14, 1959, the team had to overcome several obstacles and find a goaltender.

But first, let鈥檚 set the stage during the 1957-58 season.

In January 1958, Minnesota head coach John Mariucci said the three Big Ten 歪歪漫画s in the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League may drop out of the conference because of differences in eligibility standards. Maricucci claimed Denver and Colorado College used players older than the league鈥檚 age limits. That created a slew of teams joining the Gophers in leaving the WIHL before the 1958-59 season.

That same January, UND鈥檚 top goaltender Bob Peters, a sophomore, was ruled ineligible to play. The future UND coach and legend at Bemidji State posted a 1.27 goals against average in his 11 games.

The NCAA said Peters accepted three payments totaling $500 from the Detroit Red Wings. UND athletic director Glenn (Red) Jarrett said Peters wanted to give the first payment of $100 back to the NHL club but they would not accept it. .

With Peters out, UND turned to Grand Forks鈥� own Bob Peabody to stand between the pipes. A six-game winning streak set up a March 7, 1958, showdown with UND playing at Denver with its lone chance to make the NCAA tournament field. UND won 4-1 and the league title following Minnesota's victory over Colorado College.

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After its runner-up finish, UND head coach Bob May was in high demand. In March, May said he turned down two offers and decided to stay with UND. 鈥淚 can see an opportunity to have another great team here next year,鈥� May said.

But they鈥檇 have to do it without another seasoned goaltender.

On Oct. 22, 1958, May announced Peabody was quitting hockey, following a doctor鈥檚 advice, 鈥渕arking another major blow to the Sioux hopes for the 1958-59 season,鈥� the Herald reported.

Peabody had three operations to remove cartilage from one leg and he may need surgery on the other, the Herald reported.

The news came on the heels of the death of sophomore Tom Forest from Yellow Knife, Northwest Territories, who died as a result of a hunting mishap before the season. Forest was being groomed to play in the net once he became eligible the second semester.

By the start of practice in early November, UND would return 12 lettermen. As for who would play goalie, May began to shuffle the cards. His options were senior Frank Watkinson, who allowed seven goals in his only game action the previous season, or converting one of his skaters. , but as May told the Herald, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a slow process for anyone to learn to play in the nets.鈥�

May planned to try as many as six netminders in the intrasquad game, including Jerry Fox, a center on the football team, but Peabody had his own idea and returned to the team despite doctor鈥檚 orders. Unsure of Peabody鈥檚 long-term availability, Gratton would still get a look as the No. 1 goaltender, sticking with it after taking two pucks off his face in early practices.

By the time the alumni game came around, Gratton and Peabody stood out. Meanwhile, Peters returned to play for the alumni and made 44 saves while taking the 9-1 loss.

May opted for the more experienced Peabody to take the net for the opener at Michigan State.

鈥淭hus far [Peabody] has shown no signs that the limbs are going to fold,鈥� wrote the Herald鈥檚 Jim Hansen.

Peabody took a 6-0 loss before UND righted the ship behind Reg Morelli鈥檚 hat trick in a 5-4 win the next night in East Lansing. Two wins followed at home against Denver to keep the momentum going.

UND finished the regular season on an 8-3 run to make the final four field despite losing captain Bill Steenson and Steve Thullner in February due to scholastic eligibility issues.

For the national semifinals in Troy, New York, Peabody got the nod even though he suffered an eye cut earlier in the week. UND led 3-0 early in the third period before St. Lawrence tallied three straight goals, chasing Peabody from the game. Gratton took over between the pipes and junior Guy LaFrance鈥檚 30-foot shot found the net to lift UND to a 4-3 overtime win.

Contributed / University of North Dakota athletics

The Herald reported the title game crowd of 6,000 showed heavy UND support and the team did not disappoint against Michigan State. Morelli鈥檚 overtime goal gave UND a 4-3 win (the team鈥檚 seventh consecutive overtime victory) and its first national title. Gratton remained as UND鈥檚 netminder and collected 21 saves.

鈥淣orth Dakota attained its perch atop the hockey world by overcoming rugged obstacles, including more than its share of injuries and ineligibility," Hansen wrote in his victory story.

Morelli was selected as the tournament鈥檚 MVP. He was joined by junior teammate Ed Thomlinson, along with players from Michigan State, Boston College and St. Lawrence, on the first team.

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For the season Gratton finished with a 2.73 GAA and Peabody 3.10.

UND鈥檚 first national title also would give the already-planned community hockey banquet a major boost. UND, Central, East Grand Forks and St. James high schools, along with the Jets and international champion Midgets hockey team, were to be honored the next week at the armory-auditorium in Grand Forks.

Gov. John Davis, a UND graduate, was to speak at the event. There鈥檚 no doubt the $2 adult tickets were gobbled up fast.