Michigan State Wins NCAA Hockey Title

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Mike Donnelly’s blast from the top of the left circle with 2:51 remaining gave Michigan State a 6-5 victory over Harvard and the 1986 NCAA hockey championship Saturday night at the Providence Civic Center.

Earlier, in the consolation game, Minnesota beat Denver, 6-4.

Donnelly’s goal, his 59th of the season, capped a strong three-goal third-period comeback by the Spartans (34-9-2), who had trailed for much of the game.

Harvard was playing without Scott Fusco, winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player. Fusco suffered strained knee ligaments in Friday night’s semifinal victory over Denver.

Harvard, seeking the school’s first NCAA title in any sport since 1904, finished at 25-8-1.