Chart: MacNaughton Cups lead to ...

The previous 12 years the Gophers won the MacNaughton Cup, they advanced to the Frozen Four seven times but never won the national title. How those WCHA championship seasons finished:

1953: lost to Michigan 7-3 in Frozen Four final.

1954: lost to RPI 5-4 OT in Frozen Four final.

1970: lost to Michigan Tech 6-5 in WCHA playoffs.

1975: lost to Michigan Tech 6-1 in Frozen Four final.

1981: lost to Wisconsin 6-3 in Frozen Four final.

1983: lost to Harvard 5-3 in Frozen Four semifinal.

1989: lost to Harvard 4-3 OT in Frozen Four final.

1992: lost to Lake Superior State 8-3 in regional semifinal.

1997: lost to Michigan 7-4 in regional final.

2006: lost to Holy Cross 4-3 OT in regional semifinal.