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.
1988: lost to St. Lawrence 4-3 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.
2007: lost to North Dakota 3-2 OT in regional final.
