It was exactly 25 years ago to this date when the NMU Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes were a part of one of the greatest college hockey brawls of all time in the history of the sport. As part of our spotlight on the program, we felt it was worth discussing this historical game between two old-time arch rivals in the game of college hockey.

“Oh How I Hate Ohio State”

The game between NMU and the Ohio State (OSU) Buckeyes on January 30, 1981 had all the makings for a clash of the titans. NMU and OSU were by far the most talented teams in the CCHA. NMU fell just short of winning the national championship against North Dakota in 1980, and were looking to become an elite team in college hockey. OSU was looking to make a name for itself in the college hockey world, and had a very physical and scrappy team, unmatched by any other team in the league.

The 3,000 plus fans inside chilly Lakeview Arena sat restlessly in their seats in anticipation of a classic hockey game. The blistering cold weather and thundering waves of Lake Superior across Lakeshore Boulevard added to the fantastic setting. This was a big time game with major implications in the CCHA race.

As the game progressed, the intensity began to mount. NMU held a thin lead midway through the second period. The OSU players probably felt great pressure to win, and began to really exert their muscle and physical play. OSU players began to take their aggression out on players like Steve Bozek, arguably the best player in college hockey in 1981. Cheap shots were being thrown, and a lot of post-whistle activities took place, mostly instigated by OSU players.

In particular, there was one player from OSU who was instigating more physical play than anyone else—#2 Pete Mandich. Old Mandich was a tall, lanky defenceman who played cheap and dirty. He couldn’t skate to save his life, but was very capable of massive hits and checks to his opposition.

Coach Comely began to really get annoyed with Mandich and started to yell at him. Fans were also booing and taunting him. He was the epitome of a classic hockey goon. Then all of a sudden after a quick whistle, Mandich threw a cheap shot and then started to chase after Bozek. Both benches quickly emptied and the brawl was on! Every player from both teams was either clutching, grabbing, wrestling or throwing punches. It was pure chaos! The brawl reached its peak when Mandich approached a rabid and screaming Comely, and tried to sucker punch him. Comely made an attempt to grab Mandich. The end result for Comely was a broken finger. A few fans behind the bench witnessed this fiasco, and threatened to climb the glass to beat on the young OSU players. A few players called their bluff and began climbing over the glass as well only to be restrained by fellow teammates and a handful of Marquette police officers. After Marquette’s finest police force helped the referees control the fighting, the crowd and players slowly calmed down. The brawl finally came to an end. The rest of the game even seemed like afterthought.

All in all, there were 185 penalty minutes called on both teams, including a plethora of misconducts, ejections and suspensions. Ironically, Mandich did not even receive a suspension by OSU or the NCAA for starting the brawl and breaking Comely’s finger. As seen in the photo, Rob Balmes, Brian Balmes, Dan Balmes and Jack “Papa” McCarthy had a front row view of it all! Coach Comely was even shooting laser beams out of his eyes at his nemesis, Mr. Mandich (#2). Hence, the slogan “Oh How I Hate Ohio State” began in full force. Rematch anyone? Where is that Mandich guy these days? Oh by the way, NMU won the game 7-2.