I'm so dang proud of UMD tonight
Since I've lived pretty much in Minneapolis all my life I was always force fed the Gophers. But in 2000 I moved to Duluth and became a Bulldog fan which has been now 10 years I have seen the highs and lows of this team. I can honestly say I was a season ticket holder in 2000-2001....the infamous 7-28-4 team to the Frozen 4 run in 2003-2004 with Hobey baker winner Junior Lessard.....god those were fun games to be at. I probably would still have my season tickets but I got rid of them 2 years ago (the price of gas and stuff just made it hard on the wallet)
This team seemed to have highs and lows. They could hang with most teams this past season beating teams like Denver, North Dakota, Colorado College & Wisconsin during the season. But the last weekend of the regular season and they get SWEPT in their own building by Alaska-Anchorage (who was in 9th place) that pretty much was a "well we just blew home ice and the NCAA in one weekend".
but UMD went to CC and swept them. Only road team to win in the WCHA playoffs this year.
Then they did what nobody had done in the 17 year history of the Final 5 (use to be final 4) and was run the gauntlet...3 wins in 3 days beating Minnesota (their hated rival), North Dakota (reg season champs) and Denver (who had been 5-0 in Final 5 championship games) to get the automatic berth in the NCAA.
Yesterdays game made me age pretty quick. But being able to see "The miracle in Mariucci" made me so damn proud of the team.
Sure they lost tonight but that doesn't stop the respect that Bulldog fans have for their team. Honestly with the way the first 3 games had gone yesterday (all upsets) I was kinda worried. Then seeing North Dakota lose and Bemidji upset Notre Dame it made me realize that win or lose it was still going to be considered a great season. And I am proud of this team.
