As a guy who went to both UMD and UM and a Gopher fan, I can only say it is pretty much the alcohol that gives a lot of these fans the courage to open their big fat mouths. And it is too bad the Xcel doesn't monitor it in any way. I used to work in the Hockey Lodge and at the Wild games these people who were loaded would come into the stores and act like they owned the place. When you told them they couldn't bring beer into the store they would tell you well I am a season ticket holder. To which I would think but not allowed to say, so are 18,000 other people, should I be impressed.
I don't talk much except to the UMD and UND people I know. To me it is more fun to banter back and forth with them than someone I have no idea who they are.
As I walked out of the arena there was one 4 year old wearing a Bulldog shirt who was holding his dads hand and he wandered my way after seeing my Gopher jersey and took a swip at me with his pom pom. I was amused. Then about 30 feet later a 12 year old girl I walked by was said "yucky." Again I was amused, never saying anything.
When I was at the old UND arena I have nothing but positive things to say about the fans. I sat in the student section one year as we won and tied, and no one said a bad word to me. I am pretty sure people would say the same at New Mariucci Arena. Suprise no alcohol is served there as well.
The worst I ever saw it was in UMD where they just hated Dave Spehar. If I was his folks, I would have never attended the games up there.
I think the Pepsi center and Bradley center are bidding for 2006 or 2007 final five. It would be interesting to see how it is out there.
And as far as UMD routing for the UM instead of UND, I think some people route for each other because they are both in the state of MN. Just a guess. I route for UMD once the Gophers are eliminated. I am torn a bit if UND is left, because if they win, I don't hear the end of it from my UND friends.
