I like UND hockey because of the tradition, the players (past and present), the coaching staff, the fans, the style of hockey that they play, etc. The location of the school and the nickname have nothing to do with it for me. Sure, the main reason that I became a UND hockey fan is because I was born and raised in GF, ND...but now it's in my blood.
Now, if the team happened to move to Walhalla and change their name to the Flickertails...guess, what...I would still be a die-hard fan. Because this team is more than just a nickname, and all the things that I love about the team would still be there.
Of course, according to you, I still wouldn't be a "true fan", because I won't be able to watch the title game tonight.