28 Years Ago Today.....

[fightingsioux4life]

With the current disappointing state of our program, I thought it might do all of us a little good to go back to a great weekend for our program.

It was 28 years ago today (January 31, 1997).

North Dakota was hosting Minnesota in a key WCHA series at the Old Ralph Engelstad Arena. Both teams were fighting for first place. A buzz built up on campus during the week leading up to the game. People started standing in-line outside the student entrance on the north side of the arena around 1:00pm. People who had cell phones (a new thing back then) had pizzas delivered to them in-line. People would bring firewood with them to put into the trash cans and set them on fire to keep warm (this was the infamous 1996-97 winter preceding the 1997 flood). Gopher fans who were UND students got snowballs thrown at them and were serenaded with "Gophers suck" chants. The fervor built to a fever pitch as we got closer to arena opening time.

Inside, the tension and passion was thick enough to cut with a knife. The student section was as rabid as it had been in a long time. Our program was in the process of being resurrected after struggling for several years. Gopher fans considered us nothing more than a flash-in-the-pan who would go back to the bottom of the league sooner rather than later. Twin Cities media personality Dark Star gave a commentary ripping UND's program and history. Our fan base, obviously, took exception to those things. The rivalry was about to be put into overdrive.

The games did not disappoint. UND won 6-4 on Friday night and completed the sweep on Saturday night 6-2 behind Jason Blake's hat trick. Blake's third goal sent the arena into total bedlam. The chippiness was evident throughout the weekend with plenty of pushing and shoving after the whistle. It was an extremely satisfying and emotionally exhilarating weekend after all the struggles of previous years. Especially against one of the most arrogant and self-absorbed programs in collegiate sports.

Everyone knows what happened next. UND beat the Goofs in OT in the Final Five title game in St. Paul, then went on to win the program's sixth national title in Milwaukee. The rivalry with the Goofs was also raised to a white-hot temperature, where it would stay for years to come.

May we go back to those days sooner rather than later.

Let's Go Sioux!!!!!

[1972]

damn i miss those days...just isnt the same anymore.  time marches on...

[gfhockey]

It’s what happens when expectations are to be a middle of the pack team and not make tourney

[Wilbur]

On 1/31/2025 at 2:47 PM, fightingsioux4life said:

With the current disappointing state of our program, I thought it might do all of us a little good to go back to a great weekend for our program.

It was 28 years ago today (January 31, 1997).

North Dakota was hosting Minnesota in a key WCHA series at the Old Ralph Engelstad Arena. Both teams were fighting for first place. A buzz built up on campus during the week leading up to the game. People started standing in-line outside the student entrance on the north side of the arena around 1:00pm. People who had cell phones (a new thing back then) had pizzas delivered to them in-line. People would bring firewood with them to put into the trash cans and set them on fire to keep warm (this was the infamous 1996-97 winter preceding the 1997 flood). Gopher fans who were UND students got snowballs thrown at them and were serenaded with "Gophers suck" chants. The fervor built to a fever pitch as we got closer to arena opening time.

Inside, the tension and passion was thick enough to cut with a knife. The student section was as rabid as it had been in a long time. Our program was in the process of being resurrected after struggling for several years. Gopher fans considered us nothing more than a flash-in-the-pan who would go back to the bottom of the league sooner rather than later. Twin Cities media personality Dark Star gave a commentary ripping UND's program and history. Our fan base, obviously, took exception to those things. The rivalry was about to be put into overdrive.

The games did not disappoint. UND won 6-4 on Friday night and completed the sweep on Saturday night 6-2 behind Jason Blake's hat trick. Blake's third goal sent the arena into total bedlam. The chippiness was evident throughout the weekend with plenty of pushing and shoving after the whistle. It was an extremely satisfying and emotionally exhilarating weekend after all the struggles of previous years. Especially against one of the most arrogant and self-absorbed programs in collegiate sports.

Everyone knows what happened next. UND beat the Goofs in OT in the Final Five title game in St. Paul, then went on to win the program's sixth national title in Milwaukee. The rivalry with the Goofs was also raised to a white-hot temperature, where it would stay for years to come.

May we go back to those days sooner rather than later.

Let's Go Sioux!!!!!

I'm told @MafiaMan was picking fights the evening of the final five championship game in the crowd at the Civic Center.  Hopefully just speculation. 

[Blackheart]

3 hours ago, Wilbur said:

I'm told @MafiaMan was picking fights the evening of the final five championship game in the crowd at the Civic Center.  Hopefully just speculation. 

I wouldn’t be surprised…seems like kind of an instigator.

[MafiaMan]

On 2/2/2025 at 8:42 PM, Wilbur said:

I'm told @MafiaMan was picking fights the evening of the final five championship game in the crowd at the Civic Center.  Hopefully just speculation. 

“Do you know where North Dakota is now, a**hole?”

Pure genius line.  One of my best ever.

[MafiaMan]

On 2/2/2025 at 11:52 PM, Blackheart said:

I wouldn’t be surprised…seems like kind of an instigator.

I’m the only player on my broomball team with any penalty minutes this season.  2 for 3:00 each for roughing.

[Blackheart]

32 minutes ago, MafiaMan said:

I’m the only player on my broomball team with any penalty minutes this season.  2 for 3:00 each for roughing.

Why don't you get a regular shift? #goon