Wonderful evening at the X tonight, as one of my alma maters, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, won its first NCAA hockey championship, knocking off Michigan 3-2 in overtime.
UMD has a marvelous hockey tradition, observing its 50th season as a Division I program. It's produced a number of hockey greats, including Chico Resch, a goalie who was part of the New York Islanders dynasty of the '70s, and even contributed two players - Mark Pavelich and John Harrington - to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that won Olympic gold. But until tonight, they had never won a national championship, and with a building full of Bulldog fans, it was pretty special.
I knew it would be a special night when my friend Gary Harker - former player, coach, member of the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame and now scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs - showed up in his famous camel sportcoat. A classic look.
(And yes, I know it's not technically an "alma mater" if you don't graduate. But I did two years at UMD before transferring to the U of M, so I count it anyway.)
Of course, now he has a big head because he made the "big time!" Thanks, Tim!! You make my life so much more difficult!! JUST KIDDING!
ReplyDeleteTFMH :)