JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: MICHIGAN TECH IS AT THE SIOUX DAMMIT - February 17-18
In what might turn out to be a preview of a WCHA first round playoff series (location TBD...) I thought Tech played "ok" Friday night but a lot of the play was UND in the offensive zone. Tech got a few breaks in the first period and cashed them in, but didn't get the bounces the rest of the way. In spite of the Tech loss I'm glad I made the trip out there as it might the last time for many years that Tech heads to Grand Forks.
I will say the rink was everything people hype it up to be. With the exception of seating capacity, it rivals the quality of any NHL rink. Lots of space for walking around, plenty of restrooms and concessions areas. How many college rinks have a roast beef carving station and leather seats? I was a bit suprised to see so many framed jerseys of country western stars who had performed in concert gracing the walls. Some were nice looking and signed by the performer, some look like they were made at WalMart 10 minutes before the concert. I think Grand Forks does have about 15 country-western radio stations based on my surfing so maybe it ranks right up there with hockey.
Best part of the building: The staff - Several people upon seeing my Huskies jersey stopped me to chat and told me things to go look at, asked how the trip was going, asked about Tech hockey, etc and were all very genuine. I was even stopped by one older person who claimed that she was the sister-in-law of Ralph and she told me the story about the buildings (rink and practice sheet next door). Not sure if she was but she and her husband? had all #23 jerseys and leather jackets with Ralph's name on them on so could be true.
Worst part of the building: No Fan Spirit - I was really expecting a rowdy hockey crowd, but much of the game was just flat from the fan base. I'm not sure if this was because Tech was either leading or tied for much of the Friday game, but this part was a big let down. One time in the first period the crowd tried a "Let's go Sioux" chant and beyond that the only thing they did was when the scoring summary was announced the crowd yelled one word as the announcer did his bit after each goal. Something like "At 12:51 your Fighting Sioux SCOR-ING..." There are a lot of adults in the building, but I expected more from UND. They also yelled loud when they put a simulated "volume meter" on the scoreboard jumbotron. Maybe it is the seating materials sucking up all the sound but even the game action seemed very quiet.
Historical Moment - Dinner at the original Red Pepper before the game. Not much of a place, but seemed to be a steady stream of Sioux fans through the place before the game. Turkey and taco meat grinder hit the spot.
Most unexpected moment: Parking Security - Got chased out of the parking lot when I was trying to take pictures 3 1/2 hours before game time because I didn't have a parking pass for the lot I was in. Really? Puck drops at 7:30 and you're watching the lot at 4pm? Seemed like overkill for me. They needed some of that dedication from the fans inside the building.
All in all I'm glad I made the trip - until we meet again...
Ryan J
In what might turn out to be a preview of a WCHA first round playoff series (location TBD...) I thought Tech played "ok" Friday night but a lot of the play was UND in the offensive zone. Tech got a few breaks in the first period and cashed them in, but didn't get the bounces the rest of the way. In spite of the Tech loss I'm glad I made the trip out there as it might the last time for many years that Tech heads to Grand Forks.
I will say the rink was everything people hype it up to be. With the exception of seating capacity, it rivals the quality of any NHL rink. Lots of space for walking around, plenty of restrooms and concessions areas. How many college rinks have a roast beef carving station and leather seats? I was a bit suprised to see so many framed jerseys of country western stars who had performed in concert gracing the walls. Some were nice looking and signed by the performer, some look like they were made at WalMart 10 minutes before the concert. I think Grand Forks does have about 15 country-western radio stations based on my surfing so maybe it ranks right up there with hockey.
Best part of the building: The staff - Several people upon seeing my Huskies jersey stopped me to chat and told me things to go look at, asked how the trip was going, asked about Tech hockey, etc and were all very genuine. I was even stopped by one older person who claimed that she was the sister-in-law of Ralph and she told me the story about the buildings (rink and practice sheet next door). Not sure if she was but she and her husband? had all #23 jerseys and leather jackets with Ralph's name on them on so could be true.
Worst part of the building: No Fan Spirit - I was really expecting a rowdy hockey crowd, but much of the game was just flat from the fan base. I'm not sure if this was because Tech was either leading or tied for much of the Friday game, but this part was a big let down. One time in the first period the crowd tried a "Let's go Sioux" chant and beyond that the only thing they did was when the scoring summary was announced the crowd yelled one word as the announcer did his bit after each goal. Something like "At 12:51 your Fighting Sioux SCOR-ING..." There are a lot of adults in the building, but I expected more from UND. They also yelled loud when they put a simulated "volume meter" on the scoreboard jumbotron. Maybe it is the seating materials sucking up all the sound but even the game action seemed very quiet.
Historical Moment - Dinner at the original Red Pepper before the game. Not much of a place, but seemed to be a steady stream of Sioux fans through the place before the game. Turkey and taco meat grinder hit the spot.
Most unexpected moment: Parking Security - Got chased out of the parking lot when I was trying to take pictures 3 1/2 hours before game time because I didn't have a parking pass for the lot I was in. Really? Puck drops at 7:30 and you're watching the lot at 4pm? Seemed like overkill for me. They needed some of that dedication from the fans inside the building.
All in all I'm glad I made the trip - until we meet again...
Ryan J
Saw it for the first time in TC media today. It's not like UND athletics really matter to the greater world, after all.