The year was 2006. The NCAA hockey West Regional was being held in Grand Forks, North Dakota with the University of North Dakota as the host school. The Sioux were the number two seed in the region. Their arch rivals, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers were the top seed and a showdown was anticipated between the two WCHA schools for the right to go to the Frozen Four. Instead, the Gophers were toppled in overtime by unheralded Holy Cross in the opening game. There was no Minnesota-North Dakota showdown and the road to the Frozen Four was thus an easy one for the Sioux to travel.
The year is 2012. The NCAA hockey West Regional is being held in Saint Paul, Minnesota with the University of Minnesota as the host school. The Gophers are the number two seed in the region. Their arch rivals, the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux are the top seed and a showdown is anticipated between the two WCHA schools for the right to go to the Frozen Four. The Sioux face off against Western Michigan in the opener before the Gophers play Boston University later today. While it wouldn’t be anywhere near as monumental as Holy Cross’ upset, it would be sweet for Gopher fans if the Broncos could find a little of that underdog magic like the Crusaders did in 2006.
