Sports Spot
A Guy’s Weekend in Gra
North Dakota’s conference opponents include Miami, OH. Photo by Tim Trudell
A perennial national championship contender, watching a University of North Dakota ice hockey game is like watching an exhibition of future pro hockey players. Nearly every player on the Fighting Hawks roster is a National Hockey League draft pick or a coveted free agent. Attending a game at sold-out Ralph Engelstad Arena highlights a guy’s weekend trip to Grand Forks. Watching the game along with a packed house of 11,000 people clad in green and black is an experience every sports fan should have on their bucket list.
red light illuminates, announcing a score, the crowd erupts in a loud ovation, followed by a few chants aimed at taunting the goalie for giving up a score. Built about 25 years ago, the “Ralph,” as the arena is affectionately nicknamed, is a state-ofthe-art sports venue. The concourse showcases the school’s hockey history, with trophies, photos, sweaters, and sculptures on display.
With eight national titles in 22 trips to college hockey’s Frozen Four, the Hawks also annually compete for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference championship trophy. With the pep band belting out a variety of songs - including “In Heaven There is no Beer” polka - fans cheer loud and often as Hawk players make big hits on the ice or take impressive shots, with the puck sneaking past the opposing goaltender for a score. When the -14- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ October, 2023
With public tours available, you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at practice facilities, locker rooms, and a display of past hockey greats donned in their NHL or American Hockey League uniforms.
