UND fans provide soundtrack to huge rally against Denver
Dec. 2—DENVER, Colo. — UND president Andy Armacost sat among the sea of green on the north end of Magness Arena on Friday night.
He watched the Fighting Hawks score goal after goal after goal after goal in the third period as they rallied from a three-goal deficit against the No. 3-ranked team in the country.
Armacost couldn't help but get in on the fun.
The UND president ran up and down the aisle, high-fiving UND fans as they celebrated UND's 7-5 comeback win over the University of Denver.
It was just the fifth time in the last 20 years that UND has won a game after trailing by three goals. It was the first time it's happened in six years.
The large contingent of UND fans fueled the momentum, roaring louder and louder with each goal.
"We have the best fans in college hockey," said UND forward Cameron Berg, who scored twice. "They travel really well. I love the support. It just makes it even more fun."
After the game-tying goal, Louis Jamernik V skated to the corner and gestured to UND fans, celebrating with them.
Riese Gaber did the same after the go-ahead goal, as did Berg after the game's final tally.
"I think no matter where we go — Duluth, Boston — wherever we can find the North Dakota jerseys, we want to celebrate with them," Jamernik V said. "Because they bring the energy, too."
UND generally has large followings for road games at Denver and Colorado College.
Denver is one of UND's largest alumni bases.
UND held an event Thursday night for donors in town and set up pregame parties at Campus Lounge, which is located down the street from Magness Arena.
"We have the best fans in the world, hands down," Gaber said. "It's as simple as that. They were incredible."
Jamernik V, a commercial aviation major, said he received a text from his old flight instructor, Ryan Fesenmeyer, on Friday.
"He said he was flying from Fargo to Denver," Jamernik V said. "He said fans were coming off (the plane) yelling, 'Sioux yeah yeah!' That's so cool. To have the following that we have no matter where we go in the nation, it's a blessing."
No. 2 UND will now try for a series sweep at 7 p.m. Central on Saturday. The Fighting Hawks haven't swept in Magness Arena in 20 years.
One thing they can count on during the series finale is another large fan backing.
"I love this program," Jamernik V said. "They travel so well."
