UND hockey travel journal: Fighting Hawks land in St. Louis
Mar. 27—MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — A couple of minutes after the UND hockey team's charter airplane took off from Grand Forks International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, the pilot turned on the intercom.
He said they have one thing to pass along from the control tower.
This is usually about the time the entire plane turns and looks at Louis Jamernik V, the commercial aviation major who tends to translate all flight or weather announcements to the team on the charter.
But this time, Jamernik wasn't needed.
"Nine would be fine," the pilot said.
Yes, the UND aviation grads and the team itself are hoping this trip to Missouri is the start of a journey that will end with the program winning its ninth NCAA national championship.
UND will play in the Maryland Heights Regional beginning on Friday night.
The Fighting Hawks take on Michigan at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU in Centene Community Ice Center, which is the St. Louis Blues practice facility and home arena for Lindenwood University.
Maryland Heights is a suburb of St. Louis.
It's not far from the suburb of O'Fallon, where former UND defenseman Ty Farmer grew up.
UND has a few other connections to the area. Former UND forward and alternate captain Michael Parks and 1997 NCAA national champion Aaron Vickar grew up in St. Louis.
Several UND players have gone on to play for the St. Louis Blues, including Jon Casey, Tony Hrkac, Ryan Johnson, T.J. Oshie, Austin Poganski, Chris Porter, Jordan Schmaltz, Rick Wilson and Rick Zombo, who recently served as Lindenwood's head coach.
Fighting Hawks fifth-year senior forward Hunter Johannes played for Lindenwood for one season.
On the way in, players on the left side of the plane got a view of the St. Louis Arch.
Upon landing, the team went to drop their gear at the arena. They will then have a light evening, featuring a team dinner. UND skated in Ralph Engelstad Arena before departing.
Regional events crank up Thursday with all four teams practicing in Centene Community Ice Center, then holding press conferences.
