Michigan Hockey in Duluth: My team comes to my town
Hey friends.
I've been on this board for almost ten years now. The first significant thing I wrote on this site was a write-up on the Molly Game and the huge Denver upset the following day. I know some of the long-time users here from pre-board days on USCHO (where our own fearless leader used to post every once in a while). Guys like Alton and CKersh and others aren't just posters, but friends with whom I shared hockey highs and lows.
There's a lot to be excited about in hockey this year. The very early returns suggest that the team is as exciting to watch as the hype would suggest it should be with all of these draft picks. Not only are they high picks, but they're guys who already have a lot of experience playing together. This team is, at least, a co-favorite for the national title. As high a level of expectation as there has been for Michigan hockey this century, and rightfully so.
And now we get to see what we can do against top-10 competition. MSU-Mankato. Providence. And perennial power and host UMD.
Of course, it's not the roster that's really exciting to me this weekend.
I've lived in Duluth since 2009. I love it, I love the place I serve, and it's great for my family. But I'm a lot further from Michigan sports than I used to be; Yost was easy to visit back when I lived in Ann Arbor, and in my younger days I had the flexibility to travel to see the team at a number of road venues. In fact, in my first two visits to Minnesota, ever, were to watch the hockey team play.
Since our move, I've been to a game at Yost only twice, plus a couple of GLI games, and a scattering of games at Mariucci and the Kohl Center. I've seen one home football game (on tickets graciously gifted to me by an mgoblogger) and attended three other road games.
But I haven't had one of "my teams" come to "my town" since my wife and I moved out of Michigan in 2005.
Until tonight.
My whole family gets to go. We'll sing the victors. We'll wear the jerseys. We'll cheer on the team. 10 minutes from my front door. A simple joy, one we musn't forget to indulge, far beyond the immediate concern of a win or a loss: sharing a Michigan game with your family.
Go Blue.
October 15th, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^
Can you film the game from your seats and either Periscope it or stream it on here? Absolute BS it's not on TV
October 15th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
Looks like you can get access to view both days on some BS NCHC.tv app for 25 bucks. https://www.nchc.tv/subscriptions
October 15th, 2021 at 2:52 PM ^
Logged in just to upvote. Will definitely be watching.
Enjoy tonight and Go Blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 2:53 PM ^
Have a great time.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
Enjoy every minute of it - and hopefully the result!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:05 PM ^
Good ol' Duluth: hockey and Bob Dylan.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
....and BUCK NAKED Underwear.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:26 PM ^
Fun fact: I just picked up our weekend printing from our shop the next block from the team’s hotel. Then drove straight up 3rd Avenue East five short blocks to Bob Dylan’s boyhood home here.
Wally Grant, the first of the Eveleth boys that formed the backbone of Vic Heyliger’s Michigan Hockey dynasty in the 50s, came to Duluth to find work on the docks in 1945, before someone suggested he take a train to Ann Arbor. The station he would have departed from is across the interstate from the arena the team is playing in.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:11 PM ^
Happy for you and slightly jealous. Living in upstate NY, Michigan teams are rarely ever out this way. Michigan hockey played @RIT one time and I think men's lax was @Hobart once but that's it recently.
I wouldn't be totally shocked if we go 0-2 this weekend. We are extremely talented, but quite young and still gelling as a team. Historically, the greats teams with older players give teams like us fits. I could also just as easily see us winning both games. Kind of depends on which offense and which defense shows up. Hopefully letting in 4 straight vs Lake State was something of a wake up call. Playing like that vs these teams is a great way to lose 6-3
October 15th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
We vacationed in Duluth this past summer! My three year old loved their train museum, canal park, the best fresh water aquarium in the world, split rock lighthouse, etc. An underrated town in the summer (I shudder to think what winter is like).
Go Blue, beat Duluth!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:18 PM ^
knew it was you who posted this. love it. but you better post us some pics from the stadium - i know you have the technology mastered. go blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Enjoy, bud. Go Blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:40 PM ^
I can't think of better representation for Michigan than you and your family, I hope all have a wonderful and memorable evening.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:42 PM ^
Nice post! I would be very excited if I were you as well. AND, post some updates please!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
Enjoy your night with your family!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
How cold is it up there?
October 15th, 2021 at 4:11 PM ^
Low 50s. Pretty warm autumn so far.
October 15th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
Have a blast and Go Blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 3:57 PM ^
Always great to see UM sports especially when you live out of state. I seldom get to see any team in person so it’s always a treat when I get to. The hockey team is very exciting and it should be great to see them play other high end talent. Enjoy the game and go blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 4:05 PM ^
Couldn't be happier for one of my favorite long time posters!!! - I lurked for a long time before creating an account. First started reading the blog in '05...
Enjoy Stephen!!!
October 15th, 2021 at 4:20 PM ^
Good for you. I expect nothing less than a team picture including your family, like a “Turnover Flicks” for hockey. And posted here for the indulgence of us all.
Go Blue!
October 15th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
Great note SJK - I routinely look for you comments as I find them informative. We lived in the Duluth/ Douglas County area between 1988and 1996 and we loved it. Unfortunately work took us away to make us the Canuks we are today. Even then great hockey town and was easy to get good tickets. Don’t remember M ever coming to Duluth in that period? The Duluth area is a unique place to live and if you can adjust to “colder by the lake” you can love the place. Our first house was one of the concrete masterpieces in Morgan Park. Enjoy your outing and go blue.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:18 PM ^
Morgan Park! Hasn’t change much since you left, I’d imagine, except they knocked the school down.
According to Alton, Michigan last played in Duluth in the last year they were in the WCHA. So 40 years ago.
October 15th, 2021 at 4:55 PM ^
My daughter plays a varsity hockey game at Duluth Marshall in January. You should go to that game as well. Her team will likely be top 5-10 in AA this winter.
Seriously though, have fun this weekend.
October 15th, 2021 at 5:08 PM ^
If I'd planned better, I would have stayed in the Keweenaw Peninsula area a few more days and then driven to Duluth for that game.
Darn... from Porcupine Mountains State Park, only would have been a 150 mile drive.
October 15th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Why the hell aren’t these games on tv?!? What could the BTN possibly be showing instead?
October 15th, 2021 at 5:33 PM ^
Since it is a tournament event at Duluth, I think only the nchc service can show it, and they unfortunately don’t have a tv network haha.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
Women’s College Volleyball
October 15th, 2021 at 5:31 PM ^
Hoping for the win, but it’s always tough when the young superstars face the good teams with the mid-20 somethings.
October 15th, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^
Glad you can make memories with your family.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:03 PM ^
Have fun at the games! And take plenty of pics - we expect (read: hope for) a post like we used to have after football games with all of the pics that didn't make the various front page stories.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:03 PM ^
stephenrjking: I live about an hour and a half southeast of you. Have you ever attended the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race? That's where I live.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:20 PM ^
I have not attended, but it makes the news up here.
You can still make the game if you leave now.
October 15th, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
Make some memories and Go Blue!!〽️
October 15th, 2021 at 6:48 PM ^
Hockey, Volleyball and Men's soccer all on tonight and all on stupid subscription services.
And they wonder why they trouble attracting interest.
October 16th, 2021 at 12:50 AM ^
So happy for you... knew who posted it before clicking on it And what a great game to catch!!!
October 16th, 2021 at 3:08 AM ^
I'm happy that you are able to enjoy this experience with your family in your hometown. I'm also glad they won last night! Duluth is a great city. It's even better, I'm sure, when Michigan is in town.