UMD Alumni Relations hosting Frozen Four watch parties

Champ meets with Bulldog fans during a frozen four watch party at Tavern on the Hill last spring Photo courtesy: UMD Alumni Relations

Nearly one year after a devastating loss in the National Championship game, The UMD men’s hockey team is back in action at the Frozen Four. Their shot at redemption will begin this Thursday at 5 p.m. vs. Ohio State at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

While many are making arrangements to travel down I-35 to watch the game in person, many UMD students will also be watching at sports bars and other venues in Duluth.

To give fans the best atmosphere while watching the game from Duluth, UMD Alumni Relations is hosting Frozen Four watch parties all over the city of Duluth as the Bulldogs face the Buckeyes in St. Paul.

Matthew Duffy, director of alumni relations at UMD, spoke of how the watch parties are organized.

“We don’t tell people where the locations are, we want them to tell us where they are watching the game, and then we spread the word about where other UMD fans will be,” Duffy said.

Alumni Relations’ sponsored watch parties will be held at the following locations: The Other Place Bar, Grandma's Sports Garden, Tavern on the Hill, Bulldog Pizza, Hoops Brewing Co., 310 Pub, Lyric Kitchen and Bar, Grizzly’s, Green Mill, Pier B resort and Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub.

For those looking for a more family-oriented atmosphere, there will also be a watch party going on in the Kirby Student Center on campus. Duffy stressed the importance of giving students who are not of drinking age a place to watch the game.

“We were really pleased to work with Kirby Student Center to give that option to those not of age or looking for a family-friendly alternative,” Duffy said.

The whole Alumni Relations office is happy to be involved in making sure fans can find a lively atmosphere to watch the game.

“It’s so much fun, everybody in our office really gets energized about organizing these watch parties,” Duffy said. “People also become excited by the exposure UMD gets from being on the national stage.”

With the Bulldogs now having reached the Frozen Four in back-to-back seasons, Duffy is looking forward to a better outcome in St. Paul.

“It's so fun and rewarding to be able to do this in back-to-back years, especially during a year where many expected us not to reach this point in the tournament,” Duffy said. “Now let’s hope they can get the job done.”