Last year the Sioux got to celebrate the awarding of the MacNaughton Cup.

This year it was a pulsating Sunday night, do or die series decider against the Minnesota Gophers.

This hasn't been a recent phenomenon however.

In 2008 Michigan Tech forced a third game in the Ralph that was decided by one goal, 2-1.

In 2006 it was Mankato taking the Sioux to a third and decisive game, again won by UND, 3-0.

And then there was 2003 when the Sioux needed overtime goals on Saturday and Sunday to beat Denver and advance to the Final Five.

That was the first year the Sioux hosted a home playoff series in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena. The first year the building was open the Sioux had to travel to Minnesota for the first round. Now the Sioux head to St. Paul in quest of the Broadmoor Trophy.

Last year the UMD Bulldogs, Thursday's opponent, became the first team in Final Five history to earn the trophy by winning three games in three days. If the Sioux want to capture their first Broadmoor in four years they will have to duplicate that feat.

There have been special moments in the brief history of the new REA. Most observers agree that the loudest it's ever been in the building, was not for a Sioux game, but the win by Holy Cross over Minnesota in the 2006 NCAA Midwest Regional. Sunday may have marked another landmark when the crowd came unglued after the Sioux successfully killed off a five-minute Gopher power play with the game still tied at one apiece in the second period.

Sioux hockey fans are always savvy enough to cheer the subtleties of a hockey game, but they rallied the troops with gusto with their reaction to that special team's moment. Now it's time for Sioux fans both here in North Dakota and Minnesota to take center stage at the Final Five.

With the home standing Gophers out of the mix, Sioux fans will really have a chance to shine this weekend.

Let's hope the boys give them as many opportunities to voice their support as possible, just like this weekend.

~Go Sioux~