Hockey fans from around the country flock to Minn. for National Championship

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Thousands of hockey fans from around the country and nearly all of Duluth made their way to the hockey capital of the United States for college hockey’s biggest weekend—the Frozen Four. 

The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans were feeling eternal optimism at the Frozen Four Fest ahead of Saturday night’s big game. 

“We won in 2011,” said Bulldogs fan Amelia Carlson. “We won here in St. Paul, so we’re excited to come back to St. Paul again.” 

“Oh we’re gonna win… absolutely we’re going to win!” said Notre Dame fan Eric Popowicz. 

Playing on somewhat-home ice the Bulldogs stole the luck from the Irish. UMD defeated Notre Dame 2-1. 

2018’s championship game marked the ninth time the event was hosted in Minnesota. A Minnesota team has now won the championship the last three times the Frozen Four was held in the state. 

The event was hosted at the Xcel Energy Center in 2002 and 2011--Minnesota took the title in 2002 and University of Minnesota-Duluth won in 2011.