DDC's Top 10 Moments of 2015-16 -- No. 1 -- Raise It

UND celebrates with it's eighth national championship trophy after being Quinnipiac 5-1. (Photo: Associated Press)

As DDC puts cursor to blog, it has been almost exactly one day and one month since the UND men's
hockey team pasted the Quinnipiac Bobcats 5-1 on April 9 in the national championship game to earn the Green and White its eighth national title.

DDC's Top 10 moments of the 2015-16 season ends with this final memory and it's one that was 16 years in the making.

This moment is the culmination of a lot of pain and relative suffering. This pain and suffering was throughout the program. From the players and coaches, both former and current, to the fans, this moment was for everyone.

Without further ado, here's DDC's No. 1 moment of the 2015-16 season -- The Celebration.

No. 1 -- Raise It -- UND wins title No. 8 -- UND vs. Quinnipiac, National Championship game, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL., April 9, 2016.

Looking back at what this team did this season since April 9th has been incredibly enjoyable for DDC. Being a fan of this team since he moved to Northwest Minnesota in 1996, it's hard to fully grasp what this year's squad meant to this blogger.

DDC grew up on Sioux hockey. The highs of the 1997 and 2000 teams and the lows of disappointment after disappointment in the 16 years since 2000 only increased DDC's affection for this team.

DDC had the opportunity to cover UND hockey for the Dakota Student for four memorable seasons during his college days. During that time, the Sioux won MacNaughton Cups, Broadmoor Trophies, made the national tournament each season and competed in Frozen Fours.

Each great moment, however, was a bit overshadowed by the letdown of not being able to check that last box.

As the seconds ticked down while watching the game at his home in the Minneapolis suburbs, DDC started to realize that this moment was finally coming to fruition. He couldn't help himself from looking at the clock and reminiscing.

The seconds ticked. The pain was being washed away. The demons were being exercised.

Ten, nine, eight.

Krys Kolanos ends UND's title defense.

Seven, six, five.

Nathan Gerbe and BC rip out the hearts of Sioux fans, once again.

Four, three, two.

Shawn Hunwick's 40 saves denies the Pony Express.

One.

0.6.

It's was time to forget it all. It was time to Raise It. It was time to check that final box. It was our time.

And finally, it was time to celebrate.

Some awesome stuff there. Thank you to all who put videos on YouTube.

While DDC was not able to partake in person, he, along with a close friend, did celebrate in DDC's backyard, Stone Cold Steve Austin style. 

And finally, as the beer dripped off his Sioux jersey, DDC joined UND fans around the world in a collective smile, cheer and one last moment, that will go down as one of the best in the history of our beloved program.  

Check that final box. Raise it.

Thanks again for reading.