Old rivalries die hard, but when you've traded in the maroon and gold for the forest green and Iron Range red, Bulldog fans will make a special exception.
The same was the case for Wild forward Nick Bjugstad, who had a bit more game exposure to Amsoil in his three years with the U of M.
When Bjugstad was in college, the Gophers and Bulldogs were each in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, so not only were annual matchups the norm, but it usually involved a pair of games in each series instead of the home-and-home.
Bjugstad had plenty of success in Duluth too, scoring a goal and assisting on five others in four career games here as a Gopher.
Minnesota went 2-1-1 in those games, including a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory in 2011, where the Gophers twice blew leads, then fell behind with two minutes left in regulation. Bjugstad earned the first assist on Erik Haula's tying goal with under a minute to play before Minnesota escaped with the victory 4:04 into overtime.
"I just remember the student section behind the net and how crazy that was," Bjugstad said. "They had some really good teams when I was here as well. Duluth was definitely a rival and a powerhouse, I'd say, and it was a fun building to come in and play in."