UND athletics covering student ticket costs for regional final

— UND is hoping students will make the trip to Denny Sanford Premier Center for the regional final against Quinnipiac. The athletic department is even covering the ticket costs. Students have until 4 p.

m. Friday to claim free tickets for the NCAA regional final. UND sent an email to all students with instructions on how to claim their seats immediately after the Fighting Hawks beat Merrimack on Thursday night.

"It's important for us that the students help with the atmosphere at The Denny, to try to pack it with as many fans as we can," UND deputy athletic director Erik Martinson said. "We have the best student section in college hockey. To have the opportunity to bring them down, to work with the NCAA and The Denny to allow us to purchase tickets for the students, it was a no-brainer for us.

" Denny Sanford Premier Center seats approximately 12,000 people, according to the arena's website. There were 5,114 in attendance for UND's 3-0 victory over Merrimack on Thursday night in the NCAA regional opener. Arena officials are expecting a larger crowd for the regional final.