Stars fan who braved rain for watch party gifted tickets for Games 5, 6

Now that there will be a Game 7 for his Dallas Stars, it's safe to believe Dave Friant will be watching. Rain or shine.

Friant achieved viral fame after he watched Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round between the Stars and St. Louis Blues in the parking lot of American Airlines Center in an absolute downpour.
Jesse Hawila, a meteorologist for WFAA in Dallas, was the

sitting in his lawn chair with his umbrella watching the game despite the damp weather.

Since then, the retiree from Fort Worth, Texas, has become Internet famous.
"It's been totally nuts," Friant told NHL.com. "I just went to watch a game, and it was raining. This whole thing has been unbelievable, in a good way."
The man with the umbrella, as he was first known, was gifted a flight and tickets to Game 5 from a fellow Stars fan, according to the team. He attended with his wife, Gaye.

The Stars then handed him suite tickets to Game 6 on Sunday, where he ripped up a Blues rally towel he got at Game 5 to get the crowd going.

Friant's dedication and decision to brave the bad weather has paid off. But to hear him tell it, he just had to be out there for Game 4.
"There's something about being around the building that you can hear or imagine hearing the fandom from inside the arena. … [when it was raining] I just said 'I'm going to sit out here and enjoy the elements,' and I did have the umbrella."
Friant, who volunteers at a hospital in his spare time, told one of his colleagues what he'd done, which is how the team and local ABC affiliate were able to identify him. The Stars putting out a call on Twitter didn't hurt.

Friant stayed in his spot throughout the deluge, only moving under a nearby canopy when some thunder and lightning began, he said.
One thing he wasn't was lonely. While the viral photo showed Friant by himself, two more fans, Sam Rooney and Jeff Simons kept him some company in a different set of pictures. They also received tickets from the Stars for Game 6.

Friant should have plenty of company if he attends the Game 7 watch party.

Rain or shine, it's a safe bet he will have his umbrella.
Photo courtesy Joey Stewart (outside photo in rain)