It's the week where your blood boils as a college hockey fan. It's time for one of the best rivalries in college sports. Michigan State and Michigan face-off for the 286th and 287th time. Michigan holds a 144-122-19 edge in the series (including a 2-0-1 lead in the 2011-2012 season series). The last time the two teams met was back in December in the GLI Championship game where Michigan rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory.
This series won't be easy as Michigan has only lost once since the teams first met in CCHA action back on December 9th and 10th. Michigan won at Yost that weekend 4-3, and they tied 3-3 at Munn the next night, with Michigan State earning the extra point with the shoot-out victory.
This weekend there is a lot on the line. CCHA positioning, NCAA hopes (more for MSU), a potential late season run at the CCHA title, and of course bragging rights.
Yeah, yeah, we know.....
There have been some great moments in this series in recent years. Michigan State started the recent outdoor hockey trend as they hosted Michigan in The Cold War at Spartan Stadium. The game ended in a thrilling 3-3 tie as Freshman Jim Slater scored his first goal as a Spartan. That game had some great NHL talent - Ryan Miller, John-Michael Liles, Jim Slater, Duncan Keith, Adam Hall, and Mike Cammalleri to name a few.
A few highlights:
And of course, when these two teams get together - anything can (and usually does) happen:
So the question remains what will this weekend hold for both programs? Can Michigan continue its hot streak? Will the Spartans control the weekend and move up the CCHA standings? Friday night, the puck drops at 7:35 pm at Munn Ice Arena (Big Ten Network). Saturday the two teams play at Joe Louis Arena at 7:35 pm (FS Detroit).
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