A new Cold War will break out this weekend. On Saturday, MSU will set the world record for the most-attended hockey game in history, converting a football field into a hockey rink and, we hope, toppling Michigan.

This game has been in the works since late June, when MSU sports officials first toyed with the idea. It quickly ballooned into the record-shattering event hockey fans on campus and off are eagerly awaiting.

The sold-out game faces a little opposition however, both from Mother Nature - who’s threatening either snow or rain - and critics of the name “The Cold War,” who believe it is insensitive and inappropriate.

Regardless, “The Cold War” is good for MSU.

Students and alumni are still excited. Many plan on tailgating and treating it like the usual Saturday football game. Buses and shuttles will be running from far-flung parking lots on campus.

The atmosphere may even eclipse that of the usual stadium event.

MSU is set to receive national attention with “The Cold War.” The nation’s eyes will be on this university - on television and in print - and it provides another opportunity to show what real hockey fans - and Spartans - are like.

And of course, it’ll bring in the bucks. A hockey game with more than 72,000 spectators means more money for Spartan athletics. University officials can’t be ignoring that.

There’s no doubt this Cold War is in our best interest.