MSU head coach Ron Mason and Michigan head coach Red Berenson didn’t just leave the door open for the possibility of another massive outdoor hockey game occurring - they all but took it off the hinges.
After “The Cold War” set the world record for hockey attendance (74,554) and basically went off without a hitch Saturday night, the long-time coaches said a follow-up was inevitable.
But where will it happen next?
“The world of professional hockey and the world of college hockey will both look at it,” Berenson said. “It’s not my decision (whether to try it at U-M), but obviously, this will be something that other schools will look at for their big games.”
Wisconsin head coach Jeff Sauer was in the Spartan Stadium stands Saturday, scouting the possibilities of filling Camp Randall Stadium with hockey fanatics, leading Mason to predict that the next outdoor spectacle isn’t far off.
“I think it will be tried again and I hope it’s successful,” Mason said. “If we’ve started something, I’d like it to continue.”
Mason, who once said this year was the only chance for MSU to put on such a game before Spartan Stadium’s artificial turf is removed, indicated Saturday that the stadium probably won’t be rinkless forever.
“I’d like to see it probably sit a while,” Mason said. “This was such a tremendous event because it was the first time anybody did it. There was a lot of excitement around our program the last few years - we had a Hobey Baker winner (goaltender Ryan Miller), we were picked No. 1 - there were a lot of things going for us to make this happen.
“But I think it could happen here again.”
Injury report
Freshman center Jim Slater, who scored the game-tying goal Saturday, was playing with considerable pain from a pulled groin suffered during the first week of practice. He missed MSU’s two exhibition games and practiced most of last week with a red cross on his jersey to signify he was off-limits for hitting.
“It’s actually hurting me pretty bad right now,” Slater said after the game. “But in these games, you just got to keep going on it and see what happens at the end.”
Freshman left wing Mike Lalonde departed Spartan Stadium with his left arm in a sling after being checked from behind into the boards in Saturday’s third period. Wolverine right wing Michael Woodford received a charging minor penalty for the hit.
Lalonde practiced with the team Monday and Mason said he’ll be ready for Thursday’s game against Lake Superior State
Also, junior center Troy Ferguson did not practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day with injured quadriceps suffered during “The Cold War.” Mason said Ferguson should be able to play Thursday.
Up next
The Spartans host Lake Superior on Thursday and Friday at Munn Ice Arena. Both games start at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised in the Lansing area. Standing room tickets are available for both games.
