Brett Perlini sees the Michigan hangover subsiding. With the exception of the crushing ending of Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss at Joe Louis Arena, the weekend series split with the then-No.
More than a decade ago on a chilly Saturday in October 2001, 74,544 fans witnessed the start of a phenomenon. In an event historically catered to the NHL and the bright lights of a more prominent venue, Spartan Stadium hosted the Cold War hockey game between MSU and Michigan. The game, which ended in a 3-3 tie between the heated in-state rivals, set milestones for the largest crowd at an ice hockey game and paved the way for a culture embracing outdoor hockey.
Fans raised signs and chanted their respective fight songs. Both benches clamored for the next shift and remained on edge as the puck seemed to volley from one end of the rink to the other. And each goal held the implications of victory and the weight of a series. Another typical weekend of college hockey’s fiercest rivalry between the No. 17 MSU hockey team and No. 4 Michigan.
In his first year leading the program, MSU hockey head coach Tom Anastos always has seen two sides to every weekend series.
Detroit – For the second time this season, the No. 17 MSU hockey team played in-state rival No. 4 Michigan and went to overtime at Joe Louis Arena.
Detroit – Even if the No. 17 MSU hockey team was cognizant of the past, it couldn’t stop history from repeating itself. In the shadow of in-state rival Michigan’s banner from the Great Lakes Invitational, the No. 17 MSU hockey team lost possession of the puck in front of its own net in overtime, and U-M forward Kevin Lynch scooped it up and scored to give the No. 4 Wolverines the 3-2 victory at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Torey Krug knows what’s at stake when his team plays Michigan. With in-state bragging rights and respect of the college hockey world on the line, the junior defenseman and team captain stepped up and scored two goals and added an assist before a season-high crowd of 7,103 fans. He sent the No. 17 MSU hockey team ahead of the Wolverines, 3-2, Friday at Munn Ice Arena.
Even with each series carrying significant importance this time of year for the No. 17 MSU hockey team, this week is slightly different. Every word, every practice, every gym session and team meal carries a distinct buzz radiating from the coaches down to the Zamboni driver. It’s Michigan week.
The MSU hockey program might have some big changes on the horizon to give the team a greater home-ice advantage. At a meeting with members of The Associated Press on Wednesday, head coach Tom Anastos said a decision will be made in the short term on whether money will be invested to renovate the nearly 40-year-old Munn Ice Arena or build a new venue altogether.
The biggest rivalry in college hockey couldn’t be any bigger this time around for the No. 17 MSU hockey team. As if a series rematch with the Spartans’ (15-11-4 overall, 10-9-3-2 CCHA) biggest rival Michigan wasn’t motivation enough to get geared up for the weekend, serious playoff implications are on the line for both squads.
The MSU hockey team picked up a critical series sweep against No. 10 Ohio State.
Branden Carney can walk. Although not an impressive feat for most, the freshman defensman realizes how close he came to having that simple aspect of his life taken away.
At this point in the season, focusing on the little things will pay big dividends for the MSU hockey team. Entering a rematch on the road of an earlier season split against No. 10 Ohio State, the Spartans (13-11-4 overall, 8-9-3-2 CCHA) are at a critical point in the season and attention to detail has become essential.
As Tom Anastos looks ahead to the series with No. 10 Ohio State, he recognizes a lot of similarities with his own team.
In its first true road series since December 9th, the No. 16 hockey team was swept in two games this weekend by Ferris State.
Whenever I start to get a grasp of the MSU hockey team, it makes a quantum leap in a different direction. Like a schizophrenic uncle or a cranky girlfriend, the team shifts personalities on a dime and leaves spectators and media wondering which version is the real one. So, which one is it?
With 10 games to play and a series rematch with Michigan looming, the No. 16 MSU hockey team (13-9-4 overall, 8-7-3-2 CCHA) hopes to continue its four-game unbeaten streak and seize momentum heading into February.
As commissioner of the CCHA, Tom Anastos didn’t take to the concept of parity in the conference. To him, parity portrayed a connotation of weakness among the teams in the CCHA.
_Although his hockey career is over, former Spartan and professional hockey player Anson Carter is busier than he’s ever been.
The No. 16 MSU hockey team had a golden opportunity to pick up the weekend sweep Saturday night.