Cold War (ice hockey)
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- For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation)
The Cold War was an ice hockey game played between U.S. college rivals Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Saturday October 6, 2001. It set the world record for the largest crowd at an ice hockey game.<ref>Latham, Krista. "Game shatters records, players’ expectations". The State News. October 8, 2001.</ref> The attendance was so high because instead of hosting the game in East Lansing's Munn Ice Arena, Michigan State decided to set up an ice rink in the middle of the much larger Spartan Stadium, which they filled to 103.4% of capacity. This meant that 74,544<ref>Gumbrecht, Jamie. Big game brings out fans, winter clothes". The State News. October 7, 2001.</ref> packed the Big Ten football stadium to watch the MSU Spartans and the U-M Wolverines skate to a 3-3 tie.<ref>Jahnke, James. "'The Cold War' ends in stalemate". The State News. October 7, 2001.</ref><ref>McCollough, J. Brady. No winners in record-breaking game". The Michigan Daily. October 8. 2001.</ref> Two 300-piece marching bands were present on field and the game was internationally televised. Country artist Shannon Brown sang during the second intermission.
[edit] Effects
The Cold War set off a wave of outdoor ice hockey games in large stadiums. In November 2003, the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens dropped the puck on the Heritage Classic - the NHL's first regulation outdoor game. An NHL record 57,000 fans braved -18 °C temperatures was also treated to Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier returning as an Oiler alumni, despite Messier playing for the New York Rangers at the time, in the preceding Alumni Game. In February 2006, Ohio State and Wisconsin attracted 40,890 fans to Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.
There are tentative plans to have another outdoor game featuring Boston College, Boston University, Michigan and Michigan State held at Fenway Park. Talks are also underway to determine whether a game at Yankee Stadium between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders would be possible. As well, Michigan and Michigan State have discussed an outdoor rematch at Michigan Stadium and the Detroit Red Wings have looked into hosting a game at Detroit's Comerica Park.
[edit] References
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| The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
