Michigan: A rival like never before
What comes to mind when you think of the rivalry between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines?
A Spartan fan might say, "the tides have turned, we own you in basketball and football," pointing out the recent demise of Michigan athletics.
A Michigan fan might say, "enjoy it while you can, we'll be back on top before you know it," resting on the assurance of 'all-time' dominance (67-30-5 in football and 91-71 in basketball).
But if you cast these two sports aside for a moment and center your thoughts on winter’s other sport, you’ll find a tug-of-war on ice that hasn't seemed to budge an inch.
Look back over 15 years of hockey history and you’ll find some pretty convincing stats that leave the advantage of this rivalry sitting steady at center ice.
All time record (past 15 years) 28-26-12: Advantage - MSU
National Championships:
Michigan – 2 (1996, 1998)
Michigan State – 1 (2007)
Even hockey’s largest attended game of all-time, 'The Cold War,' featuring these two teams, finished in a 3-3 TIE! On every stage, at every level, these rivals still sit almost dead-even after matching each other in nearly every level of recent success.
And now this weekend, after 15 years of pulling the rope back and forth, each team has the opportunity to abruptly end their despised rival’s season.
The #11 Spartans (19-11-6) host the Wolverines (21-17-1) at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Munn Arena in a ‘best of three’ series in the CCHA conference tournament. If a deciding third game is necessary, it will be played at 7 p.m. Sunday, also at Munn Arena.
This isn't just a rivalry game between two in-state schools. Bragging rights are the least of what's earned from a series victory this weekend. This is a fight for one’s life. The winner moves on to the CCHA finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The loser? An early exit from the CCHA tournament almost certainly spells doom for any chance of making the NCAA tournament.
Never in recent memory has there been so much at stake in a game against Michigan. Never has State needed to beat the Wolverines more than this weekend.
So lace ‘em up boys. It’s time to ‘smash right through that line of blue!’
