Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans-Wolverines Ready For Outdoor Hockey Game
10/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 5, 2001
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
Associated Press Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Cold, drizzly weather couldn't dampen the spirits of the Michigan State and Michigan hockey teams Friday as they prepared for their historic game in Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State tried out the temporary rink in the football stadium for the first time Friday afternoon.
"It was the fastest ice I've been on in years," Spartans coach Ron Mason said. "If the rain stays away, it's going to be good."
Players said the ice was a little rough in spots, but they got used to it quickly. More difficult will be getting used to the record crowd of more than 72,000 expected Saturday night.
"I was looking up at those empty stands, trying to imagine 72,000 fans out there," Spartans forward Adam Hall said. "I couldn't do it, to be honest with you."
Michigan forward Jed Ortmeyer said he hopes he can stay focused.
"We'll just have to go out there like it's any other game," he said. "But I think this is going to be an experience everyone will remember for the rest of their lives."
The Wolverines held practice indoors Friday night because it was raining too hard when they arrived in East Lansing. Coach Red Berenson said the team planned to practice at the stadium Saturday morning.
"I didn't want the team to have a poor experience on the ice and then be concerned about it tomorrow," he said. "We're trying to focus more on how Michigan has to play, rather than the rink."
Michigan State spokesman John Lewandowski said the ice was in good shape by Friday.
"Light to moderate rain is not an issue at all for that system," Lewandowski said. "It's really come together."
Lewandowski said officials were most concerned Wednesday, when temperatures soared to nearly 80 degrees and melted much of the ice. Clouds and cooler temperatures Thursday and Friday helped the onfield chillers restore the frozen surface.
Saturday's forecast promised more of the same. Scattered rain and snow showers were predicted, with daytime highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s overnight.
If it rains heavily Saturday, Michigan State officials say they'll resurface the ice every 10 minutes, rather than at the usual intervals between periods.
If the rain turns into a downpour and the ice surface can't be maintained, the game will be rescheduled for Sunday.
Whatever the weather, hockey fans already are flocking in from around the country for the game. If the expected crowd of more than 72,000 shows up, it will set a world record for hockey attendance.
The current record is 55,000, set in 1957 when the Soviet Union played Sweden at Lenin Stadium in Moscow.
Mindful of the large crowd and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, university officials have tightened security at Spartan Stadium. No containers will be allowed in the stadium on Saturday, including thermoses, cans, backpacks and large purses. Additional police officers also will be on duty.
