Hockey in the Shadows Of Tragedy
12/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 7, 2010
Flashback Video: Pregame Ceremony & National Anthem
by Michael Caples '11
This week, the Spartan hockey program will prepare for the Big Chill at the Big House, a showdown with archrival Michigan at Michigan Stadium which is expected to draw a world-record crowd of nearly 110,000 spectators. Nearly a decade ago, the Michigan State athletic department staged the first modern outdoor game, and it has grown from novelty to a now-annual event in the National Hockey League. Michigan State successfully hosting this event was the genesis for no fewer than 20 outdoor events executed or planned for the 2010-11 season since MSU put on the first one on Oct. 6, 2001.
Come back to www.msuspartans.com every day this week to revisit that inaugural event through the recollections of current and former Spartan players, staff, and administrators who helped give birth to one of the beloved now-annual events of a hockey season.
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When Tom Newton was asked about how his team prepared for the Cold War in 2001, the MSU hockey assistant coach didn't discuss playing styles or dressing for a cold October evening. He talked about the emotions surrounding the first large gathering of people East Lansing experienced after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Like almost all college campuses the weekend following, the Spartans' home football game against Missouri that was scheduled for Sept. 15 was cancelled. With the football team on the road for the rest of the month, the Cold War became the first large sporting event held on the MSU campus after the horrifying attacks.
"I remember Ryan Miller being asked at a press conference about no fly zones," Newton recalled. "He came to me and said `Coach, how do I answer this?' and I half-joked `Ryan, you're the goaltender - you don't have to worry about the no fly zones.'
"The country was more than a little fragile at that point. This was the first gathering on this campus, so that became a pretty big part of it."
While the Spartans were consumed by the emotions of such a unique event, they also became aware that they were representing a country rattled by tragedy.
"I remember it being extremely emotional, the first big event since 9/11," said former MSU defenseman John-Michael Liles, now a member of the Colorado Avalanche. " When the anthem was played, I think that was kind of heart-wrenching, time for a lot of people, myself included. It was really special to be part of an event so soon after the attacks, and to honor the people that lost their lives."
MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis said that a lot of consideration went into the fact that there would be a congregation of over 70,000 people all in one place just weeks after the terrorist attacks.
"It was our first big events and one of the first big events in the Big Ten. A lot of thought went into that, a lot of thought about how many people we had in the stadium, so everybody was on edge at that time, and continued to be, quite frankly. There was a heavy concern. (Deputy Athletic Director for Facilities) Greg Ianni did a great job, along with (Assistant Assistant AD) Rick Atkinson. Operationally, they made sure everything was all in place."
Forward Jim Slater, now a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, said there was a mix of emotions during the pre-game ceremonies.
"I remember obviously the national anthem, and then they had the fighter planes fly over," Slater said. "When you hear that and see those, that definitely gets the adrenaline going even more. We didn't really know what was happening. There was lots of security around the area for that reason, but other than that, it was just a matter of standing out there, respecting the flag and the national anthem."
Dr. Troy Ferguson, a defenseman on the Cold War team, said he will always remember the patriotism displayed during the national anthem.
"There was just a different feeling when you're standing at the bench or the blue line, there's just a different feeling in the crowd, and it kind of gave me some chills," said Ferguson. "I remember Gordie Howe had his USA hockey jersey on (for the ceremonial face-off. The patriotism during that game was definitely noticeable. Unfortunately , we were playing so close to such a terrible event, but seeing the patriotism made me proud to be an American for sure."
The record-breaking crowd saw the Spartans and Wolverines play to a 3-3 tie on that October night, and for a few hours, everyone was able to focus on a hockey game, instead of other things. Adam Hall, captain of the Spartans that season, said he was happy to be a part of something that provided an emotional lift for the state of Michigan.
"I think anytime you have an event like that, it can help the community, help the state, help the hockey programs, help the league," Hall said. "Anything to feel good after an event like that is a positive thing. I still remember where I was when I learned about the attacks on 9/11 and there's not a lot of events that you remember moment to moment like that which are that important. I think [the Cold War] was something that was able to bring some happiness and some funinto people's lives. It was a really positive thing."
