8A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 27, 2001

4

Spartans taking a risk

,an Hirschfield and the Wolverines will host two games this weekend.

FLYERS
Continued from Page SA
ing up, Michigan will no longer
rely on athleticism to score
goals. "We're finally addressing.
the attacking third of the field,"
Burns said.
While the Flyers pose sever-
al strategic problems, Burns
has made it clear that he will
match his team straight up -
without tinkering with his
game strategy.
In his view, the better team
will win.
The Wolverines may gain an
advantage by playing a night
game on Pioneer High School's
football field. The narrow play-
ing surface may hurt Dayton's
wide game, playing into Michi-

gan's hands.
Sunday's 3:30 p.m. match
against Western Michigan (1-3)
at Varsity Field may not prove
to be as hard, but the in-state
battle could be bitter if Michi-
gan succumbs to complacency.
Burns is looking for intensity in
every game, especially as oppo-
nents realize his young program
will soon become the team to
beat.
"The team is learning that we
have a big target on us," Burns
said. "The challenge is, can we
play with urgency for 90 min-
utes?"
If the Wolverines beat Dayton
and continue to roll, that target
will get larger. Then, power-
houses like Indiana may just
take notice of upstart Michigan.

Weather could add twist
By Seth Kemner
Daily Sports Writer
When Michigan State coach Ron
Mason first proposed the idea of holding
a hockey game outside in Spartan Stadi-
um there were several logistical prob-
lems that needed to be worked out2 with
Michigan coach Red Berenson before
they could even start thinking about
playing.
Among them were tickets sales, light-
ing arrangement, and quality of the glass
boards. Both coaches also wondered,
with neither Yost Ice .Arena nor Munn
Ice Arena seating more than 10,000 peo-
ple, how they would be able to fill the
72,000 plus Spartan Stadium.
"The whole thing started out as a joke,
but then it turned into reality," Mason
said. "We never believed in our wildest
dreams that it would happen."
Before the summer was out, all ques-
tions about tickets had been answered.
From the opening bell, it was clear that
everyone wanted to witness this once-in-
a-lifetime event. After just nine days
ticket sales were at 61,000 sold - the
11,000 remaining seats were earmarked
for Michigan State students and season
ticket holders.
"I think this is a golden opportunity
that you don't get that often," CCHA
Commissioner Tom Anastos said. "This
is kind of the Woodstock of hockey and
gives us a great platform that we can pro-
mote college hockey on."

to record-breaking game
When they first held the press confer
ence in sweltering summer heat, the
other question on everyone's mind was
how good the quality of the ice would be
on a warm October 6. With the tempera-
tures having dropped into the forties, the
concerns about have turned more
towards foul weather which could poten-
tially force Michigan State to cancel the
game.
In addition to lightning, any type of
rain or fog that will inhibit on-ice vision
would force the game to be rescheduled
"You are restricted in a light mist
because of the glass visors (on players
helmets)," Notre Dame head coach Dave
Poulin said at Tuesday's CCHA media
day.
"You don't have the option of a wind
shield wiper, so it creates a different
wrinkle,"
Scattered to moderate showers have
been forecast for the middle of ne tIf inclement weather pre
week along with temperatures in the hosting college hockey
mid-sixties. If the game is cancelled on
Saturday, Michigan State has set Sunday, tion.
Oct. 7 as the makeup date for the game. Michigan State offi
If Sunday's make up game is can- ed that a rain out cou
celled, then Michigan State must $500,000.
reschedule the matchup for some time While the teams cc
latex in the season - inside Munn Ice as four times in the r
Arena. game is the only on
If the game cannot be played outdoors, played in East Lansing
both programs would face a significant The game is slated I
loss in ticket sales revenue. But Michi- off on Fox Sports D
gan State will also have to shoulder the the season opener fort
burden of paying for the rink's installa- Michigan State.

4

events defenseman Brad Fast and the rest of the Spartans from
's first outdoor game, Michigan State could lose $500,000.

cials have estimat-
uld cost the school
ould meet as many
egular season, this
e scheduled to be
g.
for a 7:05 p.m. face
etroit. It would be
both Michigan and

In addition to being shown locally, the
event will be broadcast into 38 million
homes across the United States and
Canada. But due to previous contractual
obligations, the game will be broadcast
tape delayed on the other Fox Sports
affiliates.
"I give a lot of credit to the universi-
ty for all they have done," Mason said
"We took a huge risk, and it has paid
off ..."
So far.


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