Breakdown: Michigan a big favorite outdoors - w w w By MARK BURNS Daily Sports Editor When Michigan and Michigan State skated to a 3-3 tie in the Cold War - the first-ever outdoor Division I college hockey game, on Oct. 6, 2001 at Spartan Stadium - they set the precedent for outdoor hockey games. And on Saturday, the Wolverines and Spartans will meet in the Big Chill at the Big House, the world's third-largest non-soccer stadium. The game is projected to draw more than 110,000 to Michigan Stadium, crush- ing the old record for attendance at a hockey game. It was last set at the 2010 IIHF World Championship at Veltins-Arena in Germany - the recorded attendance was 75,976. Fireworks are set to go off after Michigan scores, and Guinness World Records will be in attendance to put the event in the history books. Clear- ly, the stage is monumental in every sense of the word. OFFENSE Following the end of last season, there was some speculation that Michigan coach Red Berenson might lose upward of three juniors - Carl Hagelin, Louie Caporusso and Matt Rust - to entry-level contracts with their respective NHL organizations. But instead of foregoing their senior season, the forwards decided to return to Ann Arbor in hopes of winning the program's first national championship since 1998. So, it's no surprise then that the three are the Wolverines' leading scorers almost midway through the season, helping Michigan to an average of 3.22 goals per game. Even with a senior-laden roster, the Wolverines have a slew of under- classmen who have contributed on the offensive end. Over the last few weeks, the line of freshman Luke Moffatt and sophomores A.J. Treais and Chris Brown has tallied four goals and 11 assists. Berenson gave a vote of confi- dence to the young crop of Wolverines shortly after putting the trio together, saying that they can match up against any other line in the country. And while Hagelin, Caporusso and Rust all returned for their senior sea- son, Spartan forward Corey Tropp andAndrew Rowe didn't --bothopted to sign with NHL teams and head to their respective AHL affiliates. Tropp and Rowe were Michigan State coach Rick Comley's one-two punch on offense last season, with Tropp lead- ing the Spartans with 20 goals. Michigan State sophomore Derek Grant and junior Brett Perlini have led the Spartans early on in scoring, as Perlini sits in eighth place in total points in CCHA play with 11 goals and 5 assists. If the Big Chill turns into an offen- sive shootout, expect the hometown team to use speed to its advantage against the Spartans. EDGE: MICHIGAN DEFENSE Berenson said adios to two of his best defensemen last year in seniors Steven Kampfer and Chris Summers. The two led a deep crop of blue lin- ers who were an integral part of the Wolverines' stretch-run to the CCHA Tournament title in March. Compared to Michigan, the Spar- But even without the two veter- tans have converted on 17.5 percent of ans, Michigan's roster is still full of their power plays. talented defensemen, led by senior While Michigan State might exhib- Chad Langlais and junior Brandon it a better power play statistically, Burlon. And with freshman standout both teams are relatively even on the Jon Merrill pairing with Langlais, the penalty kill, with Michigan at No. 30 Wolverines could have the best defen- in the country and the Spartans at No. sive pair in the CCHA. 29 The Wolverines are allowing 2.5 Last weekend, the Wolverines goals per game compared to the Spar- killed off seven of eight power plays tans' 2.71. against Ohio State, but over the In addition to Michigan State los- Thanksgiving holiday, Michigan's ing two junior forwards last year, it penalty kill allowed four goals at also lost defenseman and captain Jeff Wisconsin and Minnesota. Petry. Petry - who actually started EDGE: MICHIGAN STATE the list of Spartans leaving early for the NHL when he signed with the GOALTENDING Edmonton Oilers in March - was Throughout the week leading up undoubtedly the leader along the blue until the Big Chill, Berenson remained line for Comley. mute about which goaltender - Bryan Without his star offensive defense- Hogan or Shawn Hunwick - would man, Comley has called upon sopho- get the start between the pipes. more Torey Krug to lead a young crop But after Thursday's practice, he of Spartans. Krug, who was named said Hogan would get the nod against the team captain in late August, is Michigan State, citing his current 7-2 second in points with five goals and record and past outdoor experience at 10 assists. the Camp Randall Classic last Febru- Experience will play a factor in ary against Wisconsin as reasons for this game, and Michigan has a slight starting. advantage in that respect. Down at the other end of the ice EDGE: MICHIGAN is Spartan junior Drew Palmisano, experience will again play a factor. Even so, the outcome of tomorrow's game won't be determined between the pipes, as both teams start solid netminders. EDGE: PUSH INTANGIBLES The Children of Yost - the name given to the Michigan student section in the early 1990s - will be in atten- dance on Saturday at the Big House, though their witty cheers and some- times raunchy jeers at opposingteams shouldn't play a role in the game's outcome, as noise easily funnels out of Michigan Stadium. But at this week's Monday press conference, Berenson did say the wind, snow and weather conditions will certainly factor into the Big Chill's outcome. With the contest slat- ed to begin at 3 p.m., the weather could very well dip below freezing toward the third period, maybe even sooner. Over the course of the last week, there has been more than 20 amateur and college club games on the actual ice in an effort to get the ice game-ready for the heavyweight match up. Fans should hope the extra games haven't broken down the ice too much, because if they have, expect another situation like that during last year's Camp Randall Classic, with constant stoppages for ice repair and snow removal. This one's too close to call between the Spartans and the Wolverines. EDGE: PUSH FINAL SCORE: MICHIGAN 2, MICHIGAN STATE 1 SPECIAL TEAMS Ever since the beginning of the sea- son, Michigan's power play has been a work in progress. Whether it's not getting enough shots on net or failing to set up inside the offensive zone, the Wolverines have struggled to muster a 15.4-percent rate with the man advan- tage, converting on 12 of 78 opportu- nities. who has started 16 of 18 contests for the Spartans, allowing 2.44 goals per game - good for 31st in the coun- try. The Ann Arbor native has been backstopping a team weighted by 14 underclassmen, and a defensive core that lost its best defenseman last year in Petry. Compared to Hogan, Palmisano controls more of his rebounds, but like the defensive aspect of the game, I 190B, -Imr ON. w w An M: Z ANZ ANIZ I I - - - -- - - - -_ --I This Friday, Saturday and Sunday Y get any Square or Salad for just $1.99! *Cannot be combined with any other offers. Must present this advertisement at time of purchase. Valid 11:30 am - close. Expires 12/1212010. Limit 1 per coupon. Order Online! . Scan this OR code with the barcode a wihtebroescanner app to find yus o i 734-761-6700 8 The Big Chill Commemorative Edition, The Michigan Daily Grocery Delivery More Study Time Flexible Delivery Mobile Ordering Begin Orders on Like Us On www.groceroo.com