Michigan State at Michigan (Sat. at Michigan Stadium): A little more than nine years ago, Michigan State created the template for hosting an outdoor hockey game. Saturday, its opponent in the 2001 Cold War, Michigan, becomes the latest entity to take the action outside. The action on the ice rink, mind you, is virtually irrelevant; it’s the rink itself—or rather, the venue housing it—that will be the star of this show dubbed The Big Chill at the Big House. Besides, the play in these outdoor spectacles is typically mediocre … at best. But, hey, it’ll set a world record for attendance at a hockey game and show up on SportsCenter. Mission accomplished?
New Hampshire at Maine (Fri.): There’s a little more at stake in this Hockey East clash. Only UMass has played fewer league games than the Black Bears and Wildcats, yet UNH is tied for second and Maine is fifth in the conference standings. At 9-2-4, New Hampshire has been the most consistent team in Hockey East to date. Maine, meanwhile, was in lock step with the Wildcats before getting swept at Boston College two weekends ago. Perhaps there’s a perfect storm in store for the Black Bears: Maine is 5-0-1 at Alfond Arena this season, while both UNH losses have come on the road.
Boston University at Rensselaer (Sat.): Boston University coach Jack Parker wasn’t satisfied with his team’s inconsistent effort at Northeastern Wednesday, but he was pleased with the resilience his team showed in its 5-4 win at Matthews Arena. The Terriers have shown a great deal of generosity lately, giving up a total of 32 goals in their last seven games. That trend, should it continue, could play right into Rensselaer’s hands. The Engineers have scored 21 goals in their last five games and 24 goals in their six home games.
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota (Fri.-Sat.): The Gophers appeared to be building some momentum prior to getting swept at Minnesota State last weekend. The Bulldogs, who lost for the first time in nearly a month when Denver topped them in overtime at the DECC last weekend, have been on a roll all season. Minnesota has won just one of six WCHA home matches this season; UMD is 5-1-2 on the road with the lone loss coming at North Dakota last month.
Also: Alaska and Ferris State are two of the teams locked in a three-way tie for fourth place in the CCHA standings. They’ll play in Big Rapids this weekend. … The CCHA’s other fourth-place team, Northern Michigan, has bounced back from an 0-4-1 start to go 7-3-2 in its last 12 games. The Wildcats will be at Notre Dame for a Saturday-Sunday series. … INCH bragging rights at stake this weekend in Minnesota high school hockey. Grand Rapids (3-0-0), the alma mater of yours truly, hosts Roseau (0-3-0), the adopted team of Joe Gladziszewski, at the palatial IRA Civic Center tonight. Saturday, Grand Rapids entertains Warroad (3-0-0), whose list of distinguished hockey alumni doesn’t include Jess Myers, though he’s read it many times.
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