Hockey Game at Big House Officially Set for December 11

By Sean · Friday, January 29, 2010 · 7:47 AM |  Share | Leave a Comment 

Ricky Comley’s comments on the radio a couple weeks back prompted some concern over whether the second edition of the Cold War would actually happen, but it was announced earlier this week that the game is officially a reality.  As rumored last week, the game will take place on December 11, 2010.  The start time for the game is scheduled for 3 p.m.  Below is more information on what is officially being called “The Big Chill at the Big House” (which, in my opinion, is a pretty lame name; Cold War II would be much better).

The playing surface will be placed in the center of Michigan Stadium. The red line (center ice) will run on top of the 50-yard line, and the end boards will extend to reach the 17-yard lines.

The Big Chill at the Big House will serve as one of Michigan’s two scheduled home games against Michigan State in the 2010-11 season. Additional games between the archrivals will be contested at Yost and Munn Ice Arenas (one each), plus the annual game at Joe Louis Arena. Dates are yet to be determined.

Detailed ticket information will be announced on MGoBlue.com and MSUSpartans.com by the end of February.

My initial thought on this is that I’m thrilled the game will in fact happen.  It should be a very fun event assuming everything goes according to plan and the weather cooperates.  Ever since the game at Spartan Stadium back in 2001 I’ve been anxiously awaiting a return game in Michigan Stadium.  Now that it is finally going to happen, I can’t wait and will be counting down the days until hockey comes to the Big House.

Beyond that, my only other thoughts on the game really involve the ticket situation.  As the quote above states, we will know more next month, but I still have to wonder how the tickets will be sold and what the seating setup will be like.  Will the student section be similar to how it is for football, or will students (namely hockey season-ticket holders) get seats closer to the middle?  Similarly, will hockey season-ticket holders automatically get tickets to this game or will they all be sold separately?  Personally I’d give everybody that has hockey season-tickets a ticket to this game and give them the best seats in the stadium, but in reality I’d imagine it will be more like football where money is the deciding factor for most of the aspects of how the tickets are sold and where people will sit.