In today's Detroit News, there was an article about how the Wolverines are primed to make a run in the second half of the year. The bottom of the article has an interesting tidbit:
Officials from Wisconsin's athletic department will be making a formal announcement within the next two weeks regarding an outdoor game played at 80,000-seat Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., in February 2010.
Back in October, the Wolverines were mentioned as the likely opponent for this game. Mike Eaves said "We want Michigan" and Coach Berenson indicated that an outdoor game with Wisconsin is something they would definitely like to explore.
So it appears the game is on, but the opponent is unknown at this point. Wisconsin wouldn't comment and Mel Pearson wasn't available. Based on the stated mutual interest between the teams, however, I think it's pretty likely there will be an exciting announcement on the horizon.
Playing at outdoor game at Wiscy would be great for a few reasons: 1) Outdoor games kick ass. 2) I live in Madison. 3) Camp Randall seats 80,000+ so the game would likely break the record set at The Cold War, plus it would keep the Wolverines in the record book, since it was reported that the Germans would try to break the Cold War record in 2010 at the World Hockey Championships. The stadium that was being discussed as the location for the German game holds about 75,500. A game at Wiscy would likely put that mark out of reach. 4) We'd knock Sparty from the record book, which is nice.
Several future Wolverines are in action in the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. The US is 1-0 with a 12-1 win over Finland. Jacob Fallon had 2 goals and an assist in the blowout. Luke Moffatt had an assist as well. Jack Campbell got the start for the Americans and made 25 saves. The Americans beat the Pacific Canadian team 11-0 in an exhibition. Campbell made 14 saves in splitting the shutout with Will Yanakeff. The Americans play Quebec tonight.
In the World Junior Championships, the Americans will face Canada tonight with a bye to the semifinals on the line. USA is 3-0-0 in the tournament. Aaron Palushaj has a 2-2--4 line and is +4. Matt Rust has a 3-1--4 line and is also +4. He scored with 1 second left in a 7-2 hockey game to make it 8-2 and scored with 4 seconds left in what ended up being a 12-0 blowout. Phil Kessel is officially impressed. Red Wing prospect Thomas McCollum has won all three games and has a 1.67 goals against and a .909 save percentage.
2 comments:
this WJC game is outstanding so far. best game i've seen in a long time.
I know a guy in the right place in the AD and from what he told me is that the only hold up with the Wiscy outdoor game is Pearson is discussing the possibility of a home and home outdoor series with Wisconsin where the return match would be, you guessed it, a post GLI outdoor game between Michigan and Wiscy at The (remodeled) Big House. Apparently one of the benefits of the remods at Michigan Stadium is that the electrical power grid input to the stadium is being upgraded and the new infrastructure is good enough to power the refridgeration equipment and temporary lights. The Wings have made an inquiry to the AD about bidding for a future Winter Classic using Michigan Stadium and requested the infrastructure info.
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