MSU, U-M Hockey Game Will Go On, Olympia Announces
Detroit - Olympia Entertainment in partnership with Michigan State University and the University of Michigan announced that the agreement which ensures a Spartans-Wolverines game is held annually at Joe Louis Arena has been extended through the 2013-14 NCAA campaign.
The archrivals have squared off in regular season action at JLA in at least once per year since 1990, with Michigan having earned ten victories to Michigan State's nine over that time (four games ended in a tie).
"We're thrilled that we've reached this agreement with Olympia Entertainment to continue the annual Michigan State-Michigan game at Joe Louis Arena," says MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis. "Our rivalry with Michigan is the greatest rivalry in our state, and as the most-played rivalry in all of college hockey, it allows us to add a chapter each year in one of the most exciting buildings in the National Hockey League. This partnership also allows us to showcase our programs, and engage our fans in the Detroit area."
The Spartans defeated the Wolverines by a score of 2-1 in last season's contest, played before a boisterous crowd of nearly 18,000 strong on January 29. This season's edition of the match will be staged on Saturday, February 11, 2012 (puck drop – 7:30 p.m.).
"I'm excited that we have extended our relationship with Olympia Entertainment, ensuring our fans that Michigan vs. Michigan State hockey games will be played at Joe Louis Arena for many years to come," says U-M Athletic Director Dave Brandon. "It allows us to showcase one of the most exciting rivalries in college hockey in one of the grandest hockey venues in the state of Michigan, and also provides terrific exposure for both of these storied hockey programs."
Michigan and Michigan State will also be participating in the 2011 edition of the Great Lakes Invitational, set to be staged at Joe Louis Arena on December 29 and 30 of this year. Boston College and Michigan Tech will also be competing for the right to hoist the MacInnes Trophy later this year.
"College hockey is a major part of our entertainment program at Joe Louis Arena and the intense rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State is definitely a key component of that," says Olympia Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson. "We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with both of these esteemed institutions for years to come."
Tickets to both the 2011 GLI and the 2012 UM-MSU game are on sale now at the JLA Box Office (313-396-7575), all Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) outlets and online at OlympiaEntertainment.com.
