The interior of the Little Caesars Arena. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
James Olsen
Contributor
Although this is considered a regular season game in the record books, this annual clash of in-state rivals is far from normal. Michigan Wolverines take the ice against the Michigan State Spartans at Little Caesars Arena in Hockeytown on February 9th for the annual Duel in the D game.
The rivalry between MSU and U of M is nothing new to anyone who follows college sports; in fact, it is the most-played rivalry in college hockey. The two schools have squared off at center ice a staggering 322 times since 1922, with Michigan leading the all-time series 163-135-24.
Rivalry schools face each other multiple times throughout the season, defending their “turf”. However, this annual match-up between the U of M and MSU is hosted by the Red Wings, which means both teams will be in neutral territory, with the backdrop of an NHL arena housing impressive numbers of fans from both schools.
“It’s a healthy rivalry […], but it’s an intense rivalry,” Head Coach Mel Pearson said about the atmosphere around this match-up. “A lot of the players know each other; there’s a lot of bragging rights on the line.”
The winner of this annual showdown is entitled to intrastate bragging rights and takes the “Iron D” back to their school. This 25-inch, 50-pound trophy features a forged Iron “D” in the center surrounded by hockey sticks with the logos from both schools. The trophy also features a red glass puck, which serves as a nod to the host Red Wings. The skyline of Detroit wraps around the base where name plates of the victors are immortalized.
Forward, Brendan Warren describes the importance the rivalry. “It means a lot to everyone at Michigan. Including regular students, alumni, […] even more than just our team.”
“For me, growing up in Michigan, it’s been a childhood dream […] to play here. It’s a place with tremendous tradition and a history of excellence,” he said.
Although the “Iron D” trophy wasn’t a prize until 2016, Detroit has played host to this annual event since 1991. Michigan leads the Detroit series 15-11-5, including last year’s game where the Wolverines edged out the Spartans in a 3-2 victory.
“It’s going to be physical,” Wolverines Forward, Luke Morgan says with a grin. “I think it boiled over a little bit at the [Great Lakes Invitational] exhibition.”
The last time these two teams met, a flurry of fights broke out just 13:17 into the first period. There were a total of five, ten minute misconducts in that game.
For some of these athletes, this is a sneak peak of what it feels like to skate over the Winged Wheel, on the same ice as the Red Wings.
Players like Luke Glendening and Dylan Larkin are former Wolverine hockey alumni. Justin Abdelkader once wore green and white as Alternate Captain for the Spartans. Being recognized and getting the call to play for Detroit in the NHL is one of the biggest aspirations for any young hockey player from Michigan.
“So many players [from the U of M] that are playing in the NHL now, and you’ll see them around, and you’ll have a relationship with them, and they’ll tell you how they did it […] and what it takes. It’s something extremely special to have that resource available to you all the time,” Morgan said.
