Rivalry week at Hockey 'U' Intrastate showdown nally here for Icers

By Jon Schwartz

Daily Sports Writer

When the players walk through the tunnel toward the Yost Ice Arena rink tomorrow night, open the gate, and step out onto the ice, one of the first things that they see will be the newest addition to the Old Barn's rafters - Michigan's 2000 CCHA Championship banner.

Raised before last Saturday's game against Miami, the banner hangs right above center ice, slightly lower than the other banners that proclaim the success over time of Michigan's hockey program.

For Michigan State veterans who will come to Yost this season after falling to the Wolverines by three points for the CCHA season title last year, the sight of the banner could provide a bit of added emotion, something hardly needed in the historic intrastate rivalry.

"Every year if you go back the last five years it's been a battle," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "The two teams have been involved for most of the year in a battle for first place."

Since the 1990-1991 season, the two schools have combined for seven CCHA titles - five for the Wolverines, two for the Spartans. And with four regular season games against each other this year, the matchup could be integral in determining this season's champion.

"We have four games to play against this team and that's eight points, and that's a difference of 16 points," Berenson said. "You either have eight or you don't have eight. So if anyone really had an upper-hand, that's your season right there."

Michigan will play its first regular season game as No. 1 in the country since the 1996-1997 season. The ranking is an added target on the Wolverines' backs and the sixth-ranked Spartans will do everything they can to dethrone the team that is now on top of the college hockey world.

It all adds up to what the players are expecting to be quite an evening.

"I think this is probably going to be the most exciting point of my Wolverine career right here," said freshman defenseman Andy Burnes, a Battle Creek native whose parents both went to Michigan State. "I've been thinking about it ever since Saturday night was over. All week, it's been on my mind, in classes, going to sleep at night, just thinking about the game."

The Wolverines are expecting a defensive battle. With Josh Blackburn expecting to be back in net after a shoulder injury in the game against Miami and Ryan Miller between the pipes for the Spartans, it should be a low scoring affair. Miller leads the CCHA in both goals against average (1.81) and save percentage (.935).

"It's going to come down to a game of mistakes," Burnes said. "Whoever makes the least mistakes is going to win. Basically, we've just got to play a solid defensive game and let offense take care of itself."

Yost Ice Arena

Tomorrow

Who: No. 1 Michigan (6-0-2) vs. No. 6 Michigan State (4-1-1)

When: 7:05 p.m. tomorrow

Radio: WCBN-FM 88.3 will have exclusive, live coverage

Tickets: Sold out

Injuries: Michigan - F Geoff Koch (ankle) out; Michigan State - F Andrew Bogle (shoulder) questionable; F Joe Goodenow (shoulder) questionable.