Big House to Host Cold War II

The University of Michigan will get a chance to try and break the world record for biggest crowd at a hockey game when they host Michigan State in the Cold War II at the Big House this December.

The Detroit News reports a deal has been finalized, and that the two squads will face off on December 11 at 3 p.m. in Ann Arbor.

Michigan will play Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison in February, an event that is expected to draw about 50,000 fans - far short of the Cold War record 75,544, even though Camp Randall is larger than Spartan Stadium.

However, the Big House at more than 106,000 fans could set a record that may not be broken for decades to come. Michigan Stadium is the fourth-largest stadium in the world, and the largest among schools in the U.S. with a varsity hockey program (Beaver Stadium at Penn State is larger, but they don't have a varsity team).

If Cold War II doesn't set the record, Ohio State may try. The Buckeyes' Ohio Stadium (capacity: 102,329) has been mentioned frequently as a future outdoor hockey site, not just for the Buckeyes but also as a potential Winter Classic venue for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.