Michigan winner in outdoor hockey event

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

There was the usual tailgating and taunting.

And when Ohio State’s tuba player bowed to dot the “i’’ and the crowd roared, it felt and looked like a football Saturday in Columbus or Ann Arbor.

Except it was January and the band member was standing directly on the blue line — outdoors — on a spot normally occupied by a second baseman.

Ohio State and Michigan took their heated rivalry to the ice Sunday, playing the first outdoor college hockey game in Ohio before 25,864 fans who downed hot chocolate and other beverages to combat plunging temperatures at Progressive Field, seasonal home of the Cleveland Indians.

Derek DeBlois and David Wohlberg scored 28 seconds apart in the second period to lead the No. 15 Wolverines to a 4-1 win over the No. 2 Buckeyes, who were the “home” team despite being a two-hour drive from campus and were outplayed for three periods by their nemesis from the north.

However, the outcome was secondary to the event, which was deemed a huge success.

“A great spectacle,” said Michigan coach Red Berensen, who has led the Wolverines to 21 straight NCAA appearances. “It was a special event.”

Especially for Michigan, which beat Ohio State 4-0 on Friday in Columbus.

While the hockey programs don’t share the same blood feud the schools have had in football since the early 1900s, there were still plenty of punishing hits and after-the-whistle roughness to serve as reminders that no matter the sport, Michigan and Ohio State don’t like each other.

Ohio State’s mascot, Brutus, had to dodge several snow balls aimed at his large head in the third period.

The ballpark was blanketed with several inches of fresh snow, which arrived just in time on Friday.