Michigan Hockey Ices Michigan State 5-0 in "The Big Chill at The Big House"

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During "The Big Chill at the Big House" in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans set a world record for attendance at a hockey game.

The unofficial total of 113,411 fans in Big Blue's 5-0 victory at Michigan Stadium set a Guinness World Record, beating out the 2010 IIHF world championship game crowd of 77,803 at Veletins Arena in Germany on May 7.

The 'Big Chill'

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It wasn't exactly chilly—temperatures were in the the low 40s at the game's start—balmy this time of year for Ann Arbor. The rink was Olympic-sized, stretching from one 15-yard line of the football field to the other. 

Michigan alum Lawrence Kasdan and Barbara Benedek, who wrote the 1983 film "The Big Chill" together, were part of the ceremonial puck drop. The screenwriters gave permission to the game's organizers to use their movie's name for promotional purposes.

No "Cold War" This Time

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The two teams first faced off in the first Division I outdoor college hockey game back on Oct. 6, 2001. Back then, it was dubbed, "The Cold War."

Michigan's Merrill Strikes First

Michigan hockey team and Michigan State squared off in the Cold War — the first Division I outdoor college hockey game — back on October 6, 200
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With a little over eight minutes to go in the first period, Michigan freshman defense man Jon Merrill converted a cross-ice pass from defense man Chad Langlais over goalie Drew Palmisano’s glove to put the Wolverines up 1-0.

Merrill Strikes Again

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Just a few minutes later in the same period, the freshman Merrill recorded his second goal of the game off of a two-on-one pass from forward Matt Rust.

Michigan State Celebrates Too Early

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The Spartans' Dean Chelios (No. 16) celebrates after it seemed his team had cut the lead in half on a power play during the second period. A Michigan State forward shot the puck into the net after it landed in the crease, but a review by referees ruled it a no goal because the net was off its moorings.

Michigan's Carl Hagelin Makes The Lead 3-0

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Later in the second period and during the Wolverine's third power play, Michigan senior forward Carl Hagelin (pictured) picked up a loose rebound off of a wrist shot by junior defense man Brandon Burlon
that had bounced right of the goal. He rifled it in to put the Wolverines up 3-0.

And Hagelin Strikes Again

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During a third period power play, senior forward Matt Rust set up Carl Hagelin (No. 12) with a back door pass that Hagelin shot into a wide open net to give Michigan a 4-0 advantage.

Michigan's David Wohlberg Ices It

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At 9:15 in the third period, Michigan junior forward David Wohlberg (No. 25) added the final touch to the shutout by batting a puck out of mid-air near the goal and into the net to seal the Wolverines' 5-0 win.

Bringing The Crowd Closer

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Microphones were placed near the rink so the sounds of the puck hitting the boards and players skating were amplified for the outdoor crowd.

A Big Day At The Big House

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The attendance number would make this the largest crowd to see any event at The Big House, surpassing the 113,090 for a football game earlier in 2010.

Goalie Shawn Hunwick

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Michigan net minder Shawn Hunwick finished the game with 34 saves.

Pre-Game Flyover

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Instead of adding seats for fans, game organizers kept the area around the ice clear to have enough space to set off fireworks after each goal and after the game ended.

Here, during the pregame flyover, a B-2 stealth bomber flies over the field. 

Michigan State Captain Torey Krug

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On Friday night, Spartans captain Torey Krug said of his teammates: "I think the guys were really excited, didn't know what to expect. Coming down the tunnel, I know most of the guys have never even been in the Big House, so it was definitely an eye-opening experience."

"Skating on the ice for the first time was something special. It took me awhile to get used to it, and it wasn't until halfway through practice I was sitting on the bench saying, 'This is really cool,' " he told the Detroit Free Press.

Greeting The Fans

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Michigan's Louie Caporusso greets the large crowd.

Challenging Each Other

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Michigan State's Lee Reimer and Michgan's Lee Moffie challenge each other during the game.

Eyeing The Goal

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Spartan Mike Merrifield eyes the goal against Wolverine Lee Moffie.

Battling For The Puck

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Michigan State's Brett Perlini (foreground) and Michigan's A.J. Treais (No. 21) and Luke Moffatt (No. 9) battle for the puck.

The Band Hails The Victors

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The University of Michigan Marching Band played the Star-Spangled Banner in the north end zone before the game started. Here, a band member cheers on David Wohlberg.

'It's Unbelievable'

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Mike Janela, the adjudicator for the Guinness World Records who was on hand to verify the attendance record, told The Montreal Gazette that being at the game was a treat for him.

“It’s unique. It’s unbelievable,” Janela said. “I’ve always wanted to see a game in the Big House. I never thought it would be for a hockey game.”

Fireworks After a Goal

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"The Big Chill" was the fifth NCAA hockey game played outdoors. It was the third featuring Michigan.

Coach Berenson Enters

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Michigan coach Red Berenson before the game.

Fans Flock To The Game

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According to The Montreal Gazette, coach Berenson said before the game—“I’ve seen the football team fill this place many times. Who would have ever thought they’d fill this place for a hockey game?”

Cold-Weather Fans

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Some Wolverines fans dressed as if it were a football game.

Celebrating The Win

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The Wolverines, ranked 12th in the NCAA, celebrate after their win.

Another Win For Michigan

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Michigan's Luke Glendening greets the crowd as he exits the rink. 

Guiness adjudicator Janela compared his previous judging events to the game for The Montreal Gazette, saying:

“I’ve seen the highest tightrope crossing on a bicycle, the most Mentos and soda fountains erupted at the same time, the world’s largest cheerleading formation. A little bit of everything."

"This is awesome being here. For me personally, this is right up there.”