11 Years ago - The Big Chill at The Big House
11 years ago today, 12/11/10, a world record attendance was set for a hockey game at The Big House. 113,411 was the announced attendance, myself included. I re-created this in Minecraft. (I'm that dude that built Michigan Stadium, Crisler Center and Yost in Minecraft)
Here's a link to The Big Chill video
Orignal Stadium Tour (Michigan Stadium)
Beat Georgia.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
Was there with my 13 year old boy, who’s now a 24 year old man… nearly a perfect day and a great event, the skate around in the Big House the next day was in a swirling snowstorm in sub-freezing temps. Great memories!
December 11th, 2021 at 2:21 PM ^
There with my 7 year old (now a college age 18 year old) and my younger brother, then an M grad student and now a father of 3. Wild! Great times. I still swear we did the Blue Brothers Dance for a half hour between the second and third periods to stay warm!
December 11th, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
Impressive work. I was there that day. It was some brutal cold. 15⁰ and more than half a foot of snow. We left when my wife's lips were purple.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:27 PM ^
Actually, that would be the next game when the Toronto Maple Leafs played on New Year's Day, 2014, at the Big House. This was an NHL event, not sure if the Red Wings was the opponent.
It snowed all day, before, during and after the game. Temperatures fell from 18 before the game to 13 shortly after the game.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
I wasn't there for that NHL game you are referring to, so I can't verify anything about it without the googles.
But I was there for The Big Chill at The Big House and no, it definitely wasn't played in bitter cold conditions. In fact, there were concerns about how well the ice would hold up in the relatively mild conditions.
As I recall, the temperature was mid to upper 30's and it was somewhat foggy, maybe even a very light snow/drizzle mix at times the morning of the game as my brother and I drove over from SW Michigan.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
Yeah, it was bloody brutal at the 2014 NHL game. Light snow became some pretty impressive snow and it never managed to get above about 20 that entire day.
It was around 40F for the Big Chill. I remember they were worried about the playing surface because of that. It was pretty damn cold the night before though.
December 11th, 2021 at 5:37 PM ^
I remember getting beer at the NHL game. Had to drink fast because it kept freezing. They kept the beer in coolers without ice so that it stayed warm.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:58 PM ^
That was indeed Leafs v Red Wings. I was there and it was truly epic, with a nice snow falling. Thousands of Toronto fans made the trip over because in the old days they could actually cross the border.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:04 PM ^
Big chill weather was pleasant. I remember there being no precipitation and temperatures that were somewhere around 35-40.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:42 PM ^
Before the Big Chill my son and I were in Ann Arbor, maybe 12/09..? Somehow we were able to walk down the tunnel right onto the field. I've got pictures of him running around all over the place. There was a game of some kind going on.
Went to the game on the 11th. So much fun watching our guys run Sparty off the ice.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
Love it!
December 11th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
Was at the game. Time goes quick.
Nice job on the minecraft
December 11th, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
What an event. I was a The Cold War game in East Lansing in 2001, too. Good memories.
There was a B-2 bomber fly-over before The Big Chill. I have a video somewhere but can't find it.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:08 PM ^
Greatest ncaa hockey game.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:32 PM ^
One of the few things Dave Brandon did well!
December 11th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
42 pineapples - a very auspicious name. Nice work!
December 11th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
haha Thanks!
December 11th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
I was at the game as a RS freshman from Texas, one of my first experiences in the Big House with that kind of cold weather. Will never forget it!
December 11th, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
Did Al Randal just say there is going to be another outdoor hockey game that Michigan will be hosting next year?
— NT (@NT9125) October 3, 2021
I also caught this during the exhibition game. The radio had went to commercial but they didn't realize they were still on the BTN+ feed. I think he mentioned January 2023 vs MSU.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
I think the ticket to this was "free" (included with my football student season ticket package) at the time. I remember us thinking the title THE BIG CHILL was kinda corny so our group of friends kept comically overemphasizing the name of it. Didn't really know anything about the hockey team at the time (still don't), but pasting Staee 5-0 was very fun. Was a good time.
December 11th, 2021 at 5:39 PM ^
Turn on the Big 10 Network tonight at 8pm ET and watch the hockey team hopefully get the sweep against TTDS.
December 11th, 2021 at 8:02 PM ^
Here's the B-2 flyover. Not my best camera work. The media embed option is not working. Sorry.
And here is Michigan's fourth goal. Side commentary by my brother talking about his fancy new camera taking FULL HD video...it was 2010.