Michigan and Michigan State look to settle the score in the annual “Duel in the D” on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Little Caesars Arena

DETROIT (January 31, 2019) – The rivalry between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State University Spartans hockey teams continues with the annual “Duel in the D” on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the award-winning Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit. The game will be televised live on FOX Sports Detroit. 

Michigan and Michigan State look to settle the score after a tightly-contested matchup at Little Caesars Arena earlier this season (Dec. 31) as part of the 54^th annual Great Lakes Invitational which ended in a 2-2 tie. The fierce in-state rivalry was on full display during the meeting in Hockeytown on New Year’s Eve, as the two teams combined for a total of 22 penalties and 103 penalty minutes. 

The “Duel in the D” features the most-played rivalry in college hockey. The matchup in Detroit marks the 323rd meeting between the Wolverines and Spartans, with Michigan leading the all-time series, 163-135-24. The two teams will square off in Ann Arbor on Friday, Feb. 8 before the meeting at Little Caesars Arena, marking the fifth and final regular season matchup of the 2018-19 campaign. 

Forward Taro Hirose highlights Michigan State’s roster, as the junior currently leads the nation in points (42), assists (29) and points per game (1.62) in 26 contests this season. Michigan welcomes back sophomore defenseman Quinn Hughes, who was selected by Vancouver in the first round (7^th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Hughes missed the first matchup this season at Little Caesars Arena due to his participation in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship where he won a silver medal representing Team USA. Hughes has tallied three goals and 20 assists through 21 games this season for the Wolverines, ranking second in the Big Ten among defensemen. 

The “Iron D” Trophy is on the line for the winner of the “Duel in the D” for the fourth time since the trophy’s creation in 2016. The Wolverines won the “Iron D” Trophy the last two seasons after Michigan State claimed the trophy in its inaugural season. Since the inception of the “Iron D” Trophy, all three “Duel in the D” games have been decided by one goal. 

The “Iron D” Trophy features a forged iron “D” at its center to symbolize the city of Detroit, while the skyline of Hockeytown wraps around the base, including an image of Little Caesars Arena placed at the center. A large cup rests atop the trophy and hockey sticks, a red glass puck and the logos of Michigan and Michigan State line the sides of the trophy. The trophy was designed and built by Erik and Israel Nordin at their studio, the Detroit Design Center.  

Tickets for the “Duel in the D” start at $25 and can be purchased at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Little Caesars Arena XFINITY Box Office. Tickets can also be purchased through The District Detroit App or by calling the Red Wings Ticket Sales and Service Office at 313-471-7575. 

“IRON D” TROPHY WINNERS:

2018 – Michigan (3-2)

2017 – Michigan (4-4 tie, shootout win)

2016 – Michigan State (3-2, overtime)