Since 1979, there have been 174 hockey games played between Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University, making it one of the most storied rivalries in college hockey.
For much of their history, Tech and Northern were in different conferences. Tech has long been in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Northern on the other hand has predominantly played in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
Marquette was buzzing on Saturday. The sun was shining, the temperature was pushing fifty degrees, it was Saint Patrick’s Day (no snowstorms, however), and a town full of anticipation for the WCHA Championship between the Michigan Tech Huskies and Northern Michigan Wildcats.
It was the most anticipated game rivals had ever played against each one another, and it was the Huskies who would walk away with the inaugural presentation of the Jeff Sauer trophy.
The Marquette Redmen and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Eagles played in the second longest game in United States high school hockey history. After playing 8 overtimes in the Division 1 state championship game the Michigan High School Athletic Association called the game, and it finished in a 1-1 tie and a shared state championship.