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.
For the last two weeks, people across the world have tuned into the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. We have marveled at their incredible accomplishments, cried together over their adversity and comebacks, and screamed in joy as we share their excitement.
On Saturday, while the world was infatuated with the closing ceremonies, there was another group of elite athletes preparing for competition on the other side of the world.