No TV For Friday's Game

Due to complications between a Michigan TV station and the NHL Network the Clarkson/Michigan State season opener on Friday will not be shown nationwide.

The game will still be on TV in Michigan, but the signal will not also be picked up by the NHL Network.

Two Similar Teams

The 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons were successful for both Clarkson and the Spartans, who meet in a two-game nonconference series in East Lansing, Mich. this weekend.

Clarkson was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and Michigan State was the national champion that year.

The following season both teams came within one win of making it to the Frozen Four.

But last year both programs fell dramatically and both enter this year with low expectations, at least according to coaches' preseason polls.

Clarkson went from 22-13-4 in 2007-08 to a 10-19-7 record last year. Michigan State went from 25-12-5 to 10-23-5 last season.

"I think both programs are pretty-proud programs and they are coming off not-so-good years," said Clarkson captain Scott Freeman. "Everyone wants to win, so they are kind of in the same boat as us. They want to have a better year and a better start, and so do we."

Three Missing Trip

Clarkson will not be taking forwards Tim Marks and Jake Morley and backup goalie Richie LaVeau on this weekend's trip.

The trio is serving a two-game punishment for breaking a team rule last spring. All three are expected to be back when the team opens at home next weekend against Niagara and RIT>

Junior Tom Pizzo will move up to a checking forward line this weekend to help offset the loss.

What To Expect in East Lansing

Every college hockey team has their superfans and it seems the Spartans are no different.

I found this clip of a MSU superfan on You Tube. If you are making the trip this weekend to see Clarkson face the Spartans, see if you can find him: