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Michigan and Ohio State have faced off in Ohio’s first outdoor college hockey game

CLEVELAND – Michigan and Ohio State have dropped the puck above a baseball diamond.

With the rivals’ fans sitting side-by-side in Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians, the Wolverines and Buckeyes are playing the first outdoor college hockey game in Ohio. A crowd of 30,000 is expected for the Frozen Diamond Faceoff, a unique event Indians president Mark Shapiro says could happen again.

Once it’s over, Shapiro said the Indians will evaluate the event and decide whether to hold it again next year.

Shapiro arrived at the downtown ballpark more than five hours before the start and was greeted by hundreds of fans tailgating like it was a Saturday during college football season.

Ohio State, which came in ranked No. 2, is trying to avenge a 4-0 loss to the Wolverines on Friday in Columbus.

Michigan, Ohio State set to meet in Ohio’s first outdoor college hockey game

CLEVELAND – Michigan and Ohio State are set to take their heated rivalry outside into the snow, wind and ice.

With helmets similar to the ones they wear in football, the Wolverines and Buckeyes will meet Sunday in Ohio’s first outdoor college hockey game, which will take place on a rink built over the Cleveland Indians’ dirt and grass infield. A crowd of 30,000 is expected at Progressive Field for the unique event, which will wrap up the baseball team’s second annual Snow Days.

They’re rivals in football, but Michigan and Ohio State can also skate. The Wolverines, who have won nine NCAA titles, beat the second-ranked Buckeyes 4-0 on Friday in Columbus.

When Ohio State practiced at the ballpark last week, strong wind made it difficult for the players to skate in one direction but pushed them toward the goal when they went the opposite way.