From the land of frozen rain (and universities that don't know the definitions
of the words "road" and "salt," especially when those two are combined in the
same sentence), we give you a preview of the weekend for Michigan State.
 
The Spartans travel tonight (well, they're already there) to Bowling Green for
the third meeting with the Falcons this year (seems like old times when every
time the Spartans and Falcons get together, first place is on the line).  So
far, Michigan State holds a 2-0 series lead this year (one conference, one non-
conference) by winning both games played at Munn Ice Arena.  The Spartans will
be without the services of freshman winger Mike Watt, who will serve a one-
game suspension for his fighting major in the third period of Saturday's win
over Lake Superior.  It is hoped that sophomore winger Brian Crane will be
ready tonight.  Crane missed both games last weekend with a knee injury.  The
Spartans will look to extend a three-game winning streak.
 
Another much longer streak is on the line tomorrow night when the Spartans
return to the banks of the Red Cedar to play Western Ontario.  MSU has sold out
Munn Ice Arena for 160 consecutive regualr season contests, dating back to the
game against Ohio State on 15 December 1986.  As of today, the WO-MSU game was
NOT a sellout and the string may be in jeopardy.
 
(BTW, Jeff, you got a decent quote in today's barely-hanging-on-to-the-edge-of
reality newspaper, the Michigan State University State News.)
 
Time to start laying blame for this one.  If the Spartans do not sell out the
WO game, the blame can be sqarely placed on the shoulders of the Michigan State
Athletic Ticket Office.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with how things
work at Green and White U., student ticket packages are based on when classes
are actually in session.  Thus, games during breaks are not considered part of
the student package and are sold separately.  Well, the MSU ATO considers
finals week to not be part of the regular school calendar, therefore any games
played during that week are not on the student package.  Well, the official end
of classes is today, and finals start Monday.  Therefore, the WO game is not on
the student package (neither is the Ferris State game on January 6, but there
will be enough tickets sold to Bulldog fans that there's virtually no chance of
a non-sellout).  But, how do you get people motivated to go to the arena to
watch a team most people don't recognize?  And, what's worse, it's not like any
students left town!  But to ask them now, at the end of the semester, to
scrounge up $5 for tickets is going to be a little tough.
 
Anyway, my frustrations now vented somewhat, I do hope the sellout string con-
tinues.  8 years is a long string to let go to waste.  But if it does end, re-
member who to blame.
 
G. M. Finniss
Michigan State University 8-1-1, 11-3-1
MSU Who the hell knows when?