Michigan Stadium sets world record for hockey attendance
By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan players didn’t know what was more impressive: playing in front of 113,411 fans outdoors or seeing their 71-year-old coach Red Berenson clap when the attendance was announced as a new world record for hockey.
“I actually saw him smile, and saw him clap, and that doesn’t happen much,” Michigan freshman defenseman Jon Merrill said. “On Monday, I’m sure the smile will go away.”

Michigan Stadium officially only has a capacity of 109,901, but Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Mike Janela was on site to verify the crowd size for No. 11 Michigan’s 5-0 win against Michigan State. It shatters the previous world record of 77,803, set last spring when the Germans defeated USA 2-1 in a domed soccer stadium at the World Ice Hockey Championships in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Janela said Guinness counts everyone in the venue to watch the game, excluding only participants and the media. There was a counting of ticket barcodes to verify everyone who bought tickets showed up.

“It was amazing,” said Michigan captain Carl Hagelin, a New York Rangers’ draft pick who had two goals and an assist. “It was probably the loudest environment I’ve ever been in.”

The hockey crowd also the Michigan Stadium record, breaking the football mark of 113,090 set against Connecticut on Sept. 4.

“I thought Michigan put on a great show,” Michigan State coach Rick Comley said. “It was everything that it was built up to be.”

The 113,411 also represents the highest attendance ever for an NCAA event.

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