EAST LANSING, Michigan -- Six years ago, Dave McAuliffe had an idea he thought could work. The Michigan State University men's ice hockey assistant coach figured that a game could be played outside, as it is on ponds throughout Michigan all winter. Better yet, McAuliffe thought, play it outside in Spartan Stadium and make it a special event.

With a crowd of 74,554 at the October 6 game between Michigan State and Michigan, the event was more than feasible -- it made history. The record attendance broke the previous ice hockey mark of 55,000 set March 5, 1957, at Lenin Stadium in Moscow.

Michigan State officials estimated that ticket sales would need to be about 40,000 to break even. The event netted an estimated $200,000 for the university.

The game ended, perhaps fittingly, in a 3-3 tie. The ice surface, which is similar to the one used in the movie, "Mystery, Alaska," was good and there were no major problems from a facility standpoint. The rink spread across the middle of the turf football surface, from just inside the 20-yard lines on either end. Sight lines were good.

"Michigan State University won tonight," said Mason. "College hockey won tonight. The state of Michigan won tonight. A great deal of preparation and work went into this and our staff certainly is to be commended."

The game truly was an event. Former National Hockey League great Gordie Howe dropped the ceremonial first puck; there was an extensive laser light show between the second and third periods; a local performer gave a concert between the first and second periods; and the teams entered the arena from tunnels filled with smoke.

Fans began arriving in the parking lots surrounding Spartan Stadium by midday to begin tailgating, and both schools had cheerleaders and their bands in attendance, adding to the football-style atmosphere. Michigan State's football team had a bye week and Michigan was on the road.

"I thought the fans really embraced this and that was something special," Mason said. "It went about as well as we could have expected."

The attention the event attracted also was impressive. Fox Sports Net broadcast the game live to an estimated 38 million homes across the United States and Canada. The press box was full with media members from many major markets.

Other schools may be interested in repeating Michigan State's event. The University of Michigan might study holding a game in the Pontiac Silverdome, home to the National Football League's Detroit Lions. University of Wisconsin, Madison, coach Jeff Sauer attended the game and said he also may be interested in holding a game on campus.

By the numbers

74,554 -- The world record for attendance at a hockey game, set October 6 in Spartan Stadium. Michigan and Michigan State skated to a 3-3 tie.

55,000 -- The former world record for attendance at a hockey game, set March 5, 1957, at Lenin Stadium, Moscow. Sweden defeated Russia, 3-2, in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship gold-medal game.

21,576 -- The former North American single-game collegiate attendance record, set December 29, 1984 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for a game between Michigan State and Michigan Tech.

80,368 -- Capacity at the Pontiac Silverdome, home of the National Football League's Detroit Lions. The stadium has been mentioned as a possible site for a similar event.

17,000 -- Square feet of frozen water used to make up the rink at Spartan Stadium for the Michigan-Michigan State game.

281 -- The weight (in tons) of the refrigeration unit it took to keep the ice frozen Saturday.

41-- Fahrenheit game time temperature at the outdoor game.

9 -- Number of days it took to sell out the outdoor game.