The most anticipated game in Michigan hockey history is finally upon us.

Nearly 11 months since the event was first announced -- and nine years after the two same schools started the outdoor hockey craze with The Cold War at Spartan Stadium -- Michigan and Michigan State will face off at Michigan Stadium on Saturday (3 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

The Big Chill at the Big House is expected to draw a world-record crowd for a hockey game to the corner of Main and Stadium in Ann Arbor and bring with it all the pageantry, and then some, of a Michigan football game.

The Cold War started a wave of outdoor games -- college, professional and international -- played in front of large crowds, but today's game will be the biggest of them all.

If you're interested in the game, our fan's guide to the Big Chill at the Big House is a must read.

If you're headed to the game, you'll probably want to about the updated parking situation (the U-M Golf Course and Ann Arbor Golf and Outing will be closed) and know the weather in Ann Arbor.

Along with compiling that fan's guide, Jeff Arnold, the Michigan hockey reporter for AnnArbor.com, has been following the event since its inception, through its planning stages and into this week's final preparations. Our photographers have visually documented the process, as well.

Here's a compilation of our recent coverage, in reverse chronological order, followed by links to more coverage from around the internet:

AnnArbor.com coverage

• Michigan hockey players savor final quiet moments before the Big Chill at the Big House. (12/10)

• Inexperienced Michigan State hockey team struggles, but is slowly putting things in place. (12/10)

• Big Chill at the Big House will be a spectacle even for fans who watch the outdoor game on TV. (12/10)

• Slideshow: Images from the Michigan and Michigan State's last practices before the Big Chill at the Big House. (12/10)

• Video: Michigan, Michigan State coaches and players talk about the Big Chill. (12/10)

• Notebook: Bryan Hogan gets the nod as Michigan's Big Chill starting goalie, winds of change and more. (12/10)

• Saturday's Big Chill hockey game could heat up sales for some Ann Arbor restaurants. (12/10)

• Outdoor hockey as a child led to lifelong love of game for Michigan coach Red Berenson. (12/9)

• The Big Chill will be a homecoming for Michigan State goalie Drew Palmisano. (12/8)

• Maintaining focus on business at hand is easier said than done for Wolverines, Spartans. (12/7)

• Notebook: Berenson mulls over goalies, tickets still available and more. (12/7)

• Michigan hockey team gets its first taste of outdoor environment in laid-back skate at Michigan Stadium. (12/7)

• Slideshow: Images from the Michigan hockey team's first skate on the Big Chill ice. (12/7)

• High school hockey teams play from dawn until dusk at Michigan Stadium. (12/6)

• Frozen Faceoff kicks off Big Chill at the Big House festivities, provides dress rehearsal for main event. (12/4)

• Slideshow: Images from outdoor hockey action Saturday at Michigan Stadium. (12/4)

• Notebook: Big Chill at the Big House to include fan fest, flyover, fireworks and world-record crowd. (12/2)

• With video: Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson takes first spin on the Big Chill at the Big House ice. (12/2)

• Slideshow: Berenson tests ice at Big Chill at the Big House rink. (12/2)

• Parking, traffic for The Big Chill at the Big House similar to football Saturdays in Ann Arbor. (12/2)

• Big Chill at the Big House rink construction nears completion amid changing weather conditions. (12/2)

• Slideshow: Images from ongoing work of the Big Chill at the Big House rink at Michigan Stadium. (12/1)

• Rink construction for Big Chill at the Big House remains on schedule despite rainy skies. (11/22)

• Preparing the Big House for the Big Chill involves attention to myriad detail, dealing with the unknown. (11/17)

• Big Chill at the Big House to include in-game, post-game fireworks displays. (11/15)

• Excitement builds for Big Chill at the Big House with merchandise sales and as schedule is announced. (11/12)

• Michigan unveils logo for Big Chill at the Big House outdoor hockey game.

•Michigan players have experience playing outdoors after last year's Camp Randall Classic at Wisconsin.

•Michigan officials used the outdoor game against the Badgers to prepare for The Big Chill At The Big House.

Game/team information

MGoBlue.com: Big Chill at the Big House Central

MSUSpartans.com: Hockey team page

Michigan: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results

Michigan State: Roster | Stats | Schedule/Results

More coverage

• USAToday.com: Michigan Stadium ready to host record-setting hockey game.

• NHL.com: UM, MSU ready to head back outdoors.

• CollegeHockeyNews.com: Teams ready for Big Chill at Big House.

• Michigan Daily: Frozen Over: The brains behind the Big Chill ice.

• Michigan Daily: Nine years after The Cold War, Michigan and Michigan State to face off in The Big Chill.

• MLive.com: Fox Sports Detroit's Matt Shepard excited to call 'Big Chill' hockey game at Michgian Stadium.

• Detroit News: Big House hockey promises record spectacle.

• State News: Outdoor environment will be memorable for players.

• Lansing State Journal: Outdoor trend began at MSU.

• Fox Sports Detroit: Record 'Chill' forecasted at Michigan Stadium.