Andy Murray talks outdoor hockey at Comerica Park

Western Michigan University coach Andy Murray joined Bill Pidto and E.J. Hradek on NHL Live on Thursday evening to discuss the 49th annual Great Lakes Invitational, which gets underway at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday.

“We’re excited, obviously. It’s the first time Western Michigan’s ever played in an outdoor game,” Murray said, “and playing in Comerica Park here, about two hours from Kalamazoo, where Western Michigan is located. We’re playing three in-state rivals.”

Michigan State and Michigan Tech play in the afternoon opener followed by Western Michigan and Michigan at night. The consolation and championship games will be played at Comerica Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers, on Saturday.

The Great Lakes Invitational usually is played at Joe Louis Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings. With the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs being played Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium, the college tournament will also be held outdoors.