No. 1 Michigan stormed back in the first game of the weekend series against No. 2 Michigan State, completing a three-goal comeback and winning in overtime in front of its home crowd. Michigan increases its lead in the Big Ten standings to two points as it tightens its grip on the conference in the final few weeks of the regular season.
Did someone say instant classic? pic.twitter.com/IoDJjBQ6yw
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) February 7, 2026
Tonight, the Wolverines and Spartans head to Detroit where they will meet in the annual “Duel in the D” game at Little Caesars Arena. Michigan looks to sweep the the Spartans, while Michigan State will try to win its third straight Duel and pull into first place in the Big Ten.
Here’s everything to know as the Wolverines and Spartans battle for the Iron D trophy.
What is the Duel in the D?
The Duel in the D is an annual neutral site game in Detroit, MI between 100+ year rivals Michigan and Michigan State. It began in 1991 as a two-game series before moving to a one-game format in 1993. The Iron D trophy was introduced in 2016, and this year will be the 10th time the trophy is awarded. Michigan State has won the last two Duels after Michigan took five straight from 2018 to 2023.
This year marks the first Duel where the Wolverines and Spartans meet as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. Last night’s game was also a historic milestone; it was the 355th meeting and the first-ever 1 vs. 2 game in the storied rivalry.
Last 10 Duels in the D:
| Date | Winner | score |
|---|---|---|
| January 30, 2015 | Michigan State | 2-1 |
| February 5, 2016 | Michigan State | 3–2 |
| February 10, 2017 | Tie | 4–4 |
| February 10, 2018 | Michigan | 3–2 |
| February 9, 2019 | Michigan | 5–2 |
| February 18, 2020 | Michigan | 4–1 |
| February 12, 2022 | Michigan | 7–3 |
| February 11, 2023 | Michigan | 4–3OT |
| February 10, 2024 | Michigan State | 3–2 |
| February 8, 2025 | Michigan State | 6–1 |
The Iron D trophy
The Iron D trophy was introduced in 2016 to symbolize the city of Detroit. It features a forged iron “D” at the center with the city’s skyline and Little Caesars Arena wrapped around the base of the trophy. A large cup tops the trophy while hockey sticks, a red glass puck and the logos of Michigan and MSU make up the sides. Detroit Design Center artists Erik and Israel Nordin designed the trophy.
How to watch Michigan vs. Michigan State hockey at the Duel in the D
The game begins at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. You can follow along right here on NCAA.com for live updates, highlights and scores throughout the game.
