Per USA Today:

The University of Michigan Board of Regents voted unanimously Wednesday to allow the NHL to use Michigan Stadium for its annual Winter Classic outdoor hockey game.

The NHL followed that vote with an announcement that it would hold a major news conference Thursday at the stadium and at the downtown Comerica Park.

The NHL will pay up to $3 million to use the stadium from Dec, 1, 2012 to mid-January. The game will be held Jan. 1, 2013, with an alternate date set for Jan. 2. The NHL has also agreed to donate an undisclosed amount of money to the university for student scholarships.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he was first contacted by the NHL in November 2011 about the possible use of Michigan Stadium.

“We have Michigan Stadium sitting over there empty on New Year’s Day 2013,” Brandon said. “One of the things you try to do is leverage our assets in a way that provides us opportunities to make them available and also generate some income.”

Regent Denise Ilitch, whose father, Mike Ilitch, owns the Detroit Red Wings, recused herself from voting.

Because the announcement isn’t until Thursday, Red Wings players weren’t willing to speak freely. But goalie Jimmy Howard couldn’t hide his excitement.

“It’s going to be quite the spectacle,” he said. “With it being at the Big House, with 110,000-plus that are expected to be there, it’ll be great for all of us.”

The Wolverines and rival Michigan State attracted a record 104,173 people for a hockey game on Dec. 11, 2010.

Captain Nicklas Lidstrom spoke only in maybes.

“If it’s going to happen, I think it will be very exciting,” he said. “I think they haven’t announced anything yet, so we’re still waiting for the announcement. But if it happens, it will be exciting for fans to have something in this area.”

Asked if it could sway him to come back and play again next season, Lidstrom laughed. “I don’t know if one game is going to sway me one way or another, but I think it’s great for the fans.”

NHL advertising and other sponsorship arrangements will be implemented throughout the stadium and a liquor license will be obtained for service of alcoholic beverages at the stadium for the event.

Todd Bertuzzi makes a man miss with a great move on his way to a goal.

Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro are on the hook again for “jinxing” a shutout, as Jiri Hudler scores on Carey Price seconds after the TSN announcers mention it.

Pavel Datsyuk uncorks a wicked backhander that hits the top corner on Jaroslav Halak.

Todd Bertuzzi uses a beautiful spin-o-rama move to win the shootout for Detroit.

Jiri Hudler pulls the same move as teammate Henrik Zetterberg did a few nights before in the shootout.

Pavel Datsyuk backhands a perfect pass to the stick of Johan Franzen, who gives the Red Wings a 2-0 lead.

Todd Bertuzzi whacks the rebound in front just before it hits the ice for the overtime game-winner in Detroit.