The Michigan hockey team’s trip to New Hampshire has been six years in the making.

The Wildcats played the Wolverines to a 4-4 tie exactly six years ago today. Michigan coach Red Berenson admitted he doesn’t like going to play games on the East Coast, but when New Hampshire was in Ann Arbor, Berenson promised them a return game in the future. And on Saturday No. 3 Michigan will take on the Wildcats at Whittemore Center Arena.

The Wolverines handled Bowling Green last weekend and blew a 4-0 lead to tie Mercyhurst in the season opener. But No. 9 New Hampshire will be the first real test of the young season.

“Mercyhurst was the first game of the year for both teams, and we got our jitters out,” junior defenseman Brandon Burlon said this week during practice. “It’s definitely going to be a test early in the year … We’re going to have to embrace the challenge.”

New Hampshire graduated its top scorer from last season, Bobby Butler, but 14 of its top 16 scorers return. It showed its offensive ability last weekend, getting nine goals from nine different players in two games against No. 4 Miami.

For Michigan (2-0-0 CCHA, 2-0-1 overall), shutting down the Wildcats’ transition game will be the first priority.

“The team we’re playing is a great transition team,” Berenson said. “That’s their strength, transition and attack, so if we can do a good job in that area it will help.”

Stopping the transition will be harder than usual, as Michigan will play on its first Olympic size rink this season. Olympic ice is 13 feet wider than a normal rink, creating more space for players to spread out, especially in the neutral zone.

“As a defenseman, you have a lot more time.” Burlon said. “The forwards aren’t on you as quick as they usually are on a regular sheet of ice; you don’t get hit as much. But by the same token, there’s a lot more room for the forwards to use and gain speed. So it’s a little bit of a give and take.”

The Wolverines haven’t had success in previous East Coast trips. The past two years, they have lost both games to Boston University on the road. In 2007, Michigan lost 7-2 to the fifth-ranked Terriers, and the following year, Michigan scored two goals in the third to tie the game, but gave up a late goal to lose.

Despite the long trips and the unfamiliar teams, the players don’t treat this game any differently.

“It’s usually the first real road trip and it’s usually in the beginning of the year so it’s fun to get the team together as bonding in a way,” senior forward Carl Hagelin said. “It’s fun to play some of those teams. They’re usually ranked high and always skilled guys.”

NOTES: sophomore forward Kevin Lynch, who hurt his shoulder in Tuesday’s game against the USNTDP, skated in practice today with no contact. Berenson is “anticipating he will be OK to go.” ... Senior forward Matt Rust, who suffered a lower body injury last weekend will play Saturday.