Imagine being besties and playing together since childhood, but then going on to become professional rivals. Awkward right? And a bit sad too. Well, not for Columbus Blue Jackets’ top-scoring defenseman Zach Werenski, who is set to go up against his best friend and Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin in one of the biggest games of the regular season.

Here’s what happened. Mark Scheig, of The Hockey Writer gave fans a glimpse of the rivalry between the two best friends ahead of their NHL Stadium Series game featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings. According to Scheig, when Werenski’s fiancee ran into Larkin and asked him to greet his friend, the Blue Jacket’s player responded by saying, “No, no. We hate those guys until the game is over.” 

Isn’t that funny?

The USA teammates represented the United States together at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and now they are competing against each other as part of their respective NHL teams. Before the game against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, Werenski said, “I think the best part too is where both teams are at right now. Those games mean something to both of us, and we play on Thursday in Detroit and Saturday in Columbus. Those are big games. I think that’s the most exciting part for us.” While the match on Thursday ended 5-2 in Columbus’s favor, it’s interesting to note that both teams will be heading to the game tied for the same spot in the playoff race.

Needless to say, Larkin has a lot on the line in the game. According to Red Wings coach, Todd McLellan, “There is no concern of a repeat performance against the Blue Jackets in the rematch on the grand stage.” While there is no guarantee that the Red Wings will walk out with a victory this time, McLellan is right about one thing, the Stadium Series match-up is going to be a grand occasion.

Zach Werenski will not be wanting for support

Just days ago, Columbus Blue Jackets insider, Jeff Svoboda, lit up X with some insane news. He wrote, “President of NHL Contents & Events Steve Mayer says ticket sales for the #StadiumSeries are ‘up and over 90,000,’ the vast majority of which were purchased by fans in Columbus.” The insider also revealed that the Blue Jackets vs Red Wings game is set to be the second-most attended game in NHL history. The first? The 2014 game featuring the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 104,173 spectators looked on as the Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout.

And it’s not just a huge pro-blue crowd and a chance to go head-to-head with his best friend that is going to make the game special for Zach Werenski. He will be living the dream that Blue Jackets stars like R.J. Umberger saw. “We talked about it all the time: pipe dream a while back there, and to see it finally come true, it’s a really big moment for this city,” said the former Blue Jackets forward. Weresnki will be in the thick of things as Ohio which has been majorly known for its football, will take a major step toward being called, as Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik said, “a hockey town.”

With so much to play for, can you really blame Werenski for not greeting his friend? I don’t think so.