Hockey Night in West Michigan

Tonight is truly a great hockey Saturday in West Michigan. Some great conference rivalry games that will make a big difference in the standings, and some of the best teams in the state playing on this side of the big mitten today. I wish I could be zig-zagging from rink to rink like the puck on Rick Nash's stick the other day, but I will be at Griff's for the consolation and championship of the East-West Invitational. I'm not complaining mind you, because there should be two pretty good games there with SMCC taking on a feisty Mattawan team and highly ranked Wyandotte facing off against the 14-1 GRCC Cougars. So many games...so little time. Here are some games to watch:

Portage Central vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's (3 p.m. @ Wings): PC Coach Jim Murray plays one of the toughest schedules of any team in West Michigan and today's game is a double-whammy. Not only is OLSM talented, but they're probably kind of pissed off following a 4-1 loss at Mona Shores last night. A good test for Murray's Mustangs.

Mona Shores vs. Birmingham Brother Rice (4 p.m. @ Lakeshore): My apologies to the Sailors faithful for overlooking their game versus OLSM last night in my "games to watch." From all reports, the Mona boys just flat out brung it. I won't make the same mistake tonight, as Charlie Link's team, rated #9 in D-2, takes on Bro' Rice, which is ranked #3 in D-2.

East Kentwood vs. Forest Hills Northern/Eastern (6 p.m. @ Patterson): A critical win for either team if they want to have a shot at catching Mona for the OK-1 conference crown. FHN/E has lost two in a row, including last night's upset by EGR in conference play. They're a tremendously talented team, but have spent a lot of time in the box in their last two games. East Kentwood, meanwhile, has played some gritty hockey and built early leads that they've had trouble hanging onto. Trust me, this one will be anyone's game until the final whistle.

Kenowa Hills vs. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (8 p.m. @ Lakeshore): I was standing along the boards at the GRCC game last night when I noticed that RP goalie Eddie Young standing right next to one of the Kenowa Hills forwards. I introduced them and said: "Hey, you guys are playing each other in a hu-u-uge game tomorrow." Tomorrow is here. This will be an important OK-2 game between MRP (3-0-1, 7 points) and KH (3-0, 6 points), with the winner keeping pace with Hudsonville (4-1, 8 points).

Other Saturday Games
Jenison vs Big Rapids at Ferris State (2 p.m. @ Ferris State)
Kalamazoo Eagles vs Wayland (4 p.m. @ Southside)
Portage Northern vs. Kalamazoo United (5 p.m. @ Wings)
Northview vs West Ottawa (5:40 p.m. @ the Edge)
East Lansing vs GR South Christian (6 p.m. @ Southside)
Hudsonville vs GR Christian (7 p.m. @ Jolly Roger)
Traverse City West vs. Alepna (7:30 p.m. @ Howe)
Rockford vs West Catholic (9 p.m. @ Griff's)
GRCC vs. Wyandotte (7 p.m. @ Griff's)
Mattawan vs. SMCC (5 p.m. @ Griff's)
Kalamazoo Blades vs. TBD (Strongville Tourney)