Back in West Michigan after a trip to the D, and revved up for tonight's playoffs. A couple of the games are acknowledged mismatches, with new programs and young players taking on established programs with all-state caliber players. Down in K-town, there's a rubber-game matchup between two long-running programs trying to regain some luster and continue their run in the D-3 playoffs. Finally, the Blogger will be in GR tonight, watching one of the state's top teams this year taking on a young, talented team that may be a year away.
East Kentwood vs. Kalamazoo United (7 p.m. @ the Annex) -- After a tough season that included ups (beating Cranbrook) and downs (losing to Mona twice), the Falcons are steeling themselves for a playoff run. They cruised to victory over Wayland on Tuesday, and tonight's game matches them against a very young Kalamazoo United team. Look for seniors Ben Grover and Tyler Copeland, who returned a few weeks back after breaking his leg early in the season, to take lead their EK team with a business-like approach tonight.
Traverse City West vs. Manistee (7 p.m. @ Howe) -- TC West has been justifying its high ranking in the state polls over the past few weeks with hard-working, playoff-type hockey and excellent goaltending. Sophomore Mitch Snider, who broke a bone of his own earlier this season, is coming off a 4-point night against the Bay Reps in the opening round. Manistee, which is in just its third year of varsity hockey, finished a respectable 8-14-2, lead by Joey Tomczyk, Brett Truxton and goaltender Nic Patulski.
Mattawan vs. Grand Rapids Christian (7 p.m. @ Twinstar) - These two teams have met twice this year, with Mattawan taking a 2-0 win down in Kalamazoo and GR Christian winning a 2-1 game at Jolly. Expect another low-scoring game between these two teams, which both have excellent goaltending and some senior leaders. Look for Mattawan's defense, backstopped by goalie Derek Straub along with d-men Nate McCorry, Shawn Jones and Dylan Dault, to try to slow down Christian's fleet forwards Jeff Sorenson, Tyler Spiering and Scott Plakmyer.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. East Grand Rapids (8 p.m. @ Griff's) -- The WMHSH Blogger is biased about this one, but not as much as you might think. My son plays for GRCC, but grew up playing for EGRAHA and I've helped coach about 10 kids on the EGR team at one point or another over the past 10 years. So I do have some mixed emotions...but not that mixed. GRCC is a senior-laden team with a ton of talent. EGR is a junior and sophomore-laden team with a ton of talent, so my plainly spoken hope is that senior talent and urgency wins out tonight. EGR will battle for sure, especially seniors Ekco Morgan(f), Corey Domin (d) and Ian McDonald (g), and a win over GRCC may not be probable but it sure is possible. And that, as the saying goes, is why they play the games. Should be a good crowd at Griff's tonight. Good seats still available.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday Night Playoff Hockey
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3 comments:
Blogger-have never read bias from you. No idea who your son is. All work you have done to run this site, should enourage all who enjoy it, to hope your will cheer your son's team on. It will not change your reporting of GRCC games or any others. Least we can do to say Thanks!.
One must favor GRCC win based on facts: GRCC should have all players healthly, have played many of best teams in the state,& on a mission. EGR has a good team but lacks depth & experience compared to GRCC. Even with GRCC injuries, slumps, etc. they had few upsets this year. Losses came from great teams in all tiers mainly from dominate EM teams. No other WM hockey team has played this kind of tough schedule. Upsets as EGR has shown are always possible & against GRCC it is tough. Good Luck to both teams & all please know outcome of this/future games does not affect my own kid still playing. Any parent, fan comments, etc. who don't encourage our blogger to support his sons team on this site, should be willing to take on blogger role. Know the rest of us would expect you to do all the work 10x better !
It is a game - feel free blogger to cheer your kids team on !
GRCC vs EGR should bring in a pretty penny for the MHSAA. EGR's entire school comes to their big games, and GRCC's student section doesn't lack in thunder either.
Confirmed EK mercy win early 3rd period 8/zip vs. Kzoo United. Bell's starting line who played all of the game were players who get little ice time, from freshman to SR's. Not suprise win for EK but this KZoo team will learn/grow & be a future force. 14 of 16 players (including goalies in 16count) are freshman. one goalie is just darn good & a freshamn. No matter the score they don't give up. this comes from EK dad. anyone know other scores: GRCC/EGR, etc. THX
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