The Biggest Hockey Rivalry In West Michigan ...
Wikipedia describes a Sports Rivalry as an intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. By any definition, a Forest Hills Northern/Eastern vs Forest Hills Central hockey game is a sports rivalry, arguably the most intense high school hockey game in West Michigan.
Birth:
FH Central began its hockey program in 1979 and added players from FH Northern 10 years later (1989). Northern started its own hockey team during the 2000-01 season and joined forces with the new FH Eastern high school in 2004-05. FHN suffered through formative growing pains. Former head coach Kevin Zaschak described, "The first couple of years we really struggled to put more than 1 or 2 lines together that could compete with other teams." It took a while for Northern to compete with Central. Nonetheless, it was still a rivalry - Rivalries stem from various sources; close geographic proximity as well as frequent meetings in important games can lead to rivalries.
Respect:
Eventually, FH Northern/Eastern got a win over FH Central. Coach Zaschak, in an interview for the 2005-06 hockey yearbook was asked to list his Top 5 Forest Hills hockey moments - #1 on that list, "Beating FHC for the first time in our history last year (2004-05), 2-1. We were down 1-0 going into the 3rd period and scored two goals late in the game for the win." Later that season, in the 2004-05 State Playoffs, Central beat Northern/Eastern in triple overtime by a 2-1 score. Then things changed ...
The competitive pressure of a rivalry is felt by the athletes and coaches, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans.
Domination:
Since that triple overtime loss in 2004-05, the two teams have played 20 games; Northern/Eastern has won 16 of them. The Husky/Hawks delivered a classic payback at the 05-06 playoffs by defeating the Rangers 3-2 in double overtime. In 2008-09, Central won both regular season games over FHNE only to have their season ended by their rivals in the playoffs, 9-4. Records are sketchy prior to 2005-06, but in the past six seasons, the two teams have met three times in each season.
The 3rd meeting each season has been in the State Playoffs, single elimination, win or go home. Northern/Eastern, since that triple overtime loss in 2004-05, has sent Central home each of the past six seasons.
Attendance:
Make no mistake, the fans make this rivalry. Athletes feed off a large, loud crowd. The crowds at the FHNE/FHC games are like no other. When the stands are filled, students and adults start surrounding the ice at the glass, 3 or 4 deep; all the way to the players bench!! After an N/E victory, the players get the satisfaction of walking a gauntlet through their friends that have been cheering them on. N/E head coach Todd Gallup is in his 3rd season at the helm and has never lost in this rivalry, "The first time I faced Central it was our first game of the season and my first high school game behind the bench. I remember it as being a very physical and competitive game. I believe the final was 3-1 and it really could have gone either way. The building was absolutely packed; what surprised me most was the volume...it was extremely loud." Asked if he knew of the rivalry before coaching that first game, Gallup said, "I have been coaching youth hockey locally for several years. There is always a kid or two moving on to high school hockey and I have had the opportunity to take in several of these games. Always a lot of fun watching players you know and coached playing against each other."
Gauntlet - Go through an excited crowd in order to reach a goal (the lockerroom).
Friendly Rivalry:
In a neighborhood rivalry, you get players on both teams who know each other, and know each other well. They've grown up playing sports together - little league baseball, youth football, soccer, and, of course, hockey. Friends. The result of the game is for bragging rights, nothing more.
Before the game there is respect...
l to r: Nick Trapp, Peter Gibson, Chris Hollemans, Sam Rennaker
Nick Trapp #22, Jared Mervenne #10
During the game, there is talk ...
Sam Rennaker #18, Brandon Dean #21
Cam Andersen, Alec Miller #22
After the game, there is more respect.
Cam Andersen, Keegan Ferris
Forest Hills Northern/Eastern has put together a string of nine straight wins over Forest Hills Central. Wins that are a reward to their fans. Wins that were achieved because of their fans.
WMSP chatted with longtime area referee, Dave Rost for his impressions of the FHNE v FHC games, "It's the best game in town, has been for a long time. The place is packed, and it's loud; doesn't get any better than that." Rost was asked what it means to be assigned to officiate these games, "I speak for most of the officials in the area, it's the game you want. The play is intense and the atmosphere is electric."
Referee, Dave Rost
As far as the FHNE/FHC crowds and if there is any other rivalry in the area that compares, Rost said, "It is extremely loud, sometimes we have to blow the whistle two or three times to stop a play. Fans from both schools are very passionate about their teams. As far as comparing this game to others, the thing that separates them is FHNE/FHC is always intense, always packed. GRCC/EGR, or Kentwood/Mona Shores will fill a place if they are playing for something, playing a meaningful game. But with Central and N/E, you're gonna get a special game in the middle of December."
Coach Todd Gallup
The two teams have played each other twice this season, with N/E winnning the 2nd game in double overtime. The crowds at those two games may have exceeded the prior games. According to Coach Gallup, "Yes, I did notice that the crowd size seemed bigger. It was about 4 or 5 deep behind the glass on our end and it went all the way to our bench. It took us several minutes to get from the locker room to the bench between periods. We were late for both the second and the third. They were waiting to start but we couldn't get there; what a great problem to have. I would definitely say the crowds for both of our games this year were about as big as they could get."
Coach Gallup assessed this year's games with FHC, "Central is a very difficult team to play against. They are young, have great team speed and are very well coached. You could really see their confidence grow the last time we played. If we were to play again, the message to my team would be the same; compete, control your emotions and don't worry about things you can't control. We had to get past them the last two years to make it to the regional finals. Wouldn't surprise me at all if we met again this year. This year the stakes are even higher, we are hosting the regional finals at Patterson. In the past we have always been on the road for that game. For the winner it will be a huge advantage to play at home."
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Below is a list of recent posts, interviews and game summaries. Older articles can be viewed by clicking on 'View Archive' at the bottom of a page. REMINDER: If you want your school's sports results posted, send an e-mail with details to - ron@wmsportspage.com 2011-12 Sports Coverage:
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Hockey Coverage at WMSP
WM Sports Page has kicked off the 2011-12 hockey season with coverage of Forest Hills Central vs Forest Hills Northern/Eastern and GR Catholic Central vs Mona Shores. The following hockey info can be found on this site for OK Conference schools: Schedules, Scores, Standings, Rosters, Summaries, Photos. Click on a conference, click on a school, click on hockey. Standings are available from any of the conference pages.
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