CSR (Calvin/Hope Hockey Rivalry Headed To VanAndel Arena)

October 5, 2004

CALVIN/HOPE HOCKEY RIVALRY HEADED TO VANANDEL ARENA

The storied Calvin-Hope men's basketball rivalry has played the Van Andel
Arena. Now the growing Calvin-Hope ice hockey rivalry will get a chance to do
the same.

On November 13 at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, the two rivals
will meet on the ice in a Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference game slated to
start at 3:00 p.m..

The game will be part of a hockey doubleheader at the Van Andel Arena as the
Calvin-Hope game will precede a 7:30 p.m. American Hockey League contest
between the host Grand Rapids Griffins and the visiting San Antonio Rampage.

Fans will get a chance to see both games for one ticket price. Priced at
$13.00, each ticket will allow a fan to see both games. Tickets for Calvin and
Hope students are priced at $10.00.

Tickets to the doubleheader can only be purchased at the Calvin Box Office.
Tickets can be purchased through the box office in person, by phone
(616-526-6282) or online (http://www.calvin.edu/boxoffice).

The Calvin/Hope hockey matchup will pit a pair of teams that have achieved
national distinction over the last two years. In 2003, Hope took second at the
American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III National Club Tournament
while Calvin took third.

This past March, Calvin went all the way, capturing the ACHA Division III
Tournament title with Hope taking fifth.

The ACHA National title capped off a storybook season for the Calvin club ice
hockey team as it finished the year 29-1 overall which included an MCHC regular
season title.

Calvin's lone defeat however was to Hope as the Flying Dutchmen topped the
Knights 6-2 in the MCHC Tournament Championship final. The meeting was the
fourth of the year between Calvin and Hope with the Knights winning the three
prior meetings. Two of the meetings were played in front of overflow crowds.
In October, a crowd of 1,100 fans were treated to a 4-3 overtime thriller at
the Jolly Roger Ice Arena in Grand Rapids. In January, the two rivals met in
Holland in front of 1,800 fans at the Edge Ice Arena with the Knights
prevailing 2-0.

This summer the rivalry was featured in June/July issue of USA Hockey
Magazine.

The upcoming November game at the Van Andel Arena will serve as Calvin's
home game which has Calvin hockey coach Mike Petrusma excited. "First of
all, we're very grateful that the Griffins organization and everyone at the
Van Andel Arena has made this opportunity possible for both teams," said
Petrusma. "The price of each ticket is the same for a regular season
Griffins games so in essence, hockey fans will get a chance to see two high
quality games for the price of one ticket. That's a combination that's
difficult to beat."

With the Van Andel Arena seating more than 10,000 fans for hockey, more fans
will have the opportunity to witness the Calvin-Hope rivalry in person.
"Because of the success of both teams, the crowd sizes at our games has
been overwhelming," said Petrusma. "It's exciting to see that kind of
enthusiasm but it also makes it difficult for people who don't want to stand
for an entire game or stand in a long line for a ticket. With the game at the
Van Andel Arena, any one who wants to come out and see us play should have the
opportunity and they won't have to stand to watch the game."

The Calvin-Hope game will actually be part of a triple-header of hockey action
at the Van Andel Arena as a Calvin alumni hockey game will take place at 1:00
p.m.

"Calvin has a rich ice hockey tradition so it's an added bonus for our
school that its alumni hockey players will get the opportunity to play in a
game at such a terrific facility," said Petrusma. "It should all make for
a fantastic day of hockey action in downtown Grand Rapids."

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Tue Oct 5 16:32:58 2004