CSR (Calvin/Hope Ice Hockey Rivalry Returns to Van Andel Arena)

From: Jeffrey Febus <jfebus@calvin.edu>
Date: Fri Oct 14 2005 - 11:36:28 EDT

October 14, 2005

CALVIN/HOPE HOCKEY RIVALRY HEADED BACK TO VAN ANDEL ARENA

For the second straight year, the Calvin-Hope ice hockey rivalry is headed to
the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids.

The two rivals will face off at the Van Andel Arena on November 5. The
contest will serve as a Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference game and is
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 Syracuse Crunch.
 
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
students are priced at $10.00. Calvin students will be limited to one ticket
per person.

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).

A year ago, Calvin and Hope had a memorable November meeting at the Van Andel
Arena with Calvin pulling out a 4-3 victory on a goal by junior Nick VerKuyl
with just 10 seconds remaining. The game was witnessed by more than 3,000
fans.

The Calvin/Hope hockey match up will pit a pair of teams that have achieved
national distinction over the last few years. In 2003, Hope took second at the
American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III National Club Tournament
while Calvin took third. In 2004, Calvin went all the way, capturing the ACHA
Division III Tournament title with Hope taking fifth. Last March, Hope took
fourth at the national tournament while Calvin was ninth.

Both teams are off to strong starts to the current season as Calvin is 2-0 and
Hope 3-0. The two rivals will meet tonight at 7:00 p.m. in a tournament hosted
by Davenport University at the Standard Federal Ice Center.

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 continued to make 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 size at our games have 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 12:30
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 Fri Oct 14 11:47:57 2005

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