Calvin News

The Calvin-Hope basketball rivalry is one of the best in Division 3. But the Calvin-Hope hockey rivalry is quickly becoming its on-ice equal.

And this year the two schools will square off on December 1 at VanAndel Arena in a special night of hockey as part of a doubleheader with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In fact the Griffins have moved the start time of their game that night with the Rochester Americans to 6:30 pm to accomodate the Calvin-Hope hockey game which is set for a 9:15 pm puck drop.

Tickets for the game are available at the Calvin Box Office and are just $13 - a price that includes both the Griffins game (which is normally $13) and the Calvin-Hope game. Tickets also can be purchased at all Hope home hockey games, from Hope players and outside the west entrance of Phelps Hall beginning November 20.

"It's a great deal," says Calvin's Ron Koole, a long-time assistant with the program. "This is a $13 ticket for the Griffins so really you're getting two games for the price of one. It should be a fun night of hockey at the Van."

Both Calvin and Hope have become national powers in the American Collegiate Hockey Association club ranks with both squads make repeated trips to the national tournament in recent years.

In fact, Calvin finished third in the country last year and was ACHA Division 3 national champion in 2004. Hope meanwhile was national runner-up in 2003.

This season Calvin is off to an uncharacteristic 5-8 start (as of November 16), while Hope was 12-1 at that time. The two teams have met once already in 2006-2007 with Hope coming away with a 4-1 victory.

Hope was ranked first in the North region in the first rankings of the year, while Calvin was ranked fourth.