A look ahead at Boys Varsity Hockey’s showdown with rival East Grand Rapids

The Rangers look to avenge themselves this Saturday in a big rivalry game against East Grand Rapids at Patterson Ice Center. The last time these two teams met was in the second game of the season for FHC, and they were shut out by the Pioneers 5-0. The Rangers, however, have improved.

Being disciplined was the main key to a blowout loss last time. The Rangers need to limit their turnover margin in order to get a big rivalry win against the Pioneers. EGR was also very quick to the goal, as a couple of their goals came off face-offs that the Rangers could have won. The Rangers just looked outworked and outplayed throughout all three periods of the game.

EGR has lost two straight: Lake Orion at home and Rockford on the road. Goalie play has not been helping the Pioneers out at all, as they’ve given up 11 goals just in the past two games. FHC needs their scorers to move down the ice as quick as possible and have a “score at will” mentality. The Pioneers have averaged 3 goals in their past two games and the Rangers have done the same. FHC is going to have to play physical defense in order to stop this EGR offense.

The Rangers are a half of a game behind EGR for 4th in the conference race, so FHC could really use a win to make a jump back into the race for the top of the OK White. The biggest key for the Rangers is going to be keeping calm. The stadium will be packed and FHC cannot afford to get scared and make careless errors. If the Rangers can put all the pieces to the puzzle and play 3 periods of good hockey, they will come out victorious in this bitter rivalry.