Next Game Day:  Friday, November 27 at 3pm at Kentwood Ice Arena

Welcome to the OFFICIAL Web Site of the Kalamazoo Eagles! The purpose of this site is to inform all players, parents, and fans of what's going on with the Kalamazoo Eagles Hockey Team.

Please check the Eagles News page for more news!

Congratulations to the 2009-2010 Eagles Team!

  This year the Eagles will be lead by Paul Townsend, senior at Plainwell and 3rd year on team and Joe Ballmer, senior at Gull Lake and 3rd year on team.  The assistant captains are Kyle Pavlack (senior at Plainwell, 3rd year on team) and AJ Vigen (senior at KChristian, 4th year on team).
  These players are looking to lead their team by example through dignity, respect, team work and most of all hard work.  This team is made up of 8 different schools (there are 21 schools in the Eagles district).  There are 17 seniors, 2 juniors 2 sophomores and 1 freshman on the 2009-10 Eagles team.
  GOOD LUCK EAGLES and CONGRATS to our TEAM captains and assistant captains!

The 2009-10 Eagles have a few upcoming events in the next week.

1.  Team Building Event on Saturday November 7.  All team members and coaches will be at Holiday Inn on 11th Street for a day of team building activities, food and WMU hockey game in the evening.  It is a fun day with lots of items to get ready for the upcoming season.  WMU is honoring the military and asking everyone that attends to bring something for care packages being sent to military serving overseas.  Each player is being asked to bring one item off the list in the packet at parent night to this event.
2.  Team pictures are on Tuesday November 10.  They begin with head shots at 8 pm (before practice) and run throughout the practice that evening.  Forms for ordering packets were handed out in the packets at the parent meeting last night.  Forms and money must be present to order. 
3. SWMHSHL yearbook sales have been given to each player as well.  This program works just like KOHA ad sales.  REMEMBER:  all advertisers listed in last years book are NOT available to sell to! ALL ads are due by December 1.
4.  SWMHSHL is in need of chuck a puck prizes.  If you can get gift cards or special items to be used, turn them in to Lori Vigen, volunteer board member, as soon as possible.  Items that go well are gas cards, restaurant certificates and anything hockey! Each team in the league is being asked to give a few items this year, any help the Eagles can give is much appreciated.  Questions on this can be referred to Lori by clicking 'web idiot' to your left.  She is the SWMHSHL secretary and is will coordinate any donations for our team.
5.  Apparel will be coming for all new players.  Please be patient.  Players are being fitted as quickly as possible.
6.  Eagles apparel orders are due to Beth Grieves by November 11.  An order form was handed out at the parent meeting and is available in the 'handouts' section of this site. Beth can also be reached via her email:  circlewooddesign@gmail.com.
7.  First game is TONIGHT!  In Holland at the Edge Ice Arena.  Players should be dressed according to team dress code and arrive 1.25 hours BEFORE the game ready for dynamic warmup.  Directions to the rink can be found on this site by clicking 'Rinks' or 'Links'.

As you can see  - LOTS of happenings this first week!  All parents/guardians and players will be notified of changes in schedule via email whenver possible.  This site is also updated as much as possible - check both often! 
The 2009-10 year looks to be an exciting one and the support of every parent/guardian is key to the success!! Get involved and enjoy the experience of High School Hockey!! GO EAGLES!

  Congratulations to the 2009-10 Eagles Team Members!!  Our coaches, board and parents are very excited about the new season that begins today!
  There are a lot of activities for the next few days.  Each player came home with practice & game schedules and an outline of the activities plannned for the Team Building Event on Saturday, November 7.  There is a mandatory parent/guardian meeting tomorrow at Wings Stadium at 6:30 pm, directly after the practice for all players. This is an important event to meet the coaches, learn about being part of a varsity team -rules and expectations from coaching staff and to meet other parents of the team.  If you cannot make it, please contact our team manager, Lisa Miller (ckmmiler@sbclobal.net) as soon as possible.
  There has been a flurry of activity to get ready for our first season game this Friday in Holland at the Edge vs Grand Haven.  New players have been assigned jerseys and numbers, team bags are in the works, and apparel for new players is being put together.  Some items will take longer than this Friday, so please be patient - you will be contacted as it becomes available. There will also be an apparel sale for parents to get their Eagles gear for the games too - this information will be given out at the meeting on Thursday evening.
  A reminder:  This is a VARSITY sport.  There will be a lot of practicing and games, and Coaches will be giving information directly to the players.  If a player cannot make a practice (illness, family emergency or school activity), the player (not their parents) is expected to the contact the coach.  The coaching staff will give more information on this at the mandatory meeting.  Bookmark this site - we post most of our  updates here and send emails to parents as necessary.  Need an account to get full access to the site?  Follow the prompts when you are asked and our 'web idiot' will get you an access password.
  The Eagles board would like to thank all those that came to tryouts this year  - the future of the club is BRIGHT!  We are looking forward to an exciting season of high school hockey in Kalamazoo!! 

  The Eagles team will be having their annual mandatory player and parent/guardian meeting on Thursday, November 5 at 6:30 pm at Wings Stadium in the Hospitality Room.  This meeting will take place 15 minutes after the end of on ice practice for players.
  Each player will receive the information packets that will contain items like  (but not limited too)Team Code of Conduct, Permission to treat, Parent Code of conduct and team apparel order forms.  This meeting is to introduce the team and allow Coach Brown and his staff to introduce the team rules and expectations for the season.  Board members will also be introduced.  It is also a time for parents/guardians to volunteer to do their part for the success of this team.  Each parent/guardian is expected to volunteer for at least one volunteer activity.  This meeting is expected to last only one hour. 
  NOTE:  this is a separate meeting from the SWMHSHL meeting on November 11.  That meeting is for league rules and regulations and will take place at Loy Norrix HS.

  If you have not downloaded your tryout flier and sent it to our team manager - NOW IS THE TIME!  Tryouts begin in just 4 short weeks - November 2, 2009.  The form can be downloaded by clicking on 'handouts' to your left. 
  Players must plan to bring the following items to the first practice to attend:  Completed registration form (if you don't send it early), Progress Report from school, check for $55 made payable to Kalamazoo Eagles, jersey with number, and your USA Hockey Confirmation number information.  All Eagles MUST be USA hockey rostered to play on our team.  Visit www.usahockey.com to complete the form (the cost is $35).
  Questions can be referred to our team manager, Lisa Miller, at ckkmiller@sbcglobal.net.

 This past weekend, six Eagles players were invited to the Team West Michigan Tryouts in Grand Rapids.  The tryouts were for experienced players and required an invitation to attend.  This team had over 120 players trying for just 22 roster positions.  Players were from over 22 different  high schools located in Southwest Michigan (mostly Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo area).  This should be seen as a tribute to the growth of high school hockey in our area.
  Congratualtions to:  Joe Ballmer, Mitch Evarts, AJ Hammond, Kyle Pavlack, Brian Storch and AJ Vigen for being chosen to attend the tryouts.  Joe Ballmer was the only Eagle's player to make it to the final team selection and will be rostered with the MDHL white team for the Motor City Cup September 11-13, 2009. 
  The Eagles coaching staff is encouraging all players that are Eagle's high school eligible to play in the West Michigan Development League, beginning very soon.  All players from the summer program were emailed information regarding this opportunity to stay on the ice during the fall season.  It is great hockey and a good way to keep a players skills sharp for tyrouts in November. Space is becoming limited, if you have not registered - do so TODAY!  As more workout options are worked out, they will be posted here and sent via email to all eligible players that we are aware of.
  Contact our team manager, Lisa Miller, for more information at ckkmiller@sbcglobal.net.
  More information regarding tryouts will be posted here as it becomes available.
 

Is your player entering high school in the fall? Or did your player play in another team for the last season and is looking to play high school hockey this year?   Here is how high school hockey basically works:

When are tryouts? The most common of all questions asked of new players/parents to the high school hockey arena! Tryouts are not until the last week of October. They will run for 3-4 days that week.   Practices could be early morning(before school), after school or later in the evening. Times are usually 1 1/2- 2 hours long. It is required to attend tryouts to be considered for the team. Cost for the tryouts will be determined in early October. It has typically been $50.
It is suggested to get involved with your team as much as possible. Play summer hockey with the team. There may be other events that potential players participate in, such as a fall 3 on 3 league or dry land training. These events are run by board members and volunteer parents, as per MHSAA rules the coaches cannot be with players during these events until tryouts begin.

When does the season start? How long does it run? How many games are played at the high school level? The regular season begins the last week of November and runs through mid-February. The team has typically attended a pre-season tournament, a local Thanksgiving tournament and a tournament in February (McMichigan Cup). High school hockey teams are allowed to play 24 games during the season and the Eagles will follow those guidelines. Since we cannot go to the state tournament for high school hockey due to our club status, our team will look to attend a post-season tournament. League games are usually played on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Some non-league games will be played on other nights.

Who is the Eagles Head coach? Darrick Brown.  He will begin his third year as the Eagles head coach.  His defensive coordinator is Kyle Wietekamp, with Taylor Doorlag and Matt Jones as the offensive coordinators.

How much does high school hockey cost? For the last few years, the cost is in the area of $1600-1800 per player. There are several areas of fund raising that can significantly lower this cost to families. Most specifically the league yearbook. This is similar to the KOHA yearbook program and is a significant source of funds to many parents on our team and in the league.

Who is eligible to play for the Eagles? Any player that will be in 9-12th grade during the 2008-09 school year. The player must attend one of the following schools: Allegan,Bangor, Bloomingdale, Otsego, Plainwell, Delton-Kellogg, Kalamazoo Christian, Gobles, Gull Lake, Paw Paw, Parchment, Lawton, Lawrence,and Decatur. Home-schooled students that live in any of these school districts are also eligible. Home Schooled students in the Portage School district are also eligible to play for the Eagles.

As a club team we are a parent run organization! We need every family to help out in some way! There are many 'jobs' to do and there is something for everyone! 'Many hand make for light work'! Once the team is picked in the fall, there will be a parent meeting to sign up for jobs and to get the team expectations for both players and their parents.

Want to stay up to date on Eagles activities and information as an eligible player/parent of the Kalamazoo Eagles? Just click the 'web idiot' to your left and your message will be forwarded to our team manager, Lisa Miller. Add the website to your list of 'favorites' and check it often. This is the main communication tool for parents/players of the Kalamazoo Eagles!

Coach Darrick Brown has agreed to return as the Eagles Head Coach for the 2009-10 season.  He is looking forward to the returning players and building the Eagles hockey program for the future. 
   The summer program is on track to have 2 teams again.  If you have not completed a registration form and would like to be on our mailing list, click the 'web idiot' icon to your left and a message will be sent ot our team manager, Lisa Miller, she will be happy to add  you to our list.
  Players that will be in 9-12th grade for the 2009-10 school year are eligible to play this summer.  The following schools districts are part of the Eagles team:  Allegan, Bangor, Bloomingdale, Decatur, Delton Kellog, Gobles, Gull Lake, Kalamazoo Christian, Lawrence, Lawton, Martin, Otsego, Parchment, Paw Paw and Plainwell,  Students in any of these districts that are home schooled are also eligible.  Students that reside in Portage Public School district that are home schooled are eligible to play for the Eagles as well.
   Summer hockey will begin the week of June 20, with games each Thursday evening.  There is limited availability for spots on the summer teams, get your form in today!

  The Eagles defeated Portage Central in a game that will go into the record books!  It took 5 overtime periods, but the Eagles never gave up and won 2-1.  A full article with game highlights will be posted tomorrow!!

CONGRATULATIONS EAGLES!!

League Championship is Saturday, February 21 at 7 pm vs Mattawan in the Annex at Wings Stadium.

  After the marathon 3 1/2 hour game Thursday evening, all Coach Brown could say was "Amazing".  This game was a test of wills and goal tending.
  The game began late due to a broken section of glass during the Mattawan vs Portage Northern game.  But that was no concern to the Eagles and their team defense and goal tending.  This game was dominated by Portage Central with their puck control and shots on Eagles net minder, Joe Ballmer.  After two periods of scoreless hockey, the Portage Central Mustangs were on the boards first with a goal just 12 seconds into the final stanza.  This gave the Eagles a bit of an awakening to shoot the puck.  While the Mustangs had fired 23 shots on Ballmer through two periods, the Eagles had only managed 7 shots on the Mustangs.  The third was pretty evenly played in shot counts.  The Eagles played with intensity and heart that opened up the lane to allow a closer shot count for the Eagles team - 8, with the Mustangs getting 10 shots for the third stanza of regulation.  The Eagles tied the game at the 8:12 mark, with Kyle Pavlack sending a shot down low to Bobby Miller.  He dished it off to AJ Hammond at the top of the crease, who sent it to the back of the net to knot this game at 1-1. 
  The SWMHSHL rules are that Sudden Death Overtime is played until a goal is scored and a winner determined during the league tournament. The first OT started and it was intense for coaches , players and all the fans that were standing on their feet watching!  While the first OT was dominated by the Mustangs, Ballmer stood his ground in net and gave his team every chance to get the win.  With time getting late, players were fighting for every inch of ice.  This continued for through four 8 minute overtimes, at the start of the 5th - the Eagles came storming back to the ice with one thing on thier mind....end this game!  At the 4:30 mark, Ballmer was clearing a puck up the boards to AJ Hammond.  Hammond takes it to center ice and passes to Bobby Miller.  With as much energy as Miller could muster, he dangled his way through 3 defenders when the Mustang goalie tried to come out and poke check away from Miller.  Miller then took an aerial view of the ice and found the puck just a the end of his stick and poked it into the empty net. The Eagles bench unloads on top of Miller to join in the celebration!!

  The SWMHSHL tournament started last night with the Eagles (4th place) facing the Kalamazoo United (5th place) in the Annex for the first game of the SWMHSHL tournament. 
  Both teams started out slowly, each working to find the weak link in the armor to start the scoring.  The Eagles did that at the 3:38 mark of the first period when Brian Storch found the top corner of the United net.  Matt Hicks and AJ Vigen got the assists.  Not to be left behind, the United tied the game with just three minutes left in the first; this was a power play goal.
  The Eagles started the second period with determination and plenty of shots on net.  Tyler Tankersley sent a snap shot high from the top of the right circle to end the tie and start the Eagles on their way to their win.  AJ Hammond and Mitch Evarts were credited with the assists.  This was the lone Eagles power play goal for the night.  The pesky United weren't to be out done on this night and found a small corner of the net to send this to a tie at the end of two.
  The Eagles started the third sluggish, but seemed to wake up after a few point blank shots on their own goalie, Joe Ballmer.  With six straight shots, defensemen Kyle Pavlack took the puck at center ice and sent the Eagles on their way to finishing this game.  Within four minutes of that goal, Storch netted his second of the night off a big rebound shot from Hicks in the slot.  Tankersley was credited with his second point of the night.  Just when the Eagles felt some breathing room, the United broke the puck free and sent Tom Halpin up the ice on a breakaway.  Ballmer was ready and as they say - 'robbed him' and kept his team in the win column.  The final goal of the game, came with just under two minutes left when the defensive pairing of Pavlack and Levi Leversee broke the puck loose and Pavlack got his second goal of the night.  Leversee was credited with the assist.  Ballmer only faced 12 shots for the night, only 2 goals.  While the Eagles just peppered the United with 49 shots with 5 of those in the back of the net.
  This game provided plenty of hits and end to end action for players, coaches and fans!  This team once again came together and played TEAM DEFENSE.  This will bring the Eagles to face the league regular season champions, Portage Central, on Thursday evening at 8 pm. in the Annex  The Eagles have proven time and again this season they can win when they play together and use their 'Protect the House' Defense!  Let's all cheer them to their first win against the Mustangs. 
SPECIAL REMINDER:  No league passes are accepted during the tournament.  All tickets must be purchased at the door.  Adults $5 and students/seniors are $3 each.  This is mandated by the rules of MHSAA governed by playoff games.
  NOTE:  for all high school hockey fans out there - the game after the Eagles -  Blades (3rd place) vs Portage Northern (6th place) was a real 'hot' contest.  It took to overtime and a defensive breakdown for the Huskies to come up HUGE and defeat the Blades 3-2 with less than 4 minutes left in OT.  The Huskies will then face Mattawan (2nd place) at 6 pm on Thursday. 

 The semi-finals for the McMichigan Cup tournament found the Eagles needing the extra stanza to come up with the win to advance to the finals on Saturday.  The win was 3-2 over the Jenison Wildcats.
  This game was a well played defensive battle that kept the fans on the edge of their seats for the entire game.  The Eagles found the back of the net first just four minutes into the game.  Brian Storch found the puck from linemate, Bobby Miller and Matt Hicks, and sent it to the back of the net.  Jenison was not going away quietly and found the back of the net to tie the game at one just a few minutes later.  While on the power play, the Storch, Hicks and Miller line found the back of the net again with just 2:45 left in the first period.  This time while on a 5 on 3 power play.    The second stanza was team defense and Joe Ballmer stepping up to a couple of highlight saves to keep the Eagles in the game.  The Wildcats were able to tie the game late in the second period to make it a tie game for the final stanza to start.
  The third period was rough and found the penalty box door revolving for both teams.  The Eagles defense and Ballmer stepping in to keep this team even and give them the chance to win the game.  The final stanza found the Eagles spending most of their time in their own defensive zone, but only allowing 5 shots on Ballmer for the period. 
With overtime starting, both teams came out with intensity and the will to finish their checks, back check to get the puck and find an open lane for the shot.  Goal tending in this game was the difference for both teams.  The Eagles were able to capitalize with 2 minutes left on the clock when Bobby Miller stole the puck at center ice and went in to send the shot top shelf to end the game in favor of the Eagles. 
  This game was a total team effort and was won with determination and the belief that every shift counted and getting to the finals of this tournament was the goal. - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED  The Eagles managed 24 shots on net.  Joe Ballmer faced 28 shots, saving 26 for the game.
  The Finals of this tournament will be at 3:30 pm on Saturday, February 7th.  It should be a great contest between Rockford HS and our Eagles.  Rockford is known in high school hockey to have a quick team and tough defense.  The Eagles look to play the best game of the season and bring home the 1st place trophy.  

 This year the Eagles started the McMichigan Cup with a win against visiting Manistee in a 5-3 contest. 
  The Eagles struck first on a shot from the point by defenseman, Levi Leversee.  The assist was credited to Paul Townsend. Then Manistee scored 2 goals to put the Chippewa's up 2-1.  Late in the period, the Eagles found themselves on a 5 on 3 penalty kill.  Joe Ballmer and the team defense stepped up and only allowed 3 shots during that time to end the period down by a goal.
  The Eagles game back in the second with a renewed energy and tight defense.  AJ Hammond netted the first goal of his hat trick for this game at the 13:35 mark.  While on the power play he took a pass from the point from Mitch Evarts, circled behind the net and stuffed it home to even the score.  The game winning goal game just 3 1/2 minutes later, again on the power play, from AJ Hammond.  The assists were credited to David Watson and Tyler Tankersley.  The penalty box began its revolving action for both teams as this game was just a goal away from the win.
  The beginning of the third stanza was the turning point for the Eagles win.  Returning from the locker room, team defense and 'Protecting the House' was first and foremost on this teams mind.  Just 47 seconds in, Watson found the back of the net from the high slot while on another power play.  This was credited as an unassisted goal.  Manistee was not to go down without aggressive play and forcing the Eagles to fight for the win.  With 1:54 left on the clock and the score at 4-3 in favor of the Eagles, time out was called by Manistee.  When the clock started, the Chippewa's got organized and pulled the goalie at 1:33. The Eagles were planning for this and AJ Hammond got the puck at center ice from Paul Townsend to net his hat trick and seal the win for the Eagles.  
  This night showed the effort of every player and displayed the defensive efforts and hard work that have come to be a hallmark of this team this season.  Joe Ballmer stood tall in net by saving 17 of the 20 shots he faced.  The Eagles had 25 shots and 5 goals (one was an empty net).  The players dedicated this win to their coach's late grandfather, Kenneth Reinbold, who passed away earlier this week.
  The tournament continues tonight at 9 pm at Southside.  A thrilling double overtime win by Jenison over the home team, Grandville Bulldogs, of 6-5 will mean the Eagles will have a chance to even the score after losing to Jenison earlier this season at the Thanksgiving Tournament.  This should be a well played and tough defensive battle.  Total team effort and defense will be a must to compete in the championship game on Saturday afternoon.  FILL THE STANDS WITH SCREAMING EAGLE FANS!  See you at the rink....

  The final regular season game was all Portage Central Mustangs, with a final score of 4-1.  The Mustangs came out with intensity and speed that the Eagles seemed to match up and work against during the first period.  However, the second stanza was the Eagles undoing for this game.  They found themselves on the penalty kill twice, which allowed the potent offense of the Mustangs to take a 2-0 lead.  This game just was all Mustangs from that point on.  The hard work and tenacity of assistant captain, Tyler Tankersley, broke the shut out for the Mustangs.  With just seconds left in the game, Tankersley found himself in the high slot with a great shot at their goalie.  The assists were credited to AJ Hammond and David Watson.  This was credited as a short handed goal, as the Eagles were on a 5 on 3 power play.
  The Eagles were able to get 19 shots on net for the night.  Joe Ballmer faced 28 shots, allowing 4 goals (3 of which were power play goals). 
  While this will complete a winning record for the regular season league play for the Eagles (5-4), this team was hoping to put  up more of a fight for the regular season league champions.  With the league tournament looming large on the calendar (starting the week of February 16), the Eagles will look to redeem this record and sit at the top for the league championship.  Times and dates for the tournament will be posted here as soon as they are available from the league.
  The Eagles will be traveling this week to Grand Rapids to participate in the McMichigan Cup Tournament, hosted by Grandville HS Hockey, at Southside Arena.  The first game is vs Manistee at 6 pm on Thursday, February 5.  Fill those stands with screaming Eagles fans!

  Visiting Utica-Stevenson played the Eagles a tough contest that found them in the losing column for their second straight loss.    The Utica team was aggressive during the first period and swarmed the net.  Tom Grieves faced 14 shots during the period, allowing 3 goals.  The Eagles only mustered 8 shots for that period. 
  The second period found the Eagles being aggressive in front of the visiting net minder and AJ Hammond got back to his goal scoring habits from this summer.  Hammond earned his first hat trick this season and was the lone scorer for the team on this night.  The assists came from team mates:  Mitch Evarts, Kyle Pavlack and David Watson.   But not to be out down, Utica scored 2 goals this period and put the Eagles on their heals for the rest of this game.
  Coach Brown decided he would try to get his team going and made a net minder change for the third period.  But it seemed to come too little to late for this night.  Offensive turnovers and untimely penalties didn't allow the Eagles to make a come back in this game.  Final score was 6-3 in favor of the visiting team on this night.
  Next week is a BIG (more like HUGE) week for games and the Eagles team.  On Wednesday, January 28, the game is at 5 pm vs Portage Northern. The Huskies are coming together late this season and recently won a hard fought game vs the Blades in OT.  Then on Saturday, January 31, the Eagles face the PC Mustangs! at 4 pm in the Annex. With a recent loss for the Portage Central team (their first in league play in 23 games!), that team will come out with a mission and ready to get back to the win column.  Well, the Eagles will have winning on their mind as well after suffering two losses in the past 10 days. 
  Look for both games to be a defensive battle, and goal tending acrobatics being part of both of these games!!  This team needs to go back to their team motto this season - Protect the House - and play as a complete team for the full 45 minutes!
  ALL EAGLES FANS BELIEVE IN THEIR TEAM!! Show your support this week and FILL THOSE STANDS WITH EAGLES FANS!!  See you at the rink....

  Well the Eagles seem poised to continue winning, both league and non-league games this season.  With their overall record at 9-5. With league standings at 4-1.
  The Eagles started slow, but Tom Grieves stood tall on this night and gave his team a chance to get in the game and post the win.  He faced 30 shots for the night and came away with a shutout. Just 3 minutes and 35 seconds into the game, Kyle Pavlack sent the first goal to the back of the net on a great assist from team captain, Zack Mutual.  With several in tight shots coming during the next 2 1/2 minutes, Grieves stood tall in the crease and allowed his offensive team to go to work.  Just six minutes after the first goal, Mutual controlled the puck behind the net and sent a pass to Mitch Evarts at the top of the crease.  The West Ottawa goal keeper stopped the first shot, however Mutual surprised him with a quick reflex to get the second goal of the game.  The final goal for this game came with just 2 minutes left in the second.  Evarts took a shot from the left face off circle on a great set up pass from team mate, AJ Hammond.  That goal would be the Eagles final goal of the night and Grieves did an outstanding job in net to give the team a shutout on this night.
  The third period was filled with end to end action; however, the goal tenders for both teams did their jobs and at times seemed they had to stand on their heads to keep the puck out of the net.  The Eagles had just 19 shots for the game. 
  The Eagles get back to league play on Saturday, when they face the Kalamazoo United.  While wins have been few for the United team over the last few seasons, never underestimate the power of the will to win!
SEE YOU ALL AT THE RINK!

 The 4th Annual Rival Cup was an exciting night of high school hockey, but the result was not what the Eagles team was hoping for. The Blades will keep the Cup for one more year with a 5-2 win.
  The game opened with both teams playing the defensive waiting game to get warmed up for the night.  It was just 1:16 into the game when the Eagles hit the back of the net.  With a flurry of activity in and around the Blades goalie, David Watson found the puck and put it in the back of the net for an unassisted goal.  The game remained at 1-0 for the first period, even though the Blades had a 5 on 3 power play for the last 40 seconds of the period.
  With the second period starting and 2 Eagles in the box, the Blades evened the score at one a piece just 34 seconds into the period.  The Blades second goal was a screened shot that Ballmer never saw until it was too late and headed to the back of the net.  Joe Ballmer made some spectacular highlight reel saves to keep his team in the game during middle part of the second.  While on another 5 on 3 power play the Blades put this team to the test, making it a 3-1 game at the end of two periods.
  The third period found the Eagles back on their defensive game and ready to even the score.  It started at the 10 minute mark, while on a penalty kill, David Watson found AJ Hammond near center ice and sent a 'Hail Mary' pass to center ice and Hammond was off to the 'races'.  He buried it behind the Blades net minder to put the Eagles back in the game.  While on a second penalty kill, Bobby Miller worked hard and found himself skating toward the goal.  This time though, the Blades net minder denied the Eagles chance to even the score.  Tough defensive battles, great penalty killing and Ballmer coming up with timely saves kept this team in the game to the end.  With 1:20 left on the clock, Coach Brown pulled his net minder in favor of another attacker.  But the Blades found the puck in their defensive zone and sent it length of the ice to the Eagles net for an empty net goal just 15 seconds into the extra attacker.  With a quick goal in mind, Coach Brown opted to keep 6 attackers on the ice. But the Eagles were denied this night, another empty net goal was scored and the Eagles lost 5-2.  Joe Ballmer faced 29 shots, allowing 3 goals.  The Eagles had 22 shots on the Blades team.
  While the final score does not reflect the true grit and determination the Eagles team displayed on Saturday; total team effort and respect shown to the winning team is what the Eagles team and coaches represent this season!  These two teams will meet again and the results could be very different!! The Eagles are 4-2 in league play.
  The Eagles will take a break from league play and face West Ottawa on Wednesday, January 14 at 6:00 pm in the Annex!  See you there....CHEER FOR THE EAGLES!