On Saturday, February 16, the Wildcats took on the Eagles, hoping to get the payback they sought. When asked why Hudsonville was such a big game, Trenton Cleveland said, “Hudsonville is our cross-town rivalry, and it’s always a big game, doesn’t matter what sport you play.” Earlier in the season the Wildcats took on the Eagles and lost 3-2, so this game was especially significant to the team. Using the motivation from their last game against Hudsonville, Jenison went in strong hoping to improve their 15-6 record for the season.

Trenton Cleveland said, “Hudsonville is our cross-town rivalry, and it’s always a big game, doesn’t matter what sport you play.

To start the game, starters from each team get called off one by one, forwards and defense first, and ending with goalie. Then, the National Anthem begins and everyone stands silent with their hands over their hearts. Then, they have the face off, in which a referee drops a puck between two opposing players.

Not long after the face off, the Eagles were able to slip one in the net and take the lead. Disappointed by the goal, the Wildcats began to play harder, which resulted in penalties for tripping and slashing. Late in the quarter, the Wildcats lets one slip once again by the Eagles, giving them the lead 2-0. When the buzzer sounded, each team went to their locker rooms to have a talk with their coaches.

To start the second quarter, the Wildcats came out strong and got a fast goal against the Eagles. Within minutes of their first goal, the Wildcats went right back and scored another, tying the Eagles 2-2. It was at this point that the Eagles started to realize how much they underestimated how good Jenison actually was. In response to Jenison scoring twice, the Eagles got the puck and scored again.

“When we scored with 5 seconds left, it was the greatest feeling,” Trenton Cleveland spoke in an interview following the game.

Then the third and final quarter began. For the last 17 minutes, each team held on strong against each other and did not let a single goal in. That was until Jenison, came swooping in with a goal to tie up the game with 5.2 seconds left. “When we scored with 5 seconds left, it was the greatest feeling,” Trenton Cleveland spoke in an interview following the game.

This goal brought them into an 8-minute overtime where, if anyone scored, the game was over. During these few minutes, both teams held on strong and would not let any pucks into their nets. With there being only one overtime and no goal from either team, the game was over, resulting in a tie between the two rivals. Following the final buzzer, each team lines up, high fives with a good game, heads to the refs to thank them for being there, and then leaves the ice for their locker rooms.

The Jenison Wildcats ended with a 3-3 tie to the Hudsonville Eagles. Both teams fought tough and played a spectacular game of hockey. Although this was not the way the wildcats wanted to end the game, they looked forward to their future games and playing hockey as a team. The Wildcats advance to playoffs with their first game on March 1 against the West Ottawa Panthers.