Traverse City Record-Eagle

Hockey

March 4, 2010

West hits the ice today for hockey playoffs

Titans host Marquette

BY JAMES COOK

TRAVERSE CITY -- Traverse City West will face its regional rival when the Titans and Marquette square off tonight at Howe Arena in an early battle of two ranked Division 1 squads.

"They are obviously the favorites coming in, which is a role we accept," West coach Jeremy Rintala said. "All we can do is play as hard as we can, and a few bounces here and there and things can go our way. But we know we have our hands full."

The No. 2-ranked Redmen (20-4-1) are coming off an 8-0 mercy of Manistee on Wednesday in a game where Beau Adams scored a hat trick and goalie Michael McAuliffe recorded his sixth shutout of the season. West had a bye.

Marquette beat West 4-2 in their only previous meeting this season Jan. 9 in Marquette.

"I think it'll be a tight game," Marquette coach Joe Papin said. "Our styles are very similar. With Jeremy being from Copper Country, U.P. hockey is pretty much the same -- work ethic and an out-working your opponent mentality. Both teams are similar in that respect."

In other area games Wednesday, No. 8 Cadillac took out No. 9 Big Rapids 3-2 in three overtimes in a Division 3 battle and Gaylord fell to No. 3 Sault Ste. Marie 9-1. The Vikings will face the Sault on Saturday in the regional final at Gaylord.

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