Melee on M-10 between ranked Midland rivals
Chemics and Chargers square off in Top-25 matchup
Craig Peterson
December 19, 2024
Photo from Midland High School | chemics.net
It’s a heated rivalry. And on Friday, the longstanding cross-town matchup between Midland and Midland Dow takes the main event spot in the final weekend before holiday break. Both the Chemics and Chargers debuted in my preseason Top-25 rankings and remain with a number by their names today. But, for how long? Standout forwards Cade Sanborn, Lucas Mankoff and Cade Doud generated enough buzz this fall to make Midland a popular name prior to the season. But ranked No. 21, the Chemics are just 1-2-1 in the month of December.
Similarly, Midland Dow’s Nolan Harris, Zane Rastello and Caden Nemeth generated plenty of excitement on the west side of town. Slotted a couple spots behind Midland, the Chargers are No. 24, and the case could be made they’ve assembled a better body of work than their cross-town counterpart thus far this season.
Good news is, we won’t have to wait much longer to debate who’s the better team. These two square off at 7:45 p.m. on Friday at Midland Civic Arena, highlighting one of the biggest games on the calendar this week.
Petey: 35-15-2
Public: 33-16-3
Marysville vs. Romeo
Thursday, 6 p.m. at McMorran Place
Undefeated in their last four games, and a 6-1-1 record in the last eight. The Romeo Bulldogs have been buzzing since their 4-2 loss to No. 19 Alpena. Forward Drew Basha has 10 goals on the season, with four coming in the last three games. Landon D’Angelo could prove to be the difference in this one, though, as Marysville has a potent offense as well. Can the three-year goaltender turn away Vikings forwards Ben LaValley and Luke Thick? I say… YES. Bulldogs win 4-2.
Petey’s Pick: Romeo
Traverse City Central vs. #19 Alpena
Friday, 6 p.m. at Howe Ice Arena
Givens Bowl XVI! Dad and head coach of Traverse City Central, Chris Givens, holds a 9-6-0 advantage in this family rivalry over son and assistant coach of Alpena, Cam Givens. But I’m sure both would prefer the attention from this game be focused on the players. The Wildcats are rolling out of the gate with a 7-2-0 record and their only ‘bad’ mark on the resume is a 5-1 loss last Saturday to No. 8 Flint Powers. The Trojans haven’t quite enjoyed as much success early on, which is why I worry this matchup could be a little slanted at this stage of the season. Junior Graham Peters is one of my favorite players in Michigan high school hockey right now, but he and TCC are going to have their hands full. Alpena’s offense is skilled and diverse, oh and they’re getting good goaltending. I like the Trojans to keep it close and interesting, but its the Wildcats winning the first of two scheduled Big North meetings this season.
Petey’s Pick: Alpena
Bay City vs. Chelsea
Friday, 7 p.m. at Bay County Civic Arena
Two teams that have relied heavily on their goaltenders thus far this season. Four-year starter Luke Webster has faced 28 or more shots in all five of his starts this season for Chelsea. Four-year starter Nash Leonard has faced 27 or more shots in all seven of his starts. No, I’m not kidding, these two are virtual carbon copies of each other at the moment. Neither team may score in this one; I wouldn’t be shocked by a rare 1-0 finish. But I think the advantage leans in favor of the Wolves, considering Leonard’s 1.58 goals-against average and .955 save percentage are among the best in the state.
Petey’s Pick: Bay City
#21 Midland vs. #24 Midland Dow
Friday, 7:45 p.m. at Midland Civic Arena
These are two teams I loved in the preseason, but both still have work left to do to win over the masses. Hell, even I’m growing a bit skeptical looking at some unusual game results for both teams. Regardless, there’s a lot at stake in this matchup and a heated rivalry on the eve of holiday break. Tons of playmakers on both sides, but I’m gonna give the slightest edge to Midland in net and go with my gut telling me the Chemics win this one.
Petey’s Pick: Midland
Mattawan vs. Stoney Creek
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. at Wings West
Stoney Creek is in need of a big win. I don’t know that a victory over Mattawan here would turn a lot of heads around the state, but knocking off a team that’s beaten the likes of Portage, Cap City and No. 19 Alpena would certainly be a relative achievement. Cougars have the offense to get it done with scorers like Dylan Smith, Collin Lott, Christian Gojcaj and Kellen Keighron. But defense is a concern, giving up 4.01 goals against per game. Mattawan isn’t a whole lot better defensively, but senior Brayden Lewis will surely be the best player on the ice in just his second game of the season. Wildcats don’t need a lot of scoring chances to get the job done, but do just enough to eek out a win, 3-2.
Petey’s Pick: Mattawan
Mona Shores vs. Reeths-Puffer
Saturday, 2 p.m. at Trinity Health Arena
City of Muskegon supremacy is on the line Saturday afternoon. Mona Shores enters with a 6-2-0 record, and just had its six-game win streak snapped by No. 17 Grandville. Reeths-Puffer is 6-1-0 riding a live five-game win streak of its own. You’d be hard pressed to find a matchup between these two teams in recent memory where both programs entered as hot as they do at present day. There’s tons of playmakers on both sides, and this could be a high-scoring affair even with Huck Van Dyke and Joey Griffes-Castonia in opposing nets. Mona wins by the smallest of margins, 4-3.
Petey’s Pick: Mona Shores
Jenison vs. Eastside
Saturday, 5 p.m. at Griff’s Georgetown
Eastside has a tough weekend ahead, playing Friday in an SCHL matchup against Cap City. To follow that up with a trip to the westside on short rest, taking on a scrappy Jenison team is no easy task. First-year senior Matthew Brick is a pure scorer, with 17 goals in his last five games. But he can be contained with a good defensive effort and team defense; something Jenison has historically done a good job of in recent years. In fact, four of the last five leading scorers the Wildcats have faced have been held without a goal. Jack and Sam Bydalek and Maclain Henning don’t have to shut down Brick to win necessarily, but just limit the damage. Jenison in a track meet, 5-3.
Petey’s Pick: Jenison
#20 Salem vs. Plymouth
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Victory Ice Center
Plymouth is playing for a chance to win the three-way Park school rivalry between the Wildcats, Canton and Salem for the second season in a row. On paper, Salem may have the three best players on the ice with guys like Dom Chaput, Nolan Kaminski and Cam Eichner. But I mentioned on the podcast, the Rocks have struggled a bit with consistency not just game to game but even shift to shift. That leaves the door open for Adrian Clarke, Brayden Irvin and the Wildcats to pounce on opportunities. It may take as many as four goals for Plymouth to put away the Rocks, and I’m going to take them to do just that. Cats rule the Park for another year with a 4-3 win.
Petey’s Pick: Plymouth
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