Walled Lake Western, Walled Lake Central to play outdoor game in Winter Classic

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

There’s nothing new about the Walled Lake Western and Walled Lake Central hockey teams meeting on the ice for their annual battle.

Season after season, the two city rivals have squared off, setting friends and acquaintances against one another for yearly bragging rights.

But this time around, the game that is so familiar to all involved will take on an entirely new twist.

On Feb. 6, the Warriors and the Vikings will head outdoors at Buhr Park in Ann Arbor for what is being dubbed the 2010 Winter Classic.

“We’ve seen this at the pro level, the collegiate level, and as recently as this month, at the high school level,” Western coach Logan McLean said of the game. “We just figured it was our turn to do something like this. We contacted Buhr Park, and they were totally on board. It’s been in the works for more than a year now. We’re just looking forward to getting things going.”

“It’s all our guys have been talking about lately,” Central coach John Fritz said. “I don’t think any of them have ever had the chance to do something like this before. Maybe they’ve played on ponds or lakes, but nothing like this.”

The game, scheduled for 1:15 p.m., will be the second outdoor event at the high school level in less than a month. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood and Novi Detroit Catholic Central played at Clark Park in Detroit Jan. 17 in front of a packed crowd.

That game, though, required much planning and serious financial commitment beforehand because, unlike Buhr Park, Clark Park in not typically an ice rink. 

“There’s even a roof over the rink itself, so if it snows, we’ll still be OK,” McLean laughed. “The main thing we had to do, financially, was find a rink that would accommodate us and then pay to rent the ice, as we would for any home game.”

The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) foundation has played an integral role in helping make the game a reality, McLean added. The UCP will have a representative there to handle the ceremonial puck drop and all proceeds raised from ticket sales and concessions will be donated to the group.

Like Fritz said of his squad, McLean echoed the notion on how few, if any, of his guys have played a game outdoor. Both coaches, however, feel their players will have to adapt as the game goes.

“It’s going to be learning on the fly,” Fritz said. “I know each team will get one practice at the rink beforehand, but it’s still going to be unlike anything they are used to.”

The look, the feel, and if all goes according to plan, even the atmosphere will be totally different for the players.

“We’re hoping and planning on a lot of students, parents and alumni making the trip,” McLean said. At press time, there were still plans being made to get buses for fans.

“I think there’s going to be a ton of excitement,” Fritz said. “We’re hoping for a big crowd to come out and see this. It’ll certainly be worth it.”

Tickets for the game will be sold at the gate and are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.