After a tough loss to Westerville, the Hockey Rocks are looking to bounce back with a win over St. Xavier on Friday. With only a few weeks remaining in the season, the Rocks hope to finish strong by defeating a major rival. The Tigers are consistently one of the top teams in the state, making this matchup one to watch.

The Shamrocks will face the Tigers for the first time this season and are seeking revenge after last year’s loss. Senior Henson Clark said there has been “a different type of energy” at practice this week. “Everyone is a lot more focused, but we don’t want to treat this game any different than the others,” Clark said.

The Rocks have had some success this season, but they will need to find ways to break through the Tigers’ strong defense and capitalize on scoring opportunities. “When we do good things, we look really good, so we just need to stick together and focus on preparing,” Clark said.

Clark also noted that Trinity’s team culture sets it apart from other programs. “Our team plays almost 40 games, so we are constantly doing stuff together on and off the ice.”

Most predictions favor St. Xavier, but the Rocks are hoping to pull off an upset. Clark said the key to victory is “getting the puck deep into the zone and focusing on our defense.” With emotions running high and a packed rink expected, Clark emphasized the importance of staying composed. “We need to focus on the ice and not treat this like some special game,” he explained.

Fans have been anticipating this matchup all season, and Clark noted the atmosphere at Iceland Sports Complex can be intense. “It’s pretty much shoulder to shoulder in there, so it gets very loud.” With both pride and momentum on the line, there is plenty at stake. Clark summed up his mindset simply: “I just want to make our team and school proud.”

The game is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Iceland Sports Complex. With the Rocks seeking revenge and the Tigers looking to extend their win streak, this is a matchup the city won’t want to miss.