An old rivalry has a new twist this year.

The Port Hope Predators and the Cobourg Cougars have long shared a heated feud. Nobody knows that more than Brian Drumm, who was part of it for years as the head coach of the Cougars. Last summer he agreed to coach the Predators, and fans in Northumberland have eagerly awaited his first game against his old team. A suspension kept them waiting longer than expected, but the rivalry's new era officially began on Monday night, when Drumm led his Preds into the Cougars den and came away with a hard-fought 5-4 victory.

"I had some really good years here," said Drumm. "We try as coaches to not make a big deal of it. It's two points they're trying to get, and two points we're trying to get."

While Drumm got a new perspective on the familiar match up, new Cobourg coach Wayne Marchment got his first taste of the rivalry on Monday and he can't wait for more.

"It's outstanding," said Marchment. "In Wellington, with Kingston it was the same thing."

Though they stand on opposite sides of the rink, Marchment and Drumm share a mutual respect. "I know Brian very well," said Marchment. "He's a great family man and he's a class act."

For Drumm's part, he gives his old team credit for their choice of a new head coach. "(Marchment) is going to get them turned around," he said. "He's a premier coach. That's a big hire for them."

If last night's see-saw tilt between the cross-county rivals is any indication, the two new coaches will be seeing a lot more of each other in the seasons to come.