Things really start to heat up during Week 24 of the 2023-24 North American amateur hockey season as more top leagues in Canada and the United States enter postseason play. While we don’t have the bandwidth to bring you all of the top playoff matchups from around the continent, it’s our goal to highlight as much intriguing postseason action as we can. 

And the great thing about the internet is that as we stumble across something our readers and followers might be interested in, we can just add it to this page.

For Week 24, we are going to start in Minnesota as the state’s top Peewee and Bantam AA teams compete in regional tournaments for the right to play for the state championship.

Minnesota has one of the highest youth hockey participation rates in the United States and produces a high percentage of the nation’s top junior and college players annually. It’s one of the few states where high school hockey is king, so club hockey for players over the age of 15 takes a back seat once the school seasons get underway. And for players under the age of 15, Minnesota AA hockey is comparable or even better than most of the AAA hockey you will find around the U.S.

The Minnesota Region Peewee and Bantam AA tournaments get underway around lunchtime Friday and run through Sunday. The state is divided into North, South, East and West regions, with eight teams competing in a AA format in each area. The top-two finishers in each region advance to the state-championship tournament.

Playoff action also picks up in Western Canada this weekend. Postseason play began earlier this week in the Alberta Elite AAA Hockey League for 18U boys, and postseason play begins Friday in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League and the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League. 

The British Columbia Elite Hockey League Playoffs also got started this week, with the U15 Boys starting on Wednesday and the U17 tournament dropping the puck on its postseason Friday. The girls and integrated U18 programs have a bye-week as they rest up for the opening round of playoffs, which begin next weekend.

The BCEHL crowned its U15 Boys champion on Sunday as the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds, ranked 20th in Western Canada and 57th overall in Canada, defeated the No. 73/153 Thompson Blazers in the championship game. 

Heading east to Ontario, the U18 AAA Playoffs in the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (The Alliance) get underway Friday, with opening-round series games scheduled through March 6. The HEU U18 opening-round matchups include three of MHR’s top-15 Ontario Boys teams: No. 4 Waterloo Wolves, No. 6 Elgin-Middlesex Canucks and No. 15 Lambton Sting.

In Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), the postseason began Feb. 19 for U16 Boys teams, Feb. 23 and 24 in the U12, U13, U14 and U15 age groups and Feb. 24 at the U18 level.

Click here for the upcoming schedule in all age groups.

The HEO U18 playoffs feature the league’s top-four teams, all ranked among Ontario’s top 38: No. 19 Ottawa Jr. 67’s, No. 38 Ontario Hockey Academy Mavericks, No. 29 Myers Automotive and No. 37 Upper Canada Cyclones.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Playoffs got underway Feb. 15 for 2010 teams, Feb. 23 for 2009 teams and Feb. 27 for U16 and U18 teams. The U18 first round features a first-to-six-points format and includes four of Ontario’s top-eight teams in the current MYHockey Rankings: No. 2 Toronto Jr. Canadiens, No. 7 Toronto Marlboros, No. 8 Vaughan Kings, No. 10 Toronto Titans and No. 11 Toronto Young Nationals.

A little farther to the east, playoff action gets started for teams in the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major U18 Boys Hockey League this weekend. The New Brunswick semifinals pit Eastern Canada’s top-ranked Moncton Flyers against the No. 14 Moncton Flyers and the No. 5 Fredericton Caps vs. the No. 8 Northern Moose in a first-to-eight-points format. In the PEI finals, the sixth-ranked Charlottetown Knights are taking on the third-ranked Kensington Wild in a best-of-seven series.

In the Newfoundland Scotia/Labrador U18 Major Hockey League, the top-seeded and 10^th-ranked Pinnacle Growlers won their semifinal series, four games to one, against the No. 16 Central impact and await the winner of the series between the 18^th-ranked Tri-Pen Osprey and 17^th-ranked East Coast Blizzard. Tri-Pen leads that series, 3-1.

And in the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League, the quarterfinals are underway, with the No. 4 Halifax McDonalds taking on the No. 13 Pictou Weeks, the No. 9 Cole Harbour Wolfpack facing the No. 11 Cape Breton West Islanders, No. 2 Dartmouth Steele Subaru playing the No. 12 South Shore Mustangs and the No. 7 Valley Wildcats facing off against the No. 15 Sydney Rush.

Click here for the full NSU18MHL upcoming playoff schedule.

Back in the United States, the Tier 1 Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) for boys is holding its playoffs this weekend at Ice Line in West Chester, Pa. The AYHL offers AAA divisions at the 10U, 12U, 13O, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U levels, with member clubs located on the East Coast between Virginia to the south and Connecticut to the north. The AYHL’s 13O division (2010 birth years) is especially strong this year, and this is the first time that USA Hockey is offering a National Championship tournament for that age group. That division includes a pair of teams competing this weekend that are ranked among MHR’s top 10 in the most recent rankings. The 2011 division includes four playoff qualifiers ranked among the top 46, while the 15O division boasts four top-60 teams

Girls’ playoff action in the Manitoba Female U18 Hockey League and the Maritime Major Female U18 Hockey League has been underway for a few weeks now, and we will continue to track those results here. Updates can be found below.

Here is a closer look at some of the games and tournaments we are tracking this weekend:

  

Minnesota Bantam AA Regional Tournament

The Minnesota Bantam AA Regional Tournament is divided into four regions – North, South, East and West – with eight teams competing in a double-elimination format to determine which teams will advance to play in the Minnesota State Tournament. Two teams advance to states.

The Bantam AA North Region includes four teams ranked among MHR’s current top 24 in the Minn-Kota Rankings. Friday’s games are scheduled for 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. EST at Iron Trail Motors Events Center in Virginia, Minn.

 

Friday North Region Matchups

3 p.m. EST - #1 Moorhead (10), #44 Alexandria (0)

5 p.m. EST - #13 Hermantown (3), #38 Bemidji (0)

7 p.m. EST - #20 East Grand Forks (3), #43 Grand Rapids (1)

9 p.m. EST - #24 Duluth East (5), #40 Brainerd (3)

 

Saturday North Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #38 Bemidji (6), #44 Alexandria (0)

11 a.m. EST - #24 Duluth East (1), #20 East Grand Forks (4)

1 p.m. EST - #13 Hermantown (1), #1 Moorhead (8)

3 p.m. EST - #40 Brainerd (3), #43 Grand Rapids (2)

7 p.m. EST - #24 Duluth East (0), #38 Bemidji (1)

9 p.m. EST - #13 Hermantown (4), #40 Brainerd (1)

 

Sunday North Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #30 East Grand Forks (2) #1 Moorhead (5)

12 p.m. EST - #13 Hermantown (5), #38 Bemidji (4)

5 p.m. EST - #13 Hermantown (4), #30 East Grand Forks (2)

Moorhead and Hermantown advance to the Minnesota State Tournament. 

CLICK HERE for the full North bracket and schedule.

 

In the South Region, three top-10 Minn-Kota teams and four of the six of the top 20 comprise a challenging group. All eight teams are ranked among the top 24. Friday’s games are scheduled for 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. EST at Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

 

Friday South Region Matchups

1 p.m. EST - #5 Rosemount (5), #20 Rogers (3)

3 p.m. EST - #10 White Bear Lake (5), #24 St. Cloud (2)

5 p.m. EST - #18 Rochester (4), #22 Woodbury (1)

7 p.m. EST - #17 Blaine (3), #8 Edina (4)

 

Saturday South Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #10 White Bear Lake (0), #5 Rosemount (6)

11 a.m. EST - #8 Edina (4), #18 Rochester (2)

1 p.m. EST - #24 St. Cloud (2), #20 Rogers (8)

3 p.m. EST - #17 Blaine (5), #22 Woodbury (0)

7 p.m. EST - #20 Rogers (4), #18 Rochester (3)

9 p.m. EST - #10 White Bear Lake (2), #8 Edina (3)

 

Sunday South Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #8 Edina (4), #5 Rosemount (1)

12 p.m. EST - #17 Blaine (6), #20 Rogers (2)

5 p.m. EST - #5 Rosemount (4), #17 Blaine (3)

Edina and Rosemount advance to the Minnesota State Tournament. 

CLICK HERE for the full South bracket and schedule.

 

In the East Region, three top-7 Minn-Kota teams and four of the five of the top 14 comprise in another difficult grouping. All eight teams are ranked among the top 33. Friday’s games are scheduled for 3, 4:45, 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. EST at Anoka Ice Center in Anoka, Minn.

 

Friday East Region Matchups

3 p.m. EST - #33 Champlin Park (2), #31 St. Paul (3)

4:45 p.m. EST - #6 Wayzata (8), #27 Eagan (0)

6:45 p.m. EST - #7 Stillwater (4), #14 Elk River (5)

8:30 p.m. EST - #3 Minnetonka (6), #26 Sartell (2)

CLICK HERE for the full East bracket and schedule.

 

Saturday East Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #27 Eagan (5), #33 Champlin Park (3)

10:45 a.m. EST - #3 Minnetonka (7), #14 Elk River (9)

12:45 p.m. EST - #6 Wayzata (4), #31 St. Paul (1)

2:30 p.m. EST - #26 Sartell (2), #7 Stillwater (7)

6:30 p.m. EST - #3 Minnetonka (7), #27 Eagan (1)

8:15 p.m. EST - #31 St. Paul (3), #7 Stillwater (7)

 

Sunday East Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #14 Elk River (7), #6 Wayzata (0)

12 p.m. EST - #7 Stillwater (3), #3 Minnetonka (4)

5 p.m. EST - #6 Wayzata (2), #3 Minnetonka (1)

Elk River and Wayzata advance to the Minnesota State Tournament.

CLICK HERE for the full East bracket and schedule.

 

In the West Region, four top-12 Minn-Kota teams and four of the six of the top 25 will fight for state-tournament berths. Friday’s games are scheduled for 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. EST at SCHEELS Athletic Complex in Sartell, Minn.

 

Friday West Region Matchups

3 p.m. EST - #37 St. Michael-Albertville (3), #32 Lakeville South (4)

5 p.m. EST - #4 Prior/Lake Savage (6), #12 Mahtomedi (4)

7 p.m. EST - #2 Osseo/Maple Grove (7), #19 Eden Prairie (3)

9 p.m. EST - #24 Farmington (0), #11 Centennial (6)

 

Saturday West Region Matchups

9 a.m.. EST - #12 Mahtomedi (3), #37 St. Michael-Albertvill (1)

11 a.m. EST - #11 Centennial (1), #2 Osseo/Maple Grove (2)

1:00 p.m. EST - #4 Prior/Lake Savage (5), #32 Lakeville South (1)

2:00 p.m. EST - #24 Farmington (3), #19 Eden Prairie (2)

7:00 p.m. EST - #11 Centennial, #12 Mahtomedi (1)

9:00 p.m. EST - #24 Farmington, #33 Lakeville South (0)

 

Sunday West Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #2 Osseo/Maple Grove (2), #4 Prior/Lake Savage (4)

12 p.m. EST - #24 Farmington (2), #11 Centennial (3)

5 p.m. EST - #2 Osseo/Maple Grove (4), Centennial (1)

OMGHA and Prior/Lake Savage advance to the Minnesota State Tournament. 

CLICK HERE for the full West bracket and schedule.

CLICK HERE for the full Minnesota State Bantam AA Tournament bracket.

 

Minnesota Peewee AA Regional Tournament

The Minnesota Peewee AA Regional Tournament is divided into four regions – North, South, East and West – with eight teams competing in a double-elimination format to determine which teams will advance to play in the Minnesota State Tournament. Two teams advance to states. 

The Peewee AA North Region includes four teams ranked among MHR’s current top 15 in the Minn-Kota Rankings and six of the top 25. Friday’s games are scheduled for 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. EST at Bemidji Community Arena in Bemidji, Minn.

 

Friday North Region Matchups

1 p.m. EST - #4 East Grand Forks (0), #40 Alexandria (15)

3 p.m. EST - #22 Hermantown (4), #15 Brainerd (5)

5 p.m. EST - #5 Moorhead (7), #31 Bemidji (1)

7 p.m. EST - #17 Duluth East (7), #25 Grand Rapids (2)

 

Saturday North Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #22 Hermantown (5), #40 Alexandria (2)

11 a.m. EST - #17 Duluth East (1),  #5 Moorhead (10)

1 p.m. EST - #15 Brainerd (1), #4 East Grand Forks (8)

3 p.m. EST - #25 Grand Rapids (5), #31 Bemidji (4)

7 p.m. EST - #22 Hermantown (2), #17 Duluth East (1)

9 p.m. EST #25 Grand Rapids (8), #15 Brainerd (1)

 

Sunday North Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #5 Moorhead (6), #4 East Grand Forks (3)

12 p.m. EST - #25 Grand Rapids (3), #22 Hermantown (6)

5 p.m. EST - #4 East Grand Forks (7), #22 Hermantown (1)

East Grand Forks and Moorhead advance to the Minnesota State Tournament. 

CLICK HERE for the full North bracket and schedule.

 

In the South Region, four top-11 Minn-Kota teams and six of the top 21 comprise this challenging group. Friday’s games are scheduled for 3:15, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. EST at Fairbault Ice Arena in Fairbault, Minn.

 

Friday South Region Matchups

3:15 p.m. EST - #38 Owatonna (7), #29 Farmington (2)

6 p.m. EST - #16 St. Michael-Albertville (2), #11 Mahtomedi (8)

7 p.m. EST - #3 Woodbury (8), #21 Rogers (1)

9 p.m. EST - #12 Wayzata (9), #7 Edina (6)

 

Saturday South Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #16 St. Michael-Albertville (3), #29 Farmington (5)

11 a.m. EST - #12 Wayzata (1), #3 Woodbury (12)

1 p.m. EST - #11 Mahtomedi (7), #38 Owatonna (3)

3 p.m. EST - #7 Edina (6), #21 Rogers (3)

7 p.m. EST - #12 Wayzata (6), #29 Farmington (2)

9 p.m. EST - #7 Edina (14), #38 Owatonna (2)

 

Sunday South Region Matchups

10 a.m. EST - #3 Woodbury (5), #11 Mahtomedi (0)

12 p.m. EST - #7 Edina (6), #12 Wayzata (1)

5 p.m. EST - #7 Edina (9), #11 Mahtomedi (7)

Woodbury and Edina advance to the Minnesota State Tournament. 

CLICK HERE for the full South bracket and schedule.

 

The East Region features the top-two Minn-Kota teams, with the others being ranked between 13^th and 39^th. Five of the teams fall within the top 24. All eight teams are ranked among the top 33. Friday’s games are scheduled for 12:45, 1:05, 2:30 and 2:50 p.m. EST at St. Croix Valley Recreation Center in Stillwater, Minn.

 

Friday East Region Matchups

3 p.m. EST - #2 Stillwater (10), #39 Buffalo (1)

4:45 p.m. EST - #13 Centennial (4), #34 Minneapolis (1)

6:45 p.m. EST - #1 Minnetonka (12), #37 Elk River (1)

8:30 p.m. EST - #20 Eagan 4), #24 Rochester (3)

 

Saturday East Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #20 Eagan (9), #1 Minnetonka (2)

9:15 a.m. EST - #34 Minneapolis (0), #39 Buffalo (4)

10:45 a.m. EST - #13 Centennial (1), #2 Stillwater (6)

11 a.m. EST - #24 Rochester (4), #37 Elk River (9)

4 p.m. EST - #20 Eagan (8), #39 Buffalo (0)

 

Sunday East Region Matchups

10:00 a.m. EST - #1 Minnetonka (4), #2 Stillwater (3)

10:20 a.m. EST - #13 Centennial (1), #20 Eagan (2)

5 p.m. EST - #2 Stillwater (7), #20 Eagan (3)

Minnetonka and Stillwater advance to the Minnesota State Tournament

CLICK HERE for the full East bracket and schedule.

 

Across the state in the West Region we find the true “Region of Death.” It includes four top-10 teams and seven of the top-19 pee wee clubs in the state. Friday’s games are scheduled for 3, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. EST at Maple Grove Community Center in Maple Grove, Minn.

 

Friday West Region Matchups

3 p.m. EST - #5 Osseo/Maple Grove (7), #19 Spring Lake Park (3)

5 p.m. EST - #4 Prior/Lake Savage (2), #8 White Bear Lake (3)

7 p.m. EST - #18 Sartell (0), #14 Eden Prairie (4)

9 p.m. EST - #30 Rosemount (3), #10 Andover (4)

 

Saturday West Region Matchups

9 a.m. EST - #4 Prior/Lake Savage (3), #19 Spring Park Lake (5)

11 a.m. EST - #10 Andover (10), #14 Eden Prairie (3)

1 p.m. EST - #8 White Bear Lake (1), #5 Osseo/Maple Grove (2)

2 p.m. EST - #30 Rosemount (1), #18 Sartel (5)

6 p.m. EST - #14 Eden Prairie 4, #19 Spring Park Lake (2)

8 p.m. EST - #8 White Bear Lake (4), Sartell (0)

 

Sunday West Region Matchups

11 a.m. EST - #8 White Bear Lake (5), #14 Eden Prairie (0)

1 p.m. EST - #10 Andover (3). #5 Osseo/Maple Grove (2)

6 p.m. EST - #8 White Bear Lake (3), #5 Osseo/Maple Grove (1)

White Bear Lake and Andover advance to the Minnesota State Tournament

CLICK HERE for the full West bracket and schedule.

All Minnesota Region games can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. 

CLICK HERE for the full Minnesota State Peewee AA Tournament bracket.

 

Alberta Elite Hockey League Playoffs

Play began earlier this week in the Alberta Elite AAA Hockey League, the top boys’ U18 circuit in that province. The division quarterfinals are underway, with the fourth and fifth seeds from both the North and South divisions as well as the third and sixth seeds from each division playing each other. The first and second seeds in both divisions received byes into the semifinals.

The quarterfinals feature six of Western Canada’s top-26 teams, according to the latest MYHockey Rankings.

North Division teams that earned byes are Western Canada’s 15^th-ranked St. Albert Raiders and No. 12 Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue. South Division byes went to the fourth-ranked Calgary Buffaloes and No. 21 Airdrie Bisons.

CLICK HERE for the full AEHL Playoff Schedule.

  

AEHL North Division Quarterfinals (Best of 3) 

#26 Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange vs. #37 Ft. Saskatchewan Rangers 

Game 2: March 1 – Oilers 7, Rangers 2

Ashton Lee and Brec Christenson each tallied two goals and an assist to secure the series sweep for Edmonton. Cole Serdachny added a goal and an assist, while Akaash Johal dished out a pair of assists.

Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange win the series, 2-0. 

  

#18 Sherwood Park Kings vs. #38 Leduc Oil Kings – Series tied, 1-1 

Game 2: March 1 - Kings 3, Oil Kings 2 (OT)

Ty Rayan scored 3:09 into overtime to tie the series at one game apiece. Nolan Eastwood picked up an assist on the goal, his second of the game. Leduc led, 2-0, after two periods on goals by Gursimar Mann and Austin Cooper, but Sherwood got goals from Justus Cutler and Cade Petersen in the third to force OT. 

 Game 3: March 3 - Kings 2, Oil Kings 0

After a scorless opening 20 minutes, Sherwood park got a second-period goal from Ethan Allen and a third-period marker into an empty net from Kayne Pawlick to win the game, 2-0, and the series, 2-1. Nolan Koethler was stellar in goal, making 37 saves. 

Sherwood Park Kings win the series, 2-1.

  

AEHL South Division Quarterfinals (Best of 3)

#22 Calgary NWCAA Flames vs. #19 Calgary CNHA Northstars 

Game 2: March 3 - Flames 4, Northstars 3 (OT)

It took just 42 seconds of extra time before Chase Pilling buried the series-winner for the Flames. Luke Wong set up Pilling's heroics with by scoring with just two seconds left in regulation to force overtime as the Flames overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit. Jack McHarg scored twice in the second period to tie the game at 2, but Hayden Schollar responded five minutes alter to give  the Northstars a lead that would hold up until the waning moments. 

Calgary NWCAA Flames win the series, 2-0. 

  

#9 Calgary Royals vs. #11 Red Deer Chiefs

Game 2: March - Chiefs 5, Royals 4 (OT)

Treysen Miller scored 8:28 into overtime after Calgary's Mason Koponyas had forced the extra session with a third-period goal to send Red Deer to the second round. The Chiefs used three second-period goals to take a 4-3 lead into the final 20 minutes before Koponyas tied it. Walker Overwater, Dominic Grierco, Tucker Tullikopf and Cooper Moore scored the other Red Deer goals. Samuel Dubchak, Kael Screpnek and Chase Gutor tallied for the Royals. Connor Baumbach was the winning goaltender with 31 saves.

Chiefs win the series, 2-0.  

 

Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League Playoffs

Postseason play begins Friday in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League. Eight of the SMAAAHL’s 12 teams qualified for the playoffs and are competing in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals feature two of Western Canada’s top-25 teams and all eight are ranked among Manitoba’s top 10.

CLIC HERE for the full SMAAHL Playoff schedule.

 

SMAAAHL Quarterfinals (Best of 5)

#58 Estevan Great North Bears vs. #25 Saskatoon Blazers - Blazers lead, 2-0

Game 1: March 2 - Blazers 4, Bears 1

Dayne Beuker, Cohen Harris, Raiden Zacarias and Caine Wilkie scored for the Blazers, while winning goalie Grayson Malinoski made 21 saves.

 

Game 2: March 3 - Blazers 4, Bears 0

Saskatoon scored four times in the opening 40 minutes to put away the game and take a 2-0 series lead. Cooper Ernewein, Preston Baerwald, Dayton Deschamps and Carter Ralston scored the goals, and Grayson Malinsoski stopped 30 shots to record the shutout. 

 

#46 Moose Jaw Warriors vs. #20 Regina Pat Canadians - Pat Canadians lead, 1-0

Game 1: March 2 -  Pat Canadians 4, Warriors 1

Game 2: Monday, March 3 at 9:45 p.m. EST – Canadians at Warriors

  

#53 Tisdale Trojans vs. #40 Warman Wildcats - Wildcats lead, 1-0

Game 1: March 2 – Wildcats 7, Trojans 2

Game 2: Monday, March 4 at 10 p.m. EST – Bears at Blazers

 

#42 Prince Albert Mintos vs. #47 Swift Current Legionnaires - Mintos lead, 1-0

Game 1:  March 2  – Mintos 4, Legionnaires 3

Game 2: Monday, March 4 at 9 p.m. EST – Legionnaires at Mintos

 

Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League Playoffs

The MB U18AAA Playoffs begin Friday with the top-eight regular-season finishers in the 12-team league competing in the quarterfinals. This year’s quarterfinals feature Western Canada’s 14^th-ranked Brandon Wheat Kings as the heavy favorite among a field that includes other teams ranked between No. 56 and No. 85. All eight of the teams are ranked among the top-nine in the province.

 

MB U18AAA Quarterfinals (Best of 5) 

#14 Brandon Wheat Kings vs. #85 Eastman Selects - Wheat Kings lead, 2-0

Game 1: March 1 - Wheat Kings 10, Selects 2 

Brandon exploded out of the gates with six first-period goals and never looked back. Brady Turko and Jaxon Jacobson led the offensive onslaught with four points apiece, and six others recorded multiple points. 

 

Game 2: March 3 - Wheat Kings 7, Selects 0

After sprinting to a 3-0 lead through two periods, Brandon finished the game off and took a 2-0 series lead with a four-goal third. Burke Hood stopped all 33 shots he faced to earn the shutout victory. Brady Turko was the only Wheat King to score twice, but Jaxon Jacobson recorded a goal and two assists while Kaeson Fisher and Loughlan McMullan each handed out a pair of helpers.  

 

#68 Southwest Cougars vs. #76 Pembina Valley Hawks - Cougars lead, 1-0

Game 1: March 1 - Cougars 6, Hawks (2)

Jack Clark recorded a hat trick and added an assist, while Tyson Draper dished out three assists as the Cougars rolled to a Game 1 win. 

Game 2: Monday, March 4 at 9 p.m. EST – Cougars at Hawks

 

#67 Winnipeg Thrashers vs. #73 Winnipeg Bruins  - Series tied, 1-1

Game 1: March 1 - Thrashers 4, Bruins 3 (OT)

Lincoln Black-Greaves scored the game-winner 6:47 into overtime to give the Thrashers a 1-0 series lead. Three other players scored for the victors - Kaiden Dela Cruz, Rydon Duchon and Rohan Guevarra - with Dela Cruz and Riley Kushnier each notching two points. 

 

Game 2: March 3 - Bruins 1, Thrashers (0)

Maxx Hamelin scored a late third-period goal to give the Bruins a Game 2 win and even the series at 1. Justin Perreault made 27 saves to record the shutout. 

 

#56 Winnipeg Wild vs. #75 Interlake Lightning - Series tied at 1

Game 1: March 1 - Lighting 4, WIld 2

James Fanklin and Jeremy Kawiuk each recorded a goal an assist to lead Interlake to victory. Brandon Burak and Mason Munday also scord for the Lightning.

 

Game 2: March 3  – Wild 2, Lightning 1

The Wild sanwiched first- and third-period goals around Cole Swanson's first-period tally for Interlake, and winning goalie Jake Armstrong held off the Lightning to even the series at 1. Tegan Kurtz scored the game-winner at 4:03 of the third period, and Armstrong finished with 32 saves. Cole Babych opened the scoring for Winnipeg 11:25 into the game. 

CLICK HERE for the full MB U18AAA Playoff schedule.

 

Atlantic Youth Hockey League Playoffs

The puck drops on the AYHL Playoffs bright and early Saturday morning outside of Philadelphia. Champions will be crowned in 12 different divisions by Monday.

Our featured division for the AYHL is the 13O age group (2010 birth years), for which USA Hockey will crown a national champion for the first time ever this April.

The AYHL 13O division includes USA’s second-ranked Philadelphia Jr. Flyers and No. 7 North Jersey Avalanche in addition to the 43^rd-ranked Washington Little Capitals and the No. 48 Philadelphia Hockey Club.

All AYHL Playoff games can be viewed via LiveBarn from Ice Line in West Chester, Pa.

CLICH HERE for the full AYHL Playoff schedule for all divisions.

AYHL Playoff Notebook Day 1 from AYHL website

  

AYHL 13O (2010) Playoff Schedule 

Saturday, March 2

10:15 a.m. EST - #43 Little Caps (2), #7 North Jersey Avalanche (9)

12:15 p.m. EST – #48 Philadelphia Hockey Club (0) #2 Jr. Flyers (9)

 

Sunday, March 3

#2 Jr. Flyers (6), #7 North Jersey Avalanche (5) - OT

It was only fitting that a battle of two top-10 teams would need overtime to decide the winner, Matty Lynn scored three-straight times for the Jr. Flyers, including the OT GWG, as the teams combined for six third-period goals. Christopher Pinko tied the game for the Avalanche in the final two minutes of regularion, but it took just 39 seconds of overtime for Lynn to win it. Ty McGroarty assisted on two of Lynn's goals and scored one of his own. Chase Schulberger assisted on the game-winner and also scored Philadelphia's first of the game in the opening period. Pinko also had a hat trick for North Jersey, with Devin Stokes adding a goal and an assit. 

 

#48 Philadelphia Hockey Club (6), #43 Little Caps (3)

#43 Little Caps (0), #2 Jr. Flyers (3)

#7 North Jersey Avalanche (4), Philadelphia Hockey Club (2)

 

Monday's AYHL 13O Championship Game

#7 North Jersey Avalanche 4, #2 Jr. Flyers 1

The Avs won the one that mattered most, getting two goals from Porter Matchett to upset the Jr. Flyers and caprute the AYHL 13O championship. Alex Annunziato was spectacular in goal, stopping 41 shots to earn the win. 

The North Jersey Avalanche win the AYHL 13O championship. 

 

Additional AYHL Championship Game Results

12U Minor Premier (2012) Championship Game 

#25 Phildelpha Jr. Flyers 1, #20 New Jersey Colonials 0 

 

12U Major Premier (2011) Championship Game 

New Jersey Titans 1, Washinton Little Capitals 0

 

14U Major Premier (2009) Championship Game 

#38 Long Island Royals 3, #17 Wilkes Barre/Scranton Jr. Knights 1

 

15O Premier (2008) Championship Game 

 #12 North Jersey Avalanche 12, #21 Wilkes Barre/Scranton Jr. Knights 2

 

16U Premier Championship Game 

#31 North Jersey Avalanche 3, #38 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 2 

 

18U Premier Championship Game 

#60 New Jersey Titans 1, #31 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 0 - OT

 

Manitoba Female Hockey League Playoffs

The best-of-five MFHL quarterfinals got underway Feb. 21. This year the MFHL features five of Western Canada’s top-15 (and five of Canada’s top-40) Girls U18 teams.

Here is a look at the quarterfinal matchups and seedings (rankings as of Feb. 21):

 

#1 Winnipeg Ice (#7 Western Canada/#12 Canada) vs. #8 Central Plains Capitals (#28/#86)

#2 Westman Wildcats (#11/#25) vs. #7 Pembina Valley Hawks (#25/#82) 

#3 Eastman Selects (#12/#31) vs. #6 Interlake Lightning (#22/#70)

#4 Yellowhead Chiefs (#14/#40) vs. #5 Winnipeg Avros (#8/#15)

 

MFHL Playoff Schedule & Results (Best of 5)

#1 Winnipeg Ice vs. #8 Central Plains Capitals

Game 1: Feb. 20 - Ice 6, Capitals 0

Annika Russell scored twice and Laura Melizza made 20 saves to earn the shutout win for Winnipeg.

 

Game 2: Feb. 23 - Ice 1, Capitals 0

Stephanie Jacob scored the game-winner in the third period, and Bailey Grunewald stopped 16 shots to pick up the win in goal and extend the Capitals' scoreless streak to 120 minutes. Elyse Denbow made 47 saves for Central Plains. 

 

Game 3: Feb. 24 - Ice 3, Capitals 0

Stephanie Jacob and Izabella Mann each recorded a goal and an assist, while Annika Russell dished out a pair of assists to lead the ice to the sweep. Laura Melizza stopped 26 shots to earn the shutout.

Winnipeg Ice win the series, 3-0. 

 

#2 Westman Wildcats vs. #7 Pembina Valley Hawks

Game 1: Feb. 21 - Wildcats 5, Hawks 3

Karlyn Gudz had two goals and an assist, while Callie Hilhorst added a goal and an assist in the Westman victory. Danica Averill made 18 saves to notch the win between the pipes.

 

Game 2: Feb. 23 - Wildcats 4, Hawks 3 (2OT)

Marlie Rutherford buried the game-winner in the second overtime as four different Wildcats scored in this thriller. Paige Crossley dished out a pair of assists for Warman, while Danica Averill made 32 saves. 

 

Game 3: Feb. 25 - Wildcats 5, Hawks 2

Marlie Rutherford scored twice, with Kelsey Huibers adding a goal and two assists as Westman rolled to a three-game sweep. Ivy Perkin was the Wildcats' other multiple-point peformer, dishing out a pair of helpers, and Danica Averill made 19 saves to earn the win in goal. 

Westman Wildcats win the series, 3-0. 

 

#3 Eastman Selects vs. #6 Interlake Lightning

Game 1: Feb. 21 - Selects 3, Lightning 2

Sophia Heidinger scored twice, and Ginger Fast handed out two assists to lead Eastman in a Game 1 victory. Addison Tomes was the winning goalie with 30 saves. 

 

Game 2: Feb. 23 - Selects 1, Lightning 0

Sophia Heidinger had the lone Selects goal, and Addison Tomes recorded the shutout with 27 saves as Eastman took a 2-0 series lead.

 

Game 3: Feb. 25 - Lightning 4, Selects 3 (2OT)

Delainey Rigaux and Brooke Barylski each handed out a pair of assists, while Adriana Duna, Clarie Hudson, Georgia O'Neill and Bre-Ann Windross each netted single goals as Interlake stayed alive and closed the series gap to 2-1 in two overtimes. It was the third-straight one-goal decision of the series. Ginger Fast had a goal and two assists for Eastman, and Rachel Halldorson got the win in goal for the Lightning. 

 

Game 4: Feb. 29 - Selects 4, Lightning 1

Eastman took a 2-1 lead after one period and sealed the series win with single goals in each of the last two frames. Sophia Heidinger and Danyel Heppner each had a goal and an assist, with Reese Beavis and Ava Boily adding the other two goals. Addison Tomes made 30 saves to record the win in goal. 

Eastman Selects win series, 3-1

  

#4 Yellowhead Chiefs vs. #5 Winnipeg Avros

Game 1: Feb. 22 – Avros 4, Chiefs 3

Mia McGregor had a goal and two assists while Hannah Reagh dished out a pair of helpers in the Avros' Game 1 victory. Natalie Rampton picked up the win in goal with 25 saves. 

 

Game 2: Feb. 24 - Avros 3, Chiefs 2 (OT)

Mackenzie Lizotte and Rio Pierre each had a goal and an assist, and Seanna Price scored Winnipeg's third goal as the Avros took a commanding series lead with a Game 2 win. Madelynne Sylvestre made 34 saves to earn the win. 

 

Game 3: Feb. 27 - Chiefs 5, Avros 2

The Chiefs needed three third-period goals to pull within 2-1 in the best-of-five series. Kirby Gray led the way offensively with two goals and an assist, while Nadia Nickl and Emma Pollock each contributed a goal and an assist. Mia McGregor had the other Yellowhead goal, and winning netminder Natalie Rampton made 27 saves. 

 

Game 4: Feb. 29 - Chiefs 2, Avros 1

Yellowhead knotted the series at two games apiece, taking a 2-1 lead after the first two periods and holding off the Avros in the final frame. Hanna Reagh and Dara Thompson scored the goals, while Natalie Rampton stopped the pucks, 31 of them to be exact, to lead their team to victory. 

 

Game 5: Chiefs 3, Avros 1

Grace Kirk, Mia McGregor and Nadia Nickel scored, while goaltender Natalie Rampton made 29 saves as Yellowhead advanced to the semifinals with a do-or-die Game 5 victory. The Chiefs scored once in each period, and Winnipeg was not able to figure out Rampton until it was too late in the final 20 minutes. 

Yellowhead Chiefs win the series, 3-2. 

CLICK HERE for the full MFHL playoff schedule and results. 

 

MMFHL Playoffs

The MMFHL U18 AAA playoffs get underway Feb. 17 with the provincial semifinals.

The first Nova Scotia semifinal features Canada’s ninth-ranked Northern Selects, who entered the postseason ranked No. 1 in Eastern Canada and Nova Scotia, taking on the Cape Breton Lynx, ranked 11^th in Eastern Canada and fourth in the province. Nova Scotia Semifinal 2 pits Canada’s 50^th-ranked Greenfoot Capitals (No. 7 Eastern Canada) vs. the Dartmouth Penguins, who are ranked 56^th in Canada and 8th in Eastern Canada. These are best-of-five series.

The New Brunswick semifinal has the Fundy Kraken facing off against Moncton Rockets in a best-of-three series, while the PEI semifinal features the Western Wind taking on the Eastern Stars in a best-of-seven matchup. Fundy came into the playoffs ranked 99^th in Canada and 20^th in Eastern Canada, and Moncton waas 69^th/9^th. The Western Wind were 94^th in Canada and 12^th in Eastern Canada, while the stars were 42^nd/5^th.

 

Nova Scotia Best-of-Five Semifinal #1

#1 Northern Selects vs. #11 Cape Breton Lynx (E. Canada rankings as of Feb. 21)

Game 1: Feb. 17 - Selects 12, Lynx 1 

Brooke Williams and Kendall Doiron each recorded a hat trick, with Doiron adding a pair of assists, as the Selects rolled to the Game 1 victory. Kate Morrow and Hali-Rose MacLean added two goals apiece, while Laci Boyd contributed a goal and four helpers and Jora Burrows made 11 saves.

 

Game 2: Feb. 18 at Hector Arena - #1 Selects 7, #11 Lynx 0 

Kendall Doiron scored twice in the opening 14 minutes for the Northern Selects, and the game was never in doubt after that. Aylee Glenn also scored twice for the Selects, with Laci Boyd, Emerson MacDonald and Karys Ross scoring the other three goals. All three of the single goal-scorers also notched an assist. Madeline Kerr stopped all 13 shots she faced to record the shutout. 

 

Game 3: Friday, Feb. 23 - Selects 6, Lynx 0 

Aylee Glenn notched two goals and an assist, while Hali-Rose MacLean added 2-1-3 and Jorja Burrows earned the shutout with 19 saves as the Selects swept the Lynx. 

Northern Selects win series, 3-0

 

Nova Scotia Best-of-Five Semifinal #2

#7 Greenfoot Capitals vs. #8 Dartmouth Penguins (E. Canada rankings)

Game 1: Feb. 17 -  Penguins 2, Capitals 1 

Abalyn Lefebvre scored what turned to be the game-winning goal in the second period, and Kaitlyn Langille turned aside every shot she faced in the third period as the Penguins won Game 1 of the series. Jenna Greenwood had the other Dartmouth goal, while Claire Tolson, Georgia Stevens and Ellie Isenor picked up assists. Langille finished with 39 saves. Sarah Bush had the lone Greenfoot tally. 

 

Game 2: Feb. 18 - Penguins 2, Capitals 0

Jenna Greenwood opened the scoring in the first period and closed it in the final frame, and that's all Dartmouth would need to recrod the victory and a 2-0 series lead. Greenwood wasn't the only star of the game, however. Cicely Harnum made 42 saves to keep her team afloat and record the shutout. 

 

Game 3: Saturday, Feb. 24 - Penguins 2, Capitals 0

The Penguins swept the series, allowing just one goal over three games, with Kaitlyn Langille making 34 saves to record shutout. Georgia Stevens factored in on both Pens goals, finishing with a goal and an assist, and Rachel Hartnell scored the other goal. 

Dartmouth Penguins win the series, 3-0. 

 

Nova Scotia Best-of-Five Finals

#1 Northern Selects vs. #8 Dartmouth Penguins (E. Canada rankings as of Feb. 21) - Series tied at 1

Game 1: March 2 - Penguins 3, Selects 2 ( OT)

Fiona Day scored with 45 seconds left in the first overtime to lead Darmouth to the Game 1 upset and a 1-0 series lead. Emerson MacDonald had timed the game with 7:51 left in regulation for the Selects. Cicely Harnum made 44 saves to earn the win and outduel Jorja Burrows, who stopped 33 pucks. Day scored twice, with Sara Almond adding the other Penguins goal. Hali-Rose MacLean also scored for Northern. 

 

Game 2: - Selects 2, Penguins 1

All the goals in this one were scored during the middle period, with Jenna Beaton and Brooke Williams each scoring to give the Selects a 2-1 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Goalie Jorja Burrows kept the Penguins at bay in the final period, finishing with 22 saves to earn the win and outduel Kaitlyn Langille, who stopped 48 shots at the other end. 

CLICK HERE for full series schedule. 

 

New Brunswick Best-of-Three Semifinal

#20 Fundy Kraken vs. #9 Moncton Rockets (E. Canada rankings as of Feb. 21)

Game 1: Feb. 23 - Rockets 6, Kraken 2

Sophie Grenier and Lola Boutillier combined for seven assists, while Madison Wesselius and Kiersten MacKinnon each scored twice to lift the Rockets to a Game 1 win. Marissa Rihard and Audrey Poirier added a goal and an assist each for the winners, and Brooke O'Brien made 15 saves. 

 

Game 2: Feb. 24 at QPlex - Rockets 5, Kraken 2 `

It was another big game for Lola Boutilier and Sophie Grenier again, with Boutilier tallying a goal and two assists and Grenier adding two goals and an assist as Moncton swept the three-game series. Kiersten MacKinnon added a goal and an assist, while Marissa Richard dished out two assists for the winners. Janelle Gallant was the winning goalie with 20 saves. 

Moncton Rockets win the series, 2-0

 

Prince Edward Island Best-of-Seven Finals

#12 Western Wind vs. #5 Eastern Stars (E. Canada rankings as of Feb. 21) - Stars lead, 2-0

Game 1: March 1 - Stars 3, Wind 1

The Stars rallied from a 1-0 deficit after the first period, getting three-straight goals from different players to take a 1-0 series lead. Sophie MacKiegan, Cassie Gordon and Emily Gardiner scored for the victors, while Olivia Lowe stopped 10 shots to earn the win in goal. 

 

Game 2: March 2 - Stars 4, Wind 1 

Annie-Pier Morency got the Wind on the board first, but it was all Stars from that point on as Balla Fitzpatrick, Ellie Mullins, Miah Lawlor and Emily Gardiner scored in their Game 2 victory. Olivia Lowe stopped 14 shots to earn the win in goal. 

CLICK HERE for the full series schedule