Red Division
Rochester 9-5-2, D8 11th (but 5 games off pace): Have not played a lot of games. Look to be gearing up for a big run the rest of the way with two tournaments and 10 leagues left in the next month will be more telling than what can be said right now.
Champlin Park 12-14-0, D10 5th Blue: Beating Blaine 2-0 early in the season peaked everybody’s interest (uncluding Let’s Play Hockey), but they have come down to earth. Losing the follow up game to Blaine 7-3.
Owatonna 14-10-0, D4 2nd place: Much like Buffalo in D5, do very well in their district (12-3-0) and struggle outside of it (2-7-0). Have the ability to score with a solid top line, but keeping better teams from scoring will hinder them in this pool.
Jefferson 10-16-2, D6 : Just when you think Jefferson has turned the corner with some impressive wins they stumble. Are they in the middle of a run of good games (Wins over Prior Lake and Burnsville, with an O.T. loss to Edina) or are they stumbling.
Black Division
Mankato 12-8-2, D4 3rd place: Similar team to Owatonna in relation to performance in and outside of district. Look to see them be close but not close enough right now.
Forest Lake 16-10-2, D2 3rd place: Early season losses by larger margins have dwindled and all the games Forest Lake has are close. Managed to sneak into the LPH top twenty last week on the strength of wins over Stillwater and Roseville, both close games. Expect more of that in this tourney from them.
Omaha Jr. Mavericks (AA) 25-13-1: Only Minnesota comparison can be made with a 4-3 OT loss to the Littleton team that came through Bloomington over Christmas. Could give Armstrong and Forest Lake a run in this pool.
Armstrong 14-9-2, D3 3rd place: Has been playing well and winning, while staying close in losing to top teams. There ability to score against mid-level teams should carry them through in this pool unless they run into a hot goaltender.
Championship
Jefferson vs Armstrong
Third
Rochester vs Forest Lake
Consolation
Champlin Park vs Omaha Jr. Mavericks
Rochester Peewee A Tournament
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)