With six teams traveling to the Twin Cities for a crack at the Blue Ox this year, it is fitting that the favorite Osseo-Maple Grove may be a rude host this year. Returning most of their team that won the PeeWee AA state crown two years ago in Grand Rapids, the Leafbirds are the prohibitive favorite to grab another state title this year. Many liken them to the group Minnetonka had in 2015 that won the Ox and went on to take the state crown in Stillwater.

Several top players will be on display for OMG including the big three of Notre Dame commit Brock Faber, Kyle Kukkonen and Justin Janicke. But be assured, the Leafbirds are far more than a three-headed monster. Their speed and depth are two factors that will put teams away. 

Eden Prairie is no slouch who enters the season as one of the top three teams in Minnesota. Up front, they have Drew Holt and Carter Batchelder that will give teams a challenge on every shift. On the back end, they have Luke Mittelstadt who can defend and make things happen on the rush. 

On Friday, the lower 16 seeds will battle it out for a shot at the top eight later Friday evening. The top eight should not sleep on these teams...they will enter with confidence and be happy to send a team to the middle bracket. Each year, we have at least one upset. We expect the same this year.