Game 1: Eden Prairie vs. Fargo 

Eden Prairie has mastered the art of the tie early in this Bantam AA season, posting a record of 3-0-3 in its first six games. Two of the three Eagle wins have come by shutout, pointing to a stalwart defense and strong goaltending. Fargo has played just once so far this season, losing to Moorhead 2-0 on Nov. 4, but should bring a strong lineup to the metro, with several names on the roster that were selected to participate in past NOW Prospect Combines and the Bantam Elite League.  

Players to Watch

Grant Daylor, Eden Prairie

Liam Hupka, Eden Prairie 

Trent Stansberry, Eden Prairie

Landon Dauner, Fargo 

Keeton Schaff, Fargo 

Trent Wiemken (G), Fargo

Game 2: Osseo-Maple Grove vs. Elk River

The defending state champion Leafbirds lost a chunk of standouts from last year's team, but a strong Peewee AA squad and several key returners make the host team a force not to overlook. After opening the season with a 4-3 loss to Wayzata, the Leafbirds have gone unbeaten in their last four games, going 3-0-1. Elk River has one 1-3-1 to start the year, but two of those three losses were by just one goal, and the Elks earned a 3-2 win over Rosemount. That trend of close games bodes well for a tournament format like the Blue Ox's bracket play. 

Players to Watch

Landen Gunderson, Osseo-Maple Grove

Wyatt Olson, Osseo-Maple Grove

Josh Giuliani, Osseo-Maple Grove

Jackson Skyberg, Elk River

Carter Davis, Elk River

Sam Stockman (G), Elk River 

Game Three: Lakeville South vs. Minnetonka 

Bruised and battle-tested, Lakeville South enters the tournament with seven games under its belt, resulting in a 2-2-3 record. Unfortunately for the Cougars, those two wins came at the beginning of the season, and they've gone 0-2-3 over their past five contests. Minnetonka has gone 4-2-2 so far, scoring one-goal wins over Duluth East and Blaine and downing Shakopee 11-1 in the game before the Blue Ox. 

Players to Watch 

John Novak, Lakeville South 

Ethan Dahlmeir (G), Lakeville South

Tanner Ludtke, Lakeville South 

Jackson Blanks, Minnetonka

Cole Komisar, Minnetonka

Nick Baer, Minnetonka

Game Four: Chaska/Chanhassen vs. Minot (ND)

The well-known commodity Chaska/Chanhassen takes on a relative unknown in the Minot Wolves in the fourth game of the first round, a battle between a dozen players that spent time in the Bantam Elite League this summer and fall. The Stormhawks are 2-2-2 and have alternated between wins, losses, and ties throughout the opening dregs of the season, with the losses including a 15-2 drubbing at the hands of Shattuck-St. Mary's, the No. 3 ranked team in the country by MyHockeyRankings. Minot has a lineup with great size and depth, and if the BEL season is any indication, the Wolves will employ a physical style. 

Players to Watch

Jimmy Snuggerud, Chaska/Chanhassen

Jack Seaverson, Chaska/Chanhassen

Max Burkholder, Chaska/Chanhassen

Anthony McIntosh, Minot

Dawson McCann, Minot

Zach Nehring, Minot