Game Five: St. Paul Capitals vs. Centennial 

St. Paul makes its foray into the Bantam AA level with a host of quality players and a team built on camaraderie. The Capitals have started the season at 3-2-2, and are coming off a tough loss to crosstown rival Sibley Area on Wednesday night. After starting the year 2-0, Centennial has since gone 1-3 in its last four games, a trend the Cougars will look to reverse in Friday's matchup. 

Players to Watch

Drew Fisher, St. Paul Capitals

Zach Sondreal, St. Paul Capitals

John Kovarik, St. Paul Capitals

Owen Van Tassel, Centennial 

Matt Everson, Centennial 

Kaleb Pitman, Centennial 

Game Six: Prior Lake vs. Blaine 

Since losing to Champlin Park 3-1 to start the season, Prior Lake has ripped off six straight wins, good enough for the No. 3 spot in the NOW Rankings. Over that span, the Lakers have outscored their opponents 45-11. A tough schedule has been just that for Blaine, with games against quality teams in Wayzata, Sibley Area, Minnetonka, and Champlin Park leaving the Bengals with a 2-5-2 record. The strength of schedule should prepare the Bengals for battle in Maple Grove. 

Players to Watch

Sam Rice, Prior Lake

Will Schumacher, Prior Lake

Riley Dueber, Prior Lake

Ryan Wallin (G), Blaine

Bryce Laager, Blaine

Alex Urness, Blaine

Game Seven: Andover vs. Stillwater

Despite a young team featuring several players that were skating for the Peewee AA team last season, Andover has sprinted to a 4-2 record to start the year. The Huskies have won four straight entering the Blue Ox, allowing just four total goals in wins over Cloquet, Forest Lake, Stillwater, and Sibley Area. Stillwater also enters the tournament on a hot streak, winning three of four games since the loss mentioned above to Andover. Those wins came against St. Paul, Centennial, and White Bear Lake. 

Players to Watch

Gavyn Thoreson, Andover

Kyle Law, Andover

Tristen May-Robinson, Andover

Sawyer Seidl, Stillwater

Carter Bies, Stillwater

Daniel Roeske, Stillwater

Game Eight: Grand Forks Aviators vs. Osseo-Maple Grove "A"

Grand Forks makes its way to the metro area armed with a physical, talented group of skaters that played for one of the top teams in this year's Bantam Elite League. Even with Cole Spicer opting for the high school level this season, the Aviators are one of the favorites for the Blue Ox crown. Osseo-Maple Grove's "A" team is currently 7-1-1, outscoring opponents 47-15 in that span. The Leafbirds lost their first game of the season, and have gone undefeated in the next eight contests. 

Players to Watch

Jaksen Panzer, Grand Forks

Mason Reynolds, Grand Forks

Andrew Peterson (G), Grand Forks

Jay Ellingson, Osseo-Maple Grove "A"

Jack Kernan, Osseo-Maple Grove "A"

Jayden Grant, Osseo-Maple Grove "A"