Every year we try to write a fun article about the pin trading that goes on at the Fargo Squirt International.  With 128 teams and nearly 2,000 players...the exchanging of pins is almost more specatcular than the hockey.

This year we rate the top pins in a Single Elimination Death Match (first poorly used hyperbole). To see our full gallery of pins go here.

Pool Play Runner Up - teams that didn't make it but made strong bids:

- Orange County, CA

-Williston, ND

-Grand Rapids

-Chask Chanhassen

-Roseau

-Hyland Hills, CO

With over 100 pins to choose from, we had to do some narrowing early. On Friday we cut the field to 48 and by Sunday we had it down to 12.  

1. Rochester

2. Fargo Angels

3. Fargo Snow Flake

4. Park Cottage Grove

5. Prior Lake

6. Burnsville

7. Bemidji

8. East Grand Forks

9. West Fargo Stampede

10. Kansas City Mavericks

11. Grand Forks Titans

12. Affton Americans

The committe then placed slotted the top 12 into six First Round games with the top two remaining seeds getting byes into Bracket Play.

Rochester > Affton Americans: two solid pins. The Rochester shield plus light out performed the Gateway Arch in a stunner.

Fargo Angels > Grand Forks Titans: On paper this looked to be a great matchup. In the board room, it was no contest. The Angels' pin is super clean and without sin.

The Angels and Rochester receive first round byes. These byes will cause many hockey dads around the bracket board heartburn. One muttering something about Goals Allowed versus Goal Differential and another wanting a clearer set of rules.

Kansas City Mavericks > Fargo Snowflake: In what some would say is an upset, the Mavericks rode this pony, using the horseshoe to be their good luck charm. The Snowflake is definitely a showstopper, despite outshooting the Mavs 5 to 1, it didn't matter...the Mavs still won.

Park Cottage Grove > West Fargo Stampede: The Grove brought it this year with their pin. A full celly pin got them huge points with the kids that show boat it a little. They knock off WF despite another solid effort from the Stampede this year. The committee really likes the new WF colors.

Prior Lake > East Grand Forks (OT/SO): we liked the EGF pin a lot, Zamboni with the light. The East Grands always bring a flashy pin...this year no different.  Prior Lake's light the lamp pin was a fan favorite. The match ended in a tie...and like on the ice the Lakers won, this time in a 14 player shootout out.

Bemidji > Burnsville: an instant classic. The Lumberjacks came out early and took a big lead on the Blaze.  But in the final minutes Burnsville, always a winner in this competition, made a late surge to tie it.  But with a minute left, Bemidji scored on a Penalty Shot on a controversial call by a Northern Ref. The ref during his dispute with Burnsville, said, "North means North." Whatever that means.

Kansas City > Park Cottage Grove: In a matchup of heavyweights, KC's in your face Horseshoe took down the Celly Guy...having a goalie on the committee really hurt the Wolfpack. The Mavs advance to the Final Four against heavily favored Rochester.

Bemidji > Prior Lake (OT): The Lakers being the lone Metro pin remaining came out with a lot of flash, but couldn't overcome the Babe. The committee fell in love with the Ox despite the great Laker pin in the extra session.

Bemidji > Rochester: In an epic battle, the Ox kept up it's strong play by knocking off the top seed Rochester's shield/hockey stick/goalie mask with lights. As the battle wore on, it was clear that even a great pin like Rochester's couldn't get past a blue Ox on a puck with icicles. 

Fargo Angels > Kansas City: In each of the previous two years, a Non-Minnesota/North Dakota team has won.  In 2012 it was Northern Colorado and in 2013 it was the Omaha Lancers.  Kansas City had the Angels singing the blues early, but it could not overcome the fact that the Fargo pin was by far the most desired pin last year and again this year. The Angels win in a popularity contest.

Just like the hockey players, each year the pins keep getting better and better. More glitter, better design and a lot of thought went into most of the pins.  In years past a light or a dangle would get you into the conversation. The pendulum has swung to simply great design.

Fargo Angels: Great design, glitter times 100, and size were the calling card of the Angels, much like last year. This year the Angels outdid last year and should be the champs.

Bemidji: They brought their A game. Their mascot is a Paul Bunyan the state's greatest Lumberjack. Paul's buddy Babe the Blue Ox got the call this year and blew the committee away. Babe was cool looking, creatively designed and most important totally unexpected and refreshing.

This year's Pin Champion was Bemidji...congrats.