Game 1: Park Cottage Grove v. Hibbing...both teams have been inconsistent so far this year. The Wolfpack have some signature wins so far this year (Mahtomedi and Tartan) and look to knock off the AA Bluejackets on Friday.

Prediction: Park Cottage Grove

Game 2: Mankato v. Grand Rapids "A"...Mankato comes in as the strongest PeeWee A team in southern Minnesota racking up 17 wins with only two losses. The ThunderHawks look to prove how strong northern hockey can be.

Prediction: Mankato

Game 3: North Branch v. Eveleth...a battle of two teams who played earlier in the year when the Vikings won 5-1. Watch out for Jack Harvey for North Branch, he is a special talent. 

Prediction: North Branch

Game 4: White Bear Lake "A" vs. Detroit Lakes...this will be a close game, the Lakers get their first taste of a Metro team on Friday and WBL looks to get back on the winning track after losing two straight in the Bloomington Showdown bracket play. YHH says the Lakers will be too much for the Bears.

Prediction: Detroit Lakes

Game 5: Superior vs. Minneapolis "A"...a very tough matchup to predict, both teams have played some very difficult competition en route Hibbing. Superior has all the tools to win a few games this weekend. Minneapolis has a bunch of talent that is looking to break out this weekend.

Prediction: Superior

Game 6: River Lakes vs. Virginia...both teams have very good records heading into the FC. These top two teams will need good defense and goaltending to make it out of the Play-In stage. The Stars have a few stars on their team (Blake Blattner and Jon Bell), watch out for Willie Flaim for the Blue Devils, we've heard he's hot.

Prediction: River Lakes

Game 7: STMA vs. Greenway...this game should be very fun to watch. A lot of talent on both teams. Greenway's Christian Miller and Ben Troumbly are fun players to watch and Adam Flammang and Luc Laylin will work their magic for the Knights. Greenway will use the home ice to their advantage and pull the upset on Friday.

Prediction: Greenway

Game 8: Pine City vs. East Grand Forks...another big game, the winner gets Alexandria on Friday night. East Grand has a nice corps of players that are starting to develop under Coach Matt Fore. We saw Pine City in the Big Pumpkin early in the season, Dusty Bergstrom is not a duster..he's a player. This game should be a classic.

Prediction: Pine City

Game 1...Duluth East vs. Park Cottage Grove...the Greyhounds have a nice squad and have improved all season long. They are lead by Defenseman Vinny Pitoschia and Tyler McGillivray up front. YHH says the Wolfpack will challenge the Hounds on Friday afternoon.

Prediction: Duluth East

Game 2: Apple Valley vs. Mankato....should be a great one, the Eagles are another team with a nice young crop of players. They will take on Mankato who will be hungry. We think the Eagles size and speed will be too much for the Mavs.

Prediction: Apple Valley

Game 3: Orono vs. North Branch...the Spartans come into the FC with one of the strongest teams in the field. They are lead by Lucas Jorgenson who can really make things happen. North Branch plays a great style of hockey that will give Orono trouble...their depth will be the key for them to pull the upset. 

Prediction: Orono

Game 4: Warroad vs. Detroit Lakes...the Warriors come into the FC with a talented but limited roster. Watch out for '04 Warrior Daimon Gardner and Grant Slukynsky up front...if they get it going it could be a long night for the Lakers.

Prediction: Warroad

Game 5: Forest Lake vs. Superior....Forest Lake come into the FC with only 3 wins. However, their strength of schedule is by far the toughest of the teams in the tourney. The Rangers are a hard working team that are well coached and have great defensemen and solid goaltending. Superior will likely be a team on a mission Friday.

Prediction: Forest Lake

Game 6: Mahtomedi v. River Lakes...potentially the best quarterfinal match up of the day. The Stars will test the Zephyrs with their speed and size. Grant Kwapick is a special player that is a difference maker.

Prediction: Mahtomedi 

Game 7: St. Paul vs. Greenway...Matthew Gleason is a player that will need to be accounted for for the Caps every second he is on the ice. If the Raiders can keep him in check, they will have a chance to pull the upset. 

Prediction: St. Paul

Game 8: Alexandria vs. Pine City...truly a David vs. Goliath. Alexandria is big, fast, and very polished on all sides of the ice. They move the puck well and are only a "A" team on paper. This Cardinal team is one of the state's top 15 teams in Minnesota. Pine City has the make up to hang with Alex, but playing 15 minute periods will likely take it's toll on the Dragons.

Predictions: Alexandria

Quarterfinals

Duluth East > Apple Valley
Orono > Warroad
Mahtomedi > Forest Lake
Alexandria > St. Paul

Semifinals

Duluth East > Orono
Mahtomedi > Alexandria

Championship

Mahtomedi > Duluth East

Commentary: Mahtomedi has a deep team with a strong set of defensemen. Their discipline and strong work ethic will outlast the Hounds on Sunday.