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Thoughts from the Rink

By Tony Scott, 02/15/15, 9:45AM CST

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Thoughts on big events from Saturday and coming events Sunday

Teams on the Rise


Duluth East and Stillwater faced off in December in the Lumberjack Cup in Stillwater

PeeWee AA: Stillwater and Duluth East. Their record the last 4 weeks is very impressive. The Hounds beat #3 Rosemount yesterday and Stillwater blanked district rival and #5 White Bear Friday 3-0. Coaches Mike Strobel (Stillwater) and Chris Locker (East) both had teams with great potential to start the season that lacked consistency. Seems like they are both playing great hockey at the right time of year.

Bantam AA: Moorhead sweeps Grand Rapids and STMA on their home ice...many think the Spuds are a legit contender for state title in Duluth. Eagan keeps beating teams they shouldn't...their stock keeps gaining more value.

Upsets

Bantam B: Centennial knocks off #5 Elk River Black, forcing the Elks into a do/die situation the rest of District 10 playoffs.

PeeWee B: #8 seed Tartan beats #1 seed Mahtomedi to advance to a Region play-in game with St. Paul Blue.

Bantam B: Park Rapids beats #3 seed Prairie Center Saturday night. The Panthers earn a spot against the Brainerd/Moorhead loser for a shot at Regions.

PeeWee AA: Andover shuts out Elk River 4-0...not a major upset, but a key game for all bracketologists. The Elks were a 10 last week and the Huskies were a 12.

Bantam A: Chisago Lakes beats Centennial 4-3 in OT to advance in District 10. The Wildcats need one more win to get a spot in Regions.

Bantam B: Duluth East Red beats T10 Proctor to advance to Regions. The Hounds win over the Rails gets them a chance at Cloquet for the top spot in Regions.

Bantam A: Greenway beats top seed Hibbing in District 12 to gain Regions, the Bluejackets need a win today over Eveleth Gilbert/ME for a berth to Regions in Thief River.

Key Matchups

Bantam A: Tartan vs. Mahtomedi  - Titans and Zephs play today in a do/die game, the #2 and #3 seeds out of District 2. Duluth East vs. North Shore - Hounds and Shoresmen play today for the #1 seed in Regions.

Bantam B: Wayzata Blue vs. MPLS (Orange) and North Metro vs. Orono in District 3...all four teams have graced the YHH T10 this year. Minnetonka vs. Jefferson - Jags and Skippers face off in D6, the winner gets a short cut for the final spot into Regions, the loser gets a long, long road. Lakeville North vs. Rosemount - similar to the Tonka/Jefferson game, the Winner has a good shot at Regions, the Loser will have a long road home.

Bantam AA

Stillwater vs. WBL - Stillwater could get themselves off the Bubble today with a win over White Bear Lake. After losing to Forest Lake on Friday, they defeated an "IN" team yesterday beating Roseville. Every game is do/die for the Ponies at this point. Eagan vs. Lakeville South - the Cougars are on the Bubble and need as many good wins as they can get, beating a hot Eagan team would help a lot.

PeeWee AA

Woodbury vs. Eagan - Preds and Wildcats tangle in D8, both teams are IN at 21 and 22 in our Bracketology, but a couple bad losses or good wins are crucial for these two teams.

PeeWee A

Mound Westonka vs. OMG - an important game, winner goes to Regions, the loser will likely face Armstrong Cooper Saturday for the final spot. International Falls vs. Virginia - winner gets the final spot to Regions in D12. Princeton vs. North Branch - Tigers and Vikings hook up today in Princeton, two great teams with a lot of firepower.

PeeWee B

Mesabi East vs. I Falls  - Giants and Broncs battle today for a berth to Regions. Buffalo (Black) vs. Buffalo (White) - great intra city battle today in playoffs with a lot on the line in District 5.

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