Last year, MN Hockey adopted a new model for its AA teams seeding process. One that makes the selection and Regional process more fair drawing the best 32 Metro teams into their Regional Tournaments. In the first year, their were very few people who didn't like the "new way." In fact, the only complaint from YHH was the Coaches Selection Committee slotted the teams so well, it gave us nothing to write about.

Like last year, most of the top 6 seeds in both PeeWees and Bantams were earned on the ice and not in a board room. Eight teams from each of the eight metro districts were awarded an automatic seed to Regionals by either winning their District Tournament or League Title. One team, Forest Lake Bantams were likely not a 1-24 team entering Sunday's District 2 Title Game Sunday. They beat White Bear Lake 3-0 and punched their ticket to Regions. 

Centennial (BAA) and Minneapolis (PWAA) were the top two teams this year and were awarded the number 1 seeds. 

The Friday 5

Here are five games that will be fun to watch Friday.

•  Andover vs. Eden Prairie (St. Cloud, 1:00)...both teams playing very well right now. Andover loses in D10 'ship to Blaine and Eagles 4-1-3 in last 8.

•  Blaine vs. Minnetonka (St. Cloud, 3:30)...Tonka is the best 19 seed in tournament, Blaine is a very dangerous team. Game will come down to superstars and Goalies.

•  Prior Lake vs. Elk River (New Prague, 3:30)...Prior Lake playing as well as anyone right now against an Elk River team that can beat anyone.

•  Jefferson vs. Stillwater (Cottage Grove, 7:30)...two very unpredictable teams, Jags won in Stillwater in December...Ponies are a team on the rise after a slow start.

•  Grand Rapids vs. Duluth East (Brainerd, 2:00)...arch rivals at all levels, this should be a great game between two teams that have had great wins, but lacked consistency every game. 

Upset Specials

Picking a 13, 14, or 15 seed to beat a 10, 11, or 12 is not really an upset in youth hockey. Picking a 19 to beat a 6 is. Last year, a few lower seeds scared the top teams in the first round. Jefferson took Chaska Chan to overtime in Lakeville. This year, if there is going to be a real upset it will be Minnetonka beating Blaine. Another potential upset is Eastview over #4 seed Osseo Maple Grove...the Lightning have been hot lately and have a great Goalie.
 

Swing and a Miss

The committee didn't miss last year, hitting the seeding process out of the park. Sticking with the baseball analogy, they whiffed on Minnetonka. The Skippers played a very tough schedule facing a gauntlet of tough teams. Are they a favorite to advance to the State Tournament? No. But a bad seed throws off balance for all 24 teams selected. One higher seeded team gets a tough team in their bracket and the balance of the pools goes away. 

The South has six legitimate teams for two spots, the East has five, and the West has four. At the end of the day, the seeds don't matter once the puck drops. You have to win three or four games in a pressure cooker environment.

The Friday 5

Here are five games that will be fun to watch Friday.

•  Centennial vs. Forest Lake (Lakeville, 1:30)...a perfect game for Forest Lake. They lost to the Cougars 10-1 and 4-2 earlier in the season. If they can hold off Centennial's first knockout punch, this could be a fun one to see.

•  Rochester vs. St. Cloud (St. Cloud, 1:30)...The Huskies playing in their home rink in their away jerseys is always a sight to see. The hockey will be outstanding. Each team has high skill and good goaltending.

•  Jefferson vs. Eden Prairie (St. Cloud, 5:00)...the Jags have beaten EP both times this year, but each time it was close. The third time might be the charm for EP.

•  Eastview vs. STMA (St. Louis Park, 7:30)...both teams won their district tournament yesterday and are likely very confident heading into Friday. A great first round game, both teams have a lot of size.

•  Sibley vs. MPLS (Lakeville, 7:30)...right now, the high powered Warriors are hampered by injuries - any time they line up it is great TV. Some days their set looks like Dynasty and others its more like Looney Tunes. Minneapolis is a steady team that will make this a fun game to watch.

Upset Specials

Eastview over STMA...the Lightning are playing at a T10 quality level the last few weeks.  St. Louis Park over Wayzata...Playing on their home ice, the Orioles have been close all year, this might be there time.

Whose your Woodbury?

Last year Woodbury swept through Cottage Grove and beat STMA, Elk River and Minnetonka in successive days as 14 seed. This year, St. Cloud has the horses, a great goalie and home ice...don't be surprised if the Huskies come out of the West