With 24 total teams traveling to the Mississauga area for the Border Battle series, this weekend is sure to feature dozens of must-see games.
We'll touch on a few players and teams to keep an eye on, and will include a list of games YHH believes to be the best and most intriguing matchups.
Out of the 12 teams from the United States, Detroit Honeybaked is the highest-rated of the bunch, coming in as the top-ranked U.S. Peewee Major team in the YHH Staff Rankings.
Honeybaked has no evident weakness, with a deep lineup of both forwards and defensemen who usually dominate puck possession. Frank Nazar, Rutger McGroarty and Owen Baker are just three names to keep in mind this weekend.
The Florida Alliance played to a 5-5 tie with Honeybaked during the Buffalo Showcase in September, and sit at No. 3 in the Staff Rankings. Gavin Brindley is a game-breaker for the Alliance.
The Mid-Fairfield Jr. Rangers are arguably the fastest team in the country at this level, with great speed at both forward and defense. Defender Sydney Morrow and forward Frankie D'Ancona are the lynchpins of the Ranger lineup.
Gavin Brindley scores for Florida Alliance during the Buffalo Showcase.
The only undefeated team competing in the Border Battle is the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, who are a cool 28-0-0 as of Nov. 17.
The Canadiens do not lack for skill, with Ethan Best, Mick Thompson and goaltender Dominic DiVincentiis all superior talents at their positions. The Jr. Canadiens have demonstrated their dominance with three wins over the No. 2 ranked team in Ontario, the Toronto Marlboros.
Yes, the Marlies have lost three times to the Jr. Canadiens, but those three losses account for all but one loss the Marlies have suffered. With only four losses to their credit, the Marlies should provide more than competitive games for their U.S. opponents. Ty Nelson, Charlie Gollob and Isaiah George are all Marlies to watch.
Another Canadian team that will make some noise is the London Jr. Knights, coming into the Border Battle as one of the hottest teams. London has the one-man gang, Dylan Roobroeck skating up front for the Knights. The Jr. Knights have not lost in their last eight games.
Owen Just of the Chicago Young Americans will skate in one of Friday's key games.
Friday, Nov. 18th
Toronto Marlboros vs. Honeybaked, 9:40 a.m.
Chicago Young Americans vs. Hamilton Huskies, 1:40 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 19th
Toronto Jr. Canadiens vs. Honeybaked, 10:50 a.m.
Buffalo Jr. Sabers vs. Elgin Middlesex Chiefs, 4:45 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 20th
Mississauga Rebels vs. South Shore Kings, 9:25 a.m.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens vs. Florida Alliance, 9:25 a.m.