The semifinals of the New Year's Challenge were played out on Wednesday afternoon, a far cry for these players who are more accustomed to playing these types of games on a Saturday or Sunday. 

Playmakers and Hat-Trick showed no ill effects from this midweek change, skating past Team Warrior '06 and into the Squirt A finals with a resounding 16-6 win.

Meeting Playmakers and Hat-Trick will be Holidanlge, which edged the Elves 10-8 in a back-and-forth affair. Holidangle has not faced P&H in the Challenge, which should set up a thrilling contest in Thursday's final. 

The most intriguing part of the win for Playmakers and Hat was the half-court offense employed by the winners.

P&H managed to slow the game down and dominate the possession for the latter part of the contest, a strategy rarely seen in the three-on-three world en route to their 16-6 win over Team Warrior '06. Speedsters Michael Risteau and Will Kortan each scored four goals to lead P&H to victory. 

Holidangle's 10-8 win over the Elves marked the first time that the Elves had been beaten in the Challenge, and the first time they had been held under 13 goals in a game. Drew Stewart did the most damage for Holidangle, scoring seven of the team's 10 goals.  

The Eagles fly into the finals of the Squirt B division, causing past Cote's Irish Cronies 15-10 in the first semifinal. 

Nick Manning scored four goals for the Eagles, and Mason Garcia added three in the win. The Eagles have proven to be masters of the close game, winning four times by no margin larger than five. 

The Li'l Rascals await the Eagles in the championship after downing Tommy Chicago Gold 11-5. Led by Sam Pacovsky's three goals, the Li'l Rascals will get another shot at the Eagles, who beat them 11-9 in Pool Play.