skip navigation

Recent Region 14 News

On To Plymouth

By Craig Peterson 03/07/2020, 8:00am EST

24 Teams Just One Win Away From USA Hockey Arena

Are you still playing? Did your team survive Championship Wednesday? We are just seven days away from the State Finals at USA Hockey Arena next Saturday, and any team still standing as of today has a one-in-eight shot at a State Championship. Let that sink in for a moment.

There’s been blowouts. There’s been upsets. Some Regions went according to plan. Others were wrought with parody. Nonetheless, the dust has settled and our State Tournament matchups are set. With 12 games on the docket for Quarterfinals on Saturday, I’ve got game-by-game breakdown and predictions on who will be marching on to Plymouth next week.

Petey’s Picks: 70-48

 

Division-I

 

Starting on the Westside with Byron Center and Reeths-Puffer, this should be the tightest of the four D-I matchups. I’ve been very outspoken about my obsession with BC and the raw, young talent that they’re loaded with. However, that might need to get checked at the door with Reeths-Puffer in the mix. Nolan Convertini, Caden Brainard, Quinn Fowler, Navarre Klint… The Rockets have plenty of goal scoring and a nice amount of depth that should offset what the Bulldogs bring to the table. RP is 0-2 against Byron Center this season but took the Dogs to OT in the most recent matchup on Feb. 14th. This one will be snug as well. Beating a team three times in one season is a tall task, but I just can’t take off my BC biased glasses. Cautiously, I’m going with the Bulldogs.

Byron Center

4

Reeths-Puffer

3


 

Kalamazoo could continue their thrilling playoff run in Year 1 of the program against Saginaw Heritage. I’m not ruling the Eagles out of it completely, I just think they’d need a lot of things to go their way for an upset to happen. Kalamazoo is the most penalized team in the state (probably) and Heritage has the best power play in the state (also probably). That adds up to one volatile combination. If the Eagles can stay out of the box and play 5-on-5 for significant stretches of time, I could see this one being close on the scoreboard. I don’t know how comfortable Kzoo is playing from behind though, so if frustration sets in, I could see Brady Rappuhn and company really throttle down and pull away in convincing fashion.

Saginaw Heritage

6

Kalamazoo

2

 

Similar to the Stevenson-Novi Regional Final that went to three overtimes, Salem could pack things in, play a really conservative game and keep this Quarterfinal matchup uncomfortably close for top-seeded DCC. The Rocks are disciplined enough and have sound enough structure. I think they’ll be smart about picking their battles within the bigger war that will take place at Novi Ice Arena. The Shamrocks have superior talent and depth but all it takes is a power-play opportunity or two for the Rocks to capitalize, energize their own bench and really put the pressure on their heavily-favored counterparts. I’ll take CC to out-shoot and out-possess Salem, but coach Ryan Ossenmacher’s squad dictates the pace by making the game painfully slow. That at the very least puts the Rocks within a cross-bar or missed open net away from a stunning upset. 

Salem

1

Detroit Catholic Central

3


 

L’Anse WHO Unified?!? The biggest Regional Champion shocker in my book; I never saw LCU coming and hats off to them for a fantastic playoff run thus far. Never been ranked higher than 60th in the state this season, had a sub-.500 record until playoffs and their biggest win was against No. 41 Grandville until this magical postseason. BUT… here they are, and I’m not counting them out of this matchup with Howell either. The Highlanders will be the most talented, deepest and structured team that LCU has faced all season, so it’s going to be a monumental task matching up with Stefan Frantti and Steven Miller. With Jeffrey Deriemacker and Jack Majchrzak though, Howell will have to defend as well as they attack as one slip up or mistake could keep this game tight as well.  

Howell

3

L’Anse Creuse Unified

2

 

 

Division-II

 

“The King of the North! The King of the North! The King of the North!” Two Top-25 teams square off in Gaylord at 1 p.m., and only one can continue the trek downstate. I’m expecting an ugly one here; physical, every inch of ice is earned, knock-down, drag-out, garbage goals from scrums in front with bodies flying all over when Marquette and TC Central take the ice. This is gonna have that playoff-type atmosphere from the opening puck drop and it’s going to be tense. These kinds of moments are typically dictated by the seniors, and guys like Nick Sommerfield and Chris Usiondek will throw their best punch (figuratively). However, I like Jakob Peterson and Gaetano Cammarata to take over, willing the Redmen to victory in an absolute battle. 

Marquette

3

Traverse City Central

1


 

It’s an MIHL matchup between Brother Rice and Port Huron Northern at Suburban Ice Macomb. The Warriors outscored PHN 13-4 in two games just one week apart from each other. However, I think the Huskies will come into this one highly motivated to knock off the favorite and Rice hasn’t faced a challenge in two weeks. Watch Brendan Dickinson, Chad Noetzel and Logan O’Flanagan catch the Warriors off balance by scoring first, or even hanging onto a lead after the first period. Ultimately though, I like Rice to regain its footing and secure a comfortable victory given the way Ryan Murphy and crew have been cruising along this postseason.

Port Huron Northern

2

Brother Rice

6


 

Two teams in complete survive-and-advance mode, the stage for this Hartland-Rockford matchup was set after both teams escaped Regional Finals by way of one-goal victories. I think this Quarterfinal will be much, much closer than the 42 spots that separate them in the state rankings and this is where Hartland’s playoff road gets... “Rocky.” We are going to find out just how good Rams like Dayton Perroud, Braeden Fouchea and Will Haggerty are when they line up against the Eagles’ best. Coach C.J. Pobur’s squad is going to throw everything and the kitchen sink at Hartland’s Ryan Piros and Rockford could dictate the pace of play for long stretches in this one. However, I’ll take Piros to have a big performance between the pipes and frustrate Rams shooters in a way they haven’t seen yet this season. Two-time defending champs in a low-scoring close one.

Rockford

2

Hartland

3


 

HOT GOALIE ALERT!! Joey Cormier has given up just three goals in his last five starts, putting a bow on what has been a fantastic season for the three-year senior who maintains a 1.64 goals-against average and .942 save percentage. Stevenson was nearly bitten by a hot ‘tender in the previous round when Austin Muirhead stopped 52-of-54 shots on Wednesday. Now, they collide with a Trenton team that’s had their number in the postseason as of late, having ended the Spartans’ run in each of the last two seasons and the goalie whose done it each time. This is a hurdle Stevenson hasn’t been able to get over in the playoffs and if the offense goes cold again like it did in the Regional Final, Hunter Allen and Ethan Holt will make them pay in ways Novi could not. I’m actually going with coach Chad Clements’ crew to pull off the upset thanks to Cormier coming up clutch.

Trenton

3

Livonia Stevenson

2

 

 

Division-III

The day begins with Calumet and Gaylord at 1 p.m., and of all the matchups on Saturday, I’m the most confident in this one. Sam Gorno has been outstanding in the playoffs and getting the Blue Devils their first Regional Championship since 2004, but we’re wading into deeper waters and the shore is a long ways away. The Copper Kings have Gaylord right where they want them, and I believe Tanner Rowe, Alex Mattila and the Loukuses will be too much to keep up with. Coach Dan Giachino’s group should overwhelm and dominate this Quarterfinal matchup, entering the Final Four as favorites to win the whole thing now that Grosse Pointe South is out of the picture.  

Calumet

6

Gaylord

0


 

Gabriel Richard got a huge monkey off its back on Wednesday with a 6-0 drubbing of rival Riverview who had beaten them twice before. With the Pioneers getting over the hump, I see them head into this Quarterfinal matchup with Chelsea cool, calm, collected and confident. I’m not writing off the Bulldogs, either, as they’re a bunch that just keeps finding ways to win. Tyler Valik and Chelsea are playing much better than their No. 66 ranking, with a 2-1-1 record against teams ahead of them in the standings since the beginning of February. Valik has two goals and eight points in those four games and another big game from him could give the Dogs an outside chance at an upset. Give me Nathan Vazquez to lead RGR past Chelsea for a return trip to Plymouth. 

Chelsea

1

Gabriel Richard

4


 

Of all 12 Quarterfinal picks, I hate this one the most. Two evenly-matched teams with similar makeup, elite-level playmakers and smart hockey minds. I wish I could make a confident selection in this one but I just look at Jacob Onstott against Luke Blasy? Wash. Collin Lemanski or Ryan McClelland? Coin flip. Mike Slobodnik and Dick Blasy? Even. I could see multiple lead changes, trading power-play goals, huge swings of momentum and a total roller coaster of emotions. I believe quite confidently that the winner of this will go on to the State Final, and legitimately could go either way with this pick. GRCC started out the season hot and look to be finishing the same way, so I’ll give the Cougars the slightest of edges based purely on momentum. 

Grand Rapids Catholic Central

5

Midland Dow

4


 

After upsets of No. 14 U-D Jesuit and No. 5 Grosse Pointe South, University Liggett turns its attention to two-time defending champion Country Day. I’m not ruling out the Knights completely, as I Country Day is not invincible like in year’s past, but it won’t be easy either. Doug Wood is on another planet right now with 10 goals and 15 points in the playoffs which bodes well for Liggett. If he can catch a break or two and catch the Yellowjackets napping, Wood can single-handedly keep this game within reach. The problem for Liggett lies in Country Day’s strength; their blue line. Jacob Thomas, Gino Sessa and this senior laden group have faced some pretty dynamic forwards in their careers, and they’re well equipped to contain a dangerous threat. I think Wood is effective, but kept in check just enough for Country Day to continue its title defense for a few more days.

University Liggett

3

Country Day

4



Who’s making it on to Plymouth next week? Let’s talk about it on Twitter and tell me who you’re picking today in the Quarterfinals.

 

 

 

 

 

State Bound

By Craig Peterson 03/04/2020, 8:00am EST

Who will punch their ticket to the Elite Eight?

The first two rounds have been completed and now just 48 teams remain in the state of Michigan. Hardware is on the line for the first time, and 24 Regional Champions will be decided in the span of just five hours. It is going to make for a wild Wednesday and arguably one of the most exciting days of the MI-HS calendar, so let’s get into and serve up some awesome projections.

PETEY'S PICKS: 53-41

 

DIVISION-I

DIVISION-II

DIVISION-III

 

It’s CHAMPIONSHIP WEDNESDAY! Where will you be watching all the action? Tweet me your picks and let’s talk about it.

 

 

 

 

 

Petey's Playoff Picks: Division-II

By Craig Peterson 02/21/2020, 4:02pm EST

DIVISION-II

 

REGION 9

PREMIUM: No. 8 Marquette (21-4-0)

One-of-seven teams in the state with 20-plus wins this season. I’ve been all about this Marquette squad since Week 1, and they’re heading into the postseason playing their best hockey having won 11-of-12 games. There are 14 Redmen with double digits in points, which is out of this world, and two stellar goalies giving up less than 1.70 goals per game. With high-end forwards and defensemen in Gaetano Cammarata and Jakob Peterson, plenty of depth and elite goaltending, Marquette is a serious threat to not just take the Region but push for a D-II State Title as well. 

POTENTIAL: No. 46 Escanaba (12-10-0)

They’ve lost to Marquette twice already this year by a combined margin of 13-2, so the Eskymos have to keep Game 3 a close contest before we can consider a potential upset. Escanaba has won four consecutive games nearing the playoffs, though, and Ethan Silverstone and Kyle Krutina combine to make a dynamic duo. Senior Trevor Denome has made 40-plus saves in each of the previous two meetings, but he might have to make 50 for Escanaba to pull off the Regional Final upset. 

POSSIBLE: No. 65 Kingsford (11-11-0)

The Flivvers have had a tough time keeping pace with Marquette. Two games. Two decisive outcomes. Evan Hedtke stopped 75-of-85 shots in those meetings and he’ll have to be near perfect for Kingsford to push the needle in its favor. Load up on a forward line of Trey Bociek, Reese Fortner and Hunter Fortner, and hope they can create offense every third shift to stun the eighth-ranked Redmen in Round 1. That happens? The road to a Regional Championship would break wide open.

 

REGION 10

PREMIUM: No. 17 Traverse City Central (19-3-2)

The Trojans have returned to dominance in The North! Coach Chris Givens has done a fantastic job with this young group, getting them to compete at a high level and put together and flirt with a 20-win season. Highlighted by victories over Houghton and Salem, TC Central has six skaters averaging a point per game, and Charlie Douglass, Nick Sommerfield and Will Dawson are stellar goal scorers. The best part? TCC is YOUNG with just four seniors on the roster, and sophomore goaltender Grant Neuhardt is good enough to give the Trojans a chance to win right now.

POTENTIAL: No. 53 Mona Shores (16-8-0)

The Sailors head into the postseason having won five in a row and eight of their last 10 games. They’re going to need a lot of help from depth skaters if they’re going to upset TCC in a potential Regional Final matchup, and Mona has some options with seniors like Cayden Mollema and Nathan Taylor. Opponents will definitely key in on Connor Winegar and his team-high 41 points, so if he’s limited, can other players step up and get the job done? There’s 11 Sailors who have reached double digits in points; I’m not counting them out!

POSSIBLE: No. 102 Petoskey (8-16-0)

The Northmen check in outside the Top 100 in the state, so pulling off a Regional Championship would be a monumental achievement. They open up against TCC in the Semifinals, which doesn’t offer up any favors and the Trojans have already beaten Petoskey twice this season by a combined score of 16-1. If their top line can get loose and capitalize on a few power plays, Nick Aown and Derek Hebner could be just dangerous enough to pull the upset. The Northmen are very top-line heavy though, with that duo combining for more than 100 points on the season, adding up to a boom-or-bust scenario.

 

REGION 11

PREMIUM: No. 48 Rockford (10-12-1)

A late-season win over Regional opponent FHNE tips the scales in favor of the Rams. A potential rematch will be very even and could go either way but I’ll stick with the recency bias, running with Rockford as the favorites to win. Only one skater is averaging a point per game and nobody has eclipsed the 25-point plateau. There’s no real standouts, but that’s what can make the Rams so dangerous is having to defend against an evenly-balanced offensive attack from Kyle Switzer, Braeden Fouchea and Dayton Perroud, among a slew of other threats.

POTENTIAL: No. 45 Forest Hills Northern-Eastern (15-7-2)

They went 11 straight games without a loss at one point this season, but the last five weeks haven’t quite been as kind to the Bird Dogs. However, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if FHNE takes home its fifth consecutive Regional Championship. Tyler Nickelson and Cameron Cain lead a balanced three-line attack, and when Kyler Lowden is in the zone, this group can be dangerous. They may be down at times, but FHNE is rarely out of it, with six of seven losses being decided by two goals or less. 

POSSIBLE: No. 74 Kenowa Hills (12-12-1)

A very unassuming .500 record and ranked in the back half of the state, I could see a lot of teams overlook Kenowa here. This group puts up a ton of goals though, and an offensive team can be a dangerous team this time of year. Senior Gabe Partridge has 29 goals on the season and four other skaters have also hit double digits in goals. They’ll need a big performance or two between the pipes to swoop in on a Regional Final but the firepower up front should at least keep them in the hunt against two very good teams.

 

REGION 12

PREMIUM: No. 7 Hartland (15-5-2)

The longest active run as Regional Champions in the state. Hartland is far and away the favorite to win its ninth consecutive Wooden Mitten. I expect Adam Pietila and Kieran Carlile to dominate the offensive zone and Dakota Kott to keep opponents out of the D-zone. If the Eagles’ offense lets up long enough for a Regional opponent to generate a scoring opportunity, I’m confident Ryan Piros can answer the call in net. I think it’s a bit of a down year for the two-time, reigning, defending D-II State Champs but I see no reason why they wouldn’t survive Regionals for a ninth straight postseason. 

POTENTIAL: No. 55 Davison (17-7-0)

Jeffrey Schmidt and Dylan McMullen are a real strong one-two punch for the Cardinals. The pair of seniors account for 60 percent of the team’s total goals scored and both have surpassed the 50-point mark on the season. For Davison to pull off a Regional Championship, though, they’ll need some significant contributions from depth players and the entire team will have to compete at a pace they haven’t played at all season. If Dominic Wendel has a career night in net and Hartland gets into penalty trouble, the Cardinals might have an outside shot at a stunner.

POSSIBLE: No. 101 Tri-Valley (9-13-0)

Similar to Davison, I think they could struggle with how fast Hartland is capable of playing at. The Titans will also have to defend a lot and defend well; two things that don’t bode well for a team giving up 4.68 goals per game. Jackson Kocur is a giant power forward who can be a force when he wants to be and Kyle Brown has a great motor that leads to some quality scoring opportunities. They’ve both eclipsed the 30-goal mark, so if they can find a way to produce three goals in a Regional Final, there’s a chance they snap Hartland’s streak.

 

REGION 13

PREMIUM: No. 3 Brother Rice (17-5-2)

The Warriors are fueled by a fantastic top line; the combination of Ryan Murphy, D.J. Dixon and Nick Marone is one of the best trios in the state. Rice also has some solid depth up front and a reliable blue line that plays a stellar defensive game. The team as a whole allows just 22 shots on goal per game and senior Cooper Duncan is quietly making a case as best in the Class of 2020. He hasn’t seen a ton of work, but in the Warriors’ biggest games, he’s been strong in net and could be the key to a State Playoff run.

POTENTIAL: No. 25 Lake Orion (15-8-1)

I liked ‘em a lot better in the first half of the season than the second half, but I’m not counting out the Dragons just yet. Kade Manzo, Thomas Reath, Brendan Finn, Andrew Potyk, Brendan Bajis… There’s A LOT of really good pieces here. But Lake Orion is going to have to have a good game plan AND they’ll have to execute it flawlessly to take down the Warriors in a potential Regional Final. Rice is experienced and has been here many times before; they won’t be rattled. Can the Dragons match that and rise to the Warriors’ level?

POSSIBLE: No. 61 Bloomfield Hills (16-7-1)

There’s a really good chance they could sneak into the Regional Final and upset Lake Orion in the Semifinals. You get to the championship and you’ve got a chance. Jeremy Kahan made 58 saves in a 4-2 win against Birmingham Unified and has made 30-plus saves in 11-of-18 starts. Hot goalies can carry a team and if Kahan heats up, maybe that gives Drew Speaks, Kyle Lucia and Colin Segasser enough time to generate a few offensive opportunities.

 

REGION 14

PREMIUM: No. 32 Port Huron Northern (11-13-0)

If the Huskies don’t win this Region, I’ll retire from writing. Well, maybe I won’t go that extreme but the other six teams in the Region rank outside the Top 90 in the state and PHN has some really nice forwards that I’m confident can get the job done. Cameron Barlass, Chad Noetzel, Logan O’Flanagan and Brendan Dickinson have all scored double digits in goals and they’re battle tested after playing the 17th toughest schedule in Michigan. Assuming they win this Region, and get a third shot at Brother Rice in the Quarterfinals, the Huskies have the potential to be a dark horse contender for the D-II Final Four.

POTENTIAL: No. 94 Stoney Creek (6-17-1)

I like the Cougars to come out of the other half of this Region and be in the Final next Wednesday. They’ve only won six games on the season but four of them have come since Jan. 30th, and they’ve played a pretty tough schedule of opponents. I think that gives them a leg up on the three other teams in their half, and if you give Will Boyer and Bobby Dessy a chance to score some goals, Stoney Creek might be able to hang around late in the game. 

POSSIBLE: No. 81 Romeo (11-10-2)

As much as I love Northern to take the Region, there’s always the possibility of getting caught looking ahead. Romeo lost to PHN 4-1 back in January and by all accounts, the Huskies were pretty well in control of that one. There are benefits to seeing a team a second time later in the year, though, and coach Keith Knight has another chance to scheme for Kyle Giza, Gavin Skinner and Evan Drouillard. Put those top scorers in positions to succeed and there’s the possibility of stunning a team looking past the Bulldogs.

 

REGION 15

PREMIUM: No. 2 Livonia Stevenson (21-2-1)

They are the best team in Division-II, in my opinion, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a shoe-in for Regional Champions. All five teams in the Region are ranked in the Top 30 in the entire state. It’s a good thing the Spartans are loaded with offensive weapons like Seth Lause, Nick Justice, Brendan Heard and Tanner Liptow, because they’re gonna need it to survive a gauntlet of a playoff run. With 13 guys in double figures, Stevenson has enough options at its disposal, they just need to execute.

POTENTIAL: No. 26 Plymouth (10-14-1)

Senior Ian Smith was pretty well contained when the Wildcats played Stevenson back in December. He’s the key to Plymouth’s success with 53 points on the season but Brendan Allen and Gavin Roach have come a long way since the previous meeting too. The top line is legit and coach Gerry Vento will have his troops ready to scrap. I think this first-round matchup could be very close and if Stevenson gives way to a couple penalties, Plymouth is good enough to capitalize on opportunities and springboard its way into the Regional Final.

POSSIBLE: No. 19 Novi (12-10-3)

I wanna buy into the South Lyon hype, but Novi has been so good as of late and so well coached that I just can’t see a Regional Final without the Wildcats in it. The two teams played to a 3-3 tie on to end the regular season, and the rematch may be just as even. Isaac Gibbs is a real nice goal scorer, and Maanas Sharma, Jay Naidu and Nate Erskine provide quality depth up front. Max Rallis will have to log A LOT of minutes for Novi to win a Regional, but if they can find some offense against tough opponents, it’s definitely possible.

 

REGION 16

PREMIUM: No. 6 Trenton (17-6-1)

The Trojans have some sensational forwards from Hunter Allen and Ethan Holt to Collin Preston and Gregory Obrycki. I’m not completely sold that this Region is a runaway for Trenton, though, as some of the other teams in the mix have closed the gap a bit on the top dogs this year. Joey Cormier has had to bail his team out a couple times as well, with 30-plus saves on seven different occasions this season. They’re my pick, but I’d be leery of a cold offense running into a hot goaltender. 

POTENTIAL: No. 27 Ann Arbor Skyline (18-4-0)

Skyline’s goalie situation is just scary enough to put doubt in Trenton’s mind for the Round 1 matchup. Both Brenden Cobb and Tommy Letke have sub-2.00 goals-against averages and if the Eagles stifle the Trenton offense through the first half of the game, momentum could start to build. Skyline, Pioneer and Woodhaven have been beat up on pretty good by the Trojans over the years and everyone has them circled on the calendar. I’m expecting Jamie Newton, Isaac Lippert and Ryan Schmunk to come in playing their most inspired hockey of the season. 

POSSIBLE: No. 49 Ann Arbor Pioneer (20-3-1)

The Pioneers have had Trenton in the crosshairs since last year’s 2-1 defeat in the opening round. They head into the playoffs on a 16-1-1 run, and will be lying in wait for whoever comes out of the Skyline-Trenton matchup. Senior Michael Leighton has one of the best save percentages in the state and made 33 saves in last year’s meeting with the Trojans. He’s more than capable of frustrating opposing shooters and Ethan Kotre, Jack Ceccacci and Sean Fitzgerald are just good enough to cash in on a few scoring opportunities.

<<< DIVISION-I

DIVISION-III >>>

 

 

 

 

  • Path To Plymouth

  • By Craig Peterson 02/03/2020, 5:45pm EST
  • Way Too Early Playoff Predictions And New Postseason Format
  • Read More