There’s nothing like playoff hockey. Nothing. Doesn’t matter if it’s the Stanley Cup Playoffs, World Juniors, the MHSAA hockey state tournament or my men’s league in Ann Arbor. It’s just different. Anyone reading knows exactly what I’m talking about too.

Everything gets magnified. Every 30-second shift gets amplified. Every shot on goal. Every blocked shot. Every inch makes the difference. Football, baseball, basketball all have their moments, but playoff hockey — even for the casual fan in the stands — is like you’re watching the game underwater, holding your breath the whole time.

For some, moments will happen over the next 2-3 weeks that they will remember for the rest of their lives. For others, instances they’ll wish to forget forever.

I’ve got three teams from every region; a favorite, an underdog and a longshot with a chance to win a wooden mitten. Let’s talk bracketology and make some picks for the 2025 MHSAA hockey state playoffs.

FAVORITE: The popular pick most likely to take home some postseason hardware.
UNDERDOG: Might be considered an upset by everyone but the guys in the dressing room.
LONGSHOT: Everyone’s writing them off, but they’ve got an outside shot at stunning the state.

Can Sparta hockey make history with the first Regional Championship in program history?

A relatively new co-op to Michigan high school hockey, Sparta comes into the 2025 state playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Region 1. The Spartans will take on the winner of Traverse City West — who travels 131 miles south to compete against the rest of the West-Michigan based region — and Forest Hills Northern-Eastern. Lots of unfamiliarity in this group of five, as only FHNE and Rockford, and Mona Shores and TC West have faced each other previously this season. And both sets are on opposite sides of the bracket.

FAVORITE: Sparta has top-line talent in Caden Gleason and Tanner Guerra. They play structured, heavy hockey, and the Spartans are getting good goaltending play from Trevor Vance in net. I’m rooting for history in this one and a long, first-time playoff run for Sparta.
UNDERDOG: Mona Shores hasn’t won a regional championship since 2017, despite making it to the finale five of the last six seasons. The Sailors have three guys — Nathan Tilden, Eli Habetler and Brady Tilden — with more than 15 goals apiece. Enough firepower to shoot their way through the regional field.
LONGSHOT: Traverse City West is putting it all together at the right time. Winners of seven in a row with contributors at all three levels of the lineup. Kallen Ray is a stud on the back end, Alonso Ovaitt has seen a ton of action in his two-year career and Drew Charland has elevated his play as a junior.

Jenison hockey is the toughest ‘out’ in Region 2

They’ve lost six of their last seven games, and Jenison is just 10-12-2 on the season. Seven of those Ls have been by the slimmest of margins though, and being battle tested heading into the MHSAA hockey playoffs is never a bad thing. The top two seeds in this group of six should cruise to a regional final matchup between the Wildcats and Forest Hills Central; a matchup we almost got to see in the OKC conference tournament, if not for a 3-2 loss to Jenison at the hands of Mona Shores. Any other pairing in the finale here would be a shocker.

FAVORITE: Forest Hills Central has talent that no one else in the group has, with legitimate junior hockey prospects in Ben Mielock and Gibson Grendel. The Rangers have also played a pretty tough slate, having faced 11 Top-25 teams. Their record in those games is just 2-9-0 though.
UNDERDOG: Jenison’s style of play was meant for playoff hockey. They’re scrappy, ugly and make you play their style of hockey. FHC hammered the Wildcats pretty good, 8-3 in their only regular-season matchup, but a high-stakes rematch would prove to be a much more uncomfortable game; an environment Jenison thrives in.
LONGSHOT: Kalamazoo United has come a long way since its two-win season two years ago. At 12-10-0, they’re above .500 in the regular season for the first time since ‘16-17. Brady Penny is a goal scorer that needs to be accounted for defensively; why couldn’t this team’s dream season continue?

Henry Lansky and Shaun Story could clash in a battle of the goalies

Should the top seeds prevail in this region, take the under in total goals scored in a potential matchup between Howell and Cap City. First-year senior Henry Lansky has posted video game numbers in net for the Highlanders with a 1.42 goals-against average and .945 save percentage. Similarly, Shaun Story has a sub-2.00 GAA as well with a .929 save percentage while appearing in 19 games. He’s shut out 3-seeded Eastside Stars twice already this season, with the Caps defensive efforts holding their SCHL compatriot to just 14 shots on goal in both games. 

FAVORITE: It’s Howell’s region to lose, as the Highlanders finished the regular season ranked as a Top-5 team. They’re deep offensively — Rory Sturos, Marco Wolf, Luke Storm, among others — and talented defensively, while being near perfect between the pipes. Oh, and they’re well coached. Good luck.
UNDERDOG: Cap City has a long history of pulling off upsets during coach Joe Ford’s tenure. Look no further than their 1-0 stunner over a Top 10-ranked Cranbrook squad this season. Caps have the pieces and the structure to do it again too.
LONGSHOT: Eastside has to solve Cap City before it even thinks about challenging Howell. Shut out in both of their previous SCHL games with the Caps, but they may not be able to silence leading scorer Matthew Brick for much longer. He’s got 41 goals in 23 games.

Clarkston should cruise to its second straight regional title

Last season’s regional playoff travesty was No. 4 Clarkston having to eliminate No. 3 Hartland in the third round of the tournament. Nothing says ‘Michigan high school hockey playoffs’ quite like one of the best teams in the state having to be eliminated before the state tournament rounds, amiright?

Fortunately for Wolves, their 2025 path to Plymouth isn’t as daunting. No other team in the region ranks higher than 53rd in the state.

FAVORITE: Another deep playoff run from Clarkston could cement themselves as the newest blue blood in Michigan high school hockey. They’ve stockpiled wins over the last few seasons with junior hockey-caliber prospects, which is now leading to postseason success. 
LONGSHOT: Lake Orion has seen and felt Clarkston’s speed and strength twice already this season. Sophomore Jagger Kimber made a total of 95 saves in those games. Another big performance from him in what is a heated rivalry on a big stage? I’ll buy it.
LONGER SHOT: Genesee should be the other half of the regional final equation in this group of six, which gives them a better chance than most. The Generals are a confident bunch with 16 wins on the season, and even saw some success against a comparable opponent in No. 4 Flint Powers. Never say never.

Eastside region up for grabs with all six teams having a legitimate shot at top spot

All six teams in Region 5 are members of the Macomb Area Conference (MAC). That sucks, because historically, the MAC has been one of the tougher conferences in the state to project. Everybody beats everybody! Make sense of it for me when 6-seeded Utica Unified beat 5-seed Anchor Bay (twice). Anchor Bay tied 4-seeded L’anse Creuse Unified. LCU beat top-seed Utica Eisenhower. But Ike also beat Chippewa Valley twice. And Chip Valley lost to Anchor Bay. You still following? Because I lost myself in this mess.

Romeo, even as the 3-seed in the bracket, should be seen as the odds-on favorite to win the regional title. The Bulldogs have the best body of work against the field with a 6-1-2 record. A win and a tie over Chip Valley, and a win and an overtime loss to Ike. Drew Basha and Dillan Basha are a great combination, followed by Lincoln Lipasek and Brody Meier as scoring threats as well. 

Think I’m wrong?! Yea, me too.

FAVORITE: Romeo has three goal scorers in double figures, and Dillan Basha’s eight goals aren’t far off that pace either. Plus, senior goalie Landon D’Angelo may be the best in the region. Tough to pick against reliable goaltending this time of year. 
UNDERDOG: Utica Eisenhower has a formidable tandem in Bode Farr and Sawyer Hotchkiss. They are one and two in points for the Eagles, and Hotchkiss enters the playoffs on a nine-game point streak. Neither has been able to score on Romeo in two previous games this season though.
UNDER UNDERDOG: Chippewa Valley’s path to a championship likely runs through Romeo and Ike; two teams they’ve yet to beat this season with a combined 0-3-1 record. Nate Hall is a presence on the ice, but for Chip Valley to beat the aforementioned teams, production will need to come from elsewhere as well. 

All Eyes on a potential DCC and Hartland hockey regional final

I can’t think of a more anticipated playoff matchup in recent memory. Detroit Catholic Central and Hartland have been on a collision course since regional assignments were first dolled out in August. The Shamrocks have been top dogs in the state wire-to-wire this season, with the Eagles nipping at their heels close behind. This game should take place at USA Hockey Arena in front of a sellout crowd of 5,000-plus. Instead, we must settle for standing room only in a building likely to exceed the allotted capacity allowed by the local fire department. 

Tons of talent on both sides when Ian Kastamo squares up against Peter Sanin. Ty Kraut will look to neutralize Reese Hemme. Justin Bloink hoping to take space away from Ian Evans. This is the one game in the state everyone else will be asking about when their games end on Wednesday night, “What happened in the CC-Hartland game?”

FAVORITE: They’ve got history on their side — 12 consecutive regional championships — and more talent, and more depth, and better structure, and better discipline, and the best coaching. Your nuts to pick against the Shamrocks, even after their untimely loss to De La Salle last week.
UNDERDOG: Can Hartland do it? Yes. They’ve got talented playmakers, effective goal scorers, stout defenders and stellar goaltending. The Eagles play the chess match of ‘a game within the game’ line matching, swapping forechecks and making mid-game adjustments. And the game will take place on home ice! But, I just gotta see it to believe it. 
LONGSHOT: There is a scenario where Lakes Area United could absolutely spoil the party. Jakob Van Zweden is one of the top goalies in the state and has seen top-level competition in his career playing in the Michigan Developmental Hockey League (MDHL). If Van Zweden stands on his head and one of the team’s six key goal scorers can find the back of the net? Main event could be over before it even starts!

Can a young, developing Brighton bunch get back to Plymouth?

In ‘24-25, Brighton replaced more than half of its 21-man roster after graduating a senior class that had gone to back-to-back-to-back Division-I state finals. Yet, with a young team, it is still positioned to make a push at another appearance at Plymouth this winter.

Familiar foes from the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) stand in the Bulldogs’ way. Novi or Northville at the regional level; Plymouth or Salem in the quarterfinal round. Teams that Brighton is 3-2-0 against this season, with wins over every opponent except Novi. The Wildcats haven’t advanced past the third round of the MHSAA state playoffs since 2021, and first-year coach Anthony Leitz’s bunch may not even get a crack at top-seeded Brighton. Northville knocked off Novi earlier in the season in dramatic fashion of a deeply passionate rivalry. Since that game, the Mustangs bolstered their blue line with the addition of top prospect Isaac Nelson, only making the hill tougher to climb for No. 3-seed Novi.

FAVORITE: Brighton is going to be in the regional final facing off against an opponent they’ve seen before, regardless of who it is. The key to the Bulldogs’ success may rest on Jacob Daavettila’s shoulders. The team’s leading scorer produces in bunches with seven multi-point games.
SLIGHT UNDERDOG: Northville’s Nelson and Alex McCallum may be the two best players in this quarter of the bracket. But producing offense from the back end can be a challenge, especially against a team that’s held them scoreless in the past. Mustangs can win, but production may need to come from guys like Tommy Marinoff to pull it off.
UNDERDOG: Novi has been a little ‘boom or bust’ with wins of 9-1, 8-1 and 8-0 but also losses of 8-4, 7-2, 9-5 and 10-4! If the Wildcats can avenge their previous loss to Northville in the regional semifinal, all of the pressure is going to be on Brighton. Seniors Luke Londo and Trevor Reed can just let it all hang out with nothing to lose, from the friendly confines of Novi Ice Arena, no less. 

A win-less Salem team playing good hockey at the right time

The Rocks lost to both Plymouth and Canton in the regular-season Park Rivalry series, but should they be seen as the favorites to win this region despite being in a group with both rivals? After starting ‘24-25 with a 2-5-0 record, Salem cruises into the playoffs having won eight of its last 10 games. A road to a regional championship would be anything but easy, likely facing a talented and gritty team in M-1 United in the second round. The Rocks have struggled with teams that play a similar style to the Griffins, as guys like Charlie Price, Zach Steiner and Memphis Stillwell play hard and heavy along the walls.

Top-seeded Plymouth may have the best combination of skill and structure in the group, though, and should be considered the front-runners regardless of what happens on the opposite side of the regional bracket.

FAVORITE: Coach Bryan Dallas has Plymouth playing a disciplined style of hockey that’s produced what I would consider to be upsets over teams like Lakeland, Calumet, Novi and Salem. The Wildcats’ success can’t be denied any longer, with skilled prospects like Adrian Clarke, Jackson Warzecha and Brayden Irvin.
UNDERDOG: Salem’s top line of Dom Chaput, Nolan Kaminski and Karsen Patel should be viewed as one of the best in the state. The trio has accounted for 67.7 percent of the Rocks’ production this season and is capable of taking over this quarter of the bracket.
UNDERDOG: M-1 United is a scary matchup for anyone in this group of six. The Griffins are built for playoff hockey and the game is rarely out of reach with these guys on the ice. If goalie Todd Butler can put together a nice performance — like he did against Liggett, Bay City, Clarkston or the Bay Reps — the Griffins would be in a spot to make an unsuspecting playoff run.

A return trip to the Frozen Four for Reeths-Puffer

Last year, Reeths-Puffer made history with the program’s first-ever appearance in the Division-I Frozen Four. Twelve months later, the Rockets have been bumped down to D-II, and have a real good chance at doing it again, with 12 returners from that history-making squad. It won’t be without challenges though, as all four opponents in the region pose a problem for RP. No team in the state is more battle tested than 3-seed Traverse City Central, having played a state-leading 13 one-goal games this season. Grand Haven went toe-to-toe with the Rockets earlier this season, albeit in defeat, and Kenowa Hills does hold a 3-2 win over the No. 1 seed as well. I won’t completely rule out a young Hudsonville squad either. 

FAVORITE: Reeths-Puffer’s top five is pretty stacked, with Ayden Hartzell, Hayden Taylor, Eli Cuti, Connor Anderson and Tyler Tindall. No other team in the region comes as close. Huck Van Dyke in net has some invaluable experience as well, with a 27-7-3 career record. A confident group that just knows how to win.
UNDERDOG: There isn’t a more snake-bitten team in the state than Traverse City Central. Games have got to start going the Trojans way eventually, right?! Time isn’t on their side, so it’s now or never. Fortunately for them, TCC has a diverse scoring group to get it done, headlined by Luke Weaver, Arthur McManus and Cole Herzberg.
LONGSHOT: Kenowa Hills is no cake walk for TC Central in the regional semifinal. Trace Delcarmen has a team-leading 32 goals this season and Jared Lang can absolutely steal one for the Knights, like he did against Reeths-Puffer with a 54-save win back in December. That’s a rematch I’m not sure RP wants to see in the championship.

Did the Michigan Power Ratings get it right in Region 10?

Now I’m just ‘a guy’ with an opinion and a microphone, but I’ve got Byron Center, Caledonia and Grandville all ranked ahead of top-seed Mattawan. So does MyHockeyRankings, and State Champs! has both sets of Bulldogs ahead with the Scots close behind. Could we all be wrong? Sure, and I welcome the Wildcats to make us eat our words. I’d never be more stoked to have a bracket busted in my life.

This group of five is one in particular that feels way out of order, yet the byproduct of it all is every team has a legitimate chance to win.

Portage plays playoff style hockey all season long. They’ve lost just one game all season by more than three goals. You might beat ‘em, but Cayden Stasienko, Timmy Golub and Lee LaPorte are damn sure going to make you earn it. Top-seeded Mattawan enters the tournament on a 16-2-1 run. The trio of OKC teams Byron Center, Caledonia and Grandville is too close to call too. 

FAVORITE: I’m not sure many people expected Byron Center to still be in this position after graduating a class of seniors responsible for a 2024 state championship, four regional titles and three state finals appearances. But the Bulldogs still remain a Top-25 team and a force in Michigan high school hockey, thanks in large part to Braxton McKee, Luke Goheen and Luke Philo.
UNDERDOG: Caledonia has been a hot name all season long, as the Scots have risen to recognition with a 16-6-1 record. Their top six forwards are legit, with Tony Kauffman and Ty Lewandowski leading the charge. With only seven seniors, the Scots may be here to stay for a while too. 
UNDERDOG: Grandville has to win three games to claim hardware. But coach Joel Breazeale’s bunch is scrappy and tough to score against, with Ayden Karas and his 1.93 goals-against average in net. This team is built to win a track meet or a dog fight with high-volume offense and stingy defense.

Marquette hockey travels downstate for first lower peninsula regional playoff in 15 years

History lesson: Midland Dow is the southernmost opponent Marquette has faced in the opening round of the playoffs since 1979, when the then-Redmen took on a Saginaw Arthur Hill team. Jesus was in his senior season for Catholic Central, and high school hockey was a far cry from what we know it to be today. 

The Sentinels will travel 348 miles one way to play in this five-team region based out of Midland. The championship may very well be determined in that opening-round matchup too, as the winner of Marquette-Midland Dow should be seen as the odds-on favorite to advance to the quarterfinals as well.

Bay City’s got a great goaltender in Nash Leonard and a top line that’ll compete with anyone in the region. But the depth of the Sentinels and Chargers may separate themselves from the pack.

FAVORITE: Marquette’s travel concerns me quite a bit, just with bus legs on the heels of a loooooong road trip. But the Sentinels have traveled downstate on five separate occasions this season. Coach Doug Garrow’s group embraces adversity; this is just the next obstacle in the way.
UNDERDOG: I don’t know what to make of Midland Dow. They win the games I’d expect them to win and lose the games I’d expect them to lose this season. I don’t like their chances against Marquette, but with four guys with double-digit goals and nine with 10 or more points, there’s no better time to prove me wrong than right now.
LONGSHOT: I’m gonna take a flier on Midland. They took Bay City to OT a month ago, and a third meeting this season could be very different with an inspired performance from guys like Cade Sanborn, Cayden Nieto and Lucas Mankoff. A lot has to go right, but the Chemics could cause some chaos in the region.

Flint Powers primed for a deep playoff run

Ayden Cook is special. Owen Perry is special. It’s not all that crazy to say Cook is the best player in Michigan high school hockey, and Perry could be the best a couple years from now. Flint Powers is stacked this season, and it starts at the top. Andrew Burny and Andrew Parmentier add great depth scoring along with six other skaters with 10 or more points this season. Nobody in this region of five teams comes close to the high-end talent and sheer depth that the Chargers possess.

That doesn’t mean they’re untouchable. Lakeland has proved its a better team than the 8-2 result would suggest, falling to Powers back in December. It’s an uphill climb, but Nate Dell and Austin Scanlon are a talented duo, and this Eagles team plays hard too.  

FAVORITE: Flint Powers hasn’t just beaten the top contenders in this quarter, they’ve dominated potential playoff opponents like Saginaw Heritage, Lakeland and Midland Dow, if you want to project even further ahead. I don’t expect any of these regional-round games to be close.
LONGSHOT: The game got away from Lakeland as Powers scored four third-period goals to pull away as the game wore on. Eagles gotta do two important things to have a chance in this one: stay out of the box and avoid odd-man rushes. Even then, you’re still going to need timely scoring and can’t afford to miss when the opportunity presents itself.
LONGER SHOT: Similar to Lakeland, Powers was able to wear down Saginaw Heritage, with five goals in the third en route to a 9-2 final. Top guys Logan Boettcher and Carsyn Marshall were held without a point in that game as well. If the Hawks can get by Milford in round one, they’ll need their top guys to carry the load in an upset bid. 

Rochester United’s unlikely run may continue through regionals

Calling them underdogs at this point is kind of insulting after the campaign that Rochester United has put together this season. Eighteen wins, winners in nine of their last 11, five skaters with double-digit goals and a huge victory over a highly ranked Plymouth team to close out the regular season. They should be seen as a heavy favorite in this five-team region.

‘The team over there’ should still be concerned about their cross-town rival Stoney Creek, who’s played RU tough not once, but twice this season. St. Clair Shores Unified has enough weapons to compete with the top seed as well. None of the teams in this field have faced as difficult of a slate as Port Huron Northern’s trek through the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League (MIHL) either. So as much as RU has earned the right to be called the top-seeded favorite, there’s still plenty of reasons to be cautious through the early rounds of the MHSAA hockey state playoffs.

FAVORITE: Rochester United has one of the best sibling duos in the state with senior Greyson Hizer and sophomore Nolan Hizer. Together, the family’s combined for 40 goals and 95 points this season. Brayden Buckler and Sam Kulasooriya push this team over the top, making RU a dangerous team this time of year.
UNDERDOG: I worry about St. Clair Shores Unified defensively, giving up three or more goals 18 times this season. But looking at the other teams in this division, the Lakers could absolutely win a track meet against these opponents with offensive weapons like Isaiah Pikora, Gavin McKee and Caden Gersch. 
UNDERDOG: Stoney Creek has struggled a bit this season in spots I didn’t expect. But even so, I’m giving the Cougars a puncher’s chance in the regional semifinal against SCS Unified. Dylan Smith and Christian Gojcaj could put SC on the right side of a high-scoring game. That happens? All bets are off in an all-Rochester rivalry game with a regional title on the line.

No one stands in Stevenson’s way, looking for its first Frozen Four appearance in nine years

I’ve mentioned Livonia Stevenson’s susceptibility for giving up goals, with a team goals-against average of 3.14 per game. Playoff opponents like Dexter or Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard — or Rochester United later on down the road — could very well generate 2-3 goals in potential postseason matchups. But even if they are able to generate some production, I don’t know that anyone in the quarter is capable of containing the likes of Owen Hall, Connor Buchanan and Colin Stroble. 

Stevenson plays fast and hard and heavy. If you haven’t experienced that level of speed and aggressiveness in the regular season, it can be near impossible to elevate your game to that level on the spot in a playoff game. The Dreads could make it interesting early on in a potential regional final matchup, but I fully expect the Spartans to wear teams down and advance to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2016

FAVORITE: Livonia Stevenson gets arguably the best playoff draw it’s gotten… ever? And the timing couldn’t be much better, with a roster loaded with returners and experience, headlined by top junior hockey prospects like Hall and Stroble. No team in the quarter ranks higher than 47th in the state; Spartans haven’t lost to a team ranked outside the Top 25 since 2022 (Canton, ranked 29th).
LONGSHOT: Dexter has completed one of the largest year-over-year turnarounds in recent memory. From winless in 20 games last season to 20 wins in ‘24-25. The Dreads have been a fantastic story, and Jeremy Schroeder and Cade Stock could keep this historic run going with their best performances of the season.
LONGER SHOT: I lived this Livonia rivalry for a couple years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that coach Jason Reynolds is going to have Livonia United ready, should they get a shot at Stevenson in the regional final. Also, the Spartans have been eliminated from the playoffs by a fellow KLAA team each of the last four years (side eyes emoji). 

The ‘Boogeyman’ of Division-II is back; Look out for Brother Rice

Is there a less talked about team in the Top 10 in the state than Brother Rice? I’ll accept part of the blame, I’ll admit I’ve been quiet on the Warriors since their underwhelming 3-6-1 start to the season. But they now have wins over six Top-25 opponents and took four more to overtime. As long as they can keep focus and avoid letdowns, Rice could cruise through the early rounds of the tournament.

U-D Jesuit was out-shot by more than a 2-to-1 margin when they took on the Warriors in an MIHL matchup earlier this month. But two late, third-period goals pushed the Cubs past a heavily favored Rice team. It was the second time this season that U-D had stunned a Top-25 opponent, and if they can get another big performance in net from one of their goalies, could put another scare into the top-seeded Warriors.

FAVORITE: Brother Rice has had 12 skaters reach double digits in points this season, and five with 10 or more goals. It’s a diverse offensive attack with standout finishers like Roman Villaire and Zac Staelgraeve. Timely goaltending on top of that gives the Warriors a great chance at reaching the Frozen Four.
LONGSHOT: If U-D Jesuit did it once, it can do it again. I’m not overly confident about it; giving up 36 shots is not a great recipe for success. But both Luke Schubeck and Daniel Petrusev have stolen games for the Cubs this season. Why couldn’t one of them pull it off one more time?
LONGER SHOT: Grosse Pointe South beat U-D just four days ago! To play the same team 10 days later is a little less than ideal, but the Blue Devils should enter the regional semifinal oozing confidence. You get to the championship game and you at least give yourselves a chance.

Trenton Looks for its eighth straight regional title

While Trenton has not reached the mountaintop since 2014, its 40 regional titles in program history are the most all-time. The Trojans enter the 2025 MHSAA hockey state playoffs having won seven in a row, and a heavy favorite to make it eight straight. What’s different about this Trenton team than others in recent memory? How about leading scorer Donovan Durbin’s 60-point campaign. That’s the most by a Trojan in the regular season during the ‘internet era’ of stats (2011-12 season to present).

Every other team in the region ranks outside the Top 100 in the state. Could Lenawee United or Wyandotte Roosevelt play inspired hockey for a period or two? Yes. But Trenton has a track record of wearing teams down at this stage of the tournament and I don’t see anyone standing in their way at home, no less.

FAVORITE: Trenton’s track record in the early rounds of the tournament is just too good, coupled with a fantastic regional draw here. Durbin’s dominated this season, but everyone may get in on the offense at this stage of the tournament. A diverse offensive attack with Evan Sivi in net, and the Trojans may find themselves in the Frozen Four yet again.
LONGSHOT: Wyandotte Roosevelt finished with an above .500 record for the second time in three seasons. Dynamic goal scorer Eli Harrell played a big role in that with 44 goals and 57 points as a sophomore. Trenton held him and the Bears scoreless in an 8-0 win last month, so a lot would have to change to net different results. They need him to get going to have a chance, as Wyandotte is just 1-4-0 in games Harrell is held without a goal.
LONGSHOT: Temperance Bedford enters the playoffs having won seven of its last 10 games. Maybe a slight underdog to Wyandotte in the regional semifinal, but a diverse offensive attack certainly gives the Mules a chance to reach the championship game. Ilya Lutes, Isiah Howard, Braylon Czarnik and Aiden Depue have all scored north of 13 goals this season. 

Smallest region may be the toughest to win in the upper peninsula

This region is tough every year, but with the recent rise of Jeffers, this season is exceptionally challenging. All four teams — Houghton, Jeffers, Hancock and Calumet — all maintain a strong chance at winning a wooden mitten. The Jets have had a historic rise through the state rankings, peaking at No. 14 in my latest update. It’s not just Brit Heinonen and Benton Rajala either. Brogan Turner and Cody Turner elevate Jeffers to be a legitimate threat in D-III. On top of that, they’ve already beaten all three regional opponents in the regular season as well.

But we all know playoff rematches are never easy, and top-seeded Houghton in particular, probably feels its better than it showed in the 5-1 loss to Jeffers back in January. Jace DeForge is one of six Gremlins with 10-plus goals this season, and they certainly have the depth to wear down anyone in the U.P.

Hancock is 1-6-0 against regional opponents this season, and while Calumet is a bit better at 4-5-0, it’s also lost to all three regional foes as well. Both the Bulldogs and Copper Kings have the scoring talent to skate with Jeffers and Houghton, so I’m still giving them a fighting chance despite the dismal records.

FAVORITE: How can Houghton be the favorite despite losing convincingly to Jeffers earlier this season? It’s not so much the Gremlins being a better team as it is having better matchups. Coach Micah Stipech’s squad has outshot, outchanced and out-possessed Hancock on two separate occasions this season. They should cruise into the regional final.
UNDERDOG: Jeffers split a pair of games with Calumet this season, but outshot the Copper Kings both times. This game could turn into a track meet, with loads of chances off the rush. I give the Jets a slight edge in defense and goaltending to squeak into a regional final for the first time in the Hockey Hub era. 
UNDERDOG: Calumet’s offense can absolutely buzz in the O-zone when it gets going. Guys like Nathan Londo, Brendan Boberg and Erik Loukus are fun to watch with the puck on their sticks. Even if the Copper Kings trail 2-3 goals, they’ll never be completely ‘out’ of it until the final horn. 

Sault Ste. Marie seeks quarterfinal rematch from 2024

The Blue Devils aren’t exactly cruising into the MHSAA hockey state playoffs, winning just two of their last six games of the season. However, Sault Ste. Marie and its 11 returners from ‘23-24 may be on a bit of a war path in search of a quarterfinal rematch with top-ranked Houghton. Last March, the Gremlins made quick work of a 20-win Blue Devils bunch, eliminating the Soo from the state tournament with a 7-1 win. Memories of that game certainly sit with guys like Nick Wood and Evan Kennedy today.

But to get a potential rematch, SSM will have to go through a tough and talented Escanaba team that’s got two wins against Top-25 opponents this season. Nolan Bink may be the best player north of the Mackinac Bridge, and guys like Graham Johnson, Cale Carter and Owen LaBonte certainly increase the Eskymos chances of a regional final upset.

FAVORITE: Give Sault Ste. Marie credit. After their season-ending loss to a Top 10-ranked Houghton team, the Blue Devils stepped up their strength of schedule in ‘24-25, from an 86.47 on MyHockeyRankings last season to 88.71 and having played eight teams currently ranked in my Top 25. It’s a team that plays hard and has faced stout competition.
UNDERDOG: I love this Escanaba team. LaBonte and Carter have made significant improvements to their games this season and the additions of freshmen contributors Nick Martinson and Griffin Johnson give the Eskymos a real good chance. Don’t be surprised if Escanaba steals some hardware.
LONGSHOT: Kingsford was mercied by Escanaba 9-0 in Game 1 of the regular season, but played the Eskymos to a 4-1 game in mid-January. If the Flivvers’ top guys like Gavin Moore and Jake Crockford can get going, they just might have a chance in the tertiary game.

Young Bay Reps squad looks to extend regional championship run

If you’d have told me at the beginning of the season that the Bay Reps would be the favorite to win regionals come February, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Just three seniors on a roster with 10 freshmen and sophomores. This team is young, but still found a way to win against a ranked Sault Ste. Marie team over the weekend. The Reps have played the 26th toughest schedule in the state, and fellow regional foes may seem like light work. They beat top-seeded Petoskey 5-1 earlier this month, outshooting the Northmen 42-24 in that game. Goalie Nick Timm could position Petoskey to avenge that loss, but Madden Pateman and Anderson Ward will have their work cut out trying to produce against Bay Reps net minder Tyler Boynton-Fisher.

FAVORITE: Bay Reps might not just win the region, they could emerge from this quarter of the bracket and make a return trip to the Frozen Four. You’ve heard me say many times, if you’ve got a goalie, you’ve got a chance. Boynton-Fisher has stymied good offenses like the Soo, De La Salle, Grand Rapids Christian and Cranbrook to name a few. Timely scoring from Lewis Walter and Edward Walter might just be enough.
UNDERDOG: Petoskey has 14 wins this season, but losses in seven of its last nine. They’ve gotta turn it around quickly. The Northmen should draw a favorable matchup in the regional semis before taking on the Reps. Firepower up front, with four goal scorers in double digits, and a reliable, experienced goaltender in Nick Timm; they’ve got a chance.
LONGSHOT: I caught a glimpse of Cadillac’s Mat Timofeev, and he flashed some nice puck skills. Timofeev certainly has an ability to finish, with 22 goals — 10 of which have come in the last month. The Reps don’t have a ton of offensive firepower, so if Timofeev is able to strike a couple times, it could really put the pressure on the aforementioned favorite.

Alpena’s a heavy favorite to reach Frozen Four for first time since 2007

Is this Alpena’s best team in recent memory? It’d be saying a lot, considering the Wildcats have won a regional title in five of the last six seasons. Gavin Winterstein and Garrett Hamp are studs. They’ve got promising, young contributors in Clark Weir, Lucas Weir and Brody Misiak, among others. The Cats are also 6-0-0 this season against teams ranked outside the top 60.

Isaac Wheeler and Gladwin could keep it interesting enough in a potential regional final matchup. The Flyings Gs have won 18 games this season, and have only lost two games by more than two goals. It’s a group that’s never counted out. My biggest concern is strength of schedule; Gladwin played a bottom 20 slate and they gave up 10 goals to the one team (Jeffers) on their schedule that I could comp to Alpena. Gs need to be great in the D-zone if they’re gonna have a chance against Alpena. 

FAVORITE: What more can I say about Alpena? They’ve got two solid lines, and while I worry about their depth as the tournament wears on, the Wildcats have more than enough to make a real run. Winterstein saw a ton of puck touches after transitioning to defense at the MIHL Showcase; I’ll be curious to see if he continues to player there in the playoffs. 
LONGSHOT: Wheeler’s 42 goals for Gladwin are among the most in the state. Clayton Newman and Braeden Guzman have eclipsed the 20-goal mark as well. I’m not worried about the Flyings Gs offense though; they’re going to produce in the postseason. It’s the defensive end of the ice that’s holding me back from buying in.
LONGER SHOT: It’s a five-win FNV team, but the Griffins put up seven goals in a losing effort against Gladwin last month. They’ve proved they can produce against their regional semifinal opponent, and if the Griffins can win a back-and-forth battle, it just might earn them a shot at top-seed Alpena.

Battle-tested East Grand Rapids more than ready for another playoff run

East Grand Rapids graduated a large senior class last spring that was responsible for three regional championships and two state title appearances. Coach Chris Newton reloaded and retooled the war chest, with a top forward line that’s one of the best in the state. The Pioneers added a freshman goalie in Charlie Finch, who’s got 19 wins and a .927 save percentage.They’ve also had young defensemen gain valuable experience while battling the injury bug this season. I’d argue this team may be more mentally ready for a playoff run than EGR teams of the past.

Familiar foes stand in their way, though. Both Big Rapids and Lakeshore present a challenge in round two. Plus, the winner of an All-OKC matchup on the other half of the bracket, both Grand Rapids Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central offer familiarity in the championship. A six-goal first period blew the top off GRCC’s plans, as the Cougars lost 10-2 to EGR. GR Christian on the other hand, tied the Pioneers in a 0-0 struggle back in January. We know all too well that playoff rematches can be far more challenging than trivial.

FAVORITE: East Grand Rapids won not one, not two, but three straight overtime games to win the first-ever OKC conference tournament two weeks ago. Battle tested, experienced and in full-on playoff mode. The Pioneers are one team that I don’t wanna see lined up across from me right now.
UNDERDOG: Grand Rapids Christian nearly beat the Pioneers last month, thanks to a huge performance from Brayden Melinn in net. He stopped 51 shots in that shutout game and he’s made a habit out of weathering the storm of opposing offenses. He can absolutely keep the EGR offense at bay long enough for Brody Baysore and/or Cam Laufer to break through.
LONGSHOT: It’s been a tale of two halves for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. After an 8-3-0 start, the Cougars have just three wins in their last 14 outings. Goalie Jakob Aron has five shutouts — including a 1-0 win over GR Christian — and four more games of just one goal against. Similar to Melinn, Aron can keep high-powered offenses grounded to give GRCC a puncher’s chance.

St. Mary’s hosts regional final for first time six years

Winners of five of its last six, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s could win back-to-back regional titles for the first time in 12 years. The Eaglets won eight in a row from 2005 to 2012, reaching the Frozen Four five times in that span. Since then, they’ve only reached Plymouth once but have a decent route laid out this month.

I do worry about letdowns, especially to teams that have track records of pulling off postseason upsets like Divine Child, Chelsea and Lumen Christi. 

Braeden McNamara and Kole Boike could provide enough explosive plays for DC to give Orchard Lake a run for its money. Stout goalies on the other half of the bracket — Luke Webster for Chelsea and Zach Jaakkola for Lumen — make me nervous as well. But the Eaglets get the regional rounds at home, and I’d see them as the favorite in any potential matchup they’d see between here and Plymouth.

FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is tough to score against, with a team GAA of 2.24 goals against per game. They’re 6-2-1 against non-MIHL opponents, and haven’t lost to a team outside the Top 25 all season. Regional opponents would really have to elevate their game to knock off the Eaglets at this stage of the tournament.
UNDERDOG: Lumen Christi should handle business against a Chelsea team that struggles a bit offensively. The Titans’ top scorers may have to wear down Webster and the Bulldogs, but I’m confident Brodie Gregory and Luke DuMont will break through eventually. They get a crack at OLSM in the final, and Jaakkola could backstop a big upset.
LONGSHOT: It wouldn’t be pretty, but it doesn’t have to be for Divine Child to win. The Falcons could catch OLSM in a lookahead spot, getting outshot 40-15 but getting timely scoring from their top producers. Weather the storm of long stretches in the D-zone, and capitalize on odd-man rushes when the opportunities present themselves.

Road to a D-III championship still goes through Cranbrook

I’ve been saying it all season, this Cranbrook team shouldn’t surprise people the way last year’s state championship squad did. The Cranes have won eight of their last 10, and have only lost one game by more than three goals. Even that was at the hands of the best team in the state in Detroit Catholic Central.

Cranbrook is tough, structured and talented with good goaltending. They won’t be an easy out for anyone at any round of the tournament, and could make a real good push at repeating as D-III champs.

Fellow MIHL constituent De La Salle is feeling confident on the heels of its monumental 5-4 upset of DCC. The Pilots won’t make life easy in a potential regional final, but they’ll have to get there first. University Liggett is top 10 in the state in goals against, with just 46 in 24 games. The Knights’ top line can go toe-to-toe with DLS as well, proved positive by the 2-1 game the two teams played back in December.

FAVORITE: Cranbrook gets reliable center play down the middle of the ice at both ends of the rink. As a team, they keep opponents to the outside and have gotten good goaltending from both Blake Tice and Steven Louiselle. That’s a really great recipe for success in the MHSAA hockey state playoffs.
UNDERDOG: De La Salle’s 10 first-year players are starting to ‘get it’ and just in time. Vito Cavataio has points in 11 of the last 13, and eight of Connor Blackwood’s 13 points this season have come in the last four weeks. Couple that with veteran leaders like Dylan Blackwood and Gavin Szalkowski and the Pilots can make a real playoff push.
LONGSHOT: University Liggett’s senior goalie, Ben Wehrmann is going to have to be near perfect against DLS, as he was in his 35-save effort back in December. Nick Gould and Griffin Marchal are going to have to get additional offensive support from the likes of Gary Stacy and Andrew Johnson, but it is possible for the Knights to pull it off.

Gabriel Richard’s gauntlet of a season positions them for playoff push

On the independent circuit for the first time, Riverview Gabriel Richard played 10 of its 21 in-state matchups against teams currently in the Top 25 rankings. Despite going 2-8-0 in those games, the Pioneers have acquired valuable game experience to prepare them for this very stretch of games. Who in this region of six teams has faced four of the top six teams in the state??

All things considered, Country Day has rounded into form over the last four weeks, compiling a 7-1-1 record since Jan. 18th. They could pose a real challenge to the top-seeded Pioneers, but for that to happen, the Yellowjackets will have to win two games in three days. Ryder Novock and Rylan Crozier will certainly be challenged by a 20-win Grosse Ile squad too. Red Devils have reached that win total for the second straight season, but can they net different results in the playoffs than the 4-0 loss to RGR they experienced in 2024?

FAVORITE: I wouldn’t say Riverview Gabriel Richard is a runaway favorite by any means. But Anthony Venturini and Connor Forster certainly position this team at the front of the pack. Underclassmen Santino Venturini and Mason Eshelman were thrown into a sink or swim situation with this schedule, and by all accounts, gained valuable experience. Slight edge RGR.
UNDERDOG: I might not have considered Country Day to be in this spot a week ago, much less a month ago. But they play hard, and a heavy forecheck goes a long way this time of year. Coach Frank Novock has engineered plenty of playoff runs, and without an imposing favorite in the region, the Jackets could stay hot into the postseason.
LONGSHOT: Grosse Ile’s 43 wins over the past two seasons are second to only DCC for most in the state over that span. That doesn’t always add up to playoff success, so what will be different in 2025? This Red Devils squad has a little more depth, with five guys scoring 16 or more goals and more than half the team reaching the 10-point plateau.