Showcase Showdowns Across The State
MAHA, KLAA-MIHL and D3 Showcases highlight a busy weekend of games
Craig Peterson
December 7, 2023
The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) will host its second Tier-1 Showcase of the season. Additionally, 117-of-130 programs will be in action on Saturday to help celebrate High School Hockey Day in the state of Michigan. That includes a pair of key events with the KLAA-MIHL Showcase in Livonia and the D3 Showcase in Gaylord. This may be the busiest weekend of youth hockey we’ll see all season. So, what better way than to have our busiest picks segment of the season as well? I’ve got picks for 34 — yes, thirty-four! — games this weekend. Play along if you’ve got what it takes.
Petey: 16-11-1
Public: 13-11-1
MAHA Tier-1 Showcase
I’m not going to break down all 51 games on the slate this weekend in Fraser because, well, a lot of matchups aren’t all that intriguing. There’s no sense in making predictions for games where the No.1 team in the state takes on the last-place team. However, I have highlighted 12 intriguing matchups at all four age levels this weekend at Big Boy Arena.
18U #2 Little Caesars vs. #4 Fox Motors
Saturday at 2:30pm
The two teams have split a pair of games this season, with Caesars taking the most recent matchup 2-1 in a shootout. Caesars has progressively gotten better as the season’s worn on, I expect that trend to continue here.
Petey’s Pick: Little Caesars
16U #1 Little Caesars vs. #3 Compuware
Friday at 12:30pm
Caesars thumped Compuware 7-2 when they played back in September. The rematch should be closer but I still think chalk wins out and Caesars is victorious yet again.
Petey’s Pick: Little Caesars
16U #4 Fox Motors vs. #2 Victory Honda
Saturday at 1pm
Fox actually holds a 2-1 season series lead despite VH being the higher ranked team. I like VH, I think they even up the series with a win here, but if Fox pulls an upset, I may have to rethink things in the rankings.
Petey’s Pick: Victory Honda
16U #3 Compuware vs. #4 Fox Motors
Sunday at 9am
They split a pair of games last weekend, with Compuware’s 5-1 win being more decisive than Fox’s 3-2 shootout thriller. A win here would be Compuware’s third of the season over Fox, but I’m not ready to buy it.
Petey’s Pick: Fox Motors
15O #4 Victory Honda vs. #6 Compuware
Friday at 2pm
Both of their previous matchups have been close, decided by two goals and one goal. VH was victorious in both of those games, and I like them to get the ‘W’ here as well. Maybe a bit more decisive too.
Petey’s Pick: Victory Honda
15O #2 HoneyBaked vs. #5 Fox Motors
Friday at 6pm
These two teams haven’t yet played this season, but if you look at their shared opponents and just the overall strength of schedule, I give the edge to HoneyBaked.
Petey’s Pick: HoneyBaked
15O #3 OJG vs. #1 Little Caesars
Saturday at 11am
Caesars scored eight goals last time these two teams played. OJG has improved since then, but still has a tendency for giving up goals. I like Caesars to win big again.
Petey’s Pick: Little Caesars
15O #5 Fox Motors vs. #4 Victory Honda
Saturday at 1pm
Fox is appropriately ranked here. They’ve beaten everyone below them and lost to everyone ahead of them. That trend continues on Saturday as the higher ranked Victory Honda wins convincingly.
Petey’s Pick: Victory Honda
15O #2 HoneyBaked vs. #4 Victory Honda
Sunday at 1pm
HoneyBaked won a 5-4 OT thriller last week but I like VH to come out with something to prove after that game. The Rematch tells a different story and VH gets the win in regulation.
Petey’s Pick: Victory Honda
14U #1 Little Caesars vs. #4 Fox Motors
Saturday at 4:15pm
Fox has competed well in this season series despite losing all three previous matchups. I think they compete and show well again, but ultimately Caesars comes out on top again as well.
Petey’s Pick: Little Caesars
14U #4 Fox Motors vs. #2 HoneyBaked
Sunday at 1:30pm
HoneyBaked throttled Fox 6-0 in October but they tied 2-2 just last weekend. Does Fox finally get in the win column against HoneyBaked? I say yes.
Petey’s Pick: Fox Motors
14U #3 Victory Honda vs. #1 Little Caesars
Sunday at 3:15pm
They’ve split a pair of games thus far. It’ll be their third game of the weekend for both teams, who has more depth? Caesars, so I’m gonna lean in favor of Caesars as well.
Petey’s Pick: Little Caesars
D3 Showcase
This event has been a figure in the Michigan high school hockey calendar since at least 2004. That means the D3 Showcase is officially older than the participants who will play in it this weekend. Three of the last five Division-III state champions had played in this event prior to winning a title. There’s a lot on the line, and plenty of top talent expected to be on hand, including four teams I had ranked in my preseason Top-25.
Bay Reps vs. Bay City
Bay City will compete well, but I’m not sure they have the depth to trade blows with the Bay Reps. I like Grant Lucas and Ethan Coleman to stay hot and pull away as the game wears on.
Petey’s Pick: Bay Reps
Country Day vs. Manistique
Manistique is a tough out! They hung with Alpena, hung with Bay Reps, hung with Grosse Pointe South. I think they hang with Country Day as well but Clay Spencer and company are bound to string some wins together. They start to do that here.
Petey’s Pick: Country Day
Big Rapids vs. Grosse Ile
One matchup to watch will be Grosse Ile’s Fisher Gurney going up against Big Rapids’ Marek Mraz. Mraz is a talented exchange student who played for a reputable Mountfield HK program in the Czech Republic. I expect a good amount of offense in this game, but Grosse Ile may have a slight edge defensively.
Petey’s Pick: Grosse Ile
Flint Powers vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central
GRCC might be even better than I thought they’d be. Zach Westrick and Nate Sova have a point in every game so far for the Cougars. GRCC is the better team and has played better competition thus far as well, I’m taking GRCC to stay hot against a tough opponent in Powers.
Petey’s Pick: GRCC
Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Chelsea
A rematch from last month when RGR won 2-1 in overtime. This one will be close too, but the Pioneers have a real strong edge in goal. Ryan Rainey is a top goaltender and sophomore Connor Ptak was actually in net the last time these two played. Gabriel Richard wins the rematch and doesn’t need OT to do it either.
Petey’s Pick: Riverview Gabriel Richard
Divine Child vs. Gaylord
Bryton Thaxton has factored in on 11 of Gaylord’s 20 goals this season. While Divine Child may not be able to stop Thaxton, a guy like Braeden McNamara can certainly keep pace with him. Should be a high-scoring back and forth game, that I’m actually gonna lean DC’s way. Take the over in this one, 6-4 Falcons.
Petey’s Pick: Divine Child
Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Flint Powers
Tony Venturini has 13 points and has factored in on each of RGR’s last 10 goals. He’s a major factor but Coach Travis Perry and Powers will have a tight game plan. I actually like the Chargers defensive effort and guys like Nolan Berner and Andrew Burny could make it very difficult on Venturini. Chargers win.
Petey’s Pick: Flint Powers
Chelsea vs. Grosse Ile
Chelsea’s too good to stay win-less for long. They could beat RGR on Friday but if they don’t, I like Brandon Davila and Keegan Montgomery to bounce back on Saturday to get their first win of the season.
Petey’s Pick: Chelsea
Manistique vs. Divine Child
Manistique doesn’t score a lot of goals. Divine Child doesn’t score in bunches either. I wanna take the Emeralds here but I just don’t know much about ‘em. So I’ll go with the devil I know, as opposed to the devil I don’t. Give me DC to win a low-scoring 3-2 type game.
Petey’s Pick: Divine Child
Bay City vs. Country Day
Could this weekend be the turning of the tides for Country Day? They’re just 2-6-0 but I’ve got em getting a win on Friday, and a win here on Saturday to sweep the weekend and a young team really starts to get its footing this season.
Petey’s Pick: Country Day
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Bay Reps
This is a statement game for whichever side wins it. It’s gonna be emotional, competitive, maybe multiple lead changes. How about a 4-3 finish? It could be the game of the weekend and I hate to pick a winner here.
Petey’s Pick: Bay Reps
Gaylord vs. Big Rapids
Going all the way back to 2004, Gaylord has NEVER won both games at the D3 Showcase. That trend, unfortunately, continues as Jack Balahoski, Wyatt Skiera, Marek Mraz win an offensive onslaught for the Cardinals 6-4.
Petey’s Pick: Big Rapids
KLAA-MIHL Showcase
Similar to the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in college basketball, the Adam Mitchell Showcase pits the top two conferences in Michigan high school hockey against one another. Each win earns their respective conference a point in Saturday’s standings. This year will be the sixth time these two conferences have competed in the event, with the MIHL winning it outright five times and tying once.
Canton vs. Gibraltar Carlson
The Marauders are an honorary member, as the two conferences have uneven numbers. While Canton has struggled so far, just 1-5-0, they are coming off an emotional rivalry win over Salem last weekend. Plus, this event can be a challenge for newcomers to acclimate to. Chiefs start to string a few wins together.
Petey’s Pick: Canton
Plymouth vs. Port Huron Northern
Plymouth’s only loss is a 3-2 game to Stevenson. Northern’s only loss is to CC, and that was on Wednesday. I think this matchup has sneaky good potential. Brycen Smith is the key to success for the Huskies, if he can get loose and produce offense, PHN should win. But if it becomes a battle of depth and secondary scoring, I like Plymouth. Give me Smith and Northern to win one for the MIHL.
Petey’s Pick: Port Huron Northern
Livonia United vs. Grosse Pointe South
This is South’s third game in five days, and a tough stretch after playing both Rice and Cranbrook earlier in the week. I’ve got concerns of fatigue on the side of the Blue Devils, but the Red Stallions haven’t given me much confidence either. Defenseman Drew Brady the leading scorer currently for the Blue Devils, which can make for a difficult strategic matchup.
Petey’s Pick: Grosse Pointe South
Novi vs. Cranbrook
Eight of Novi’s top nine scorers right now are underclassmen. They’re off to a tough start, just 1-4-0, I expect them to turn things around as the season wears on but I don’t think it happens here. Cranbrook is pretty talented. Plus, junior forward Nick Timko has eight goals in seven games. Just too much here for Novi. Cranes win.
Petey’s Pick: Cranbrook
Salem vs. U of D Jesuit
Are we gonna get the Salem squad that beat Cranbrook 4-3 or the group that lost to Canton 5-4? It’s kinda been a tale of two teams for the Rocks. U of D didn’t exactly exude consistency when I watched them against Orchard Lake last week either. However the Cubs have a much higher ceiling. Aidan Charron looks really reliable in the middle of that lineup. Carter Cate and Paul Therriault add layers to the offense as well. Cubs win a close one.
Petey’s Pick: U of D Jesuit
Northville vs. De La Salle
Northville’s gonna play opponents tough. De La Salle’s got sheer skill. This is an opportunity for coach Ryan Ossenmacher to get his first of — potentially many — program-building type wins. This is a spot where the Mustangs can show they’re capable of not just skating with, but beating top-tier opponents. I’m taking Northville to win a dirty, scrappy type game against a very talented Pilots team.
Petey’s Pick: Northville
Howell vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Howell had a ton of hype around them coming into the season. I think some of that has tapered off a bit but they’ve still started the season undefeated through the first five games. Orchard Lake on the other hand, has gained serious momentum early on with wins over Brighton, U of D and De La Salle. The Highlanders are going to win a couple games this season that the masses won’t expect them to, and I think this is one of them.
Petey’s Pick: Howell
Hartland vs. Brother Rice
Rice was a much different team in Game 2 against DCC than Game 1 against DCC. It was good to see them bounce back, even if they didn’t get the win. However, Hartland provides another difficult matchup with a ton of skill and scoring threats on every line. There’s a chance that this game steals the show with exciting plays and dramatic action. I’m taking the Eagles in a 5-3 type of game.
Petey’s Pick: Hartland
Livonia Stevenson vs. Trenton
Death, taxes and a Stevenson team that works hard. The lone senior on the team, Derek Buchanan, leads the Spartans in scoring. Colin Stroble and Owen Hall are really good effort guys as well. But it’s going to take more than a hard hat effort to get pucks past Evan Sivi or Noah Miklos. Whoever gets the start for Trenton, I’m not sure it matters because the Spartans may struggle to score enough goals to get a ‘W’ over the Trojans.
Petey’s Pick: Trenton
Brighton vs. DCC
It feels like everyone’s waiting for this game. Is this the spot where CC finally falls? Well, the Shamrocks showed they were human, falling behind 4-0 to Rice last week. They then showed why CC has won 34 straight against MI-HS opponents by scoring five unanswered goals in that game. Brighton can create and sustain offensive opportunities, which should allow them to succeed where Rice and others have struggled against CC this season. The last several matchups have been low scoring, even shutouts in some instances. I think this one could be high scoring, given the offensive threats on both sides. Take Brighton to win, but it doesn’t necessarily make them the favorite to win Division-I three months from now.
Petey’s Pick: Brighton
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