The two best conferences in hockey go head-to-head

Top teams clash in the seventh annual KLAA-MIHL Showcase

Craig Peterson

December 13, 2024

Photo by Tim Arrick | The Livingston Daily

Eleven of the 20 participating teams in the KLAA-MIHL Showcase are currently ranked in my Top 25. Additionally, 27 of the Top 100 Names to Know in Michigan high school hockey should be in action at Eddie Edgar Ice Arena on Saturday. The seventh annual showcase event pits the top two conferences in the state against each other under one roof, on the same day. It has become one of the biggest scouting events on the high school hockey calendar, considering the quality of teams on the ice and talented players on the rosters.

While the individual matchups are tough to predict, with five of the 10 games being ranked-vs-ranked opponents, the overall ‘winner’ of the event has been obvious. Since the event’s inception in 2017, the MIHL has won the event outright five times and tied once. Each win in the showcase earns a point in the standings for the team’s respective conference. Last year’s Alphabet Showcase was 7-3 in favor of the MIHL. This weekend’s event features six rematches from 2023, including the finale; a Brighton-vs-DCC matchup that has concluded the event seven straight times. Trenton and Livonia Stevenson will go head-to-head for the third straight year, as will Hartland and Brother Rice, and Howell against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.

A quick update on the season’s picks and then a breakdown of the KLAA-MIHL Showcase:

Petey: 28-12-2
Public: 25-14-3

Canton vs. Gibraltar Carlson

For the second straight year, Gibraltar Carlson serves as an honorary member of the MIHL, as the two participating conferences have uneven numbers. The Marauders are buzzing a little bit, as sophomore leading scorer Brayden Beaudette is on a five-game goal streak. It’s a young bunch for first-year coach Andy Watson, and a win over a KLAA opponent would be a big feather in the cap of a team 3-3-1 at present day. But this is a Canton team that — despite losing five of its first six games — beat cross-campus rival Salem 5-4 last week. If Carlson can’t contain Cameron James, it could be a long morning. I’ll take the Cobras in a shootout, 5-4.

Petey’s Pick: Canton

Novi vs. Grosse Pointe South

The Wildcats have found a way to score against everybody they’ve faced so far, even in defeat. A 4-3 overtime loss to Northville, and an 8-4 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Livonia Stevenson last week. Novi can score against just about anybody. I’m not sure the same can be said for a struggling Grosse Pointe South team on a six-game losing streak. I like Luke Londo and Trevor Reed to score early and often, maybe jump out to a 2-0 or 3-0 first-period lead. But watch the Blue Devils battle back and show some fight to make it a 5-2, 5-3 type of finish. Keep your foot on the gas, and Novi could cruise in this one.

Petey’s Pick: Novi

Livonia United vs. Port Huron Northern

Good news is, someone’s gotta win this one! Livonia United has lost its last seven games while Port Huron Northern has dropped five of its last six. Despite the two teams struggling to get in the win column, I do think this should be an evenly matched game. Senior leading scorer Michael Willemsen has been the Stallions’ key to success, with 11 points on the team’s last 16 goals scored. He’s got a nice cast of characters around him in Caleb Curto, Bryce Brown and Zack Allgeyer, which could spell trouble for a PHN team allowing 4.72 goals against per game. Red Stallions roll 4-2.

Petey’s Pick: Livonia United

#14 De La Salle vs. Northville

The Pilots just finished a six-game stretch against Top-25 opponents, going 2-4-0 in that stretch. In all of those games, though, De La Salle showed great compete and an ability to play with top-tier teams. That includes a 7-3 loss to top-ranked DCC; a game that was tied heading into the third period. I can’t quite say the same about Northville. Alex McCallum and Tommy Marinoff are exceptional for the Mustangs, but De La Salle’s supporting cast and depth gives them a significant leg up in this one. I like guys like Shane Balten, Corey Furuya and Bryson Row to play a role in the outcome. Pilots win 3-2.

Petey’s Pick: De La Salle

Plymouth vs. U of D Jesuit

I’d love to tell you all about this U of D Jesuit team, but there’s no rosters, no stats and not even a complete schedule currently available on the Hub at the moment. So I expect this game to be all Plymouth, especially considering the fact they have seven skaters with multiple goals this season. Leading scorer Brayden Irvin has points in six of seven games this season, and Dominic DeMaggio has points against both No. 11 Brighton and No. 3 Stevenson. Give me the Wildcats to win a bit of an ugly, low-scoring struggle, 2-1.

Petey’s Pick: Plymouth

#9 Cranbrook vs. #20 Salem

Salem has been in a bit of a free fall since its opening-night win over No. 5 Howell. The Rocks have lost five of their last six, dropping games to three ranked opponents and two rivals. The production has been there, with 20 goals from seven different skaters. But the D-zone needs some refining after giving up 4.80 goals and almost 26 shots on goal per game in those losses. That’s a problem for Cam Eichner and crew, as Cranbrook can be a high-volume team scoring four-or-more goals in three of its last four, and averaging north of 30 shots per game for the season. The Cranes have great goaltending, but Efe Oztorun and the offense will be the story in this one. Cranbrook rolls the Rocks 5-2.

Petey’s Pick: Cranbrook

#2 Hartland vs. #15 Brother Rice

Hartland’s been on cruise control since opening weekend, but this matchup with Brother Rice will be the Eagles’ toughest game in basically a month. Lanny Eickhorst and Zach Staelgraeve could put Hartland on its heels with an early goal or two, similar to how the Warriors opened up against DCC two weeks ago. It’ll provide a good taste of adversity for a Hartland team that’s faced little resistance through seven games. But I expect an experienced bunch like Ty Kraut and Ian Kastamo to work their way through it and and clear a big hurdle with a 3-2 win over the Warriors.

Petey’s Pick: Hartland

#3 Livonia Stevenson vs. #12 Trenton

Trenton’s going to score at least two goals on Livonia Stevenson here, so the real question is, can the Spartans put three (or more) past Evan Sivi in order to win? I say that because during Stevenson’s six-game win streak, they’ve given up at least two goals in each of those outings. That includes games against Northville, Cap City, Novi and Plymouth. The Spartans’ offense has been great — averaging 5.83 goals scored during their win streak — but they’re colliding with a goalie who’s playing at an elite level. This feels like a spot where Sivi stands on his head with a 30-plus save effort, Trojans capitalize on a few power-play opportunities and Donovan Durbin’s crew steals a low-scoring 3-1 game.

Petey’s Pick: Trenton

#4 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. #5 Howell

Both goalies in this matchup, Will Keane and Henry Lansky are studs. But these two offenses are too deep, too dynamic and too skilled to hold down. I think the offense is the big takeaway in this one with a 5-4, 4-3 type of game. Julian Johnston, Thaddeus Raynish and Charlie Roberts have already eclipsed the five-goal mark for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, and they’re just three of 12 skaters so far to find the back of the net. But 15-of-18 Highlanders have already scored as well, and their offensive chemistry is somewhat of a spectacle. Whether it’s 5-on-5 or the power play, Howell’s in-zone puck movement is fun to watch. Rory Sturos and Ben Huotari shine in what proves to be the game of the night.

Petey’s Pick: Howell

#1 Detroit Catholic Central vs. #11 Brighton

In Brighton’s last nine games against Detroit Catholic Central, the Bulldogs have scored a total of just three goals. But this season’s Shamrocks team doesn’t seem quite as daunting defensively, and I do expect Tim Peterson and Jacob Daavettila to have some offensive success in this one. Hell, they may even score three goals in this game alone! The challenge for Brighton will be clogging holes in the dam that is CC’s offense. Peter Sanin, Nino Suhy, Reese Hemme, Tyler O’Brien, Jack Dorgan, Gabe Thompson, Eian Szerlip… The list goes on. You can’t stop them all. CC wins this one comfortably, 6-2, but the KLAA wins its first outright showcase championship.

Petey’s Pick: Detroit Catholic Central