The Atlantic Hockey Federation delivered one of its busiest weekends of the young season from September 18-20, with 412 completed games across all 24 divisions in the AA, Gretzky, Lemieux, McDavid and Mites tiers. Roughly 430 teams took the ice, beginning with 12 games Friday night before the schedule shifted into full gear Saturday and Sunday.

Competitive games were a theme throughout the weekend. Sixteen contests required overtime, while dozens more were decided by a single goal or finished tied. From undefeated weekends to late-game drama, there was plenty to follow across every age group.

AA Divisions

The AA ranks featured some of the weekend’s deepest schedules. At 9U, Genesis Hockey Club and the Woodbridge Wolfpack both opened their seasons with perfect 2-0 weekends. Woodbridge continued that success at 10U AA, going 3-0, while Wissahickon and MYHA each went 2-0. The division also produced a pair of overtime finishes, including the Blazers’ 3-2 victory over Genesis and Red Bank’s 5-4 win over Mercer.

At 11U AA, the Delaware Ducks went 3-0, while Rockets Hockey Club, Team Philadelphia and the Igloo Jaguars each finished 2-0. The 12U division had five different teams finish undefeated at 2-0: Woodbridge, Jr Black Bears, Ashburn Xtreme, Toms River Blackhawks and Team Philadelphia.

The NJ Jets put together a 3-0 weekend at 13U AA, finishing it with a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over the North Jersey Avalanche. At 14U, the weekend’s busiest division, Genesis Hockey Club and PBK both went 3-0. Delaware, Woodbridge and Jersey Shore also escaped the weekend unbeaten at 2-0.

At 15U, Valley Forge, Hollydell and Southern Maryland each went 2-0. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms were perfect at 16U AA, going 3-0 and earning one-goal victories over NJ Jets Black and NJ Bandits along the way. Nine of the division’s 26 games were decided by one goal or less.

The 18U AA division provided even more drama. Ramapo finished 3-0, while Red Bank Black, Red Bank White, NJ Jets, North Jersey Avalanche Blue and VFC all went 2-0. Mercer played three particularly tight games, including a 5-4 overtime victory over the Rockets on Sunday, while Red Bank White needed overtime to defeat Rockets 7-6.

Gretzky Divisions

Toms River and Jersey Colts led the way at 10U Gretzky with matching 2-0 weekends. At 12U, MYHA, Southern Maryland and the Igloo Jaguars each went undefeated, while Wissahickon needed overtime to get past Jersey Shore, 4-3.

MYHA, Hollydell, Jersey Colts and Lehigh Valley each went 2-0 at 14U Gretzky. Genesis Hockey Club turned in a 3-0 weekend at 16U, while York, Team Philadelphia and the PAL Sound Tigers all went 2-0. Team Philadelphia’s second victory was a 5-4 overtime thriller against MYHA Blue.

Five teams emerged 2-0 at 18U Gretzky: VFC, Genesis, Jersey Shore Wildcats Lepore, Igloo Jaguars and North Jersey Avalanche. Genesis’ weekend included a 6-5 overtime win against the Blazers.

Lemieux Divisions

The Palmyra Black Knights went 3-0 at 10U Lemieux, with Lehigh Valley, Frederick Freeze and MYHA Blue each finishing 2-0. Tight games were again a major part of the division, including MYHA Blue’s 5-4 victory over the Jr Flyers Girls.

Six teams finished 2-0 at 12U Lemieux: Lancaster, Royals, Ramapo, MYHA Blue, Mercer and Team Philadelphia Orange. York and MYHA Gold split a pair of one-goal meetings, while Valley Forge Colonials Malik earned two one-goal victories Sunday.

At 14U, Haverford Hawks finished 3-0, highlighted by a 4-3 victory over MYHA Gold. Jersey Shore, Igloo and North Jersey Avalanche each went 2-0. Toms River, Lehigh Valley, Mercer and Ashburn then each posted 2-0 records at 16U Lemieux.

McDavid Divisions

Six teams went 2-0 at 10U McDavid: North Jersey Avalanche, Jr Black Bears – Gill, Delaware Ducks, Igloo Jaguars, Jersey Colts Silver and NJ Bandits – Lofberg. One of the weekend’s most entertaining series came between MYHA and PBK, who first played to a 7-7 tie before PBK earned a 5-4 overtime victory in the second meeting.

The close finishes continued at 12U McDavid, where six games were decided by a goal or less. Royals, Genesis, Tri-City Eagles, Igloo Jaguars and MYHA Gold all went 2-0. MYHA Gold edged the Jr Flyers 4-3 in overtime, while Haverford earned a 1-0 win over Team Philadelphia.

At 14U McDavid, MYHA Blue finished 2-0, while VFC picked up a 4-3 victory over Genesis.

Mites

The youngest AHF competitors also joined the weekend action. Both LI Monarchs 2018 and 2019 finished 2-0 at 8U AAA. Mercer Arrows earned a 6-5 overtime victory over RSG Minor, while Bridge Elite defeated Lehigh Valley Steel 5-4 before tying LI Fisherman 3-3 Sunday. West Chester Wolverines Major and North Jersey Blizzard also played to a 4-4 tie.

Another Big Weekend in the Books

With 412 completed games, roughly 430 teams and 16 overtime contests, the September 18-20 weekend brought volume and plenty of competitive hockey across the AHF. Several teams put together perfect weekends, but the number of one-goal games, ties and overtime finishes showed just how little separated opponents across many divisions.

As the regular season continues, teams will look to build on the momentum of another busy weekend while the early divisional races continue to take shape.