MYHA Blue - Atlantic Hockey Federation

FORWARDS:

Jase Zangara, North Jersey Aspen Kings Blue

Jase has been having an incredible offensive season. He has scored in every game he has played in and has nine goals in his last three games. He leads U14 AA in goals (21) and points (33) and has been a big part of the Kings’ success this season.

Kyle Metzler, MYHA Blue

Kyle has played a crucial role in why MYHA Blue sits at the top of the U14 AA standings. His 14 goals are good for second in U14 AA and have recorded at least one point in all but one of the games he’s played in. With seven multi-point games under his belt, Kyle is definitely a player to keep an eye out for this weekend.

Nate Wolk, New Jersey Bandits

Nate has had an outstanding season for the Bandits so far, with his 18 points being good for fifth in U14 AA. He’s recorded 11 points in his last four games and is a big reason the Bandits offense has been lethal this year. He looks to use his hockey IQ and offensive talents this weekend at the showcase.

Jack Tanton, Delaware Ducks

Jack has been on a tear these past three games, recording six points in his last three games. He has 16 points in the 11 games he has played and has been an impact player whenever he steps on the ice. Jack is his team’s leading scorer and looks to continue his hot streak at this weekend’s showcase.

Keygan Paquette, York Devils

Keygan is an intelligent, gritty, and talented 200-foot player. His IQ with and without the puck puts him in favorable situations consistently when he is on the ice. Keygan is incredibly confident with the puck, but even more determined to win possession back for his team. Look for Keygan to win pucks off the forecheck, and play with East-West vision offensively.

DEFENSE:

Matt Dargento, New Jersey Bandits

Matt’s seven points in 11 games is good enough to be the top-scoring defenseman in all of U14 AA. He has four points in his last four games while also playing great defense in his own zone. Matt has proven to be a lethal player on both ends of the ice because of this.

Gabriel Bill, North Jersey Avalanche

Gabriel has been a staple on the blue line for the Avalanche this season. Gabriel has not only excelled defensively but also has six points in as many games including five points in the last two games.

Alex Gilleece, New Jersey Jets

Alex has proven his worth on both ends of the ice this season. Defensively, he has shown excellent hockey IQ and awareness. On the other end he has helped offensively, scoring a point in each of the last six games he has played in.

Tyler Woodall, York Devils

Tyler gives 110% everytime he steps on the ice and his work shows up on the score sheet. His five points are good enough to make him one of the top-scoring defenseman in U14 AA and has been effective on both ends of the ice.

Carson Widener, York Devils

As a 2008 birth year, Carson holds a noticeable presence on the ice. His size compliments his raw ability and skill, specifically off the rush and on the offensive blue line. Look for number 58 to create opportunities with his skating skills and his shot.

GOALIES:

Daniel Rosenstock, MYHA Blue

Daniel has been excellent in between the pipes this season. He has a total record of 5-1-0 and has two shutouts on the season. His goals-against average of 1.34 is one of the best in U14 AA and has shown excellent awareness and vision when in net.

Tyler Rounds, Ashburn Xtreme

Tyler has had a heavy workload this season, starting in eight games so far. However, he has stood tall to the task and recorded a 6-2-0 record as starter. To go along with this, his three shutouts is tied for most in U14 AA as he continues to show his value every game he plays.

Marco Nagy, Team Philadelphia

Marco has had an amazing season so far, sporting a 3-1-0 record. All three of his wins have come via shutout and it shows in his stats. His goals-against average of 1.25 and .930 save percentage are amongst the best in U14 AA. Marco’s vision and reaction time in net are a big reason for his success and has played a big role in Team Philadelphia’s success this season.

Philadelphia Blazers National vs. Ashburn Xtreme – October 23, 10:00 AM

The undefeated Ashburn Xtreme (10-0-0) checks all of the boxes of a contending hockey team. High-powered offense, they have scored 103 scores, tops in the league. Fortified defense, they have conceded the fewest goals per game in the league at a measly figure of 1.4. The team is paced offensively by Bryan Wallace (31 G, 8 A) and Rylan MacCormick (26 G, 13 A). However, the Blazers (6-1-1) seek to disrupt this rhythm. They have won each of their last five games, including a perfect run of three games during the month of September. A tandem of Jackson Foster (9 G, 5 A) and Brennan McKee (4 G, 12 A) are the center of the Blazer attack and will look to cause problems for Ashburn’s defenders.

North Jersey Avalanche Blue vs. MYHA Blue – October 23, 11:50 AM

Likely the toughest test so far this season for the league leaders, undefeated MYHA Blue (12-0-0) will face upstart North Jersey (6-1-0) for each team’s first game of the showcase. MYHA owns a strong +43 goal differential over their hot start. MYHA turns to Braxton Menkiti to provide many of the points on the scoreboard, as he leads the league with 32 goals. Meanwhile, Cameron Augustoni provides the spark for the Avalanche, as he leads the team in goals (11) and points (14). North Jersey hopes to continue their stellar defensive play, as they are allowing fewer than 2 goals per game, on average. Either team can open their showcase slate with a loud statement.

New Jersey Stars Black vs. New Jersey Bandits – October 23, 1:00 PM

Good things happen to teams with good discipline. The Stars (4-4-1) and Bandits (5-3-0), two of the division’s more disciplined sides, will meet in this game. The Bandits lead the league in penalty minutes, only being assessed 24 PIM through their first nine games. Their strong will has kept them competitive against the league’s top competition, most notably MYHA Gold and Maryland Jr. Black Bears Red. The Stars have struggled as of late after a hot start, but this showcase is a perfect opportunity to get back on track.

Brick Hockey Club vs. MYHA Gold – October 24, 9:10 AM

Two very deep squads, Brick Hockey Club (4-3-1) and MYHA Gold (7-3-0) will face off on Sunday in what should prove to be a competitive game. Most of MYHA’s skaters have scored a point this season. The team hasn’t stood out in any one category of play, but have grit and a determination to win. This determination has resulted in seven of their last eight games ending in victory. Brick Hockey Club also shares the same scoring trait, with only one skater remaining scoreless. The side also seems to find another gear when playing highly touted opponents. They knocked off the Blazers and played competitively against the Maryland Jr. Black Bears Red. Time will tell if this gear will factor into this matchup.

Forwards

Cole Martinez – Grundy Senators

A pure sniper in every sense of the word, Martinez has potted 13 goals in 9 games this season. The leading scorer for the Senators, he is a reliable option for the team to convert whenever the puck finds his stick in a scoring position. He is a critical part for the Grundy game plan as well, as the team has a 3-2-1 record when Martinez is on the score sheet while they are 0-3-0 when he is held scoreless. His success normally translated to the success of his team, which reflects leadership and an influential style of play.

Braxton Menkiti – MYHA Blue

League leader in goals (32) and tied for the lead in points (39), Menkiti is the driving force of the MYHA Blue team. He has scored at least one goal in each of the 12 games he has played and has scored at least three goals in half of those games. He has scored five goals twice so far this season, including against Hollydell Hurricanes White, when he scored each of his team’s goals in a 5-0 victory. Menkiti has also displayed some physicality, registering 0.5 hits per game. Look for him to continue to be among the league leaders in scoring as long as MYHA sees continued success.

Bryan Wallace – Ashburn Xtreme

Scoring at the fastest clip of anyone in the division, Wallace is averaging nearly 4 goals per game, as he has netted 31 in only eight games. Wallace is not only gaining attention for his goal scoring, however, as he has a very well-rounded game that has been put on display thus far this season. He has also distributed the puck well to his teammates, putting up 8 assists. Wallace has also laid the body, notching 7 hits, and has made great use of his good size for the age group. He also has strong discipline, only taking one penalty this season. Excelling at every aspect of the game, Wallace is absolutely one to watch.

Defense

Charlie Berry – Rockets Hockey Club

A consistent point-per-game defenseman, Berry has emerged as a skilled two-way defenseman. He has a powerful shot from the blue line, leading to 5 goals, accompanied by 2 assists in seven games. Meanwhile, he has also led the defensive efforts of the Rockets, which has yielded four games of allowing one or fewer goals. He has only one multi-point game, but he has only been held scoreless in one game this season. Look for Berry’s consistency to continue to hold true this weekend.

Adam Hassan – New Jersey Stars Black

Not many defensive players routinely put up multi-point games with regularity, but that’s exactly what Hassan has done through his first four games. Three of his first four games with New Jersey have seen his name pop up several times in the game summary. He scored two goals against the Delaware Ducks and Capital City Vipers National while he had a 1 goal, 3 assist performance against the Suffolk P.A.L. Silver Knights. Hassan’s defensive efforts are also notable, as he has helped the team to a +20 goal differential. Hassan is developing as a very talented two-way defenseman.

Gabriel Schon – St. James

The division’s highest point scoring defenseman, Schon has scored 5 points and 5 assists in only four games. The offensive defenseman has also proven to be capable in his own end as well, helping St. James to a 3-1-0 record in those games. Against the Igloo Jaguars, Schon led the way to victory with 2 goals and 3 assists. He has also stayed out of the penalty box, which has been greatly helpful to his team’s game plan. Schon clearly has skill all over the ice and it has reflected on the score sheet.

Goalies

Mike Canning – Philadelphia Blazers National

Canning has been excellent through his first three starts of the season, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .904 SV%. In two of his three starts, Canning has only allowed a single goal. The Blazers seem to have a little extra pep whenever Canning stands between the pipes, speaking to his attitude on and off the ice. Look for him to earn more looks in the starting lineup after a strong start

Jean-Paul Dominguez – North Jersey Avalanche Blue

Among league leaders in GAA (1.56) and SV% (.907), Dominguez has proven to be one of the top net minders in the division. Dominguez also boasts a flawless 4-0-0 record through five games. He posted a shutout against the Grundy Senators in his last appearance, saving each of the 15 shots that he faced. Dominguez doesn’t see a lot of rubber in net, credit to the defensive efforts of North Jersey, but his athleticism can be relied upon to shut down most of the shots that come his way.

FORWARD

Shane Papaccioli, North Jersey Avalanche
With six goals and three assists in the Showcase, Papaccioli was a key component in the Avalanche’s 4-0 weekend. A natural goal-scorer, Papaccioli is second on the team with 15 goals on the season.

Eric Bieda, Maryland Jr. Black Bears
Tallying four goals and six points, Bieda was a key cog in the Jr. Black Bears Showcase. Bieda contributed on four of the five Maryland goals in the opening game on the weekend with two goals and two assists.

Daniel Donagan, Haverford Hawks
One of the Hawks most consistent players, Donagan led by example this weekend, helping out his squad with three goals in the Showcase. Donagan’s hockey IQ and balanced attack has him atop the Hawks scoring list with 20 points on the season.

Kyler Johnson, Igloo Jaguars
Johnson had himself a solid Showcase with two goals and six assists for the weekend. With solid hands and crisp vision of the ice Johnson was able to help set-up his team and helped contribute to the three victories for the Jaguars in the Showcase.

Brady Schmidt, Royals Hockey Club
While he might be one of the smaller players on the ice, Schmidt is one of the more tenacious out there. With a never-say-die attitude, Schmidt is not afraid of anyone on the ice. That helped this weekend with a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.

DEFENSE

Brody D’Alessandro, Haverford Hawks
Out there against the oppositions’ top lines, D’Alessandro was a force on the blue line, making some big plays on the defensive side. While he was responsible in his own end, D’Alessandro also provided offensively with a goal and three assists on the weekend.

Daniel Pucci, Team Philadelphia
A great first step and solid stick-handling helped Pucci to a solid offensive output. With two goals and five points, Pucci’s contribution on the scoresheet showed through the Showcase.

Josh Zdunkiewicz, Royals Hockey Club
Heads-up plays by Zdunkiewicz helped the Royals to an undefeated Showcase. His hockey IQ and solid vision of the ice allowed him to anticipate counteracts and break-up several possible breakaway attempts.

GOALIE

Aidan Pesek, MYHA Blue
Putting up a strong showing with a shutout in the first Showcase game, Pesek ended the Showcase with a 1.50 GAA and .919 save percentage. Pesek’s play helped the Blue Devils to a solid weekend and help them stay in the top three in the standings.

Chayce Turnbull, Rye Rangers
In three games, Turnbull left the Showcase with a 2.00 GAA and .903 save percentage. Turnbull used his solid lateral movement and ability to cut off the angles in order to help the Rangers to two wins in his three appearances.

FORWARDS:

Trent Semelko, York Devils

Trent had a successful weekend, contributing seven points in four games. He was able to push the pace offensively as well as defend relentlessly. His speed, grit, and hunger for offensive propelled York’s success this weekend.

Jake McCloud, North Jersey Aspen Kings Blue

Jake showed off his passing abilities at this past weekend’s showcase, recording five assists in four games and even adding a goal. His ability to see the ice and watch plays develop helped him and his team notch a pair of wins.

Daniel McNelis, MYHA Blue

MYHA Blue scored 14 goals in four games and Daniel played a key role in his team’s success. His three goals and seven points led the way for MYHA as they were able to secure two wins at this past weekend’s showcase.

Anthony Brereton, Rockets Hockey Club

The Rockets offense exploded for 20 goals in four games and Anthony played a key role, scoring four goals and five points on the weekend. He showed excellent on-ice vision and a great shot to finish plays.

Luke Isaacs, North Jersey Avalance

Luke had a four-game stretch for the ages this past weekend, scoring five goals and ten points to help the Avs secure four wins. His most clutch performance came in a game against MYHA Blue, where he scored the eventual game-winning goal and an assist to boot in the second period to help his team to a 3-0 win.

DEFENSE:

Tyler Woodall, York Devils

Tyler shined as a great teammate during York’s showcase performance. Blocking shots as well as contributing offensively, his all-out effort was apparent in all four games he played. Tyler was able to embody the mindset of “playing one shift at a time” which helped him and his team succeed.

Lincoln Walters, New Jersey Stars

He may have only played three games, but Lincoln made his presence known. He was lights out in his own zone and broke up numerous offensive plays by his opponents. On top of this, he was able to record four goals and an assist as he showed off his great shot and passing abilities.

Peter Pereborow, Rockets Hockey Club

Peter showed once again just because you are a defenseman, doesn’t mean you can’t score. He scored four goals in four games, including tying the game in the third period against Team Philadelphia, a goal that would spark his team to a 5-2 win.

Bryton Yoder, Tomorrow’s Ice Selects

Bryton had a productive weekend, scoring two goals and an assist while playing great defense in his own zone. His first period goal against the New Jersey Stars proved to be important, as it sparked his team to a 5-2 win.

Ben Holdsworth, Delaware Ducks

Ben displayed excellent skills both offensively and defensively this past weekend at the most recent AHF showcase. He helped the Ducks to three wins, including one shutout win. He also recorded two goals as well, including the eventual game-winning goal in the third period of a 3-1 win against the Royals Hockey Club.

GOALIES:

Aidan Alvino, North Jersey Avalanche

Aidan played like an all-start this past weekend and helped the Avs go 4-0-0 at the showcase. He turned aside 60 of 62 shots and recorded two shutouts to boot, showcasing his excellent vision and puck tracking abilities. Aidan now has four shutouts on the season, tied for most in U14 AA.

Ian Goldberg, Royals Hockey Club

Ian was called upon twice for the Royals to help lead them to a win and both times he delivered. He recorded a shutout to start the showcase and followed it up with a 20 save win the next day.

Adam Paitakis, New Jersey Stars

The Stars went 3-1-0 this past weekend and Adam was a big reason why. He made 62 saves and even recorded his first shutout of the season in a close 2-0 win over the Igloo Jaguars. Adam was confident in the net and it reflected in his play.

Forwards

Sara Caldicott – MYHA Blue

Caldicott had a great weekend, scoring 3 goals and adding an assist. This propels her point total to 13 for the season, putting her tops for female skaters. Caldicott also displayed her skills as a two-way forward, filling in on the back check and using her speed to catch up with attackers going the other way. Overall, Caldicott has a very well-rounded game.

Ryan Corsaro – Jersey Shore Wildcats Black

According to his coach, Corsaro is coming off of his best weekend of hockey with the Wildcats. Over the four games, Corsaro bagged 11 points (8 goals, 3 assists). He had at least a goal in every game, but he burst out for 5 goals in a win against New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue. This brought Corsaro’s goal total for the season to 11, reflecting his good shot.

Marcello Ferrari – New Jersey Stars Black

Ferrari kicked it into high gear during this showcase, putting his name all over the scoresheet. He was able to put a recent slump behind him, scoring multiple points in every game en route to a 10-point (4 goals, 6 assists) weekend. Ferrari had two three-point performances over the weekend, one against the Delaware Ducks and another against MYHA Gold.

Rylan MacCormick – Ashburn Xtreme

MacCormick had another very strong showing in the showcase, scoring 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in his four games. His efforts came with a couple of highlights. He recorded 4 assists in an 8-5 win against Philadelphia Blazers National and he also had a hat trick and 2 assists in a win against North Jersey Avalanche Blue. MacCormick’s passing touch has been unrivaled so far this season, as he has the most assists in the division with 20.

Defense

Jacob Ganz – Rockets Hockey Club

A defenseman with an outstanding shot, Ganz let his abilities shine in this showcase. He scored 5 goals and added an assist, bringing his season goal total to 11 over the same number of games. His highlight of the weekend was scoring a hat trick in a win over the York Devils. By bringing his goals per game average to 1.0, Ganz establishes himself as one of the top shooting blue liners in the division.

Tyler Nevrotski – Philadelphia Blazers National

Contributing equally to offensive and defensive efforts, Nevrotski has been a key factor in the Blazer game plan. This weekend, he scored 3 goals and 2 assists, bringing his season total to 15 points. In a loss to Ashburn, he scored a season-high 3 points by scoring a goal and 2 assists. His defensive skills are also notable, leading the back check for Philadelphia whenever he is on the ice.

Jackson Skaare – MYHA Blue

A defensive defenseman, Skaare was the leader of MYHA’s backcheck, especially with injuries and other factors leading to the team having a depleted blue line core. He was also a consistent presence on both special teams units. Skaare was not afraid to get low to block shots to help his team. In addition, he also contributed on offense, scoring twice and netting a goal in a winning shootout effort against Brick Hockey Club.

Goalies

Dylan Amato – Brick Hockey Club

Amato served as the backbone to a very strong effort from the Brick Hockey Club. Over the weekend, Amato saved 87 of the 91 shots he faced, translating to a stellar .956 save percentage. Included in his efforts was a shutout victory over the Grudy Senators and a 30-save performance along with three saves in a shootout loss to Philadelphia Blazers National. Amato had a real breakout performance, hopefully the first of many strong showings.

Forwards

Harrison Aller – Team Philadelphia Orange

Aller took the spot as the division’s top scorer (32 points) with a huge weekend in the box score, racking up 10 goals in four games. His total included a ridiculous showcase opener, in which he scored 6 goals, including four in a row to cement a Philadelphia victory. This outburst nearly doubled his goal total for the season, bringing him to 23. If Aller can continue to shoot like this, the division should be on high alert whenever he takes the ice.

Chase Matheus – Delaware Ducks 2

Scoring in each of the four games his team played, Matheus extended his point streak to eight games and took the point scoring lead on the team. Matheus had a pair of multi-point games, as well, including 2 goals and 3 assists in a 6-3 win against Hollydell Hurricanes White. He has proven to be a diversely talented offensive forward, scoring 11 goals and 15 assists this season, showing both a strong shot and good passing vision.

Leo Alley Strocher – MYHA Blue

Finding a renewed scoring touch, Strocher scored in each of his four games this weekend, taking the team lead for scoring. Two of these four games were three-point performances, including 2 goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over Brick Hockey Club 2. In that game, Strocher had a hand in each of his team’s first three goals, assisting the first goal before scoring the following two. His efforts kept MYHA competitive in each game and directly led to their win this weekend.

Defense

Brendan Becker – Haverford Hawks

Showing off a fantastic sense for the net, Becker jumped up the blue liner scoring chart with 5 goals in the showcase. This performance brought his season total to 11, tying him for second place among defensive players. He netted a hat trick in a win over Brick Hockey Club 2. He also contributed to a sound defensive game plan for the Hawks.

Goalies

Owen Korth – Brick Hockey Club 2

Despite his team’s tough weekend, Korth still had a great weekend in net. Over the four games this weekend, he faced a staggering 168 shots, an average of 42 shots per game. Through the heavy workload, Korth still stood strong, saving 144 of the shots he faced, an average of 36 saves each game. His competitive spirit and will allowed his team to stay close in several games.

Henry Monks – Tomorrow’s Ice North Stars Red

Monks was a superstar for the North Stars. He faced a heavy volume of shots, 118 to be exact, and he made 98 saves. He showed a great amount of composure, utilizing good puck tracking to make saves. He also flashed his athleticism, sprawling to make some spectacular saves. Above all, Monks displayed spirit, helping his team to their first AHF point over the weekend.

MYHA Blue (15-1-0): The highest-scoring team in Atlantic Hockey Federation’s U18 AA division slots at the number one seed for this weekend’s postseason with 93 total goals scored. Its +69 goal differential is the best in U18 AA and its 24 goals against is the second-lowest total of goals against amongst teams who have played ten or more games. MYHA has received fantastic goaltending, with the team’s goalies Sebastien Blanc and Joseph Lawrence both sporting a goals-against average under 2.00 and save percentages of .920 or higher. The offensive depth has shown throughout the season as MYHA Blue had five different skaters hit the 10 goal plateau this season. Led by forward TJ Kouba who leads the team in goals (14), assists (14), and points (28), the team looks to stay red hot as it enters the postseason. MYHA Blue has won 14 straight games heading into this weekend and has scored five or more goals twelve times this season.

Ashburn Xtreme (12-2-0): The Xtreme has allowed only 22 goals in 14 games, marking the lowest goals-against total amongst teams who have played ten or more games in U18 AA. The defense has been stellar this season for Ashburn along with its goaltending tandem. Both Patrick Depault and Leo Quattron have an above .910 save percentage, under 2.00 goals-against average, and two shutouts each. The offense has been effective as well with the team’s 82 goals the third-highest total in U18 AA. It possesses a deadly weapon in the form of Andrew Kurowski, whose 21 goals are tied for the U18 AA lead in goals.

Team Philadelphia (11-3-0): Team Philadelphia has finished the season red hot, winning nine of its last ten games. What’s more impressive is that during that ten-game stretch, Team Philadelphia only allowed more than two goals once and it was during a 6-3 win over North Jersey Skylands Kings Navy. The offense has faired well led by the team’s leading point scorer in Ethan Fredricks (18) and goal scorer in Ryan Magargal (11). Mix this in with a goaltending tandem of Tyler Richman and Gannon Walker who both have a goals-against average of under 3.00 and this could be a team to watch out for this weekend.

Philadelphia Blazers (10-4-0): The Blazers are the fourth-highest scoring team in U18 AA with 74 goals and possess the fourth-best goal differential with +43. Much like its fellow playoff teams, the Blazers finished on a high note by winning its last three games and five of its last six games. During its season-ending three-game win streak, they have outscored its opponents 21-2. Philadelphia’s goalies have been great throughout the season with Anthony Perti and Colin McKey both posting a goals-against average under 3.00 and each recording at least one shutout. Forward Brady Baehser has the fourth most points amongst all U18 AA players with 25 and has a great supporting cast, with eight players recording at least ten points.

Igloo Jaguars Black (11-5-0): The Jaguars boast one of the best offenses in the league, with the team’s 87 total goals the second most amongst U18 AA teams. They have posted the most shutouts amongst playoff teams (5) thanks to the great goaltending of Michael Lieze (three shutouts) and Nolan Bonawitz (two shutouts). Defenseman Mario Leone has stood out for this team, with his goal total (21) tied for most in the league and his point total (31) second most amongst all U18 AA skaters.

Rockets Hockey Club Black (7-6-0): The Rockets have ridden a hot start to the season into the post season, as the team won six of its first seven games. The team has a deep roster with four players averaging over a point per game. Led by Thomas Smith’s 13 goals and John Crowdell’s 19 points, the team has proven it has the weapons to make a deep run. The goaltending has been great so far, with both Jackson Gottlick and Michael Grima posting under a 3.25 goals-against average.

The 14U AA division was very competitive over the course of the AHF’s inaugural season. The top six teams showed a lot of strength and determination in securing a playoff spot, but there is more work to do. Only one of these teams will be able to emerge from this weekend as inaugural champions of the AHF 14U AA division. It should be a thrilling tournament this weekend, showcasing these six fantastic teams.

Rockets Hockey Club (15-1-0)

The Rockets finished with the best regular season record in the division, boasting a winning percentage of .938. The team saw contributions from the entire roster, but they were paced by the offensive efforts of Anthony Brereton. The division’s second-leading scorer tallied 23 goals and 18 assists, 41 points on the season. His 5 power play goals and 10 points on the power play led the division, leading one of the strongest special teams in the age group. The team also had a rock-solid defense, allowing a division-best 19 goals all season, including 6 shutouts. The team’s netminder tandem of Liam Slattery and Rasmus Bergman have proven to be one of the division’s best. Slattery’s performances have placed him top of the leaderboard in GAA (0.88), save percentage (.953), and goals allowed (7). A complete team, the Rockets will be tough to top.

North Jersey Aspen Kings Blue (13-2-0)

If you like offense, you will love the Aspen Kings. The only 14U AA team to crack 100 goals, North Jersey put 116 pucks in the net over the course of the season. The team has an impressive 7 players that average at least a point per game. The team is paced by division-leading talisman, Jase Zangara. Zangara leads the division in goals (35) and points (50), propelling the team to an impressive +89 goal differential. A strong defense has also contributed to that division-best gap in goals. Salvatore Mirra has emerged as a strong netminder for the team, recording 3 shutouts and posting a 1.28 GAA and .931 save percentage. North Jersey’s potent offense will be tough to stop in postseason play.

North Jersey Avalanche (13-2-1)

A team that is always a threat to score, the Avalanche always give opposing defensive players a tough night. The team has scored 20 special teams goals, scoring equally on the power play and while shorthanded. Their 10 shorthanded goals were comfortably the most in the division, scoring three more than any other team. Luke Isaacs (18 goals, 18 assists) and Brendan Traverso (15 goals, 14 assists) each scored three goals while on the penalty kill, displaying both their offensive talent and good defensive awareness to assist in the PK efforts. At the other end of the ice, Aidan Alvino had a remarkable season in net. He has played every game for the Avalanche as the team’s only goalie and earned that spot with outstanding performances. He led the division in shutouts, with 7, and recorded a 1.31 GAA and .935 save percentage. North Jersey keeps teams on their toes with an imposing style of play, a great game plan for the playoffs.

MYHA Blue (10-3-1)

A great team with a will to win, MYHA is never an easy team to beat. Every skater on the roster scored at least a point over the course of the season, and they saw significant offensive contributions from every forward on the line chart. MYHA Blue also holds the bragging rights of being the only team to top the Rockets Hockey Club during the regular season. They won by the score of 7-4 back in October. Kyle Metzler (17 goals, 8 assists) and Daniel McNelis (12 goals, 11 assists) each had three points in the game. The team also showed good discipline, only spending 82 minutes in the penalty box. The team will look to knock off some of the division’s elite again to chase the title.

Ashburn Xtreme (9-4-0)

Ashburn utilizes an excellent defensive game plan to stifle the attack of their opponents, then capitalizing on the counterattack. The team only allowed 32 goals all season, showcasing great play from the team’s defensive players. The team’s most consistent performer on defense was their netminder, Tyler Rounds. Rounds played every game for the Xtreme, making 242 saves and recording 5 shutouts. The team also saw steady offensive output from Luke Henry. Henry netted a team-high 11 goals, 3 coming on the power play. Ashburn will look for their defense to stand strong in a tough slate during the round robin.

Royals Hockey Club (9-5-1)

A streaky team, the Royals will look to carry the momentum of a season-finale win into the playoff round robin. The team was led offensively by a duo of Cole Gainsley (13 goals, 4 assists) and Shane Redden (9 goals, 8 assists). However, the team’s second-leading goal-scorer was a defensive player, as Peter Pereborow netted 11 goals from the blue line. The team also saw steady play between the goal pipes, with three different players putting on the pads for the Royals. The Royals will have a tough test in the round robin, but through strong team play, they can make a run to the title.

Rockets Hockey Club (15-1-0) vs. MYHA Blue (10-3-0) – Sunday, Jan. 16, 8:00 AM

In a much anticipated rematch, MYHA and the Rockets will look to end their round robin slate on a positive note on Sunday morning. In their only head-to-head game this season, MYHA Blue handed the Rockets their only loss of the season in a 7-4 contest. Daniel McNelis scored two goals and added an assist while Kyle Metzler tallied 3 points in the win for MYHA. Austen Halleran starred for the Rockets in the loss, notching a goal and an assist. Good special teams play was key for MYHA in the win, as they went 3/7 on the power play while killing 3/4 of penalties against them. Disciplined play will be key for the Rockets to get revenge in the rematch. This game should be a thriller to open the final day of the tournament.

North Jersey Aspen Kings Blue (13-2-0) vs. Royals Hockey Club (9-5-1) – Sunday, Jan. 16, 8:10 AM

Sunday is a great day for hockey in the 14U AA division, as this game between the Aspen Kings and Royals will carry a lot of intrigue, as well. In their previous matchup, the Aspen Kings emerged as 6-2 victors. Jase Zangara netted a hat trick and added a pair of assists while Salvatore Mirra made 24 saves on 26 shots, helping North Jersey to victory. The Royals took a lot of positives out of the game, however. A strong second period effort yielded goals from Peter Pereborow and Shane Redden. The Aspen Kings did run into some penalty problems in the game, so discipline on their side and a strong power play for the Royals will be key factors to watch for in this critical matchup.

North Jersey Avalanche (13-2-1) vs. Ashburn Xtreme (9-4-0) – Sunday, Jan. 16, 9:40 AM

The final game of the round robin should be an intriguing matchup between the Avalanche and Xtreme. These teams met up in an early season matchup, with Ashburn earning a 5-3 win. For the Xtreme, Johnnie Kracke led the offense with 2 goals and an assist. Tyler Rounds also had a very good night in net, making 26 saves on 29 shots. For the Avalanche, William Ross scored a goal and an assist. The game did get a little bit chippy in the third period, but 3 Ashburn goals in the second were too much for North Jersey to overcome. The Avalanche ended the season on a tidy 4-game winning streak, however, so they will look to reverse this result on Sunday morning.