Free Press special writer Tom Lang breaks down the MHSAA hockey semis and predicts winners for this weekend’s games at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
Free Press special writer Tom Lang breaks down and predicts winners for the MHSAA hockey semifinals, which begin Thursday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth:
Division 1 has the most lopsided bracket in the finals this year. The winner will come out of the lower bracket semifinal matchup between Novi Detroit Catholic Central and Brighton. If it doesn’t, then fans can claim the biggest upset in recent memory.
Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks (26-2-1) are kings of the ice after going unbeaten against teams from Michigan. Hockey insider Sean Baligian said this is the best high school hockey team he has seen in Michigan in many years. It’s a well-coached program with tradition, including state titles in three of the last four years (defending runner up). Goalies Zach Allen and Stephen Sleva have contributed heavily in net, giving up zero goals the last six games while the offense has scored 50 times.
Brighton (22-6-1) faces DCC in the semifinal, a rematch of last year’s final which the Bulldogs won. DCC won a mid-season game this year, 3-0. The rematch will have a championship-game feel, as the winner will be favored over Saginaw Heritage or Traverse City West in the final.
Overall
Parity reigns in Division 2, where any of the remaining top teams — Hartland, Trenton or Birmingham Brother Rice — could win it all. Forest Hills Northern/Eastern also reached the semifinals.
Hartland (22-6-1). The Eagles always hang tough at tournament time and finished runners-up in 2013 and ’14. Hartland has a razor-thin advantage in the rankings over the remaining teams, but is riding a few hot sticks in the playoffs, including new production from junior David Gawronski, who has scored two goals and two assists after going pointless in a span of 22 regular-season games. Hartland’s also motivated after losing to reigning champion Brother Rice in last year’s semis. They two teams could meet in the championship this season.
No. 5 Trenton has confidence after knocking off No. 1-ranked Livonia Stevenson, 3-1, in the quarterfinals. The blue-collar program is always a factor and boasts a dedicated fan base. The Trojans (19-8-2) won the state title in 2014 (their sixth title since 2003) and always are in contention.
Like Div. 1, the top match is in the semifinals, when No. 1-ranked Hancock takes on Birmingham Detroit Country Day (No. 4) on Thursday. Riverview Gabriel Richard and Livonia Churchill face off in the top bracket but are relegated to the Cinderella role this season.
Hancock (23-6). The powerful upper peninsula team had to get past No. 3 Houghton and No. 2 Calumet in the regionals to come south of the bridge. It’s not quite the heavy favorite as DCC in Div. 1, but it’s not far off. Alex Nordstrom (38 goals through regionals) and Teddy Randell (27) are Hancock’s key players, and the team has three more players with 15 or more goals – Austin Salani, Colton Salani and Trevor Tchida.
Country Day (26-2-1). One of the hottest teams in the state could be the one to stop Hancock, especially with terrific goalie Sam Evola. He has seven shutouts and a 0.97 goals-against average. But the team could be a little tired after Grand Rapids Catholic Central took them to the only overtime of the quarterfinals in any division.
