For most of the college teams in Hockey East, we're looking at the last batch of games before the fast-approaching break that doesn't end until action resumes on Dec. 28. For prep hockey, we're pretty much just getting started, with many games on the horizon, in addition to holiday tournaments.
And with the approaching holiday also season comes a good collection of showcase tournaments for many age groups. Among them is the Mid Fairfield Showcase, being held this weekend in Stamford, Conn.
Here are a few games of note coming up this weekend, and where and why to watch. Look for coverage of some of these games and tournaments on HockeyJournal.com.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
Mid Fairfield Showcase: This tournament brings some of the top bantam major teams from all over the country. The showcase will have games featuring the hosts, plus the Boston Junior Eagles, HoneyBaked, Belle Tire, L.A. Junior Kings, Florida Alliance, Chicago Mission, Team Illinois, New Jersey Colonials and Philadelphia HC from Friday through Sunday. Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston are ranked 1-2-3. Games will take place at the north and south rinks in Stamford, Conn. Friday's game at 11:45 a.m. between Philadelphia and Boston promises to be one of the better matchups of the weekend.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
Saturday:
Avon Old Farms at Trinity-Pawling, 3 p.m.: This game is not exactly a titanic tilt on paper -- Avon is 3-0, Trinity-Pawling is 1-2 -- but the matchup is worth watching to see if Avon can maintain its early momentum. In its three wins, coach Jack Gardner has his team offense firing on all cylinders, outscoring the opposition 19-7. How the highly ranked Winged Beavers fare against what is conceivably a weaker opponent will be a good indication of future potential when the bumps in the road begin to get bigger.
Saturday:
Dartmouth at Northeastern, 4 p.m.: This last game featuring a Hockey East team before the break could be a good test for Northeastern, which is decidedly middle of the pack in every team category except penalty killing. The defending Hockey East-champ Huskies have been having a middling time since losing star goalie Cayden Primeau to the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, with Craig Pantano trying to fill those big skates and posting a 10-5-2 record and a .920 save percentage (6-4-1 and .915 in the conference, though) while doing so. The Big Green, led by former Boston Junior Bruin Drew O'Connor, could present a more formidable opponent than appears on paper. Check out the action, live on NESN.Paul Grant is an editor and a writer for HockeyJournal.com and Seamans Media. He previously oversaw hockey content at ESPN.com and Sporting News. You can connect with him at pgrant@hockeyjournal.com.
