(... some would argue that The Season never stops,
but that's neither here nor there ...)

... and Culminates in March ...

... at the MAHA State Championships ...

... where, arguably, the Best Hockey Teams in Michigan ...

... Meet to decide who will be the State Champion.

Everything the Team does ...

... starting with the First Tryout in Late Summer ...

... the Countless Hours of Drill and Practice thereafter ...

... the Off-Ice Conditioning ...

... the Team Meetings to go over Video ...

... Everything in the Season ...

... is Dedicated to Winning the State Championship.

Sure ... if you can Capture The Stick ...

... and/or Win your Division in Little Caesars ...

... Those Achievements are Great ...

... Trophies to be Proud of and Cherish ...

... but, it is The State Championship that the Players Want ...

... and Work so Diligently to Obtain from Day-One.

MAHA has Seven Districts and, therefore, Seven District Champions ...

... who meet in March along with the Tourney Host Team ...

... to decide who will Represent Michigan at the Nationals.

Two Divisions ... Three Round-Robin Games in each ...

... and, here we are with the D5 Phantoms vs. D7 Rebels ...

... in this First Round-Robin Game for both.

#39 Chris Cheong starts in Goal for Bluewater ...

... while, #34 Justin Moss, Petoskey's Only Goaler ...

... is Guarding for the Visitors.

Petoskey has had a Short Bench all Season ...

... and would certainly have Their Work cut out for Them ...

... in This Tournament ...

... starting with this Very Strong Port Huron Squad ...

... ranked very near the Top of the National 16U Rankings.

CLICK HERE to look at the Latest Rankings.

Things would only get Tougher ...

... in the Games ahead, for the Rebs ...

... with Both Canton Crush and Troy Sting on Their Schedule!

At Game Mid-Point ...

... Bluewater sends #35 Brandon Lahar into Net.

The Phantoms used Their Depth to good advantage ...

... causing the Rebels to take Penalties ...

... and, generally causing Havoc ...

... for Mr. Moss and Hiz Defense.

Port Huron kept Hammering Away ...

... since Goal Differential can be a Factor ...

... in this Tournament ...

... so, a few Goals are Good ... more Goals are Better!

Petoskey, to Their Credit ...

... Hung-In-There ...

... when it would have been easy to Fold 'Em.

Well, Goalies always say they like Lots of Shots ...

... and, the Petoskey Goaler was getting plenty of Those ...

... maybe More than even He needed ...

... but, the Rebs were Giving Back, too ...

... Thank-You-Very-Much ...

But, by now, this Contest ...

... was Pretty Much Decided ...

... in Bluewater's Favor ...

... so, we'll just Sit Back, here ...

... and Enjoy the Show ...

... here at Orchard Lake St. Mary's Ice Arena ...

... which is an Excellent Hockey Venue ...

... by anyone's standards.

The Phantoms would have a close 5-4 Game #2 vs. Troy ...

... and, would get Crushed by Canton in Game #3 ...

... and not make it out of the Rounds ...

... but, tonight, They are Victors!

Good Game, Boyz!
(And, Thanks for the Card! --GF)

Click Here for Playoff Divisions and Game Results.