The 2012 USA Hockey Tier 3 Junior National Championship semi finals are set for today. At 2:30 PM two team who are 3-0 during pool play will face off. Atlanta will take on the Billings Bulls. One thing is going to hurt the Knights. They have a huge physical presence, but they tend to take it a bit over the line. Yesterday, the Knights gave Long Island and open door to take the game away, the problem is Long Island is short handed, having only 14 players to play the whole tournament. They could not take full advantage of the Knights mistakes. Billings is not so forgiving in that matter. ATL has to be really conscious of there bodies and stick and make sure that they do not hand they game to the Bulls.

Our Second match up sees the Wild Card Long Island Royals and the 3-0 Rochester Ice Hawks. In keeping with my bracket I have to take the Hawks. I do believe the crowd has a played a big part in the success of the Hawks, but from what I have seen, they seem to have a firm hold on what they are doing and I feel the old Herb Brooks rule comes into play here. The Hawks may not be the best 20 guys here, but they are the right 20 guys. Combine with a few more things, I have Billings and Rochester in the Championship tomorrow at Noon.

You can follow along today and see how the dust settles by watching on FASTHockey or following along with me on twitter at @tspotvid, @CleJrJacks and @CAMProductions.

Setting up the stage here I am going to make my predictions on the rest of the the tourney. I let pool play wind down a bit to see who had some strength and who did not. Surprisingly I though the GLJHL teams would show up a bit more than that did, but they got smacked in almost each game they played. Setting it up with the semi finals a day away I have to pick the Pool C winner to be the home team, Rochester Ice Hawks.

The Ice Hawks may not be the best 20 guys but they are the right ones I think. That fact combined with the huge crowds and the ability to play on their home sheet. I am liking the chances.

Pool B will see the Billings Bulls get the nod. I am not sure what to say here cause I really have not seen them play, but from what little I have seen and heard around the rinks, they seem to have talent and are very aware of how to use it.

Pool A is the tough one for me. The Atlanta Knights seem to have and edge, but the Long Island Royals have show that even thought they have a short bench (14 Players) they can play hockey. If you look at my bracket I have Rochester vs. Billings in the Finals on Tuesday. If you want to follow the action you can watch on FASTHockey or on twitter. Follow me @tspotvid or @CAMProductions.

NA3HL East Playoff Race

By: Tony Sposit, Jrjacks.com, JuniorTiers.com

The Inaugural NA3HL Season has been on to remember. Those of you who don’t know about this league I will give you a quick background of the past 24 months. Well, I will give the Reader’s Digest version of what is going on. Last season about half way through the CSHL (Central States Hockey League) was turned over to the NAHL (North American Hockey League) and became the NA3HL (North American Tier 3 Hockey League). During this time major changes were made to the league, 4 new teams were added, the league was broken into divisions and a more professional atmosphere was adopted.  With these additions the dynamic was changed massively.

This brings us to the current point of our time together today. Over the next few weeks we are going to break down each division and give you our predictions on where things are going. Today, we are going to break down the division I am the most familiar with. The NA3HL East is currently a race to the end. With all 4 teams making the playoffs, the battle now is position. Currently, the Flint Jr. Generals lead the division with Cleveland following closely.  Let’s go team by team and see what the playoffs have in store for us this season.

Flint Jr. Generals- Ok, what can I really say here, this team has defied the odds in more ways than one! During the first half of the season, this team was a very tough team to go up against. They were fast, physical and had no problem putting the puck into the net. However, they lacked a bit of discipline when it came to the box. The team often found themselves on the PK more times then they needed to. The open ice game was a major issue as well, the team was able to make plays, but only when they calmed their tempers down and concentrated. Sometimes in the higher levels of hockey, a physical presence needs to take a bit of a back seat. There is more to this game than hitting.

Shortly after the Christmas holiday this team caught fire and vaulted themselves to the top of this division. They are almost at the point that they cannot be caught, but the key to the rest of the season is patients.  They need to adopt the old Herb Brooks method of “Play Your Game”. Preaching patients may be the key to the first place in this Division and holding home ice thought the playoffs.

Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks- This is a team that looked to be the clear winner of the division in November. They had lost only one game though the months of September, October, and most of November. The start of the problems came in the final game before Thanksgiving in which the team dropped their first home loss of the season. From here much of December and January became a struggle. Between the NA3HL showcase in Darrien and today the team has suffer injuries, massive defensive issues and the loss of players.  This put the team in an awkward position, kind of like the back of a Volvo. (Those who know the movie got the shameless line drop)

But, though adversity the team has rebounded quite a bit, last weekend versus Queen City the team put up big numbers and showed a ton of potential. A player, who previously was not in a leadership role, stood up and filled some big shoes, the key of this team is not patients, but the opposite way. In the words of my father they need to keep the GRRRR. This is a team that is good, really good and all they need to do is figure it out and be aggressive though the rest of the regular season.

Metro Jets- Well now, what can I say here, this team has been the most consistent though the season. They are the team that is kind of has been predictable. They have some great offense and good defense, the trick here is their ability to see the ice. In the games I have seen them in, they have been creative with the flow of the game, when they are online. When they are offline, they struggle to play as a unit. It’s the old saying, when you are in the zone you a great hockey team, but when you are off; it is hard to keep up. This team has a simple goal, find the key. Find out what makes this team kick into high gear and make it work.

Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins- Alright, I am really not sure how this team does this every year. Last season they struggled though the first month but then ran away with wins. This season they struggled through the first half of the season. They looked to be the team that nobody in this division had to worry about. But, as I said earlier this team does it every year in some way shape or form. They manage to make some key moves and do a complete 180 turn around. This season it took 3 months to get them to do this, but they did. The Jr. Pens are currently red hot and are kicking and screaming though the season. The key of this team is nothing. That is right, do nothing. They have already backed up the truck and just need to keep doing it. Whatever they are doing is working and they need to keep on trucking.

The playoffs will certainly be interesting in more ways than one. With seven teams in the NAHL being granted dormancy next season this league could see some major spotlight in the coming months. As for the predictions, if the division stays the way it is, Flint will play Pittsburgh in Flint for the opening round. This is going to be a tough series. Both teams know how to grit their teeth and make is work.  In this match up I am going to lean toward Pittsburgh. Nothing against the Jr. Generals, but this team seems to find magic and that is what is going to be the difference. Not to say it is going to be a sweep, I see 3 full games of hard work and sweat, but in the end I think the Pens will move on.

As for the other two, Cleveland will play Metro in Cleveland. I am going to toss this one to the Jacks. They still have 3 weeks to get ready and when they figure out they are really good, they are going to be a pain for teams to play against. Again another three game series but I think the Jacks will find a way to make it work.  As for the finals, it will be, ironically, Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh in Cleveland. Not going to toss a predication out on this, because I still just don’t know. Either way this season is going to one for the record books.

I have always said hockey is a small community. So when I ask people about what they think of the NAHL and I hear the response that they feel the league is getting watered down. Well, let’s just say that I adamantly disagree with their opinion.

No matter what you think the numbers speak for themselves. Players consistently move up the junior and NCAA ranks. If you go through any NHL Rosters you will find players that played for many NAHL organizations and moved to the USHL or NCAA and now play our fair sport professionally. Teams in the NAHL consistently set the bar higher and higher every year. Whether it is on the ice or in the office, these organizations have made their mark on the hockey community.

This year the NAHL adorns 4 new teams to the ranks.  The rooks this year come in the form of the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings which will hail from Kalamazoo, Michigan and the Minot Minotauros which will hail from Minot, North Dakota.  Two teams make moves to new locations this season and bring NAHL hockey to new markets. The former Owatonna Express makes a snow bird move and headed south to become the Odessa Jackalopes. The Motor City Metal Jackets moved from their home of Detroit and become the farthest team east. The Jamestown Ironmen call the 2500 seat Jamestown Savings Bank Arena home in the town of Jamestown, New York.

In all of these changes, we cannot forget about the teams making a second season run at the NAHL schedule this year. Teams such as the Chicago Hitmen who have done some reconstruction of their organization this year after a rough start last season. The Port Huron Fighting Falcons, who had a bad start to their season, but came alive at the half way point, will take a stab this year in a hope to move up the ranks. Let’s not count out some of the other teams that made an impressive start last year. The Dawson Creek Rage became the only Canadian team in the NA and made their presence known. The Fresno Monsters and Corpus Christi Ice Rays made some noise and the Amarillo Bulls placed some impressive number in the stats as well.

Over all this year 28 teams make up the 2011/2012 NAHL line up and if you say this league is getting big, I would agree. However, watered down I think not. With 28 teams players will have more opportunity to step up and make a scene to scouts. They will have the ability to play closer to home and make younger players want to play in these leagues.  The influx of talent that comes through the NAHL is outstanding and many have or will move to the NCAA, AHL or NHL and some of them will not. But, let’s not get that feeling of despair for those who did not make it, they will play in leagues with merit as well, such as the ACHA, CHL or ECHL. This will not only make these leagues overall hockey better to watch, but players with this level of talent will step up and make noise.

Just think of the possibilities that could come of this. Hockey in America will improve and youth players will have more options as they get to the junior age. Some of the best coaches are players that didn’t make an NHL Roster. You could be watching the next Mike Yeo or Scott Bowman play this year, you just don’t know it yet.  And that is the point.

Pregame Lighting at an NAHL Game

One of the biggest things that I see in the sport of late, is the increase of Game Day Production. Most NHL, AHL and even CHL teams make each game an event for fans to be at. Not to sound cheesy, but a quote from Family Guys kinda sums up my feeling on the whole idea. It comes from an episode in which Brian Griffin is trying to convince people that his ideas are correct, those of you who watch what know what I am talking about, in comes Stewie Griffin and pops the line ” You have got to have some showmanship man.”

In this case I agree. However, as usual with Family Guy, they launch into a huge song and dance in a wonder of animation. I am not suggesting that, but you have seen a major influx in the level of production in each of the leagues. From massive lights shows, to professional ESPN style broadcasts, this idea of showman ship has traveled down the leagues.

For example here are some of the major ones I know of.

1) The Lincoln Stars – USHL-  Any hockey player knows of the team, not only is their name linked with winning, but their introduction light show is nothing other than amazing. It , in my opinion, rivals some of the NHL and AHL shows. A complete themed show, tuned to ACDC and other rock music, is topped off by a huge star logo which lights up. If you have not seen it look it up on you tube.

2) Dubuque Fighting Saints- USHL-  Many of you reading may go and give a little flack saying, not only do they win the Clark Cup in their first season, but now they have the showmanship to match? Yes, this show is one that is toward the top. Not as elaborate as Lincoln, but it is themed to a very appropriate song labeled The Saints are Coming, yes I wish it was always this easy.

3) Wenatchee Wild- NAHL- This team is one that has the “stuff” on two fronts, the intro and the broadcast. Not only do they pack their Town Toyota Center with 3000 people but they have a great light show at the beginning of each game. But, for those fans who can not make it, their broadcast is a multi- cam production with everything you would expect from watching a game online from an NHL or AHL Team.

4)- Texas Tornado- NAHL- They may not have the lights as some the other ones, but their broadcast is outstanding. They place a custom overlay over the screen to show their score, clock and penalties with very nice graphics. A bit a showman ship goes along way sometimes.

Now comes an interesting development, yes this has fallen further.

5) Peoria Mustangs- NA3HL- From my understanding the the light show here was pretty good last season. I personally can not find it on you tube or have not had the opportunity to go and view it for myself, but I have been told it was one that really was enjoyable.

6) Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks- NA3HL- Now, I am not trying to “toot my own horn” so to speak, but I am going off of the comments and feed back I have gotten over the years. The broadcast for the Jacks are above and beyond in many cases. Not only are their multiple cameras, but a full ESPN style score bar, replay, team graphics and custom videos. Two years ago they were also backed by a light show, which disappeared last year due to some issues, but will be returning this year.

To a degree the the idea of lighting at team introductions is one that many teams have tapped , the Chicago Steel, Amarillo Bulls, Corpus Christi Ice Rays, Fresno Monsters, Des Moines Buccaneers just to name a few. This is something that makes games more interesting, not to mention professional announcing and music at each game.Long gone are the days of Youngblood where the PA Announcer simply says “Goal scored by 19 Fabootz assist to number 12.”

In most cases tickets for each game costs anywhere from 5 to 10 dollars and many teams have season ticket packages that start at $100 Dollars. Name any other sport that will allow you to take a family of 4 to a game and buy 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas and a plate of Nachos for around 50 bucks. To the best of my knowledge it costs almost 15 dollars per person to get into a High School Football game these days.

So in closing, if you have not had a chance to check out a Junior Hockey team in any league you should. Between the 16 USHL teams, 28 NAHL teams, and 16 NA3HL teams there is one that should be close by, I can name 5 with in a 4 hour radius of my home. To sweeten the deal, many of these teams have promotional nights with T-shirt tosses and everything you would get in a big league show. To find each one you can visit the sites of each league.

www.ushl.com

www.nahl.com

www.na3hl.com

Take a evening with the family and check out some great hockey with showmanship….