Every team in the boys Elite 8 this season has a chance at the championship.
Yes, of course, the top two teams have the best chance. Cushing and Kimball Union are the favorites. Beating those two teams won't be easy.
But the other six all have legitimate chances at winning the whole thing.
To win, each team will need its best players to rise to the occasion (Duh. Thanks, Evan). So, who are the MVP candidates?
Let's dive in.
Cushing: Marko Bilic
The Penguins have a plethora of college commits throughout their forward and defensive cores. They're deep. But the biggest advantage Cushing has over almost every other team in this tournament is Bilic. The Arizona State commit might be the most technically sound goalie in the region and is a legitimate NHL Draft prospect. If the Penguins are to be the last team standing, Bilic will have most likely been their biggest reason why.
Or maybe it'll be: Emerson MarshallÂ
I mentioned all those college commits. Leave it to Marshall, who is still somehow uncommitted, to be the other MVP candidate. The Gloucester, Mass., native leads Cushing in goals (22) and points (48). He always finds ways to produce, can drive play and has a good shot. Marshall was also part of last season's Cushing team that lost in the final. He has many reasons to be hungry.
COMPLETE BRACKETS: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School
Kimball Union: Jack Sadowski
Sadowski was by far the most productive player in prep this season, posting 37 goals and 78 points in 34 games. Even with the Lakes Region being below average, Sadowski produced a lot in big games, too. The UNH commit has great vision and a terrific shot that can be deadly. He's clutch. He has all the makings of a player who could easily win Elite 8 MVP if his team wins.
Or maybe it'll be: Sam LeDrew or Blake McMenimanÂ
How Kimball Union took down Cushing on Feb. 17 may be the blueprint for how the Wildcats can beat teams in the semifinals and final. LeDrew notched a hat trick and was dynamic and powerful. When he turned it on, Cushing didn't have an answer for him. As for McMeniman, the junior '07 made 34 saves. If KUA wins the whole thing, there's no doubt that McMeniman will have been at his best.
Brunswick: Sean Gibbons
Gibbons is a leader for Brunswick. The small, shifty right wing has great hands and a quick release. He leads the Bruins in points this season with 68. If Brunswick is to go all the way, there's no doubt that the West Point commit will be a top contributor in each game.
Or maybe it'll be: Cooper CleavesÂ
Yes, Brendan Giles (Ridgefield, Conn.), the team's leading goal-scorer, or Will Baker (Norwalk, Conn.), the starting netminder, could've worked here. But Cleaves is the team's top defenseman, a force at either end of the ice. In the event the Bruins win the Elite 8, Cleaves, a Dartmouth commit, will have been a horse for head coach Mike Kennedy, logging heavy minutes in all situations — and probably contributing some points, too.
Avon Old Farms: Alex Pelletier
The postgrad came back for a reason — to enhance his development and ready himself even more for juniors. It worked, as Pelletier, an '05, leads the Winged Beavers in points (41). Another reason he came back was to help the Winged Beavers repeat as champs. If they are to do so, Pelletier would be at the heart of it.
Or maybe it'll be: Michael Heinke/Anthony Palmer
Throughout this season, head coach John Gardner has alternated his starting goalies. What the longtime bench boss does with his goalies in the playoffs is unknown. What is clear is that both have put up sparkling numbers, with Palmer, an '07 sophomore, posting a 1.62 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, while Heinke, an '06 junior, has a 2.05 GAA and a .911 save percentage. If Avon repeats, one or both of the netminders will be huge reasons why.
GIRLS BRACKETS:Â Elite 8Â |Â Large School |Â Small School
Holderness: Ryan Nolan
When you get into the bottom few teams in the Elite 8, the biggest key is strong goaltending. If Holderness is to make a run and upset teams, Nolan will have to be at his best. The senior '05 has shown this season he's capable of that, boasting a 2.02 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
Or maybe it'll be: Pavit Mehra
Having an '04 on the roster has been a huge boost for head coach Alan Thompson's team. Mehra's speed and skill has helped him lead the team in points with 60. He also isn't committed anywhere yet. His ability to drive play and finish chances would be big reasons why Holderness could go on a run for the Elite 8.
Salisbury: Anthony Biakabutuka
I'd like to have gone with "Team Defense" here, but instead, I picked the team's top all-around defenseman. Biakabutuka has been a two-way force this season for Salisbury, committing to Holy Cross midseason and being a massive reason for his team's great play in the second half.
Or maybe it'll be: Seamus LattaÂ
I could've gone with senior goalie Cooper Flemming here, but someone has to generate offense. Latta has been able to do that playing at both left wing and center. He's not flashy, but he plays with speed, high compete and high IQ, putting himself in good positions to produce. He finished the regular season with 14 goals and 26 points, ranking third on the team. A senior and uncommitted, Latta will be out with something to prove in the postseason.
St. George's: Ryder Shea
This one is easy. If St. George's is to go on an improbable run that ends with an Elite 8 championship, Shea will have to be sensational. The Maine commit has long been one of the better '06 goalies in the country, so that happening isn't out of the question.
Or maybe it'll be: Ryan StaplesÂ
I could've gone with defensemen Marco Senerchia (Greenville, R.I.), Nathan Walsh (Mendon, Mass.) or Everett Baldwin (East Providence, R.I.) here, but Staples has just been terrific this season as the team's No. 1 center. The Yale commit has a high level of skill and good vision. He's been able to piece together a strong season from start to finish with the Dragons, posting 17 goals and 40 points, which both rank No. 1 on the team.
PREVIEWING EACH TOURNAMENT: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School
St. Sebastian's: Matt Cataldo
It's not crazy to think St. Sebastian's could pull off some upsets to win the whole thing. Heck, we put them on the cover to begin the season — that's how good the roster is. If the Arrows were to win the Elite 8, it would be from outscoring teams. Cataldo is the team's leader and often the best player on the ice. For the second straight season, he led the team in goals (21) and points (48). The Brown commit and his compete should thrive in the Elite 8.
Or maybe it'll be: Casey MutrynÂ
Mutryn's jump in points from 21 as a freshman last season to 42 this year wasn't really a surprise given his raw ability. The '08 put it all together and looks like a prime candidate for the U.S. National Team Development Program next season. If the Arrows were to go from being the No. 8 seed to winning the Elite 8, you can bet Mutryn's fingerprints will be all over it.
