Mid Fairfield enters the championship game with impressive wins over #2 ranked St. Louis in the quarterfinals by a 4-2 score, and followed it up by defeating #3 ranked Colorado Thunderbirds 3-1.
Shattuck St. Mary's needed a dramatic double overtime win to advance into the championship game. They took down the Greater Boston Jr. Bruins a team who shutout Honeybaked in the quarterfinals. Shattuck St. Mary's is a team who has held the #1 ranking for most of the year, and has been the premier team in Midget Major AAA hockey.
Mid-Fairfield used its many D-1 committed players and in combination with coming under the radar to make its run to the championship game. Mid-Fairfield like the Greater Boston Jr. Bruins don't play games all year like many Midget Major AAA hockey teams. They play a few tournaments and games in September, October, and November until high school hockey season starts, and players then go play on their respective high school and prep hockey teams. The team gets back together after the conclusion of their high school season, and they practice together a few times before heading to the National Championships. Even though Mid-Fairfield and Greater Boston are competing against teams who play together all year, they still find a way to be competitive and both teams found themselves in the semifinals at Nationals this week.
Shattuck St. Mary's Prep have lost only once in the year 2011, and only five teams all year. Shattuck's has looked like the premier team all year in USA Midget Major hockey, and by some measures the clear-cut favorite to win. But close games with Dallas Stars Elite, a tie to Russell Stovers, and now they needed two overtimes to beat the Boston Jr. Bruins, Shattuck looks more vulnerable then ever. However, Shattuck only needs to win one more game to claim the National Championship.
USA Hockey U18 Tier I National Championship
Shattuck St. Mary's Prep vs. Mid-Fairfield Blues
International Skating Center Olympic Rink - Simsbury, CT
2:00 PM ET
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