Highly anticipated AYHL playoffs begin Saturday, March 2

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The wait is over. After weeks of anticipation, the puck will finally drop for the AYHL Playoffs on Saturday, March 2. The brightest young stars in the district will face off for the right to call themselves the best.

18U Division (Premier/Elite)

Four teams will take the ice for the 18U Premier division: Elite Hockey, Philadelphia Junior Flyers, Philadelphia Little Flyers and the New Jersey Jr. Titans. It was a hotly contested division throughout the entire year, as the second, third and fourth seeds were separated by less than one win. The division’s top team, Elite Hockey, was able to create a little separation with 13 wins and an impressive 78 goals. 

The 18U Elite division will be represented by the Long Island Royals, Washington Little Capitals, New Jersey Jr. Titans and Philadelphia Little Flyers. The top seeded Long Island Royals and second seed Washington Little Capitals were in a class of their own with 21 and 19 wins, respectively. The Titans and the Flyers are slotted in behind them with 15 wins apiece. 

16U Division (Premier/Elite)

The 16U premier division is another where the first two seeds have pulled ahead of the pack. The first seed North Jersey Avalanche and second seed Philadelphia Junior Flyers jockeyed for the top spot all season long, with the Avalanche narrowly securing the first seed with 17 wins. Behind them, the New Jersey Jr. Titans and Philadelphia Little Flyers posted strong seasons in their own right. In particular, the third seed Titans scored nearly as many goals as the Junior Flyers, despite having five less wins. If they can tighten up their defense (they allowed nearly twenty more goals than the Flyers), they could be a real dark horse to take the division crown. 

The Elite division playoff will feature some particularly dangerous firepower, as there are three teams that recorded over twenty wins. The first place Washington Little Capitals rode their stout defense to 23 wins, allowing just 45 goals in 27 games. Meanwhile, the second place New York Saints leaned on their electric offense, scoring 152 goals en route to their 22 wins. The Philadelphia Hockey Club and New Jersey Devils Youth are equally formidable, each scoring over goals as well. The sheer talent in this division should yield some must-see games. 

15 Only Division (Premier)

The North Jersey Avalanche sit atop the 15 Only division as the clear team to beat. They scored 193 goals while allowing just 25 as they carved through the competition with an undefeated 22-0 record. It’s tough to see them getting unseated, but if any team can do it, perhaps the WB/Scranton Jr. Knights can. They’ve scored a similarly impressive 162 goals and have amassed the second-best record in the division. The Valley Forge Minutemen and Philadelphia Junior Flyers aren’t far behind them, with 17 and 15 wins respectively.