Mentor (28-2-1; 12-0-0) – The Cardinals defeated Rocky River in a tight, 6-5 game, to win their second consecutive GCHSHL Red crown. As the top seed the Cardinals will have a first-round bye in the Baron Cup and will end up playing the winner of Hudson/Benedictine (2/15 at 5:30).

Rocky River (20-7-3; 10-2-0) – Rocky River split their weekend series losing to Mentor last Friday but defeating Benedictine on Saturday. Rocky River finished second in the league this season and will square off against seven seed Cleveland Heights (2/12 at 6:30).

Strongsville (17-13-1; 6-5-1) – The Mustangs ended their regular season with a non-league loss to Bowling Green this past Saturday. Strongsville ended the season as the third seed, in their opening round matchup they will face six seed Kenston (2/12 at 8:30).

Hudson (16-11-1; 6-5-1) – The Explorers took home two wins this past weekend, with wins over Kenston on Friday and against Cleveland Heights on Saturday. Hudson will be the fourth seed in this season’s Baron Cup and take on five seed Benedictine (2/13 at 7:30).

Benedictine (10-14-0; 3-9-0) – Benedictine dropped two games last week to Cleveland Heights and Rocky River. The Bengals have the fifth seed and see the four seed Hudson Explorers (2/13 at 7:30) in the opening round of the Baron Cup.

Kenston (11-19-0; 2-10-0) – Kenston split their weekend matchups losing a close 5-4 game to Hudson on Friday and defeating Orange on Saturday in a non-league game. The Bombers take on three seed Strongsville (2/13 at 8:30) for their opener of the Baron Cup.

Cleveland Heights (8-22-0; 2-10-0) – The Tigers defeated Benedictine last Thursday (2/6) and lost to Hudson on Saturday in their season finale. Cleveland Heights will see two seed Rocky River (2/12 at 6:30) in the first round of the Baron Cup.

Baron Cup I – opening round matchups

1. Mentor – first round bye, play winner of Hudson/Benedictine (2/15 at 5:30)
2. Rocky River – play 7 seed Cleveland Heights (2/12 at 6:30)
3. Strongsville – play 6 seed Kenston (2/12 at 8:30)
4. Hudson – play 5 seed Benedictine (2/13 at 7:30)
5. Benedictine – play 4 seed Hudson (2/13 at 7:30)
6. Kenston – play 3 seed Strongsville (2/13 at 8:30)
7. 7) Cleveland Heights – play 2 seed Rocky River (2/12 at 6:30)

*all games played at Brooklyn

As the regular season has come to an end and teams begin to prepare for the Baron Cup we asked the coaches about this year’s tournament; What to expect, what may surprise, and how their team can be there at the end.

Chris Slocumb – Ohio Hockey Digest - What was the biggest surprise to you this season? Either with regards to your team or with one of the others in the league?

(Paul McKito – Mentor) “Honestly my biggest surprise was our group going back to back undefeated in GCHSHL Red Division Play. I felt we would be strong but didn’t expect to go 12-0 especially with Rocky River always being very skilled and well-coached.”

(Tony Grahl – Strongsville) “No big surprises.  Mentor dominated last year and has continued along with Rocky River, after those two, the rest of the division has had some upsets amongst ourselves.  For Strongsville, our Goalie Nick Harris has had some big saves to win some close games, and most recently against our opponent on Wednesday, Kenston.”

(Tom Fritsche – Kenston) “The biggest surprise to me was junior defenseman, Paxton Phillips. He has become a very good hockey player for us, and has the ability to stay on the ice the whole game proving a steady defensive presence.”

CS - Which team besides yours could you envision being a dark horse, and making a run at playing in the championship game?

(McKito) “Rocky River will be very hard to beat on their side of the bracket. Hudson has been improving all season long and they know how to play tight games and stifle their opponents. They could give us a challenge in the semifinal on Saturday if they advance against Benedictine.”

(Grahl) “To be a dark horse you have to bring your ‘A’ game and hope that if a turnover opportunity comes your way (basically a mistake), you capitalize on it to get by Mentor or Rocky River, so that is what Hudson would be looking for against Mentor and that is what Kenston would be thinking to get by Rocky River, because that is what we would be thinking if were fortunate to get by Kenston.”

(Fritsche) “Strongsville – they are well coached and have the ability to beat anyone.”

CS - Who are two or three players you can see providing a big impact on their team’s success in the Cup?

(McKito) “Val (Carriero) at Kenston is the top player in the Division. He is dynamic and makes things happen every shift he is on the ice. River has a very skilled group of forwards that can score at will. Fortune, Asmar, Dempsey coupled with Routenberg and Steuber from the blueline. Alex Toth has been huge for us all season long in net. He is a big game player and expect him to rise to the occasion in the Baron Cup. Coupled with Madelyn Adamic our goaltending duo has stifled opponents while combining for nine shutouts this year and managing a 1.48 GAA.”

(Grahl) “Mentor and Rocky River have three very balanced lines, so each of their goaltenders, Alex Toth and Ethan Mylett, need to continue to play solid as they did not see as many shots this year – under 20 a game, and the team that can get 30+ shots may have a chance.  For Strongsville our first line, Schuette-Rajecki-Dubsky and defense Martineau-Moteleski accounted for 80% of our goals.”

(Fritsche)  “#3 Val Carriero, #21 Paxton Phillips, #11 Tim Matty and our Goaltender #30 Jason Hildebran.”

CS - What will be your teams biggest challenge in this year’s Baron Cup?

(McKito) “In the event that we are fortunate to make it to the Championship and we match up against River that game is going to be a dogfight. Two very skilled and physical teams that have seen plenty of each other over the years.”

(Grahl) “It’s pretty simple, putting the puck in the net, and to do that we have to bring more intensity when driving the net and creating opportunities by getting 30+ shots on net.”

(Fritsche) “Our biggest challenge will be playing every period with the same intensity levels.”

CS - For your team to prevail and win this season's Baron Cup what does your team need to accomplish?

(McKito) “Our success is predicated in scoring goals; we average almost 5.5 per game while holding our opponents off the scoreboard. We surrender less than 1.5 per game. We have to limit our opponent’s chances and take advantage or our scoring opportunities. Special teams will play a big role as well.”

(Grahl) “We have to play three perfect periods.  We have played two, and sometimes two and a half, and have been in the game when facing Rocky River and Mentor the second time around, but it was that half a period, or complete first period or third period, that either started us in the hole or faded in the final minutes.”

(Fritsche) “We need to play well in our defense zone, play physical but stay out of the penalty box. We need some secondary scoring.”

--- Chris Slocumb for Ohio Hockey Digest