GILMOUR ACADEMY – A share of first place is still on the table for Gilmour Academy as they head into their final three regular season games. If they take care of business against Holy Name and Shaker Heights, Sunday’s finale against University School could be for a share of the title. Although, with US playing Friday and Saturday as well, that game could end up being for the outright title if the Lancers get some help.

HOLY NAME – The schedule makers did Holy Name no favors last week, having the Green Wave go up against the top two teams in the league on back-to-back nights. The Namers took their lumps against University School, ranked #2 in the state, and #8 Gilmour Academy. They have GA again Friday before closing out against Walsh Jesuit Saturday in a game that could have implications for Cleveland Cup seeding.

PADUA FRANCISCAN – Padua Franciscan put a scare in University School on Saturday, falling to the #2 team in the state by a 2-1 score. US has only lost three times this season – all by a single goal to Top 10 teams – so the Bruins can be proud of their effort. Hopefully it will give them some confidence going into their rematch with the Preppers Saturday in Cleveland Heights. Padua then took three of four points by tying Walsh Jesuit, 2-2 on Sunday and defeated Holy Name in a makeup game on Tuesday. The point Padua left on the table against Shaker leaves them a point behind the Red Raiders for third place in the GLHL. The Bruins enter play this weekend ranked #13 in the OHSAA. 

SHAKER HEIGHTS – The four points that Shaker Heights picked up in a pair of wins over Walsh Jesuit put the Red Raiders in sole position of third place – one point ahead of Padua Franciscan. Shaker may no longer have a shot at first place in what has become a two-team race at the top, but the Raiders are ranked #12 in the OHSAA. They will enter the Cleveland Cup as an upset-minded underdog hoping to make it to the semifinals and knock off one of the top two seeds.

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL – University School put itself in the driver’s seat for the regular season crown by sweeping six points from three league games last week. The Preppers defeated Shaker Heights, Padua Franciscan and Holy Name in succession to move to 7-0-0 in league play. They repeat the three-in-three gauntlet this weekend, again facing Walsh Jesuit and Padua and finishing up with Gilmour Academy in a game that could decide first place…A 4-2 win over Findlay December 15 in the opening game of the Padua Holiday Hockey Tournament started a stretch where US has won 16 of 17 games with the only loss in that time a 1-0 defeat at the hands of #1 ranked Saint Ignatius.

WALSH JESUIT – Walsh Jesuit can help themselves with a strong finish this weekend. The Warriors will try to play spoiler against University School on Friday, but also have an opportunity to take care of business Saturday evening at Holy Name. By finishing ahead of the Namers, the Warriors will put themselves into the 4-5 seed quarterfinal game. That would theoretically be a more desirable matchup that the 3-6 game…Dominick Calleri leads Walsh with 19 goals in 26 games this season.