The Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League released their alignment for the 2020-21 season and there were some notable changes as the league heads into its 50th season of operation.  Thirty-four schools will ice teams next season and they are arranged in five divisions.

“It went a lot smoother than usual,” GCHSHL president Ryan Kelber said of the re-alignment process, which could not be done at a live in-person meeting due to the COVID-19 situation. Teams made requests individually, then he put together the new divisions and it went to the group of 34 athletic directors for approval.

OK, let’s get this out of the way first.  It’s not, technically “Semifinal Saturday” in that not all eight district semis will take place that day, but “Semifinal-Saturday-Except-for-One-Game-Friday-and-the-CHC-has-their-Quarterfinals-Saturday-and-Semis-Sunday” did not have much of a ring to it.

The point is this:  It’s getting down to the short strokes in the OHSAA post-season and, by this time Sunday, we will have the matchups for the four district final games to be played next weekend.

There are 20 teams still alive as I post this Friday morning:  Four each in the Brooklyn, Kent and Sylvania districts and eight in Columbus.

Sylvania started with a smaller field and Brooklyn/Kent played mid-week quarterfinal games, so that’s how they trimmed their respective fields faster than in Columbus, where Saturday's winners play again Sunday to determine the two finalists.

There were no huge surprises Tuesday night.  The upper seeds Saint Ignatius (Brooklyn #1) and Mentor (Kent #2) advanced easily.  Shaker Heights defeated Great Lakes Hockey League rival Walsh Jesuit, 5-1, in what was the marquee matchup of the evening and Amherst Steele won their 26th game of the season, 5-3, over Strongsville to earn a date with Ignatius Saturday.

Comets head coach Steve Morris said Amherst concentrated on defense and made good on their offensive opportunities - the same formula his group will try to follow against the 4x defending state champions.

“They are excited to play such a good team and are looking forward to the challenge,” Morris said. 

The most anticipated tilt of the Brooklyn District so far came on Wednesday with St. Edward and Holy Name colliding in the quarterfinals to write the next chapter in their district tournament rivalry.  The Eagles prevailed, 3-0, behind senior goaltender Nate Cappellazzo's shutout and will play Rocky River next on Saturday.  The Pirates, who topped Avon Lake, 7-3, have scored 217 goals this season.

St. Edward head coach Tim Sullivan said the Eagles were able to concentrate on taking space away from Holy Name stars Brennan Dickey and Milo Henry, but Rocky River spreads their scoring around.

Sullivan saw River twice last year when he was behind the Holy Name bench - including in the district tournament.

"The team looks the same on paper," he said.  "But their skill is on another level now.  They are a different team."

Over in Kent, the stage was set for a SOM Center Semi as Gilmour Academy and University School rolled over Orange and Hudson by a combined 16-0 count.