USPHL Premier Weekend Preview: Unbeaten Streaks and Division Races Headline 53-Game Slate

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USPHL Weekend Preview

The USPHL Premier returns with 53 games scheduled from Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8.

Friday opens the weekend with 15 matchups, followed by 21 games Saturday and 17 on Sunday. The schedule features pivotal series in the Great Lakes, Pacific, North and Southeast divisions.

 

Great Lakes: Metro Brings 14-Game Streak Into Columbus

The Metro Jets enter the weekend at 14-0-1 with 29 points and a league-leading 14-game winning streak.

Metro visits second-place Columbus at 2 p.m. ET Friday. The Mavericks are 10-2-2 with 22 points, making the matchup a direct test between the division’s top two clubs.

Columbus then faces Toledo at 8:45 p.m. ET Saturday. The Cherokee sit third with 20 points and carry a three-game winning streak into the weekend.

 

Pacific: Long Beach Remains Perfect

Long Beach is the Premier’s only remaining undefeated team at 13-0-0. The Bombers have scored 100 goals while allowing only 20 through their first 13 games.

They will put that perfect record on the line during a three-game series against the Salt Lake Ghost Riders, beginning Friday at 7 p.m. MT. The teams meet again Saturday at 6:45 p.m. MT and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. MT.

Second-place Santa Clarita enters at 11-1-1 with four consecutive victories. The Lakers play Bremerton on all three days as they attempt to keep pace with Long Beach.

 

North: Mullets Closing on First Place

Dells leads the North with 14 points, but the Ducks enter the weekend on a six-game losing streak.

Minnesota sits only two points behind at 6-2-0 and has won four straight. The Mullets host Dells at 7 p.m. CT Friday before facing Northwest Express on Saturday.

Hudson, one point behind Minnesota, plays a two-game set against Kinni Spirit on Friday and Saturday. Northwest is still searching for its first regulation victory when it meets Minnesota on Saturday.

 

Southeast: Yorktown and Charlotte Meet Twice

Only four points separate the top three teams in the Southeast. Charleston leads with 23 points, Charlotte follows with 22 and Yorktown holds 19.

With Charleston idle, Yorktown and Charlotte have an opportunity to reshape the race during a two-game series. The Admirals host the Rush at 5:10 p.m. ET Saturday before the teams meet again Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Red River faces Carolina twice, while Red Bank and Potomac complete a Saturday-Sunday set.

 

New England: Northern Looks to Close the Gap

Worcester leads the New England Division with 19 points, but Northern is only two points behind at 8-1-1.

Northern hosts the Boston Jr. Terriers at 10 a.m. ET Friday. The Cyclones have won two straight and can move into first place while Worcester is idle.

Islanders Hockey Club carries a three-game winning streak into Friday’s noon matchup against Cyclones Academy. New England and South Shore also meet Friday at noon.

 

Florida: Tampa Bay Defends First Place

Tampa Bay leads the Florida Division with 18 points and has won four consecutive games. The Juniors face Florida Surge at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday before visiting Coral Springs on Sunday.

The Florida Jr. Blades also enter on a four-game winning streak. They face Coral Springs at 11:45 a.m. ET Saturday in an important meeting between the division’s second- and third-place teams.

 

Midwest: Cincinnati Holds a Seven-Point Lead

Cincinnati enters the weekend atop the Midwest with 23 points, seven ahead of MJDP.

The Cyclones play Danville on Friday and Saturday before hosting Fort Wayne at 1:10 p.m. ET Sunday.

MJDP meets Flint on Friday and Fresh Coast on Sunday. Flint sits three points behind MJDP and can tighten the race with a regulation victory Friday night.

Alberta: Havoc and Cowboys Renew Their Rivalry

Hanna and Claresholm meet Friday at 7:30 p.m. MT in one of the weekend’s strongest Alberta matchups.

Hanna then faces Three Hills on Saturday and Bassano on Sunday. Claresholm closes its weekend against Chestermere on Sunday afternoon.

Games to Watch

  • Northern Cyclones vs. Boston Jr. Terriers — Friday, 10 a.m. ET
  • Columbus Mavericks vs. Metro Jets — Friday, 2 p.m. ET
  • Minnesota Mullets vs. Dells Ducks — Friday, 7 p.m. CT
  • Hanna Havoc vs. Claresholm Cowboys — Friday, 7:30 p.m. MT
  • Coral Springs Jr. Cats vs. Florida Jr. Blades — Saturday, 11:45 a.m. ET
  • Yorktown Admirals vs. Charlotte Rush — Saturday and Sunday
  • Toledo Cherokee vs. Columbus Mavericks — Saturday, 8:45 p.m. ET
  • Mercer Chiefs vs. Jersey Hitmen — Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Long Beach Bombers vs. Salt Lake Ghost Riders — Friday through Sunday

Records, point totals and streaks were verified against the official USPHL Premier standings.