The MHSAA men’s hockey state playoffs begin Monday, and there are county teams in many different locations.

It’s been a surprising season before, but the playoffs are often a whole different animal.

However, the top teams dispersed a lot more than usual, so we got to see a lot of the usual suspects in Week 2 of the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the hooks:

Division 1

Region 5

Host: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Teams: Brighton, Grand Blanc, Howell, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Oxford-Avondale United, Walled Lake Central-Waterford United

Walled Lake Central-Waterford United are a bit better than they’ve been in recent years, and they can certainly score goals. Oxford-Avondale was a surprising OAA White champion, and he also lit the lamp at high speed. But really, in this region, anyone can score. Howell and St. Mary’s both have poor records, but played very good competition and beat very good teams. Neither is an easy solution. Brighton came in a few games too many to win the tough KLAA, but the Bulldogs haven’t lost in their last six games and are still a state title contender.

TAKE: Brighton must be the favorite.

Region 6

Host: Lake Orion

Teams: Lake Orion, Macomb Dakota, L’Anse Creuse Unified, Port Huron, Rochester United, Utica Ford Unified

This group is wide open. Lake Orion is the favorite on paper after winning the OAA Red. But Rochester United played against them in a 6-4 loss early in the season. United appear to improve as the season progresses and lead a seven-game winning streak. L’Anse Creuse Unified won the MAC Red and cannot be taken lightly. Port Huron was forced to withdraw from their first round game.

TAKE: Lake Orion – but it won’t be easy for the Dragons.

Region 7

Host: Detroit Catholic Center

Teams: Birmingham Unified, Detroit Catholic Central, Farmington United, M-1 United, St. Clair Shores Unified, Troy United

Troy United are better than their record. Birmingham Unified and M-1 United are strong OAA Red teams. But this region is all about the hosts. Detroit Catholic Central is the defending Division 1 champion and appears to be in good shape after winning the MIHL North and the CHSL tournament.

TAKE: Detroit Catholic Center.

Division 2

Region 12

Host: Hartland

Teams: Clarkston, Fenton-Linden, Hartland, fortified lake to the north, Lakeland

Division 2 is without a doubt the most difficult division of the three this year. It starts with reigning two-time state champion Hartland, who has had another solid season. Lakeland grabbed the second seed after winning the Lakes Valley Conference. Clarkston has suffered a year of tight losses and is better than his record.

TAKE: Hartland – Champions are always the favorites until someone beats them.

Region 14

Host: Birmingham Brother Rice

Teams: Birmingham Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills, Chippewa Valley, Utica Eisenhower, West Bloomfield

Bloomfield Hills was an OAA White co-champion with Oxford-Avondale. West Bloomfield is 6-6. Brother Rice has another strong team and has won four of his last five games. The playoffs are where competition in MIHL North really pays off. No league is harder in the state, and the Warriors will reap the rewards. Chippewa and Eisenhower both struggled this year.

TAKE: Brother Rice is clearly the favorite.

Region 15

Host: Novi

Teams: Allen Park Cabrini, Canton, Livonia Stevenson, Novi, South Lyon Unified

Novi is reborn this year, winning his division in the KLAA while posting an impressive 9-2-1 record. The main challenger for the Wildcats in this category will be Livonia Stevenson. Stevenson won a meeting earlier, but Novi was in his third game in four days. The Wildcats have been playing some really good hockey lately, even claiming a victory over Hartland. South Lyon Unified can score and is devious after finishing second in the Valley of the Lakes. Canton is also pretty good at throwing an adjustable wrench into things, but it probably comes down to Stevenson and Novi. A Stevenson-Novi final has the potential to be the best game in the regional rounds.

TAKE: Livonia Stevenson… finally.

Division 3

Region 21

Host: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood

Teams: Cranbrook, Detroit Country Day, Milford, Notre Dame-Brandon, Stoney Creek, Walled Lake Western

The opening two games should be entertaining with Milford facing Stoney Creek and Walled Lake Western taking on Notre Dame-Brandon. But this area should come back to Cranbrook and Country Day. Country Day, winner of the last two state titles, has had the upper hand lately, but this year’s Cranbrook side are a defensive juggernaut and will have some ice at home as well.

TAKE: Cranbrook

Region 22

Host: Grosse Pointe Woods Liggett University

Teams: Detroit UD Jesuit, Foley United, Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Warren De La Salle

Foley United have had their best year in a while, going 7-4. De La Salle and UD Jesuit fought for the MIHL South title all year, UD Jesuit ultimately won it. Liggett was very good at the start, but the Knights struggled to come down. Yet, if they are healthy, they will not be easy. Neither Grosse Pointe Nord nor Grosse Pointe Sud are likely to qualify for the final.

TAKE: UD Jesuit.