Eight local teams qualify for Steel City playoffs

Eight local teams remain in contention for a championship at the 24th Annual Steel City International Hockey Tournament in Sault Ste. Marie as the playoff round will be held on Sunday.

The Sault will also be guaranteed three local teams in the championship games.

The Soo Bantam Greyhounds have secured a berth in the Bantam AAA Major championship game which will be played at 3 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

The Soo Thunder have also received a bye into the Bantam AAA Minor championship game to be played at 1 p.m. at the Rhodes.

The Sault will also have a representative in the Bantam AA final as three teams grabbed one of four playoff spots.

The Pino's Titans will play the S&T Lightning in an all-Sault semi-final at 8 a.m. at the Rankin Arena while the Blueliners Blackhawks will meet the visiting South End Rangers at 8 a.m. at the Pee Wee Arena.

The winners will meet in the title game at 1 p.m. at the Rankin Arena.

In Midget AA, Littner's Park have advanced to one semi-final against Current River at 10 a.m. at the Rankin. In the other semi-final, Mr. Sub will meet an unknown opponent at 10 a.m. at the Pee Wee.

The Midget AA championship tilt is slated for 3 p.m. at the Rankin.

In other semi-final matchups, St. Catherines will meet Marquette in Bantam AAA Minor while North Shore plays Motor City in Bantam AAA Major.

In Midget AAA Major, the Soo North Stars will play Detroit's Compuware 89's in one semi-final at 10:30 a.m. at the Rhodes and will face the winner of the other sem-final between the Sudbury Titans and the Michigan Soo Indians.

In the Midget AAA Minor semi-finals, the Troy Sting will face the Midland Northstars and the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs will play the Markham Waxers.

The Midget AAA Minor championship is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Rhodes Arena while the Midget AAA Major title match goes at 3:30 p.m. at the Rhodes.