Teams returned from the Winter break with one thing on their mind: winning the Kraft Cup. See who started the calender year on a winning note.

Minor Atom AA

As the top team in the East, the North York Knights (23-1-1) started 2017 by extending their winning streak to five games. The Knights now sit five points ahead of North Toronto (20-4-2) with a game in hand. The third place West Hill Golden Hawks (20-3-1) are now in a position to swoop into second, sitting one-point back of North Toronto with two games in hand.  The Golden Hawks started 2017 with a 3-3 tie against the Leaside Flames (15-8-3) on Saturday.

In the West, a tight race is heating up with only six points separating the first and fifth place teams. By suffering a loss to the Vaughan Rangers (16-5-4) on Sunday, the second place Mississauga Terriers (18-3-4) missed an opportunity to bump the first place Toros (20-4-2) down into second. Teams should keep an eye on the third place Toronto Wolverines (18-3-3) who managed to beat the first place Toros squad on Sunday. The Wolverines sit only three points back of first with two games in hand.

Other finals from Minor Atom AA weekend action:

East – Leaside Flames 6, Markham Islanders 4
East – North York Knights 8, Toronto Shamrocks 0

West – Humberview Huskies 0, Vaughan Panthers 5
West – Vaughan Rangers 1, West Mall Lightning 1

Bantam AA

A mere five points separate the first and fourth place teams in the West, with the first place Humber Valley Sharks (24-2-1) maintaining a two point lead over the Vaughan Panthers (21-1-5). The Sharks are in the middle of a 17 (yes, you read that right) game winning streak headed down the stretch. Their last loss came on October 30. Teams should be wary of the fourth place Toronto Eagles (20-5-4) who have now won four straight.

The East is experiencing a neck-and-neck race for first between the North York Knights (22-2-3) and West Hill Golden Hawks (22-4-3). The Knights have two games in hand over the Golden Hawks but have not played a game since December 20. The Golden Hawks have started the year on a high note after notching back-to-back wins, including a 4-1 victory over North Toronto (13-9-6) on Sunday.

Other finals from Bantam AA weekend action:

East – Toronto Aeros 4, Willowdale Blackhawks 2
East – York Mills 2, Goulding Park Rangers 1

West – West Mall Lightning 3, Mississauga Jets 2
West – Mississauga Braves 0, Duffield Devils 4

Minor Midget AAA

The Mississauga Reps (17-3-8) and Toronto Young Nationals (18-6-3) continue to play musical chairs with the first place position, while the Mississauga Senators (16-5-7) quickly inch upwards.

The Sens are lightning up the standings after winning five straight, including a 4-1 victory over the Nats on Sunday. The first place Reps continued their dominance, extending their winning streak to four after a weekend victory over the Markham Majors (3-20-4). The Reps haven’t suffered a loss since early December.

Teams should keep an eye on the fourth place Mississauga Rebels (14-5-8) who sit six points back of first with a game in hand. The Rebels have won four of their last five.

Other finals from Minor Midget AAA weekend action:

Toronto Red Wings 1, Don Mills Flyers 0
Jr. Canadiens 3, Toronto Titans 3