The Showdown in Titletown tournament in Green Bay this week has quickly become the marquee event of the season. The tournament pits Fond du Lac, Appleton United, Catholic Memorial/Pius XI, Madison Edgewood, Eau Claire Memorial, Notre Dame Academy, Superior and Wausau West in an eight team field.
Eau Claire Memorial, Wausau West, Superior and Notre Dame Academy all come into the tournament in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Top Ten, a place where Madison Edgwood was earlier this season, and Catholic Memorial/Pius XI is on the cusp of cracking.
The tournament kicks off Thursday with Badgerland foes Fond du Lac and Appleton United. Fondy is having a down year this year; with just a 4-10-1 record the Cardinals sit in fourth place in the Badgerland conference. The Cardinals are coming off a 9-1 win over Beaver Dam and will face the third place team in the Badgerland on Monday in the form of the Oshkosh Ice Hawks before opening the tournament.
Appleton United comes into the tournament with back-to-back losses. First they took a 9-6 loss to Green Bay United on Thursday, and followed with a 4-1 loss to Fond du Lac Springs on Saturday. United sits at 6-7, and hold second place in the Badgerland conference behind Fond du Lac Springs.
The second Thursday game pits Catholic Memorial/Pius XI against Madison Edgewood. Memorial sit on a 11-5 record this season. Memorial picked big win on Friday 8-1 over Kenosha. Catholic Memorial has already played three games against Showdown teams, picking up a 6-2 loss to Eau Claire, a 3-2 win over Fond du Lac and a 5-1 loss to Notre Dame Academy.