Out of 10 ice hockey teams covered by Jersey Sports Now, an impressive eight qualified for this year's New Jersey state tournament.  While many are just hoping to win a game or two, one local squad is a defending state champ with a great chance to repeat.

Here are the scenarios for each of the local teams:

Public Group B:

The smallest public schools, but the biggest chance for local success in this year's tournament.  Defending New Jersey Group B champion Kinnelon is the top seed, and many observers like the Colts' chances at a repeat.  After a first-round bye, Kinnelon opens at home against the Sparta/Governor Livingston winner.

Mountain Lakes drew the #9 seed, placing the Lakers in Kinnelon's quarter of the bracket.  They will be strongly favored in their first round hockey game against #24 High Point.  If they get past the Wildcats, Mountain Lakes will likely face 8th seed West Essex, a winnable game for the Lakers.  Don't be surprised to see a Kinnelon-Mountain Lakes quarterfinal matchup.

Two other hockey teams qualified in this section and will open on the road.  Lakeland drew the 18th seed and will travel to face Robbinsville.  The Lancers are a strong defensive unit, while Robbinsville is seeded 15th largely on the basis of one upset win.  If the Lancers can handle the travel, they can win this game, but then they would face 2nd seed Ramsey in the next round, a far greater challenge.

Montville is the 22nd seed and will go on the road to meet #11 Hopewell Valley.  This hockey game promises to be much more competitive than the seeds would suggest, and a Mustangs win wouldn't be a complete surprise.  If Montville does advance, they would face Mendham next.

Public Group A:

Three local teams will compete in this bracket for the state's larger public schools.  West Milford won 20 games this year, but the weak competition the Highlanders faced in their division meant they only got the 16th seed.  That's good enough for a game on home ice against #17 Jackson in the first round.  If West Milford wins that one, it'll face a huge task in its next game, at top seed Ridge.

Wayne Valley just edged into the hockey tournament with a .500 record and draws the 20th seed.  The Indians will travel to face Toms River North in the opening round.  If they can knock off the 13th seeded Mariners, then 4th seed Morris Knolls would be next.

Also heading to the Jersey Shore for a first-round game is 21st seed Park Regional.  This combined Hanover Park-Whippany Park hockey squad has been on fire of late and could be very dangerous against 12th seed Howell.  The prize for The Park if it wins that game?  Another trip to the Shore, this time to face 5th seed Brick Memorial.

Non-Public:

This bracket is dominated by the nine members of the state's elite ice hockey league, the Gordon Conference.  All automatically qualify, no matter what their records.  One of the other schools to join the party is DePaul, which has 17 wins and just missed out on a division title.

Despite their strong record, the Spartans drew the 18th seed out of 19 qualifying teams.  They'll be making a long trip for their first round game, against #15 seed St. Augustine Prep.  The Hermits are a Gordon Conference member and won the New Jersey state title only two years ago.  However, this year they are just 2-18-2.  It's a great chance for DePaul to earn a milestone victory.  If the Spartans do win, they'll take a big step up for their next contest, facing 2nd seed Bishop Eustace, one of the dominant teams in New Jersey this season. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now