What you see to the right is a guess.

It’s about the best guess I could come up with, given all that has happened this year in high school hockey.

Am I always right?

My wife seems to think I think so, but here’s one for the refrigerator, honey: I’m not.

I’ve also seen far fewer games this season (about 40, down from close to 60) than in a normal season.

But, because it’s tournament time, I thought I’d break out the old black marker and brackets and give it a go.

What you see to the right are my brackets. I have hard copies here at my desk, for anyone who really wants to verify them, but I assure you they are real. I filled them out on Thursday, February 21, based on the Maine Principal’s Association brackets posted at that organization’s Web site.

I figure it might be fair to explain a few things here, too.

First of all, Scarborough, in Western Class A, never deserved to be seeded that low. The Red Storm were that low because of an unfortunate misunderstanding at the beginning of the season between coach Jay Mazur and the MPA. Mazur’s actions forced the forfeiture of a game against St. Dom’s, a Scarborough win.

Because of that, St. Dom’s ended up a bit higher, and Scarborough barely made it in.

The Red Storm have already proven their worth, as I figured they would, in beating Thornton, a good team, but one that played a softer schedule.

I also think the Red Storm are going to knock Bonny Eagle out for much the same reason.

In Western Class A, the only real upset I have penned in there is Kennebunk knocking out unbeaten Biddeford. Those two rivals should meet in Portland on Tuesday, March 4, and the winner will be anyone’s guess. I picked Kennebunk, basically to be different.

On the other side, Lewiston has been a tough team to call this season, but I think the Blue Devils, with their distinct home-ice advantage, will have little trouble in the first couple of rounds.

On the other end, the surprise is Bangor. The Rams have gone on the road to beat Lewiston this season, so we know they can play away from Sawyer Arena. They’re going to have to.

I also gave the edge to Bangor against Brewer. That semifinal would be at the Colisee in Lewiston, and on neutral ice, I think the Rams can pull it off.

Then, in Portland, Lewiston reminds Bangor why the Rams hate facing the Blue Devils in the playoffs.

The fourth time is the charm in the state game, with the Blue Devils finally knocking the door down.

In Class B, there is little room for error, especially in the East. Each of the top five teams in Eastern Class B has defeated at least one of the other Top 5 teams. Winslow has suffered losses to both Presque Isle and Houlton-Hodgdon, its two potential semifinal matchups. Gardiner and John Bapst split their season series.

In cases like this, you just have to go with your gut. Gardiner has presented speed problems for several teams this season, regardless of class, and the Tigers have solid goaltending behind a veteran defensive unit.

John Bapst has been a great story this season, resurrecting a proud hockey school to prominence. But this time, Consistency, I think, will win out.

In a Gardiner/Winslow game, I literally flipped a coin. Gardiner was heads. It came up heads.

In Western Class B, Leavitt still has a chance.

No, really.

The Hornets had a great game with York early in the season, and if they can get through Maranacook, they have a shot.

But they are going to have to play their best hockey of the season.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, are two wins away from the state game. Again.

Greely, their nemesis, stands in the way. Again.

The Rangers have eliminated the Wildcats so many times, it’s almost like Bangor and Lewiston. This year, this time, I think the Wildcats have what it takes to get it done. The goaltending is solid, the hunger is there from so many close calls, and the senior leadership should put them over the edge.

Despite Eastern Class B’s overall depth, I think York has the better chance, having played each of the top three Class A teams during the season.

No matter who you’re cheering for, the next couple of weeks are going to be a lot of fun.