Best Tourney Since?..................

[Hip Tzech]

This was one of the best tourney that I can remember in a long time. I am interested in hearing thoughts on this and past tourney and where this one sits…. <p></p><i></i>

[frozensi]

Class AA was the WORST I have ever witnessed. Outside of the Elk River/Moorhead and the championship game, the rest left something to be desired. A lack of offense on every team, playing to much defensive minded, made for a really, really boring tourney.<br><br>Class A on the other hand, that was a joy to watch, many, many good games those three days. Makes me wonder why next year why I shouldn't dump my class AA tickets and start going to class A? <p></p><i></i>

[MNHockeynutt]

This isn't basketball it's hockey, sure goals are great to see but I think the longer the anticipation the better. A defensive close game is way more exciting to watch than 7-5 shootout. I also think this year was one to remember for many many reasons.....so maybe hang on to those tickets and waste your time by going to both classes tournaments....MN hockey is the best...... <p></p><i></i>

[joe lulic]

Of all the tournamants I have seen, 2004 was one of them. <br><br> The championship game did have the 2 best teams and it was a very well played game, even if it was low scoring. <br><br>Other wise, the field wasnt very well balanced and the games wern't that exciting. <br><br>Nice to see the attendence up. Is that because of an increase in A, AA or both? Anyone know? <p></p><i></i>

[goldy313]

AA set attendance records at the Thursday afternoon session and the Saturday night session. That explains some of the jump. Going by past years reciepts, the A tourney draws around 20,000 total, so the AA side must have pulled in 100,000 this year. Probably close to the all time record for AA/single class attendance record of 103,000 from 1985.<br><br>Just my .02, but the last two tournaments have been awfully good. <p></p><i></i>

[slapshooter]

Yeah, but most of the fans were there to see me (<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> )<br><br>and Blues <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Buddy. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>Sorry I couldn't make it! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>L<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 0] --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /alien.gif ALT="0]"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> E, SL<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> PSH<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> TER.<br><br>(...a legend in his <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> wn mind...) <p></p><i></i>

[joe lulic]

Thats why I heard some people in black and orange demanding their money back. I thought they were talking about the music and the quality of the hockey so I didnt pay much attention. <br><br>But come to think of it, they were referring to the fact that blusebuddy and slapshooter werent there. <br><br>Say, wait a minute...did you promise a bunch of them a ride on the Zamboni with bluesbuddy? <p></p><i></i>

[slapshooter]

Actually Joe H<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> CKEYM<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :x --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/sick.gif ALT=":x"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> M was to appear on the Zamboni<br><br>wearing an SS RULES T-shirt as was required of her as a <br><br>result of her failure to produce evidence beyond <br><br>resonable doubt.<br><br>Hey wait a minute. <br><br>Blues <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Buddy couldn't be found?<br><br>H<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> CKEYM<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :x --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/sick.gif ALT=":x"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> M wasn't around?<br><br>Could it be a love made in hockeyland, and a wedding <br><br>bell sound? <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>It is almost spring time you know. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :evil --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /devil.gif ALT=":evil"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>L<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 0] --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /alien.gif ALT="0]"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> E, (is in the air) SL<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> PSH<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> TER.<br><br>(...a legend in his <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> wn mind...) <p></p><i></i>

[Imsogoodlookin]

I think the reason for the records was because of Centennial and it's support. Thursday afternoon, Friday evening, and Saturday- Centennial's 3 games- all broke records. Anyone who was there saw a ton of people wearing Centennial apparel. <p></p><i></i>

[MNPuckster27]

You could just as easily say that about Wayzata, Big school, had a lot of people there.... Good turnouts by almost all of the AA schools (wish they student sections would have been a little more rowdy though) but when there is 19,000 + in the building it just shows that people come from everywhere to see the best HS hockey in the nation!!<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[nolookpassguy]

The attendance increase had to be the inclusion of primarily Centennial & Wayzata, however, 1st timer Tartan also brought in some new fans. But as far as Toruney's go, this one did little for me. As a fan of the show for several decades now, there wasn't too many players or events that stuck out in my mind. When I think about it, the things that come to mind right away was off the ice...spending time with friends and see familiar faces. On the ice, it was pretty non-eventful. I've said it before, the high school game has become so watered down. The best high school age kids are not even playing high school hockey...they are in Juniors or Michigan. The teams today are too "manufactured" and the individual skill level seems to have dropped off. When you add to it that teams don't have the depth of say, 5-10 years ago, the game just isn't the same. I see teams so often just dump the puck in the zone rather than gain the zone by carrying the puck or via the pass. This not to be a slam to the kids playing the game, they put in the work and gave it their all, it's just that in my opinion (and others as well) that the individual skill level seems to be diminishing. But the Tourney isn't just about what happens on the ice. It is still fun to see the players have a little jump in their skates when they step in front of 17,000 people. It's fun to see all the students dressed in school colors having fun & showing school pride. It's fun to see the parents of the players so proudly watching their kids fullfilling dreams. And it's fun to be downtown St. Paul experiencing such a wonderful event with so many decent people. <p></p><i></i>

[Jazzkat]

2002 was by far the best tournament i've ever seen. small schools that deserved the titles got them. <p></p><i></i>