4AA Outlook
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4AA Outlook
Is there a team that can unseat the Pioneers? Stillwater will be solid and White Bear will be down this year. Is there anyone else that will make some noise?
Re: 4AA Outlook
No.SEC Scotty wrote: ↑Tue Oct 06, 2020 4:15 pmIs there a team that can unseat the Pioneers? Stillwater will be solid and White Bear will be down this year. Is there anyone else that will make some noise?
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Stillwater is the only hope.
Re: 4AA Outlook
If Elliot's list is right. Section is WIDE OPEN.
Re: 4AA Outlook
Spar - Pio parents at New Hope tonite say they are looking for a repeat!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Spar- figuring by time March rolls around , Mshsl will cave and allow a state trny , albeit with limited or no fans . Or else Minn Hockey will sponser a “State Trny” of same 8 teams after Mshsl sections
Re: 4AA Outlook
Not as easy as it sounds though Westy. A few things to keep in mind if (when) the MSHSL says no state tournament. It will be through MN Hockey or YHH - but: 1) Coaches won't be allowed to coach 2) All coaches and players will need to become USA certified. Not hard for players - but it is an extensive amount of modules for coaches (hours worth). 3) Do we really think schools are going to allow outstate teams to travel and stay in hotels for 3-4 days? Not a chance.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
1) It's not about the coaches, it's about the players and many HS would probably rejoice if it were someone else on the bench other than their current coachBP wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:28 amNot as easy as it sounds though Westy. A few things to keep in mind if (when) the MSHSL says no state tournament. It will be through MN Hockey or YHH - but: 1) Coaches won't be allowed to coach 2) All coaches and players will need to become USA certified. Not hard for players - but it is an extensive amount of modules for coaches (hours worth). 3) Do we really think schools are going to allow outstate teams to travel and stay in hotels for 3-4 days? Not a chance.
2) This isn't going to be an issue because of #1
3) You really believe people in Moorhead and/or Roseau would say "no thanks, sounds too dangerous"?
Re: 4AA Outlook
Through YHH? I don't foresee that happening.BP wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:28 amNot as easy as it sounds though Westy. A few things to keep in mind if (when) the MSHSL says no state tournament. It will be through MN Hockey or YHH - but: 1) Coaches won't be allowed to coach 2) All coaches and players will need to become USA certified. Not hard for players - but it is an extensive amount of modules for coaches (hours worth). 3) Do we really think schools are going to allow outstate teams to travel and stay in hotels for 3-4 days? Not a chance.
Re: 4AA Outlook
Not as easy as it sounds though Westy. A few things to keep in mind if (when) the MSHSL says no state tournament. It will be through MN Hockey or YHH - but: 1) Coaches won't be allowed to coach 2) All coaches and players will need to become USA certified. Not hard for players - but it is an extensive amount of modules for coaches (hours worth). 3) Do we really think schools are going to allow outstate teams to travel and stay in hotels for 3-4 days? Not a chance.BP wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:28 am[quote=WestMetro post_id=751002 time=<a href="tel:1602651318">1602651318</a> user_id=22850]
Spar- figuring by time March rolls around , Mshsl will cave and allow a state trny , albeit with limited or no fans . Or else Minn Hockey will sponser a “State Trny” of same 8 teams after Mshsl sections
[/quote]
Agree not easy , lots of details to be worked out . But not impossible? Just saying, Pio parents said they want a tourney and a shot at back to back .
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Agree not easy , lots of details to be worked out . But not impossible? Just saying, Pio parents said they want a tourney and a shot at back to back .WestMetro wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:58 pmNot as easy as it sounds though Westy. A few things to keep in mind if (when) the MSHSL says no state tournament. It will be through MN Hockey or YHH - but: 1) Coaches won't be allowed to coach 2) All coaches and players will need to become USA certified. Not hard for players - but it is an extensive amount of modules for coaches (hours worth). 3) Do we really think schools are going to allow outstate teams to travel and stay in hotels for 3-4 days? Not a chance.BP wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:28 am[quote=WestMetro post_id=751002 time=<a href="tel:1602651318">1602651318</a> user_id=22850]
Spar- figuring by time March rolls around , Mshsl will cave and allow a state trny , albeit with limited or no fans . Or else Minn Hockey will sponser a “State Trny” of same 8 teams after Mshsl sections
[/quote]
Hold the State Tournament here: 2100 Trail of Dreams
Problem solved
Re: 4AA Outlook
So I see a theme going here. What do you do with a Stillwater team that gets to sections with say one loss and a HM team that gets there with 3, and has played a much harder schedule. As a Hill fan, I'd much prefer not to have to get by both WBL and Stillwater in consecutive games, but you can make an argument that will need to happen. And to be honest, to win it all you have to beat the best. So no one should really scare you. Granted WBL could be 2-19 on the year and scare me. Will be interest to see this develop over the next several weeks.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
I don’t see Stillwater winning out. They’ve got another date with both WB & Cretin. They also have 2 games against Flake. They lose two of those 4 games and go into sections with 3 losses, maybe more.Sparlimb wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:53 pmSo I see a theme going here. What do you do with a Stillwater team that gets to sections with say one loss and a HM team that gets there with 3, and has played a much harder schedule. As a Hill fan, I'd much prefer not to have to get by both WBL and Stillwater in consecutive games, but you can make an argument that will need to happen. And to be honest, to win it all you have to beat the best. So no one should really scare you. Granted WBL could be 2-19 on the year and scare me. Will be interest to see this develop over the next several weeks.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
I agree with BlueLine. Stillwater won't win out, unless they get really lucky. White Bear Lake is showing improvements since their loss to Stillwater, and I predict they win in the rematch. This is how I predict the section shapes up when all is said and done:BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:31 pmI don’t see Stillwater winning out. They’ve got another date with both WB & Cretin. They also have 2 games against Flake. They lose two of those 4 games and go into sections with 3 losses, maybe more.Sparlimb wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:53 pmSo I see a theme going here. What do you do with a Stillwater team that gets to sections with say one loss and a HM team that gets there with 3, and has played a much harder schedule. As a Hill fan, I'd much prefer not to have to get by both WBL and Stillwater in consecutive games, but you can make an argument that will need to happen. And to be honest, to win it all you have to beat the best. So no one should really scare you. Granted WBL could be 2-19 on the year and scare me. Will be interest to see this develop over the next several weeks.
1. Hill-Murray
2. White Bear Lake
3. Stillwater
4. East Ridge
5. Mounds View
6. Woodbury
7. Roseville
8. Irondale
9. Minnehaha
2 and 3 could obviously be flipped if Stillwater sweeps the season series. The most interesting games to keep an eye on for White Bear Lake are 2/23 vs. Forest Lake, and 3/4 vs. Stillwater. For Stillwater, it's the games BlueLine mentioned.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
What would make things a bit more interesting is Hill's final record going into sections. They have 4 games remaining against consensus decent to very good teams: Wayzata, Benilde, STA rematch and Blake to end the year. If Hill loses two of those or more and finishes with 4-5 losses, the #1 seed gets a lot more interesting (assuming the wheels don't come off for Stillwater and WBL).stateofhawkey wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:47 amI agree with BlueLine. Stillwater won't win out, unless they get really lucky. White Bear Lake is showing improvements since their loss to Stillwater, and I predict they win in the rematch. This is how I predict the section shapes up when all is said and done:BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:31 pmI don’t see Stillwater winning out. They’ve got another date with both WB & Cretin. They also have 2 games against Flake. They lose two of those 4 games and go into sections with 3 losses, maybe more.Sparlimb wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:53 pmSo I see a theme going here. What do you do with a Stillwater team that gets to sections with say one loss and a HM team that gets there with 3, and has played a much harder schedule. As a Hill fan, I'd much prefer not to have to get by both WBL and Stillwater in consecutive games, but you can make an argument that will need to happen. And to be honest, to win it all you have to beat the best. So no one should really scare you. Granted WBL could be 2-19 on the year and scare me. Will be interest to see this develop over the next several weeks.
1. Hill-Murray
2. White Bear Lake
3. Stillwater
4. East Ridge
5. Mounds View
6. Woodbury
7. Roseville
8. Irondale
9. Minnehaha
2 and 3 could obviously be flipped if Stillwater sweeps the season series. The most interesting games to keep an eye on for White Bear Lake are 2/23 vs. Forest Lake, and 3/4 vs. Stillwater. For Stillwater, it's the games BlueLine mentioned.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Stillwater ties Flake last night. Probably felt like a loss, as they were up 2-0 with under 3 minutes left and gave up two goals at the very end of regulation. This tie probably doesn't do much of anything to effect section seedings at the moment. But Stillwater still has 3 more difficult-ish games left and this game should have been a win. A loss in the rematch to WB and a loss in their rematch to CDH and it's highly likely Stillwater and WB will be battling it out for the 2-3 seeds.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:31 pmI don’t see Stillwater winning out. They’ve got another date with both WB & Cretin. They also have 2 games against Flake. They lose two of those 4 games and go into sections with 3 losses, maybe more.Sparlimb wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:53 pmSo I see a theme going here. What do you do with a Stillwater team that gets to sections with say one loss and a HM team that gets there with 3, and has played a much harder schedule. As a Hill fan, I'd much prefer not to have to get by both WBL and Stillwater in consecutive games, but you can make an argument that will need to happen. And to be honest, to win it all you have to beat the best. So no one should really scare you. Granted WBL could be 2-19 on the year and scare me. Will be interest to see this develop over the next several weeks.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
Re: 4AA Outlook
Woodbury beat Stillwater 2-0 tonight. That will change things.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Rough two games for the Ponies. They have some big games ahead - they’ll need a short memory. They still have a slight upper hand on WB based on their head-to-head, but their shot at the #1 seed is all but gone.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Should be interesting down the stretch, the 4AA semi's and final will all have over/under lines of about 3.5BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:37 pmRough two games for the Ponies. They have some big games ahead - they’ll need a short memory. They still have a slight upper hand on WB based on their head-to-head, but their shot at the #1 seed is all but gone.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
The Bears can be 0 - 25, win two section games, and still give my Pioneers a fight in the final.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
#16 AA White Bear Lake (10-2-0) vs. Forest Lake (8-3-1) - Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7 PM - will be streamed online here:
YouTube - https://youtu.be/v51EtFZsD0Q
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/263543468472204/
YouTube - https://youtu.be/v51EtFZsD0Q
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/263543468472204/
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Huh. Looks like the Ponies got a bit of a beat down today.
At the end of the day, there is rarely any significant difference between being #2 or #3.
At the end of the day, there is rarely any significant difference between being #2 or #3.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
Edit: Looks like the Red Knights took it on the chin as well yesterday. There is really no drama in this section, not to diminish the ever present possibility of an upset. (Though WBL can breath more easily now that Johnson is out of the section.)East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:56 pmHuh. Looks like the Ponies got a bit of a beat down today.
At the end of the day, there is rarely any significant difference between being #2 or #3.
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Re: 4AA Outlook
The last week or so ended any potential seeding drama. The west side got a taste of east side pride, with Hill outscoring Wayzata, Benilde & Holy Family 14-1. Stillwater and WBL can duel it out for 2/3 spots.
Stillwater (9-3-1)
Wins against WBL and Cretin
WBL (11-2-1)
No signature wins
Stillwater currently has the upper-hand based on head-to-head, but they play again March 4th. WBL also plays Cretin on March 6th. If the Bears win the rematch and lose to Cretin, the debate for who is the 2 seed and who is the 3 seed should be interesting. Either way they'll be getting a 3rd round in sections barring something incredible happening.
Hill looked solid again last night against Benilde. It never felt like a shooting gallery to me - there was some decent back and forth at least for a while. Benilde is a good team but sure seems to get flustered when things don't go their way. Their play, in my opinion, bordered on slightly dirty. There were several occasions I think penalties could and maybe should have been called. Stick whacks to the back of legs, there was an arm-to-head slug in the front of the Benilde goalie that didn't get called.
This Hill team is methodical. And Erickson in goal probably doesn't get as much credit as he should. He hasn't been tested a ton, but when he has he's more often than not come up big. The D gets a lot of the love on this team, and rightfully so. They seem to give Erickson good sight lines and they block a ton of shots. But don't discount a great goalie stealing a game when needed, and Erickson fits that bill and can certainly do that. The entire coaching staff at Hill, notably Pat Schafhauser, should get a ton of credit for how they've assembled/developed/coached the team this year.
Who knows what will happen, but if Hill is lucky enough to make it to State to defend their title, I can't wait to see how they would perform against Lakeville South, Eden Prairie or Maple Grove.
Stillwater (9-3-1)
Wins against WBL and Cretin
WBL (11-2-1)
No signature wins
Stillwater currently has the upper-hand based on head-to-head, but they play again March 4th. WBL also plays Cretin on March 6th. If the Bears win the rematch and lose to Cretin, the debate for who is the 2 seed and who is the 3 seed should be interesting. Either way they'll be getting a 3rd round in sections barring something incredible happening.
Hill looked solid again last night against Benilde. It never felt like a shooting gallery to me - there was some decent back and forth at least for a while. Benilde is a good team but sure seems to get flustered when things don't go their way. Their play, in my opinion, bordered on slightly dirty. There were several occasions I think penalties could and maybe should have been called. Stick whacks to the back of legs, there was an arm-to-head slug in the front of the Benilde goalie that didn't get called.
This Hill team is methodical. And Erickson in goal probably doesn't get as much credit as he should. He hasn't been tested a ton, but when he has he's more often than not come up big. The D gets a lot of the love on this team, and rightfully so. They seem to give Erickson good sight lines and they block a ton of shots. But don't discount a great goalie stealing a game when needed, and Erickson fits that bill and can certainly do that. The entire coaching staff at Hill, notably Pat Schafhauser, should get a ton of credit for how they've assembled/developed/coached the team this year.
Who knows what will happen, but if Hill is lucky enough to make it to State to defend their title, I can't wait to see how they would perform against Lakeville South, Eden Prairie or Maple Grove.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year