Hibbing @ Minnetonka

[rainier]

Amazingly, Hibbing has kept this game close the last two years, losing by scores of 3-1 and 3-2. But with how young Hibbing's D corps is this season, I think they will have a harder time slowing the Skippers' onslaught. Even my blind homerism can't convince me the Bluejackets will win this one, especially since top line forward Bestul will be out with an injury.

5-2 Tonka

[codemanh]

I thought this could maybe be a close game, but after Hibbing's loss to Little Falls (not a bad team, but no Minnetonka) 3-0, I don't think this will be as close as the last couple of years.

5-0 Tonka.

[rainier]

I thought this could maybe be a close game, but after Hibbing's loss to Little Falls (not a bad team, but no Minnetonka) 3-0, I don't think this will be as close as the last couple of years.

5-0 Tonka.

Hibbing actually looked good in the LF game, it was just that Stumpf was on fire in nets. Two years ago LF beat Hibbing 6-1, and a few weeks later Hibbing played Tonka tight in a 3-2 loss. Go figure.

[GTTN]

4 - 2 Tonka

First line gets 3 of 4 goals (1 on PP)

[HockeyFan_11]

Sounds like Minnetonka has a bunch of goons who think they're in the UFC.

[rainier]

Got pretty chippy at the end. Hibbing really missed the two senior forwards that didn't play in this game. Not that they would have won, but they would likely have converted on a pp or two. A good butt whoopin builds character.

[tonkafan77]

6-1 Final. Jared Ridge and Connor Thie both with 2 goals.

Shots were somewhere in the ballpark of 45-15. The game did get quite chippy near the end. I'm not sure that Tonka has any "UFC goons" on the team...Hibbing did start the majority of the scrums.

Tonka's first real test will come next week with Eagan and St. Thomas.

[blueblood]

Unlike past tonka teams, these boys are quite physical and tonites refs let them get away with several high checks along the boards that weren't called and after the whistle hits in front of the Hibbing net. Other coaches will pick up on that trend and let the refs know (Giles, Smith, Pauly).

That's not how hockey is played on the range and I'm sure it frustrated the bluejackets late in the game.

That type of game will not work on the big ice at Mariucci

[Wside]

Tonka does not play at Mariucci.

[Slap Shot]

Tonka does not play at Mariucci.

No, but if his analysis is true the most important games of the year not at the X will be played there.