AA tournament goaltending

[hockeygoalie102]

I'm just curious to what you guys think about the goaltending situation in the tournament this year. I've seen 8 of the 6 teams this year, the only 2 I haven't being Tartan and Lakeville. This is what I see...<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Wayzata's Jason Krueger:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> VERY solid tender, from what I've seen could be the strongest in the tournament, has a descent supporting defense that gives him room to shine. Is sporting 7 shut outs, including impressive ones against Minnetonka(21 shots), Eden Prairie (27 shots), and Edina (35 shots). Looking at stats looks to be very consistant,while haveing a some what challenging conference and section schedule, thus far has recorded a .92 svp and a 1.61GAA<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Holy Angel's Keaton Smith:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> I saw him play down at the Schwan's cup and was suprised to see that he was only a sophomore. He held himself very well, invoked a sense of confidence. Looking at his stats, he's only played about half the season, and looks to have had a rocky play off. Season highlight is a 21 shot shut out against Duluth East. Has Mr. Hockey finalist Jack Hillen anchoring his defense, and has a strong offense that can bury the puck. I think he's definitely one to watch in the future.<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Elk River's Sam Warhol & Aaron Baumgartner:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> These two have been splitting the time, almost right down the middle. So I have no idea who will be between the pipes at the excel. But I've seen both play, and both seem to be a little bit shaky, recording GAA's of 2.35 and 3.01 while playing what seems to be a weak conference and section schedule. Being that their top D left earlier in the season, I hope Sarsland has something up his sleeve to prepare these two for the dominant Spuds...no one (except maybe Slappy) wants to see a state tournament blow out.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :\ --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ohwell.gif ALT=":\"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Centennial's Gregg Stutz:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Has been looked at as the Achilles heel of the best team in the state. Team includes 3 of the top 10 scoring leaders in the metro area, and boasts two of the top defencemen in the state. All that set aside, he has good numbers. 8 shut outs, .92 svp and 1.39 GAA. With the success of his team, he has yet to have the opportunity to prove himself. However has come up big recently against Moorhead and Hill-Murray. Despite their offensive talent, for Centennial to go all the way, they're gonna need him to play solid.<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Disclaimer on the Northern teams...it's really hard to find stats on these kids...hard to make a clear judgment</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Duluth East's Jake Maida & Matheison:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> From the looks of things, these guys have been switching around this year. It might have been an off night, but when I saw Duluth East play Maida got pulled after the second period. Neither of these guys played bad, but they're gonna have to play the games of their lives to give their team a chance to get through Moorhead. Also, earlier this year I saw there was some drama going on with who should be starting, I hope this doesn't flare up again this week...could have a negative effect on the kids. Not the strongest of the tournament, but not the weakest either.<br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><br>Moorhead's Derek Hittle & Spencer Deutz:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Seen as how both of these guys are listed under the best junior goalies, I'm gonna assume that both have had their fare share of time this year. I saw Hittle play, and he definitely played well, but this is another situation like Centennial. When you have two of the best D in the state in front of you, your job is made alot easier. Most of the shots are contained, rebounds quickly swept away, and the traffic in front is minimized. From the looks of things, their wasn't much of a test in sections for Moorhead, and it's not looking like things are gonna change until the final on Saturday.<br><br>Anybody have anything on Lakeville or Tartan...O'Brien's stats are impressive but I haven't seen him play yet.<br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUser ... alie102</A> at: 3/8/04 1:12 pm<br></i>

[mnhockeylvr]

I withdraw my comment on the grounds that I was tired and it was dumb.<br><br>Thanks. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUser ... ckeylvr</A> at: 3/8/04 6:29 pm<br></i>

[cliff77]

Hockeygoalie102,<br><br>Great analysis. <p></p><i></i>

[tenders30]

I belive u are missing the best goalie in the state in BJ obrien from lakevillle he has led that team the hole year and is the reason they are in the state tourney soo re think <p></p><i></i>

[hockeygoalie102]

I already said that I hadn't seen him play so I couldn't really say anything about him. His numbers are impressive though. Anyone that has seen him play have any unbiased things to say??? <p></p><i></i>

[Raider42]

B.J. How do you figure, you have not beat a team over .500. If I was you I would give most of the credit to Davis and the rest of the guys. I really doubt if the only reason you are in state is because of your play. More like because you played the likes of Farmington, Austin and Century. Good luck against a team with an offense. <p></p><i></i>

[goldy313]

He led the state in save % and plays in the Lake Conference, hows that for playing good teams? Or I suppose shutting out EP with Rau is just another team with no offense. Raider you want to get on a guy, you had better pick on someone else because O'Brien has pretty good credentials. I'm not a Lakeville backer either, but geez, O'Brien is probably one of the top 3 goalies in the state. BY the way Lakeville is in the state tournament again precisley because of O'Brien, they may come out of a weak section, but they were outshot and played in all 3 section games last year, and the last two this year. <p></p><i></i>

[puck88]

Looks like none of the best tenders are still competing. O'Brien's the best one by my count. <p></p><i></i>

[Dafreak0]

Here are his stats. 1.97 GAA average, 940% (best in the state) and 4 shut outs<br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Best games:</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>-38 saves of 39 shots vs. Minnetonka<br>-36 saves of 37 shots vs. Eagan<br>-36 saves of 37 shots vs. Bloomington Kennedy<br>-33 saves of 33 shots (shutout) vs Burnsville<br>-48 saves of 49 shots vs. Duluth East<br>-44 saves of 44 shots (shutout) vs. Eden Prairie<br>-35 saves of 36 shots vs. Burnsville<br>-32 saves of 32 shots (shutout) vs. Austin<br><br>Lots more but i'm not going to list them. If you can't say that he is the best goalie in the tourny then you obviously don't know what your talking about.<br><br>Who was it that said that they havn't beaten anyone good? Heres a list of teams for you that they have beat above .500.<br><br>-Eagan<br>-Apple Valley<br>-Eastview<br>-Rochester Century<br>-Rochester Mayo<br>(Not many but those teams are pretty good)<br><br>They also have tied Eden Prairie, Duluth East, Grand Rapids. Their biggest loss is by 4 goals once and the others have only been 1 or 2 goals, so its not like they've been blown out. <p></p><i></i>

[TThockey17]

Don't forget about Tartans starting goalie Carey Wood!!! Even though he is only a Freshman he has always played ahead of his age! He is an amazing keeper and he will only get better as he matures!!!! <p></p><i></i>

[HSHockStar89]

no one needs to analyze wood because its a one time thing .. never again in his career will tartan be back <p></p><i></i>

[Bbengal]

greg stutz is the worst goalie in the tourney hands down. he also looks lie robocop with his street hockey goalie mask <p></p><i></i>

[hockeygoalie102]

yeah...well you can say that again when he's holding the championship trophy above his head alright bud...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>I'm not gonna say anything about his helmet though...i also think its atrocious.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/grin.gif ALT=" >D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[SCSU Husky Fan]

Lets see Blaine lost to Centennial 17-0 and I heard they took it easy on you!<br>I think you should get over it!<br>Stutz is as good as anybody in the Tournament with RJ Anderson and Greg Flynn out front of him. <br>The only set of D anywhere close to these two is from Moorhead, Lee and Ammerman (God help me! Did I just say that?)<br>Blaine had its day with SCSU Husky Great, <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Matt Hendricks!</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>But its done for a long time...<br>Go enjoy the tourney in St. Paul. Great hockey if you want to see it. <p></p><i></i>

[Bbengal]

scsu dork-<br> first of i could care less how blaine did this season i know they suck. i dont attend that hs anymore. i go to uw madison. and yes matt hendricks was a very good player. but just like the scsu huskies, the cougars are about to be on a downhill slide my man. so watch out for elk river in the hs championship and wisconsin in the wcha finals baby. and by the way, i went to a goalie school with greg stutz a little while back.....he sucks bro <p></p><i></i>

[hockeygoalie102]

Wow, you're judging a goaltender on a summer camp that probably lasted all of two days??? Man, if that isn't a solid analysis I don't know what is...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/grin.gif ALT=" >D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>And by the way, your "Mighty Elks" will be lucky to make it to the consolation championship<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUser ... alie102</A> at: 3/10/04 4:56 pm<br></i>