Which Teams Are Deepest?

[MNHockeyFan]

It seems that most girls' teams still rely extensively on just a few first line stars to do almost all of their scoring, as compared to boys' teams that need good depth throughout their lineups in order to advance to State and then do well there. As the season starts to wind down and playoff time approaches, I would think those girls' teams that do have better balance have a key advantage so their top scorers and defenders don't get too worn down, as when they're fresh especially at the end of a close game they'll be that much more effective. Other than Edina and maybe Eden Prairie and Holy Angels, which teams out there are the deepest? By this I mean they have 14-15 skaters that all play regularly and just keep coming at you for the entire game?

[hockeywild7]

Roseville and stillwater both skate 3 lines regularly. Stillwater did this the whole game against holy angels in the kaposia tournament and beat them soundly. Roseville did the same in the game against eden prairie. I dont think there is a team in the state deeper than EP, but roseville and stillwater both skated 3 lines against them and did very well.

[trilogy]

I have watched EP a couple of times this year and last year and they don't really play 3 lines, just 2 for the most part. Which is surprising to me because their 3rd line, especially this year, looks pretty good. But if the first line is the one that is scoring, guess you have to play them

[hotdog]

I have watched EP a couple of times this year and last year and they don't really play 3 lines, just 2 for the most part. Which is surprising to me because their 3rd line, especially this year, looks pretty good. But if the first line is the one that is scoring, guess you have to play them

Trilogy,

I'm not sure what games you've watched of EP... I've seen them play 4 games and they have played 3 lines everytime, sometimes they've played their 4th line when up by a few. In fact I don't know who plays on their 3rd line, they play their lines fairly even... Other than Feste and Stoa's line the other 8 forwards seem to skate equally.
I did notice they changed things up a bit in the Kaposia, but I think both Stillwater and EP shortened their bench somewhat in the overtime period.

[hockeywise]

I would say seeing my team green, lol.....
I would really have to say if you want to go 3 lines and if you havd to dip into the 4th if there is an injury I would say

Edina and Wayzata

Wayzata like us has been playing there 4th line all year in games when they get a 3 or 4 goal lead. So thats my Vote....[/url]

[hockeywild7]

hotdog, you are correct. I was at the EP/stillwater game also and they both did go down to two lines. Stillwater used 3rd line players to kill penalty in overtime though. They use 3 lines and 6 defensman on a regular basis and have occassionally used a fourth line in some games. I think this is a great way for these players to gain varsity experience. It surprises me how many teams dont even suit up a fourth line for varsity games.

[MNHockeyFan]

The quality of girls hockey will not peak until most teams feel totally comfortable playing at least 15 skaters in every game. Based on current numbers and participation levels, this probably won't happen for some time, except in rare situations like Edina where there are supposed to be over 1000 girls playing hockey in their youth program.

By way of comparison, look at the MN Gophers mens' situation, where heading into these past weekend's games they were concerned about getting worn down because they only had 11 forwards available, which became just 10 when Hirsch was dismissed from the team. The big differences of course between them and HS girls' hockey is the games are 9 minutes longer, much faster and more intense, and maybe most importantly much more physical. To be at maximum effectiveness most Division I mens' teams will routinely rotate 4 lines, and sometimes go down to 3 in crutial situations. In HS girls hockey, MOST teams will still routinely play only 2 lines and sometimes "spot" a third if the coach feels comfortable with the lead and game situation, as ghs says above. A huge difference between the two...

[ghshockeyfan]

A related thought from the Blake/Score thread:

FWIW most G HS coaches play 2 lines and spot a 3rd. There are some unique situations in certain programs that may dictate otherwise, however G HS Hockey is still predominantly a "2-line-spot-a-third" game. The exceptions are when you have the depth of an EP, or the youth of a Simley. In those cases, especially early on, you may consider playing deeper into your bench due to the talent to do so or a lack of experience that can only be gained through playing. But, by year's end, even teams with youth/depth should get to a "2-line-spot-a-third" setup more than likely. And, there are game sitautions at any point in the season that dictate some thought as to who is playing (PP/PK/close @ end of game/OT/etc.).

In Blake's case, I would NOT play my 3rd line regularly against BSM. That's a top game, and assuming the 1st & 2nd line are comprised of their top 6 F's then the next 3 may not be able to hang with BSM's top F's. That is, assuming, that BSM is not playing their 3rd regularly, and if they are at all you may be able to match lines but that can leave you in a tough spot if your 3rd doesn't match well with the opponents, or also if your 3rd gets stuck against their 1st too much (unless you're looking intentionally for this mismatch to create the opposite on a subsequent shift). Sometimes, coaches feel their 2nd/3rd can defend well enough against the opponents 1st to allow their 1st to beat up on their opponents 2nd/3rd, but I don't know many opposing coaches that would let this happen for very long (would look for the match then).

Against Saints, I would think that a team like Blake could play the 3rd line more since the Saints are an up-and-coming class A program (much like my own) and subsequently aren't as deep as Blake in a three line sense. Sounds like they did exactly that. Blake is well coached and one of the best coaches I know in the game. As classy as they come, so I'm gussing that perception of what transpired and the reality may be differing a little here?

[gopher9]

I have watched EP a couple of times this year and last year and they don't really play 3 lines, just 2 for the most part. Which is surprising to me because their 3rd line, especially this year, looks pretty good. But if the first line is the one that is scoring, guess you have to play them

I have also seen E.P. play 4 times this year. Never saw a 4th line just 3 solid lines!! Fast!!

[lovetopuck]

I have watched EP a couple of times this year and last year and they don't really play 3 lines, just 2 for the most part. Which is surprising to me because their 3rd line, especially this year, looks pretty good. But if the first line is the one that is scoring, guess you have to play them :wink:

I have also seen E.P. play 4 times this year. Never saw a 4th line just 3 solid lines!! Fast!!

and exciting

[boblee]

Cloquet has a lot of depth. Probably the most up north.

[lovetopuck]

Cloquet has a lot of depth. Probably the most up north.

agreed