4AA - 2007-08 Preview

O-townClown · Post by **O-townClown** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 3:44 pm

You know the drill.

Hill-Murray
Mounds View
North
Roseville
Stillwater
Tartan
White Bear Lake
St. Paul A/C/CP/H
St. Paul H/H/J

Sparlimb · Post by **Sparlimb** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:04 pm

Tartan has been waiting years to get back into this section. I believe they'll cap off their undefeated season with an easy run through section 4...

sicknasty7722 · Post by **sicknasty7722** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:03 am

1- Hill Murray (contending for number 1 in state so...)
2- White Bear Lake (looking for strong seasons from goalie Collette, Villneauve and should have some good JV talent coming up as their record showed)
3- Roseville (weak in the net, looking Mueller and Dishop?
4- Stillwater (M. Johnson will have to put up some serious numbers)
5- Moundsview (goaltending may be an issue)
6- North (No idea about this team)
7 and 8- The two St. Paul teams and Tartan can battle it out for last place.

Govs93 · Post by **Govs93** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:13 am

Sparlimb wrote:Johnson has been waiting years to get back into this section. I believe they'll cap off their undefeated season with an easy run through section 4...

I corrected that post for you.

Pioneerprideguy · Post by **Pioneerprideguy** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:26 am

This is definately Tartan's section to lose. Now that Wood was granted another year of eligibilty by the high school league, they have to be the favorite in this section. Add to that a Bantam team that never lost last season, a coaching staff second to none, and a group of kids totally committed to "dry" land training, I can't see anyone giving them a game this year. Lech was thrilled to see that Centennial was moved to a different section but was totally crushed when he learned Tartan replaced them. Lech was heard saying, "I'd rather have Centennial back...at least we can beat them." So the battle is on for 2nd place in section 4AA this year. The saving grace is that which ever team loses to Tartan in the section final will be able to say that at least we got beat by the eventual state champion.

UnsungHero · Post by **UnsungHero** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:31 am

I'm new here but I tend to agree with the above post. Tartan has emerged as one of the states hockey powerhouses. Let's give credit where credit due. With Tartans state tourney titles, state tourney appearances, section championships, and dominance of their opponents, this warrants the question; When will they be investigated for obvious recruiting? No program can be that good without recruiting, can they?

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:37 am

UnsungHero wrote:I'm new here but I tend to agree with the above post. Tartan has emerged as one of the states hockey powerhouses. Let's give credit where credit due. With Tartans state tourney titles, state tourney appearances, section championships, and dominance of their opponents, this warrants the question; When will they be investigated for obvious recruiting? No program can be that good without recruiting, can they?

First post and you bring up the "R" word. You'll go far here.

Love the posts boys, well done!

sicknasty7722 · Post by **sicknasty7722** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:24 am

Tartan is horrible.

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:45 pm

New number, relatively the same section (except weaker). Here are the likely seedings at the end:

1. Hill-Murray: Returns about 3/4 of their team, goaltender included. Scoring should be plentiful and defense now has some experience under their belts. With Centennial out, the section should take some more pressure off the Pioneers. Should be top 1-3 in state.
2. White Bear Lake: Loses a chunk of talent including Hansen, Hartmann, and Taylor Johnson. WBL, as always, should find themselves in competition thanks to the support they receive from bantams/JV.
3. Stillwater: Maybe a bit high to predict, but has steady goaltending with defensive minded coach in Housley.
4. Roseville: Loss of Dorr, Weick hurts Mueller. Goaltending an issue with no returners.
5. North: Strong goaltender, and that's about it.
6. Tartan: Average team last year that may be worse.
7. Mounds View: Weak goaltenders and lack of offense returning can't help.
8-9. St. Paul teams will be put to battle in the play-in game.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:50 pm

Good assessment Hillfan. Appears to be a "cake" walk!

SEC Scotty · Post by **SEC Scotty** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:03 pm

Hillfan wrote:New number, relatively the same section (except weaker). Here are the likely seedings at the end:

1. Hill-Murray: Returns about 3/4 of their team, goaltender included. Scoring should be plentiful and defense now has some experience under their belts. With Centennial out, the section should take some more pressure off the Pioneers. Should be top 1-3 in state.
2. White Bear Lake: Loses a chunk of talent including Hansen, Hartmann, and Taylor Johnson. WBL, as always, should find themselves in competition thanks to the support they receive from bantams/JV.
3. Stillwater: Maybe a bit high to predict, but has steady goaltending with defensive minded coach in Housley.
4. Roseville: Loss of Dorr, Weick hurts Mueller. Goaltending an issue with no returners.
5. North: Strong goaltender, and that's about it.
6. Tartan: Average team last year that may be worse.
7. Mounds View: Weak goaltenders and lack of offense returning can't help.
8-9. St. Paul teams will be put to battle in the play-in game.

I guess the only question is will Lechner bust out his green Ronald McDonald sweater at the section finals at the Coliseum, or not.

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:18 pm

It hasn't hurt! He still should have worn in back in 2004....

(Final vs. Centennial).

UnsungHero · Post by **UnsungHero** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:28 am

Hillfan, I think your assessment is very accurate. I would like nothing more than a WBL/Hill match up to decide who gets a state tourney birth. I'm not completely sold on Stillwater yet, although I hope they are decent enough to help bring a little more competition to the 4AA. After that the conference is weak.

Sparlimb · Post by **Sparlimb** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:40 am

UnsungHero wrote:Hillfan, I think your assessment is very accurate. I would like nothing more than a WBL/Hill match up to decide who gets a state tourney birth. I'm not completely sold on Stillwater yet, although I hope they are decent enough to help bring a little more competition to the 4AA. After that the conference is weak.

The sad thing being Stillwater would have a really nice team if they hadn't lost so many kids to Hill. As they build their program, it will be easier for the kids to want to stay home. It has always amazed me that Stillwater can be dominate in so many sports (meaning they have some amazing athletes in their school) yet never has been able to field a really strong hockey team.

ImissMYhockey · Post by **ImissMYhockey** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:34 pm

1) Hill- how can you go wrong with phillippi
2) WBL- with good returning goalies and a strong youth program, shows a lot of promise
3) Stillwater- goaltending is a question, but I like there chances
4) Roseville- mueller cant do it alone
5) Mounds View- yea I said it, return a lot of experienced sophs, also I hear David Croonquist might play, his bro played at hill
6) Tartan- I hear wood is coming back which cant hurt
the rest have no chance

sicknasty7722 · Post by **sicknasty7722** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:34 am

ImissMYhockey wrote:1) Hill- how can you go wrong with phillippi

How can you go wrong with Phillipi?
Well let's see:
During the state tournament, he played roughly 55 minutes.
During those 55 minutes he let in 6 goals on 22 shots equalling a 72.73 save percentage, the worst amongst any goalie in the state tournament.

It was an honest mistake, and so I correct you:
You can go wrong with Phillipi everytime except when he plays White Bear.
How can you go wrong with Cecka, Furne, Cascalenda, Zepeda, Kohls, and the rest of their offensively dominant team?

all4hockey · Post by **all4hockey** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:44 am

How can you go wrong with Phillipi?
Well let's see:
During the state tournament, he played roughly 55 minutes.
During those 55 minutes he let in 6 goals on 22 shots equalling a 72.73 save percentage, the worst amongst any goalie in the state tournament.

It was an honest mistake, and so I correct you:
You can go wrong with Phillipi everytime except when he plays White Bear.
How can you go wrong with Cecka, Furne, Cascalenda, Zepeda, Kohls, and the rest of their offensively dominant team?

You have lived up to your name of "sick" and "nasty". Last time I checked Joe was a high school kid, not a professional athlete. Defense helps too....

ImissMYhockey · Post by **ImissMYhockey** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:32 am

you are right, Phillippi does have a tendancy to choke during the state tourney, but this is sections and when Phillippi steps foot in the colesium, he has a tendancy to play phenominal, thats what I was trying to get at.

Pucknutz69 · Post by **Pucknutz69** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:55 am

Sparlimb wrote:
UnsungHero wrote:Hillfan, I think your assessment is very accurate. I would like nothing more than a WBL/Hill match up to decide who gets a state tourney birth. I'm not completely sold on Stillwater yet, although I hope they are decent enough to help bring a little more competition to the 4AA. After that the conference is weak.
The sad thing being Stillwater would have a really nice team if they hadn't lost so many kids to Hill. As they build their program, it will be easier for the kids to want to stay home. It has always amazed me that Stillwater can be dominate in so many sports (meaning they have some amazing athletes in their school) yet never has been able to field a really strong hockey team.

They have always lost kids to Hill. They have a couple of transfers that might help ease the pain the next couple of years. Cotter coming makes a nice set of sophmore goalies, Brown adds to defense and they have another kid that skated in Elite 2 that looks promising on offense.

tourneytickssince59 · Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:55 am

And as long as the Stillwater Varsity coach continues to keep the non-Stillwater HS attending kids off of the A bantam team he should be happy with his up and coming "squad". He's also creating one heck of a B Bantam team.....

HOLLAFAMER129 · Post by **HOLLAFAMER129** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:49 pm

Well i guess then according to all the Catholic boys on here, Hills wayyyyy too good for high school hockey, if they are, why dont they take a step up like Holy Angels did and play Shattucks prep team, then i bet they wouldnt be so cocky, even though they shouldnt be in the first place

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:14 pm

HOLLAFAMER129 wrote:Well i guess then according to all the Catholic boys on here, Hills wayyyyy too good for high school hockey, if they are, why dont they take a step up like Holy Angels did and play Shattucks prep team, then i bet they wouldnt be so cocky, even though they shouldnt be in the first place

First of all, not sure what you are referring to. Secondly, why don't you take a look at their schedule:

Benilde St. Margaret's
White Bear Lake
Duluth East (Gold X-Mas Tourney)
WBL/Holy Angels (Gold X-Mas Tourney)
3rd Game (Gold X-Mas Tourney)
Holy Angels
St. Thomas Academy (x2)
Moorhead
Wayzata

It's not like they don't attempt to play some tough games.

But, according to yourself, Holy Angels is the only team with guts in this state just because they play Shattuck once a year. Well you tell me, has it helped them that much? How about the last two years of sections? The Stars choked against slightly above average teams while the Pioneers prevailed to state in a competitive section that included WBL, Centennial, and Roseville.

Govs93 · Post by **Govs93** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:18 pm

Blake plays Shattuck too.

UnsungHero · Post by **UnsungHero** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:00 pm

I don't remember anyone saying that Hill was "wayyyy" to good for high school hockey, I must have missed that post. Granted, Holy Angels does have a state power for there opponent every game during the season

......

This post was about section 4AA, I think the changes have made it a weaker confernce. How does Holy Angels playing Shattuck have anything to do with that?

Hillfan · Post by **Hillfan** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:00 pm

I have no idea where that came from...

Anyways yes, I can only agree. Section 3AA used to be considered the strongest section in the state (along with 7AA) for quite some time. Throwing Hill-Murray, White Bear Lake, Roseville, and Centennial into one section always resulted in some great playoff games. Now, the new 4AA is much more top heavy, especially with this upcoming season. With Centennial out, it seems as though there will be a large drop off after the #2 seed.