Grand Rapids/Anoka 1/26/2008 at the IRA

[TheHockeyDJ]

If we start down this path of dissension amongst the fans, where does it end? Let's all agree to disagree and get back to supporting GR. Perhaps what we need is a common goal. How about GR fans make a goal of being louder at the games and get ready to make some real noise at the DECC.

[PASTRAPIDSFAN]

The anoka goalie played fine,The rapids goalie played outstanding the game could have been alot worse. There some positive for ya

[boblee]

The anoka goalie played fine,The rapids goalie played outstanding the game could have been alot worse. There some positive for ya

Shots were 35-16 in favor of Grand Rapids. Underwood stopped 13/15. I am not sure that you can make that argument that is could have been a lot worse.

[PASTRAPIDSFAN]

The anoka goalie played fine,The rapids goalie played outstanding the game could have been alot worse. There some positive for ya

Shots were 35-16 in favor of Grand Rapids. Underwood stopped 13/15. I am not sure that you can make that argument that is could have been a lot worse.

Yes i can from what I saw he made4-5 unbelievable saves that could have been goals.These were not gut shots saves either

[hockey59]

The anoka goalie played fine,The rapids goalie played outstanding the game could have been alot worse. There some positive for ya

Shots were 35-16 in favor of Grand Rapids. Underwood stopped 13/15. I am not sure that you can make that argument that is could have been a lot worse.

GAME FACTS:
1) Underwood was screened on Anoka's 1st goal by 6'1" 215lb Tyler Manthey (a 2 time ALL CONFERENCE Class 5A center in football)..good luck moving him from in front of your net once Anoka gets set-up on the power-play. It appeared he never saw #29's wrist shot from the point.

2) On Anoka's 2nd goal...#9 walked out of the corner after #29 passed to #19 and #19 passed cross-ice to #9...who faked a pass back to #29, whirled and ripped a wrist shot over Underwoods shoulder...be had little chance on this one.

3) Underwood stopped #9 for Anoka on a tremendous 2nd period rush, he walked the GR defenseman and fired over the net into the twine from very close range....much to his frustration.

4) # 19 for Anoka had a clean short-handed breakaway in the 3rd period that Underwood stopped by making a tremendous save.

5) Underwood had no chance stopping #29's 2nd goal of the game...since he was on the bench.

6) JD Wells played tremendous in goal for Anoka but in all fairness...of his 38 saves...at least 10 were dump-ins from the neutral zone. Still, he played exceptionally well...Wells did

7) #26 & #3 & #18 & 16 (Anoka's top 4 D) all played very well...#3 put a hard hit on Palki in the 1st period and he apparently did not return (I hope he is OK and doesn't miss any future games). The GR forwards also had no success beating #26 1 on 1 ...few can.

Roy put on a clinic winning face-off's, usually against #29...tying him up and using his soccer skills to kick out the puck...Robby and Sam Rendle stood out for GR last night.

9) The best thing about Anoka being placed in Section 7AA is the extreme passion for hockey that GR, ER, DE and Cloquet fans have for the game of hockey...as exhibited on this board and at the rink...its a hell of a lot of fun for Anoka fans.

10) Anoka won the game 3-0

PS: Boblee: in order to make a legitimate case that GR out-played Anoka...don't you have to score at least one goal?

[boblee]

PS: Boblee: in order to make a legitimate case that GR out-played Anoka...don't you have to score at least one goal?

Nope.

[east hockey]

I don't whether to laugh here....or laugh.

Boblee, I recall the humor you found in East's loss to Elk River. Now I understand.

And boy, listening to how at least one fan is talking up Anoka, you'd think they'd already won 7AA and are the greatest team to take the ice since John Mayasich...heh heh. I mean, I can't believe they're not undefeated! Roseau who? Edina who? Move over boys, here come da Tornadoes.


Lee

[boblee]

I don't whether to laugh here....or laugh.

Boblee, I recall the humor you found in East's loss to Elk River. Now I understand.

And boy, listening to how at least one fan is talking up Anoka, you'd think they'd already won 7AA and are the greatest team to take the ice since John Mayasich...heh heh. I mean, I can't believe they're not undefeated! Roseau who? Edina who? Move over boys, here come da Tornadoes.


Lee

Always easier to find humor when your team isn't the one losing, eh? It is hard for me to get too worked up. Here are my reasons:

2005-2006 season:
Roseau 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 7, Roseau 4 (State Quarters)

2006-2007 season:
Duluth East 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 5, Duluth East 4 OT (Section Semis)

Edina 4, Grand Rapids 3 (Edina Classic)
Grand Rapids 3, Edina 1 (State Quarters)

[east hockey]

I don't whether to laugh here....or laugh.

Boblee, I recall the humor you found in East's loss to Elk River. Now I understand.

And boy, listening to how at least one fan is talking up Anoka, you'd think they'd already won 7AA and are the greatest team to take the ice since John Mayasich...heh heh. I mean, I can't believe they're not undefeated! Roseau who? Edina who? Move over boys, here come da Tornadoes.


Lee

Always easier to find humor when your team isn't the one losing, eh? It is hard for me to get too worked up. Here are my reasons:

2005-2006 season:
Roseau 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 7, Roseau 4 (State Quarters)

2006-2007 season:
Duluth East 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 5, Duluth East 4 OT (Section Semis)

Edina 4, Grand Rapids 3 (Edina Classic)
Grand Rapids 3, Edina 1 (State Quarters)

Two things about this list:

1. I can name more examples of losing to the same team in the regular season and in the playoffs.

2. Patrick White is gone.

Lee

[boblee]

I don't whether to laugh here....or laugh.

Boblee, I recall the humor you found in East's loss to Elk River. Now I understand.

And boy, listening to how at least one fan is talking up Anoka, you'd think they'd already won 7AA and are the greatest team to take the ice since John Mayasich...heh heh. I mean, I can't believe they're not undefeated! Roseau who? Edina who? Move over boys, here come da Tornadoes.


Lee

Always easier to find humor when your team isn't the one losing, eh? It is hard for me to get too worked up. Here are my reasons:

2005-2006 season:
Roseau 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 7, Roseau 4 (State Quarters)

2006-2007 season:
Duluth East 5, Grand Rapids 1 (Regular Season)
Grand Rapids 5, Duluth East 4 OT (Section Semis)

Edina 4, Grand Rapids 3 (Edina Classic)
Grand Rapids 3, Edina 1 (State Quarters)

Two things about this list:

1. I can name more examples of losing to the same team in the regular season and in the playoffs.

2. Patrick White is gone.

Lee

1. For Rapids in the last two season, just Roseau (3-1 reg and 5-1 finals) in 2006-2007.

2. Sam Sparen, Robb Roy, Corey Kosak have all been on the last two state teams. Rendle and Bishop were also with the club some that season. Lots of guys played last year. Experience can be huge.

BUT, I don't disagree with what you are saying.

[TheHockeyDJ]

I'll tell you who else is gone:

Reid Ellingson
Tyler Johnson
Ben Leis
Brandon Martell

Yeah, Rapids lost White, but don't forget about those players on other teams. Seems partly a wash, although I would say White was more valuable than the 4 I listed above.

[PASTRAPIDSFAN]

SOG dont count on the score board goals do,as for the shots anoka could have put a garbage can in the net for the quality of shots rapids had,Ive never seen a team gut shoot a goalie as bad as rapids did.

You continue to show your ignorance when it comes to the game of hockey. Obviously, the scoreboard is the final say when it comes to a game. However, continuing to say that GR "gutshot" the Anoka goalie with all of their 35 shots shows you don't see a game very well. The Anoka goalie made many good saves and made several outstanding ones as well. He alone was the difference in the game, not GR's inept shooting as you would have others believe. I will agree that a few shots hit the center of the net(as every team does every single game)GR had more than their share of quality scoring chances. Once again, get off their backs. You've been nothing but a source of negativity to the GRHS team, especially lately. If you were a true fan, you would find words of encouragmant rather than your continued disrespectful and negative remarks. You want others to believe that you're a non biased observer of the game, but what it boils down to is the simple fact that you don't believe the orange and black has lived up to your expectations. Regardless of where they end up this season, those players deserve more respect than what they've been given by the likes of you.

My ignorance in the game of hockey is the truth,I dont sugar coat it like you do I write what is see and dislike,Thats what this bored is for oponions,thoughts and arguments,If you and others dont like what i write move on theres 1000s of other topics to read,I will not get off there backs,I will continue to push them all the way to state as i have in years past.You are right the orange and black have slumpped below my expectations and i hope they will come back by playoff time.Yes the scoreboard does show the final of the game,shots dont as what you would like to believe, must be new style of hockey these days the team with the most shots win, goals dont.so enough said, rapids needs to move forward these next couple of weeks,these next couple of weeks will be good learning and buildings games coming up to playoffs.If they fail to use these next few games they could finish the year out at 1-4 for the remaining games.And when it comes to goalies grand rapids goalie made outstanding saves,give credit where credit is due. Instead of this fan fueding we need to work together,Its always worked better in the past,so this topic is dead off to eveleth.

[elkshock22]

i love all the trash talk about how grand rapids is such a better "team" than anoka, and then you point out individuals that you are missing as a reason for your losses. 2nd: with all the talk about how grand rapids dominated: if you did outshoot a team 14-1, did you score? i believe the outcome was 3-0 ANOKA!

Conference Foe's LETS GO! I'll take Anoka any day. Keepin it in the NWSC!

[boblee]

i love all the trash talk about how grand rapids is such a better "team" than anoka, and then you point out individuals that you are missing as a reason for your losses. 2nd: with all the talk about how grand rapids dominated: if you did outshoot a team 14-1, did you score? i believe the outcome was 3-0 ANOKA!

Conference Foe's LETS GO! I'll take Anoka any day. Keepin it in the NWSC!

No one attributed loss of key players from last years squad as a reason for the loss. You can outplay a team and lose. Obviously Anoka outcapitalized Grand Rapids and won the game. No one here is taking that away from them, but it isn't like Anoka came into the IRA Civic Center and blew the Thunderhawks out of their own building.

[boblee]

Game pics:

http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26b.htm

Senior night pics:
http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26.htm

Grand Rapids captains made a very classy gesture by honoring fellow seniors Corey Kosak and Grant Prokop and their families. When they were peewee A's their fathers, Jim Kozak and Gary Prokop, were flying to watch them play in the St. Cloud tournament. Their two man aircraft crashed leaving both fathers dead. Both Corey and Grant and their families have been extremely strong and I have very glad to see Robb Roy and Sam Sparen making this gesture. You can see a glimpse of it in the photos. Prokops and Kosaks: I think I speak for everyone in the community when I say I truly admire you.

[norcon]

The anoka goalie played fine,The rapids goalie played outstanding the game could have been alot worse. There some positive for ya

Shots were 35-16 in favor of Grand Rapids. Underwood stopped 13/15. I am not sure that you can make that argument that is could have been a lot worse.

GAME FACTS:
1) Underwood was screened on Anoka's 1st goal by 6'1" 215lb Tyler Manthey (a 2 time ALL CONFERENCE Class 5A center in football)..good luck moving him from in front of your net once Anoka gets set-up on the power-play. It appeared he never saw #29's wrist shot from the point.

2) On Anoka's 2nd goal...#9 walked out of the corner after #29 passed to #19 and #19 passed cross-ice to #9...who faked a pass back to #29, whirled and ripped a wrist shot over Underwoods shoulder...be had little chance on this one.

3) Underwood stopped #9 for Anoka on a tremendous 2nd period rush, he walked the GR defenseman and fired over the net into the twine from very close range....much to his frustration.

4) # 19 for Anoka had a clean short-handed breakaway in the 3rd period that Underwood stopped by making a tremendous save.

5) Underwood had no chance stopping #29's 2nd goal of the game...since he was on the bench.

6) JD Wells played tremendous in goal for Anoka but in all fairness...of his 38 saves...at least 10 were dump-ins from the neutral zone. Still, he played exceptionally well...Wells did

7) #26 & #3 & #18 & 16 (Anoka's top 4 D) all played very well...#3 put a hard hit on Palki in the 1st period and he apparently did not return (I hope he is OK and doesn't miss any future games). The GR forwards also had no success beating #26 1 on 1 ...few can.

Roy put on a clinic winning face-off's, usually against #29...tying him up and using his soccer skills to kick out the puck...Robby and Sam Rendle stood out for GR last night.

9) The best thing about Anoka being placed in Section 7AA is the extreme passion for hockey that GR, ER, DE and Cloquet fans have for the game of hockey...as exhibited on this board and at the rink...its a hell of a lot of fun for Anoka fans.

10) Anoka won the game 3-0

PS: Boblee: in order to make a legitimate case that GR out-played Anoka...don't you have to score at least one goal?

You probably won't agree with me on this one, but Rapids had quite a few shots that never got to the goaltender. The Tornadoes d-men and forwards blocked their share. Rapids lack of size up front causes too many shots to come from the perimeter.

[GR3343]

Game pics:

http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26b.htm

Senior night pics:
http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26.htm

Grand Rapids captains made a very classy gesture by honoring fellow seniors Corey Kosak and Grant Prokop and their families. When they were peewee A's their fathers, Jim Kozak and Gary Prokop, were flying to watch them play in the St. Cloud tournament. Their two man aircraft crashed leaving both fathers dead. Both Corey and Grant and their families have been extremely strong and I have very glad to see Robb Roy and Sam Sparen making this gesture. You can see a glimpse of it in the photos. Prokops and Kosaks: I think I speak for everyone in the community when I say I truly admire you.

Roy's speech was as touching and classy as anything I've seen in sports. The bond this tragedy created between those players and their families is something that goes well beyond the game of hockey. The message was simple - NEVER FORGET - no one ever will.

[ThundrStruK]

Game pics:

http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26b.htm

Senior night pics:
http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26.htm

Grand Rapids captains made a very classy gesture by honoring fellow seniors Corey Kosak and Grant Prokop and their families. When they were peewee A's their fathers, Jim Kozak and Gary Prokop, were flying to watch them play in the St. Cloud tournament. Their two man aircraft crashed leaving both fathers dead. Both Corey and Grant and their families have been extremely strong and I have very glad to see Robb Roy and Sam Sparen making this gesture. You can see a glimpse of it in the photos. Prokops and Kosaks: I think I speak for everyone in the community when I say I truly admire you.

Roy's speech was as touching and classy as anything I've seen in sports. The bond this tragedy created between those players and their families is something that goes well beyond the game of hockey. The message was simple - NEVER FORGET - no one ever will.

I have to agree with GR3343 and boblee on this one. This senior nite game was my first visit to the IRA (what a great place to play hockey) and the tribute to the families of players who lost loved ones was very touching. Most of the parents in the Anoka section were wiping tears from their eyes and I am sure that following the tribute they would have gladly declared Grand Rapids the winner of the game, hugged their own kids, and caravaned home safely. Thankfully, the Anoka players were in the locker room and did not hear the tribute. It would have been much more dificult to come out and beat GR in their own home if they had heard the tribute.

As for the game itself, you can say all you want about shots on goal, who dominated who, and poor refereeing. The fact remains, Anoka put the puck in the net and Grand Rapids did not. The difference was really in the special teams and goaltending. The GR penalty killers gave anoka's powerplay unit all the time and space they needed. #29, #19, & #9 of anoka will beat any goaltender when you give them that kind of opportunity. On the other hand, when GR had their first powerplay the anoka penalty kill team controlled the play for most of the time. GR had many powerplay opportunities in the second period (hence the shot differential) but when they did get somone open for a shot the Anoka goalie came up big or more often just played the position well and kept the puck out of the net. Anoka's penalty kill team has been playing very well and are very confident in what they do. This has resulted in many turnovers and multiple short handed goals. So when the GR fans were berating the ref for not calling penalties on the anoka players when they stopped GR from entering the offensive zone I kind of figured he was doing them a favor.
You learn something every time you play a team. A rematch of these two teams (maybe 7AA semifinal) should be interesting. Will Anoka defensemen learn to handle the two man forecheck of GR which gave them fits all night? Will GR be more agressive on the penalty kill? Will bothe teams try to match up differently with their lines? We shall see.

[norcon]

Game pics:

http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26b.htm

Senior night pics:
http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26.htm

Grand Rapids captains made a very classy gesture by honoring fellow seniors Corey Kosak and Grant Prokop and their families. When they were peewee A's their fathers, Jim Kozak and Gary Prokop, were flying to watch them play in the St. Cloud tournament. Their two man aircraft crashed leaving both fathers dead. Both Corey and Grant and their families have been extremely strong and I have very glad to see Robb Roy and Sam Sparen making this gesture. You can see a glimpse of it in the photos. Prokops and Kosaks: I think I speak for everyone in the community when I say I truly admire you.

Roy's speech was as touching and classy as anything I've seen in sports. The bond this tragedy created between those players and their families is something that goes well beyond the game of hockey. The message was simple - NEVER FORGET - no one ever will.

I have to agree with GR3343 and boblee on this one. This senior nite game was my first visit to the IRA (what a great place to play hockey) and the tribute to the families of players who lost loved ones was very touching. Most of the parents in the Anoka section were wiping tears from their eyes and I am sure that following the tribute they would have gladly declared Grand Rapids the winner of the game, hugged their own kids, and caravaned home safely. Thankfully, the Anoka players were in the locker room and did not hear the tribute. It would have been much more dificult to come out and beat GR in their own home if they had heard the tribute.

As for the game itself, you can say all you want about shots on goal, who dominated who, and poor refereeing. The fact remains, Anoka put the puck in the net and Grand Rapids did not. The difference was really in the special teams and goaltending. The GR penalty killers gave anoka's powerplay unit all the time and space they needed. #29, #19, & #9 of anoka will beat any goaltender when you give them that kind of opportunity. On the other hand, when GR had their first powerplay the anoka penalty kill team controlled the play for most of the time. GR had many powerplay opportunities in the second period (hence the shot differential) but when they did get somone open for a shot the Anoka goalie came up big or more often just played the position well and kept the puck out of the net. Anoka's penalty kill team has been playing very well and are very confident in what they do. This has resulted in many turnovers and multiple short handed goals. So when the GR fans were berating the ref for not calling penalties on the anoka players when they stopped GR from entering the offensive zone I kind of figured he was doing them a favor.
You learn something every time you play a team. A rematch of these two teams (maybe 7AA semifinal) should be interesting. Will Anoka defensemen learn to handle the two man forecheck of GR which gave them fits all night? Will GR be more agressive on the penalty kill? Will bothe teams try to match up differently with their lines? We shall see.

Nice comment from someone outside the Rapids community. I'm sure none of us from G.R. will ever forget where we were that day when we heard the tragic news. Alot of us at hockey games, watching our own kids play this great game that brings many families closer together. I feel privileged to know alot of these classey young men and their terrific families.

[hockey59]

Game pics:

http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26b.htm

Senior night pics:
http://www.grhshockey.com/pics_01.26.htm

Grand Rapids captains made a very classy gesture by honoring fellow seniors Corey Kosak and Grant Prokop and their families. When they were peewee A's their fathers, Jim Kozak and Gary Prokop, were flying to watch them play in the St. Cloud tournament. Their two man aircraft crashed leaving both fathers dead. Both Corey and Grant and their families have been extremely strong and I have very glad to see Robb Roy and Sam Sparen making this gesture. You can see a glimpse of it in the photos. Prokops and Kosaks: I think I speak for everyone in the community when I say I truly admire you.

Roy's speech was as touching and classy as anything I've seen in sports. The bond this tragedy created between those players and their families is something that goes well beyond the game of hockey. The message was simple - NEVER FORGET - no one ever will.

What everybody from the Grand Rapids area already knows... but not many others probably know...is that the Grand Rapids hockey player who gave the wonderful tribute (Robby Roy) also lost his FATHER in a tragic accident which occurred a few years before the terrible plane crash that claimed the life of 2 other GR players FATHERS, as memorialized on Saturday.

The courage he displayed while giving this tribute was unbelievable (as I'm sure he was thinking of his own DAD too while giving the speech). He is a great young man whom my son has had the priviledge to know as a friend and a line-mate, dating back to the summer of 2002.

Robby then went out and played one whale of a game...and all the GR players played with maximum effort until the final horn sounded.

[boblee]

I just want to say that I agree with the last 4-6 posts. I am glad we can all agree on something and look at the big picture. There is a lot more to life than hockey, a lot more.

[MNPuck009]

SOG dont count on the score board goals do,as for the shots anoka could have put a garbage can in the net for the quality of shots rapids had,Ive never seen a team gut shoot a goalie as bad as rapids did.

You continue to show your ignorance when it comes to the game of hockey. Obviously, the scoreboard is the final say when it comes to a game. However, continuing to say that GR "gutshot" the Anoka goalie with all of their 35 shots shows you don't see a game very well. The Anoka goalie made many good saves and made several outstanding ones as well. He alone was the difference in the game, not GR's inept shooting as you would have others believe. I will agree that a few shots hit the center of the net(as every team does every single game)GR had more than their share of quality scoring chances. Once again, get off their backs. You've been nothing but a source of negativity to the GRHS team, especially lately. If you were a true fan, you would find words of encouragmant rather than your continued disrespectful and negative remarks. You want others to believe that you're a non biased observer of the game, but what it boils down to is the simple fact that you don't believe the orange and black has lived up to your expectations. Regardless of where they end up this season, those players deserve more respect than what they've been given by the likes of you.

I was in attendence at this game and I do know a little about goaltending. I have trained many goalies in the metro area and have also played some pro hockey overseas. When you say the phrase "many shots were gut shots" how much do you know about goaltending. Yes I'm sure some shots were shot into the anoka goalies chest but that is how goalies are being taught to play the position these days. Move and get in front of the puck and control the rebound. Also when you said that Underwood made a bunch of huge saves, I agree the breakaway was a big save but your other so called big saves were well acted by Underwood. It may look flashy but all that counts is how many go in!!!

[INDIAN°]

One thing that really set me off on this game was not happening on the ice but with an Anoka fan who was over by the GR student section cheering pretty loud for them...a student from GR became pretty upset by this(pretty sure everyone in his shoes would also) so he told this "45-50 year old man" that his section was on the other side.. this guy replied with not words, but sticking his tongue out at him! now i can imagine that you would know how upsetting this would be... then when Anoka scored their final open-net goal, this guy had the nerve to yell at this student "NOW THATS HOW WE DO IT IN ANOKA..... ect...(more was said but cant be writin') this was the poorest show of sportsmanship i have seen, and just made the whole hockey experience worse...so please dont be " That Guy" who ruins it for other fans.

[Neutron 14]

Anoka deserved to win.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Anoka deserved to win.

They can have a regular season game. Rapids will bury them in the playoffs.