Section 6AA Champ: Benilde or Hopkins?

[EatSleepHockey44]

BSM seemed to have been struggling at the beginning of the year, but have recently stepped up their game killing Irondale and beating Holy Angels. I haven't seen much of Hopkins, but I know they are good. So...who's headin to the state tournament this year? The Royals or the Red Knights? and any thoughts on Wayzata?

[MNHockeyFan]

I think the title of this thread may be getting a little ahead of things. You can't ignore Wayzata or the other teams who will be giving it their all to get to the final game and then to State. Just look at last year when Wayzata beat both Hopkins and Eden Prairie to get to the section final before losing to BSM in a tight 3-2 game. This year they've recorded ties against Blake, Edina, Duluth and Hopkins and they've beaten good teams such as Edina and Proctor.

Maple Grove has had a pretty disappointing season, but they are certainly capable of springing an upset. They've got wins against some pretty good teams like Burnsville, Anoka, and Coon Rapids (twice).

The same goes for North Metro who we all remember from last year. They've also had a worse-than-expected year but at times have shown they can still be tough, with wins over Mayo (5-2), CDH and Anoka.

Armstrong has had a poor year in terms of wins and losses but have also shown they can hang in there against real good teams. During the course of the year they've lost close decisions against Hopkins (1-2), Wayzata (1-2 and 2-4) and Edina (1-3). A bounce here or a bounce there and you never know.

All I'm saying is that if you are Hopkins or BSM, don't look too far ahead, and for us here it might be better to wait before commenting on the Hopkins-BSM Section 6AA final game, until we know they'll be the two teams that are in it.

[Silent But Deadly]

I think the title of this thread may be getting a little ahead of things. You can't ignore Wayzata or the other teams who will be giving it their all to get to the final game and then to State. Just look at last year when Wayzata beat both Hopkins and Eden Prairie to get to the section final before losing to BSM in a tight 3-2 game. This year they've recorded ties against Blake, Edina, Duluth and Hopkins and they've beaten good teams such as Edina and Proctor.

Maple Grove has had a pretty disappointing season, but they are certainly capable of springing an upset. They've got wins against some pretty good teams like Burnsville, Anoka, and Coon Rapids (twice).

The same goes for North Metro who we all remember from last year. They've also had a worse-than-expected year but at times have shown they can still be tough, with wins over Mayo (5-2), CDH and Anoka.

Armstrong has had a poor year in terms of wins and losses but have also shown they can hang in there against real good teams. During the course of the year they've lost close decisions against Hopkins (1-2), Wayzata (1-2 and 2-4) and Edina (1-3). A bounce here or a bounce there and you never know.

All I'm saying is that if you are Hopkins or BSM, don't look too far ahead, and for us here it might be better to wait before commenting on the Hopkins-BSM Section 6AA final game, until we know they'll be the two teams that are in it.

How could you leave out Buffalo...the #4 seed? They too have been up and down all season but seem to be playing some of their best hockey of late. They skated 16 for Varsity & JV all year so they skated two lines and most of them HAD to play a period of JV too. While certainly a longshot...on a given night...with the right bounces...anything can happen!

[MNHockeyFan]

How could you leave out Buffalo...the #4 seed? They too have been up and down all season but seem to be playing some of their best hockey of late. They skated 16 for Varsity & JV all year so they skated two lines and most of them HAD to play a period of JV too. While certainly a longshot...on a given night...with the right bounces...anything can happen!

Didn't mean to slight anyone by not mentioning Buffalo! I just don't know much about them and am a lot more familiar with the other teams, having seen them play. I certainly agree that anything can happen in any one game, especially at playoff time.

[gopher9]

How could you leave out Buffalo...the #4 seed? They too have been up and down all season but seem to be playing some of their best hockey of late. They skated 16 for Varsity & JV all year so they skated two lines and most of them HAD to play a period of JV too. While certainly a longshot...on a given night...with the right bounces...anything can happen![/quote]


I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

[Silent But Deadly]

I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

gopher9...you're pretty observant...NOT.....if you looked at Buffalo's schedule you would see that Buffalo played Hopkins away and Hopkins beat them by exactly 3 goals! Buffalo also played Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata. I watched all but the Edina game and I think the games were closer than the scores.

[gopher9]

I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

gopher9...you're pretty observant...NOT.....if you looked at Buffalo's schedule you would see that Buffalo played Hopkins away and Hopkins beat them by exactly 3 goals! Buffalo also played Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata. I watched all but the Edina game and I think the games were closer than the scores.

Well you obviously are not to observant! Beckey Kortum did not play when you played Hopkins, she is good for atleast 2 or 3 goals against any caliber of teams especially Buffalo. You can think what you want! I will still stand by what I said.

[Silent But Deadly]

I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

gopher9...you're pretty observant...NOT.....if you looked at Buffalo's schedule you would see that Buffalo played Hopkins away and Hopkins beat them by exactly 3 goals! Buffalo also played Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata. I watched all but the Edina game and I think the games were closer than the scores.

Well you obviously are not to observant! Beckey Kortum did not play when you played Hopkins, she is good for atleast 2 or 3 goals against any caliber of teams especially Buffalo. You can think what you want! I will still stand by what I said.

Gopher9...go back in your hole. Where did I say Becky didn't play? I have several friends whose daughters play for Hopkins, I was fully aware she was ill. Buffalo had two sick players...with a 16 skater roster for V & JV...you play wounded. If you watched the Buffalo/Hopkins game it should have been 1-0...Buffalo put two of the goals in for Hopkins. Yes....Becky would have made a difference, she's a great player and Hopkins is a great team!

[gopher9]

I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

gopher9...you're pretty observant...NOT.....if you looked at Buffalo's schedule you would see that Buffalo played Hopkins away and Hopkins beat them by exactly 3 goals! Buffalo also played Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata. I watched all but the Edina game and I think the games were closer than the scores.

So you think the games were closer than the score..NOT.. Shots on goal.

Wayzata-39 Edina-43 Hopkins-38 MTKA-41
Buffalo-25 Buffalo-13 Buffalo-14 Buffalo-20

What games were you watching???

[Silent But Deadly]

I can tell you by looking at their scheadule, BSM or Hopkins would beat them by a minimum of 3 to 4 goals!

gopher9...you're pretty observant...NOT.....if you looked at Buffalo's schedule you would see that Buffalo played Hopkins away and Hopkins beat them by exactly 3 goals! Buffalo also played Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata. I watched all but the Edina game and I think the games were closer than the scores.

So you think the games were closer than the score..NOT.. Shots on goal.

Wayzata-39 Edina-43 Hopkins-38 MTKA-41
Buffalo-25 Buffalo-13 Buffalo-14 Buffalo-20

What games were you watching???

There's a story (ok...excuse ) for each game but let's use the Wayzata game....it was a 3-2 game with 8:28 left in the 3rd....regardless of the shots or final score...that's a close game.

[stmartin123]

Both teams are jokes. But i think hopkins will take 6AA. Benilde cannot score kate bacon=can't finish. Benilde doesn't have a solid first line.

[Silent But Deadly]

Both teams are jokes. But i think hopkins will take 6AA. Benilde cannot score kate bacon=can't finish. Benilde doesn't have a solid first line.

Nice 6th post!

[MNHockeyFan]

Both teams are jokes. But i think hopkins will take 6AA. Benilde cannot score kate bacon=can't finish. Benilde doesn't have a solid first line.

You could end up being right about Hopkins winning the section, but you should have checked your facts before making ridiculous claims that Kate Bacon "can't finish" and BSM not having a good first line. I just looked up the stats from MGHCA, and Bacon has averaged 1.56 goals a game for the season (she missed 7 games when she was out playing with the USA U18 team). In the last three games against Irondale, Holy Angels and Hill Murray (all very good teams) she scored 6 goals. I don't know anyone could possibly do this without being able to finish.

BSM actually has two excellent "first lines" that they use interchangably. These six forwards have scored a total of 89 goals, plus their starting four defensemen have chipped in 27 more (116 total). No question that Hopkins has an excellent first line, but when they're not on the ice BSM should have the advantage. This of course assumes both teams will make it to the section final, which by no means is a sure thing. The one thing I CAN say for sure is that if both teams do make it, going into the game the Hopkins' coach will NOT be as overconfident as you are!

[hockey21]

The one thing with BSM is that there is always tension in that locker room create by the parents because somebody else is getting something that their kid is not getting. The coach is always under fire to win , but at the same time play everybody equally. I would say hopkins is the front runner, but as somebody stated earlier North Metro and Maple Grove can sneak up on teams and have and Wayzata is not to bad either they play a tough schedule throughout the year. Plus it is nice to see a public school win.

Hopkins

vs

Wayzata or MG, but not BSM on that side of the bracket

[Oilers08]

Both teams are jokes. But i think hopkins will take 6AA. Benilde cannot score kate bacon=can't finish. Benilde doesn't have a solid first line.

Wow...not feeling the love for BSB today . IMO BSM has a great program and a rich tradition in girls hockey.

Voicing your opinion on who will win or lose a game is great but attacking a school or worse, a named player, doesn't do girls hockey any good . Girls hockey needs support across lines to be healthy and generate more interest.

[HS Ref]

I have been on the ice in the last week as a ref for games involving Hopkins (vs. Grand Rapids / Greenway), for Buffalo (vs. Lichfield) and BSM (vs Irondale) and watched the North Metro vs. Maple Grove game. I would be surprised if the final is not Hopkins vs. BSM. Hopkins played great in one of the best girls games that I have ever reffed (OT win over GRG) and Benilde destroyed a strong Irondale team. Bacon can definitely finish! Buffalo looked good against a really bad team. North Metro and Maple Grove both looked REALLY bad. It should be Hopkins vs. BSM on the 16th. Who will one that one is anyone's guess. It would be a great game!

[hockey157]

I have been to the past few BSM games. They have looked fantastic. They have a lot of speed and strength. Its seems as if they have worked things out in the lockerroom, and it is showing on the ice. I believe that they are the strongest team with the most depth. If they use their strengths, play together, and play their game they can definitley pull it off.

[Hockeylegacy17]

I have been to the past few BSM games. They have looked fantastic. They have a lot of speed and strength. Its seems as if they have worked things out in the lockerroom, and it is showing on the ice. I believe that they are the strongest team with the most depth. If they use their strengths, play together, and play their game they can definitley pull it off.

I completly agree BSM has looked great this year especially at the end of the season. I have never seen such a high paced game this year, than their second to last game aganist AHA. They seem as though they have finally pulled themselves together as a team, and are hungry for more wins. If the final is Hopkins vs BSM it should be a good hard fought game on both sides but I do believe if BSM plays there game they will be able to pull of the win.

[OntheEdge]

Havng seen both teams (Hopkins and BSM) play I would have to say its a toss up. This is not to say that if they play each other it won't be blowout since both teams have demonstrated that they can play poorly at times. Both programs have suffered from inconsistency during the season but Hopkins and BSM have plenty of talent and if they both play up to their abilities it should be a great game. Its tough but if I have to pick one it would be BSM. They have more experience playing in big games. Wayzata and Maple Grove have a few standout players but I don't think they have the depth to challenge BSM or Hopkins. The rest of the section is pretty weak with Buffalo and North Metro being the best of the rest.

[keepitreal]

I have been to the past few BSM games. They have looked fantastic. They have a lot of speed and strength. Its seems as if they have worked things out in the lockerroom, and it is showing on the ice. I believe that they are the strongest team with the most depth. If they use their strengths, play together, and play their game they can definitley pull it off.

When they (BSM) want to play they can be very, very good. Hopkins is a great team but probably doesn't have the depth of BSM. Both teams can score. BSM has the edge on defense. Hopkins on goaltending. If these two meet in the finals it will be a close, hard-fought game. 3-2 or 2-1; if it's OT, edge to BSM's depth.

[callonme8]

I have seen both teams play this year and they are both strong teams. They both have people who can put the puck in he net. But, I think if they do end up playing each other Hopkins will come up on top because of good goaltending and their first line. Kortum, Johnson, and Peterson really know how to play hockey together and are fun to watch.
But, anything can happen in playoffs.

[MNHockeyFan]

Would like to give some kudos to Armstrong who played smart and tough against BSM, just like they've been able to hang in there against so many other good teams during the season. Probably the main reason for this was the play of their junior goaltender, Zinka Krivdic, who faced 50 shots against BSM and kept her team in it all the way into the 3rd period.

For the season, Zinka faced an incredible 961 shots and posted a save percentage of .912. Congrats to her on a fine junior year!