Section 5a

[Hockey_Dad]

Any feelings on how this section will pan out? or just any general conversation about this section. Incase anyone was wondering i put the new (as of this year) section 5a teams below.

Duluth Denfeld
Hermantown
Moose Lake
Mora
North Branch
Pine City
Princeton
Proctor
Sauk Rapids
St. Cloud Cathedral

[George Blanda]

Right now I'd put my money on the Hunters or Crusaders. Hermantown is right there, but in the game I saw they have a huge question mark in goal.

Cathedral also has a question mark in goal but they have a solid d group that doesn't allow that many shots and most aren't quality.

It's a very close race between those three teams then it falls off considerably, in my opinion.

[fkahckyprofessor20]

Well, I don't really see anyone other than the top 3 coming out of this section. At this point the top 3 would include: Denfeld, Hermantown, and St. Cloud Cathedral. If Denfeld can pull off a win against Cathedral this Friday that could very well seal up the #1 seed; barring they don't severely slip against a sectional opponent the rest of the season. Although, Hermantown and Denfeld both have lost a couple games they shouldn't have early, I'm pretty sure both teams will be firing on all cylinders come playoff time. St. Cloud Cathedral is undefeated at this point and they have great talent on their hockey team; on top of that, SCC is ready to go come playoff time year-after-year thanks to good coaching. It's going to be a fun race to watch. Either of the top 3 teams have a great shot at the state tourney. I have to admit though, I'm certainly pulling for the Hunters.

[Hockey_Dad]

Yeah i have to agree that the top three teams from this section have set themselves apart. The game for game that Denfeld and Cathedral play on Friday could end up being an very important one considering its a three horse race. I am just curious if Cathedrals defense can shut down brilliant forwards from Denfeld and if Cathedrals forwards can match up?

[suzuki35]

Pine City always looks quite good. and that adam olson fellow is awesome!!

[BIAFP]

Pine City always looks quite good. and that adam olson fellow is awesome!!

Whatever you say Adam

[suzuki35]

This actually isn't adam. i am travis heimdal. i got to Hill Murray

[Maroon-line-blows]

Adam Olson is the greatest player to ever set their feet in skates. It's like they were made for each other!

[Maroon-line-blows]

HA! yeah right!

[George Blanda]

Yeah i have to agree that the top three teams from this section have set themselves apart. The game for game that Denfeld and Cathedral play on Friday could end up being an very important one considering its a three horse race. I am just curious if Cathedrals defense can shut down brilliant forwards from Denfeld and if Cathedrals forwards can match up?

Cathedral's got some speedy skaters on all of their lines and have a little depth a forward. Their d-core is up there as the top in class A, while Denfeld's forwards are up there as the top forwards in Class A. It'll be a good game, I won't put my money on either team as it should be a pretty even match up.

[Maroon-line-blows]

But how is Pine City this year? They did have a 21-5 record last year with the easiest schedule.. But any thoughts about this year?

[fkahckyprofessor20]

But how is Pine City this year? They did have a 21-5 record last year with the easiest schedule.. But any thoughts about this year?

They're 3-2 with losses to Eveleth-Gilbert (3-7) and St. Francis (1-6). They also have a beyond easy schedule. That's about all I got.

[RLStars]

The three teams they beat have a combined record of 4-16.

[7A22A]

Pine City lost a lot last year. The cream puff schedule won't help them come playoff time.

[1goalwonder]

With sections only a couple weeks away what are everyones thoughts on section rankings. Obviously there are several games that still need to be played but here are my rankings.

1. Cathedral- seem to be the best all around, still have to play sauk and H-town. They have already defeated Denfeld
2. Hermantown- started slow, but always tough come sections, still need to play cathedral. lost to denfeld but beat Sauk.
3. Denfeld- very solid offensively but have a 1-2 record verse top teams in section. beat Hermantown but lost to Cathedral and Sauk
4. Sauk Rapids- have beaten denfeld but lost to H-town in first game of the season. Still need to play Cathedral.
5. Mora- This years Pine City, impressive record but a cake schedule. I think they are in for a rude awakening come sections.
6. Proctor
7. Princeton
8. Pine City
9. Moose Lake
10 North Branch

What is everyone else's opinion?

[hockeyfanatic0011]

I dont know how this section will be seeded now that thew following has happened:

Sauk Rapids: Has beat SCC, Denfeld but lost to Hermantown.
SCC: Beat Denfeld, Lost to sauk but still has to play Hermantown on Tuesday.
Denfeld: Beat Hermantown but lost to Sauk and SCC.
Hermantown: Beat Sauk, lostto play to Denfeld, Yet Cathedral.

Anyone know whats gonna happen in this section and how the seedings will pan out?

[1goalwonder]

Sauk Rapids win puts them in a great position for section seedings. With their win i think they will get at least the 2nd seed. I think that the seedings come down to the Hermantown and Cathedral game on tuesday.

If Cathedral wins:
1. Sauk Rapids
2. Cathedral
3. Denfeld
4. Hermantown
and then the rest

If Hermantown wins:
1. Hermantown
2. Sauk Rapids
3. Cathedral
4. Denfeld
and then the rest

Personally I don't think that it really matters what the seedings are going to be because it seems that the top four teams are all fairly equal. If there aren't any huge upsets in the quarterfinals the Semis could be very entertaining and I would definitely make the trip to Cloquet.

[George Blanda]

Sauk Rapids win puts them in a great position for section seedings. With their win i think they will get at least the 2nd seed. I think that the seedings come down to the Hermantown and Cathedral game on tuesday.

If Cathedral wins:
1. Sauk Rapids
2. Cathedral
3. Denfeld
4. Hermantown
and then the rest

If Hermantown wins:
1. Hermantown
2. Sauk Rapids
3. Cathedral
4. Denfeld
and then the rest

Personally I don't think that it really matters what the seedings are going to be because it seems that the top four teams are all fairly equal. If there aren't any huge upsets in the quarterfinals the Semis could be very entertaining and I would definitely make the trip to Cloquet.

That's what I'd say...but who knows what goes on in that room...

[hockeyfanatic0011]

it always seems like they have to make it tough and all go beat each other. No matter how this one gets seeded i wont argue because they all seem very even. It is going to be very entertaining though and should be all close game in the playoffs. I think too many people counted Sauk out before the season started.

[fkahckyprofessor20]

You know, honestly it's going to be all about the coach that sells their team the best. I can't argue the rankings above, that looks pretty good. Could be two St. Cloud area teams in one semi and two Duluth area teams in the other. This section is up in the air more than ever if you ask me!

[George Blanda]

Assuming the previous rankings are correct (for the top 4 seeds)...

Here is what I have for the bottom half (section record).

5. Mora (5-0) ...wins over North Branch (x2), Proctor, Moose Lake, Pine City.

6. Proctor (1-5-1) ...win over Princeton. Tie with Moose Lake. Losses to Hermantown (x2), Denfeld, Mora, Sauk Rapids.

7. Princeton (1-3) ...win over Pine City. Losses to Denfeld, Proctor, Sauk Rapids.

8. Pine City (3-3) ...wins over North Branch (x2) and Moose Lake. Losses to Princeton, Mora, and North Branch.

9. Moose Lake (2-2-1) ...Wins over North Branch (x2). Losses to Mora and Pine City. Tied Proctor.

10. North Branch (1-6) ...Win over Pine City. Losses to Mora (x2), Pine City (x2), Moose Lake (x2).

Some games that will have an impact on the above seedings...

Monday
Pine City @ Proctor

Tuesday
Princeton @ Mora
Cathedral @ Hermantown


Thursday (No effect on seedings)
Pine City @ Moose Lake

[darkdemon]

I look for Sauk Rapids to make some noise in this section this year they have beat some solid teams but on other occasions have lost to some teams they should have beat. I think they may be the teams to pull off an upset or two in the semifinals and maybe even the finals. It just depends on which team shows up.

[hockeyfanatic0011]

yea your right on that darkdemon but it is the same for most teams in this section as they have all lost to some teams they shouldn't have and none of the toup four teams have played up to their potential so we'll see who shows up in cloquet.

[Jacketfan06]

down to three teams in my mind. Denfeld, Cathedral and Hermantown. I hate to say it but for some reason i believe that Hermantown will pull it out in the end. Hopefully im wrong

[STC18]

Yeah i have to agree that the top three teams from this section have set themselves apart. The game for game that Denfeld and Cathedral play on Friday could end up being an very important one considering its a three horse race. I am just curious if Cathedrals defense can shut down brilliant forwards from Denfeld and if Cathedrals forwards can match up?

I'm not so sure if I'd call their forwards brilliant...and CHS D core seemed to match up pretty well against their forwards, I'm taking Cathedral out of this section.