7AA finals--Anoka vs. Cloquet at tDECC

[ColdasIce]

Congratulation, Lumberjacks, on winning a section that a Northern team must win. I think Anoka was surprised at how much jump Cloquet had in their stride. They played with a lot of quickness and spirit, and I think Anoka could not match them throughout the line-up with those attributes.

Jokinen was not so much a force, but he seemed to be in the center of things whenever he was out there. Brown has really stepped up his game. He was always good, but he's playing even better in big games. Boleman had a wonderful game. Cloquet had a fabulous forecheck all game and it showed with the shot totals and in the fact that Anoka had a tough time in their own end, especially in the second period.

I don't think it matters who they play at State. Of course, for us fans of NE MN hockey, we'd love to not have to face Roseau or Edina in the quarters, just to have a better chance at making the semifinals. But this team is coming together very nicely on the offensive side, and they will always be tough defensively. They will be a difficult, random draw for any of the top seeds.

It is not Anoka's fault that they are in 7AA, but Praise Be, a "truer"
section 7 team won.

As I said in a earlier post, congrats to Cloquet on the win, they earned it on the ice.

In response to the bolded quote...it is clearly the fault of the "North" pure and simple that Anoka, Andover, Elk River, CI, FL & SF are in 7AA...its not about numbers (regarding certain schools located in the North)...its about pride...and settling for something that is not "the best" in order to improve they're chances of qualifying for State... because the Duluth Marshall's, Hermantowns, Hibbings, Warroads are content to play for a second rate prize "the Single "a" state title"...rather than joining the DE's, Roseau's & Cloquets's and playing for the "true state title" the AA Championship.

Growing up in Superior...I realized that winning the State title in Wisconsin which Superior HS has done many times...is about the same (difficulty) as qualifying for the State tourney in MN...(later known as the "AA" State Title)...and I'll argue that winning the "A" tourney in MN is about the same...because while its a nice achievement... the difficulty of qualifyng for the "True"State Tourney in MN (which Cloquet did) is what makes it special....and winning it is the ultimate HS achievement.

Good luck to Cloquet at State...Anoka's seaon ends..and life goes on.

PS: Bulldog recruit John O'Neill will be attending this afternoons UMD vs. Fighting Sioux game at the DECC as a guest of the UMD coaches...and he's bringing Berkley Scott with him...they will visit the Bulldog locker room after the game

Couldn't help but comment, and I really tried not too, but how can you even say the WI title compares to anything in MINNESOTA whether A or AA. And, Mr. Oneil, we could care less about Berkley Scott attending a UMD game with your son, his antics on the ice were rather arrogant to say the least and if Sandelin wants him too, I'd not be surprised with the way he has been recruiting lately mediocre kids. Your son is an exception, but the rest? Cloquet kicked your team's butt after doing the same to the Hounds, they deserve to represent 7AA even tho they won't do it the way either of our teams would have, but like they say: that's why you play the game.

[DoubleRunners]

Hockey59, I'm curious about something. Today you say, "Growing up in Superior...." , yet back in a thread on 2/21 you say, "I grew up in Rapids, and remember the electricity and excitement watching them in the late 80's and early 90's." What gives? Not trying to catch you short, but - just curious......