Roseau vs. Blaine

[td577]

I can’t believe Blaine coach David Aus actually said…

“If we switch goalies, we probably win that game 8-2,”

What a most undeserving slam to Blaine starting goalie, Danny Harper. Obviously, Harper did not have a good game, but how much of that was due to the accuracy of Roseau’s laser-beam shooting. Harper let in a couple soft goals, but to suggest goaltending was the difference in this game is nothing short of laughable. Roseau took a relatively small number of precision shots, and were allowed to walk right in to point blank range throughout the game. They either hit or barely missed the corners all night. And Lee made a few great saves, but faced nowhere near the number of virtually impossible saves Harper did, and the 2nd goal he allowed was a bit soft as well.

I think all Aus was pointing out is that the Blaine goaltending was not sharp last night and Lee was...and Blaine couldn't afford to fall behind 3-0 and have any chance against Roseau...I don't think he truly mean't what the quote states but was saying it in jest, more out of frustration than anything. If you had any idea how hard Dave Aus, Scott Richart and Darrin Thompson have WORKED 12 MONTHS A YEAR for several years to get Blaine to where they've been (3 consecutive state tourney appearances) you'd maybe understand how frustrated he must have been last night after the game.

First, Aus should be careful of what he says and how he says it. If he didn't mean to throw his goalie under the bus, the should have picked different words and explained himself better on the front end.

Secondly, I don't think it really matters who was goalie last night for Blaine. Roseau still had 3 goals which were very good and would have required a lot better goaltending than anyone in the tournament.

Ness PP goal when he drifted toward the circle and the goalie was screened by his own players and Ness let go with a very nice wrist shot.

Knockenmus' goal with the couple of inches of space on the shortside with a very nice and quick wrist shot.

Landman's goal from the left side where he saw net on the goalie's glove side and put the puck right on target.

The rest were Roseau just putting the puck on the net and good things were happening for them. No one put a body on Nelson when he scored. Landman's backhand goal was a nice reward for outworking Blaine, although it was a pretty ugly goal in the end. Harper got rattled and started flopping around, but it was a team effort which got him there. He wasn't getting a whole lot of help in front of him.

As far as Blaine's offense. They really only had a couple of quality shots on goal. Lee didn't have to make but two good saves, the rest of them were in his comfort zone. I did find it interesting Blaine looked like they were setting up plays leading to wrap arounds. I wonder what they saw on tape to intentionally attempt that strategy.

[MNHockeyfan07]

"I think all Aus was pointing out is that the Blaine goaltending was not sharp last night and Lee was...and Blaine couldn't afford to fall behind 3-0 and have any chance against Roseau...I don't think he truly mean't what the quote states but was saying it in jest, more out of frustration than anything. If you had any idea how hard Dave Aus, Scott Richart and Darrin Thompson have WORKED 12 MONTHS A YEAR for several years to get Blaine to where they've been (3 consecutive state tourney appearances) you'd maybe understand how frustrated he must have been last night after the game.

I understand the frustration, but isn't that a big part of sports? Whether they like it or not, youth and HS coaches greatly influence what are often very impressionable and sometimes fragile egos, and I think goalies are particularly vulnerable in that regard. Aus would have been far better off reacting the way Moorhead coach Morinville did after the Spuds 6-1 drubbing in the section final. Morinville said something to the effect, “hands down, the best team we’ve faced all year,” and that was pretty much all there was to say. It was the first sign of genuine humility I've seen from him, and I think that will serve the Spuds well down the road.

My point is that the old adage “loose lips sink ships” was coined for a reason. "12 months a year of hard work" can go down the drain in a hurry when careful discretion isn’t exercised, especially under duress. Whether the remark was made in jest or out of frustration, I can’t see Harper taking it as anything but a blow to his confidence no matter how it’s spun. I'm sure Roseau coaches get frustrated too, but I doubt you’ll ever hear one of them single out one player and publicly throw him under the bus out of either frustration or in jest.

[LetsPlayHockey22]

Yes goaltending wasn't great, but speed won the game. Blaine didnt have the speed to keep up. For Aus to say that is rediculous. Roseau is a very talented team and switching goalies wouldnt have made much of a difference. Blaine was outcoached last night.

[Warroad97]

If I was a member of Blaine I would be upset by that comment. It might have been a heat of the moment thing but as a coach of highschool kids its your job to handle things correctly. Throwing this kid under the bus did nothing but hurt him. It was this same kid who helped them make it to the state tourney.

[Neutron 14]

Blaine was outcoached last night.

Maybe its genetic?

[Easton88]

You're taking the comment out of context. Aus genuinely cares about all his players he has had. And I don't know how most people look at the comment, but I think the comment was directed at a switch between Haprer and Lee, not Harper and Hollerud. It was merely a tounge in cheek comment and meant as a compliment to Lee rather than a rip on Harper.

[td577]

You're taking the comment out of context. Aus genuinely cares about all his players he has had. And I don't know how most people look at the comment, but I think the comment was directed at a switch between Haprer and Lee, not Harper and Hollerud. It was merely a tounge in cheek comment and meant as a compliment to Lee rather than a rip on Harper.

I think most people got what it was about. The thing is that he created the controversy by not explaining himself. Now anyone can take it the way they want to.

[Snoopdude]

Aus showed his true colors in that interview. The night before the section playoffs started he told Hollerud that he better focus on his studies because he was going with the other goalie all the way.

That's how he shows that he cares. What a class act!!!!!

[IrishStiff]

People rip on coaches way too much. These guys work their tails off, and no matter what some people are never happy. You couldn't pay me enough to coach hockey in this state. The loudest critics usually know very little about the game.

I'm sure coach Aus is a good person but he has flaws like the rest of us.

[grindiangrad-80]

People rip on coaches way too much. These guys work their tails off, and no matter what some people are never happy. You couldn't pay me enough to coach hockey in this state. The loudest critics usually know very little about the game.

I'm sure coach Aus is a good person but he has flaws like the rest of us.

I agree. I was watching that interview and I didn't see it as him ripping on his own goalie. He was just praising Lee.