meltdown invite

[hockey77coach]

After reading some "referee" bashing, I thought I would add my two cents. I also ref (no, not D6) both HS and youth but my skates are hung up for the season, as are the majority of the experienced and higher level officials.

Many of the refs you see now (spring & summer) are getting an opportunity to better themselves and work higher levels than they get scheduled for in the winter. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, just stating the facts. Better pay won't get you better officiating, there's only so many guys/gals to go around.

[Spellchecker]

I think the 94 division went very close to how it should have. No major upsets.

1st- Blades- best team in the division. While there may be a team or two out there who has similar individual talent, the Blades play very well together and that is why they have the success they do. Congrats to them on a great week-end.

2nd- Blackhawks- A very good weekend for this group. Very skilled team that needs to keep working on team first play. They should continue to get better the more they play together

3rd- Team Midwest- Solid team that may lack a little skill overall but they make up for it in hustle. Goaltending hurt them a little this weekend.

4th- Canadian Thunder- This team needs to put away the foil and learn to play hockey. Very cheap. It would have been nice to see a better team (Pembina?) in the round of 4.


There were some solid showings by a few of the other teams ( both easton teams looked good at times) but I think the top 2 teams in the tourney made the final game on Sunday and the Blades walked away with the hardware.

I agree with you on some of your assesment but I think it was the Blades and then everyone else this weekend. The best game of the weekend was Pembina vs the Blades.


Blackhawks had a VERY easy pool, semi final game and then got man handled in the finals. The defense on the Blackhawks is not very deep and suspect at times from what I saw. Offense was STRONG.

Team Midwest is solid but down from last year. Team Midwest got in the final group with the third tie-breaker and then got crushed.

One Easton team (the one that lost to Pembina 4-2 with EN on Sunday) looked alot better than the other one.

Lighting...not the right level for you guys..better players should look for another team.

Stars..showed signs of potential on Sunday.

Blades are a neck ahead of everyone right now...thats just the way it is.

[puchog17]

My son was on a team that played at the 1997 level. Our team was a late entry because teams were needed. While we were outclassed and did come close to winning any games I found it amazing how many good hockey players are out there at this age. We basically play on the north, east side of town and dont get to see teams like we saw this week. Our kids played hard kept their heads up and probably got better from this experience.


I got to watch 4 games plus several periods of other games.
Good players I circled in my program

Madison Capitals #3 #5 #3 one of top players in the tourney, very good team top down

Easton Stealth #5 #10 #24 Decent team, they took it to us

97 Duece #8 #16 #26 best passing team, very good skill, coaches look lost over there. They blew the Capital game

Easton Synergy #11 #21 #26 #21 was the best player I saw this weekend. Good team, better than the other Easton team.

I did not see 2 of the teams play but Madison probably was there in the end

Our kids had a fun, learned some good lessons got a chance to play with alot of good players Good experience good time.

#21 from Synergy actually is from Madison, he just chose to play for a different team for this tourney.

[Hnut61]

Forget the Blades-Hawks game which was actually a great hockey game, did anyone play the Canadian Thunder team?

I honestly haven't seen a cheaper, dirtier, get off the ice and go home because your an embarrassment to even have here, team. Every game they were in they had players ejected, fights, malays, it was a mess.
This program should be embarrassed to exist.

I watched 2 players take 2 handed chops at the helmets of other players in the last minute of the game, obviously in frustration they were losing, again. I feel bad for the few players on this team who actually are just hockey players and there to try and win and not there to be an idiot.

I'd hesitate to bring any team from this program to any Minnesota events in the future, this display was a disgrace.

I did watch this team in a few games for short periods of time, I did not witness the two-handers but I don't doubt they occurred. They did play very "cheap" hockey, based on what I had witnessed and from what others had to say. BUT I also saw two classless incidents from one of the Easton teams (Stealth). At the end of their game against the Thunder team one of the Easton players ran a player in the back, the kid from the Thunder took it personally and proceeded to clean his clock which caused a mess at the end of the game. I saw the exact same thing happen when the Stealth was playing the Pembina Hawks. The only difference being the kid from the Hawks didn't retaliate. It's was the Stealth team that lost both these games- and no I am not Canadian-

[puckster15]

It was a good game. I would contest any comment that says the Blades walked away with it. As always comes down to a couple key mistakes. Blackhawks were not a push over. I would love to see these two teams play again. Blades make fewer mistakes, I will give you that and play less as individuals. If passing and team play improves for the Blackhawks, I would think it would be a dog fight.

[Spellchecker]

It was a good game. I would contest any comment that says the Blades walked away with it. As always comes down to a couple key mistakes. Blackhawks were not a push over. I would love to see these two teams play again. Blades make fewer mistakes, I will give you that and play less as individuals. If passing and team play improves for the Blackhawks, I would think it would be a dog fight.

Blades were in control of the game from start to finish. They are truly MINNESOTA's best 94 team right now.

[54fighting]

Wow, I did not mean to cause a stir when I said the Blades were the best team this weekend.
I guess what I should have said is the Blades are by far and away the best team I have ever seen. I am not sure anyone in MN could give them a good game. Maybe if they let the other teams have one extra player they could keep it close.

Hopefully now you can sleep better Spellchecker.

[watchdog]

the other teams need an extra player to make up for the two extra players the blades have with the zebra suits on....

[itsmorefun]

The Best? That team has been together for a long time...they've definately got their systems down pat...whereas many of these summer teams work on pure talent - no time to put systems into place. You're goalie is strong and your systems are in tact. That's it!

Is this kind of arrogance that makes the other top talent in this state stay FAR AWAY from the Blades! Maybe the organization needs to consider that.

[PMC07]

Go to the Chi town shuffle web page, the when the blades don't have the refs in there corner they lose 10-1 or was it 6-1 whatever it was a slaughter, it's a big world out there with lots and lots of talent. If some of these teams could geographically practice 3 times a week and work on systems it would be a whole different story wake up and smell the toast, it only summer hockey big deal.

[Hnut61]

the other teams need an extra player to make up for the two extra players the blades have with the zebra suits on....

touche.....

[JoeBoy]

Go to the Chi town shuffle web page, the when the blades don't have the refs in there corner they lose 10-1 or was it 6-1 whatever it was a slaughter, it's a big world out there with lots and lots of talent. If some of these teams could geographically practice 3 times a week and work on systems it would be a whole different story wake up and smell the toast, it only summer hockey big deal.

I dont have a dog in this fight but looks like they lost 6-1 .... in the championship game. thats not to bad is it?

[rbk2090]

The Best? That team has been together for a long time...they've definately got their systems down pat...whereas many of these summer teams work on pure talent - no time to put systems into place. You're goalie is strong and your systems are in tact. That's it!

Is this kind of arrogance that makes the other top talent in this state stay FAR AWAY from the Blades! Maybe the organization needs to consider that.

What are you talking about? All the top talent plays for the Blades.... end of story. Just read their media guide.

[Lowstickside]

Wow! The ice tilted to the Blades side, Blades parents apparently officiating the games, Blades systems winning games. Sounds like fodder for an espionage novel!

You guys should appreciate the Blades right now. There aren't that many really good AAA summer teams out there - maybe four in each age group.
Blades took Meltdown and spring bragging rights in 4 divisions. Big deal, thats over.

Now go back, regroup, practice, and come back and beat the Blades next time! You have seen some good hockey teams, so now you have to figure out what it takes to beat them. Complaining after a loss never solved anything.

[Tenoverpar]

PMC, you seriously have issues with the Blades don't you?

the 94 MIssion have been a top 3 94 birth year team for YEARS. The core group of players on that team have played together since Squirts. You want to talk about "always playing together/systems/practices etc.." think on that for a second and you want to talk about a team that's practiced a few times in the last month vs years vs whatever you guys are doing. No real comparison.

I have reread this entire post, I have many friends with Blades kids...I don't know ANY that have any arrogance or anything about the game, but rather the contrary. They are just kids, almost all of them play with kids from all of our teams and we know the families. If you watched the Blades play and know the kids, you know they just play the game and love it, period. They're rink rats like your boy. It's guys that come on here and try and blast something they aren't part of that is arrogance. PMC, I don't get your complaint against this team, you didn't like "2" goals that were scored on your team and a 1 penalty call after you state clearly that "many" more should have been called. Come on, grow up because you are embarrassing the Pembina Valley Hawks by ranting on here after a hard fought game and acting a fool trying to find anything negative to say about a group of 13 and 14 year olds playing a game the best they can.
So they lost a championship of a tournament to one of the best teams in all of North America, okay, great. What's the point?

[DKS1962]

The point is the Hawks were the only team to challenge the
blades at the Meltdown & the outcome was taken away from
the Hawks by several poor calls.
I do not believe in "conspiracy Theories" And I believe the Blades are
a better team But the Hawks looked solid to me.

[iceisnice]

It was a good game. I would contest any comment that says the Blades walked away with it. As always comes down to a couple key mistakes. Blackhawks were not a push over. I would love to see these two teams play again. Blades make fewer mistakes, I will give you that and play less as individuals. If passing and team play improves for the Blackhawks, I would think it would be a dog fight.

Blades were in control of the game from start to finish. They are truly MINNESOTA's best 94 team right now.

Maybe it is just me, but you seem to imply that the other 94 level teams in the Meltdown did not have any business daring to step foot on the same sheet of ice with the Blades.... However, if my memory serves me correctly...that was not the case in Chicago now was it? Yes, the Blades did end up winning the JR Blackhawks 4 to 3 but it was a fight for the Blades to win the game RIGHT TO THE BITTER END!!!!!!! Guess that does not make the JR Blackhawks the "Man Handled" weak team you seem to imply. I have read all the posts and most everyone agrees the Blades are an excellent team. I fully agree with this!!

Obviously, I would not know if you are a parent or player on this team or just an admirer. If you are a parent or team member on the 94 Blades this much I do know........ There is such a thing as a soar loser but there is also such a thing as a soar winner too. If you are affiliated with this team and take so much pride into posting how great you are then you are the epitome of a soar winner plain and simple.

[Spellchecker]

It was a good game. I would contest any comment that says the Blades walked away with it. As always comes down to a couple key mistakes. Blackhawks were not a push over. I would love to see these two teams play again. Blades make fewer mistakes, I will give you that and play less as individuals. If passing and team play improves for the Blackhawks, I would think it would be a dog fight.

Blades were in control of the game from start to finish. They are truly MINNESOTA's best 94 team right now.

Maybe it is just me, but you seem to imply that the other 94 level teams in the Meltdown did not have any business daring to step foot on the same sheet of ice with the Blades.... However, if my memory serves me correctly...that was not the case in Chicago now was it? Yes, the Blades did end up winning the JR Blackhawks 4 to 3 but it was a fight for the Blades to win the game RIGHT TO THE BITTER END!!!!!!! Guess that does not make the JR Blackhawks the "Man Handled" weak team you seem to imply. I have read all the posts and most everyone agrees the Blades are an excellent team. I fully agree with this!!

Obviously, I would not know if you are a parent or player on this team or just an admirer. If you are a parent or team member on the 94 Blades this much I do know........ There is such a thing as a soar loser but there is also such a thing as a soar winner too. If you are affiliated with this team and take so much pride into posting how great you are then you are the epitome of a soar winner plain and simple.

The score was 6-2 and it's sore not "soar".

[jancze5]

I can't help but chime in on this becaue my son plays for the Blades.

BLUF: (that's bottom line up front for those who don't know)
At this age, there are a many many many good teams and great players. On any given day, in any given rink, games can swing either way. A bad bounce here, a hot goalie there, a questionable call, a shot that hit the post, it all happens. One weekend 5-5, the next 6-1. It's a game and these games get better and better the older our boys get. It would be crappy if the 94 Blades just went in and lambasted teams 10-1, and they don't, never said they did.

I can't believe I'm reading on here guys from Pembina of all places putting this team down. It was a really good hockey game between 2 teams of good players. Pembina has alot of skilled players and speed. The Blackhawks are an excellent team, were last summer too. They have loads of talented players and it's always a great game between the 2. Midwest gets stronger and stronger every year as well.

It's obvious to me that whoever from Pembina Valley is on here talking, just doesn't have the maturity to respect the kids. Why not just send an email to the Blades scheduler and see if the teams can play again. I'm sure it would be another great game(s).

[gorilla1]

Anyone know why the Blades didn't go to the Showdown in Motown last weekend? Bernie took all his Machine teams there to play against the best teams in Country and Canada?

[watchdog]

their is not one post on here from any hawks talking down to the kids on the blades... ive read all the posts and i dont see one. the jist to what ive read is a good game was given to the blades not by the players,coaches or parents but on the one and only call of a game. now how is that putting down the kids? even if my kid was on the blades i would of thought it to be bulls*&%. i honestly dont think the blades payoff the refs or anything like that but were human and its the BLADES. how else do you explain it? i dont know a person that wouldn't be upset to play 43 minutes into a 2-2 game when they call the first penalty. i could justifie it if it was a serious cheap shot or something. to be MATURE about the whole situation you could have come on here and said it was bulls%&* and its to bad the game had to end that way. instead you argue and put words into my mouth that i havent said or anyone else from the hawks for that matter. someone came on the board bragging about the great sweep and it started the whole thing. Thats why i brought it up.

[PMC07]

I can't help but chime in on this becaue my son plays for the Blades.

BLUF: (that's bottom line up front for those who don't know)
At this age, there are a many many many good teams and great players. On any given day, in any given rink, games can swing either way. A bad bounce here, a hot goalie there, a questionable call, a shot that hit the post, it all happens. One weekend 5-5, the next 6-1. It's a game and these games get better and better the older our boys get. It would be crappy if the 94 Blades just went in and lambasted teams 10-1, and they don't, never said they did.

I can't believe I'm reading on here guys from Pembina of all places putting this team down. It was a really good hockey game between 2 teams of good players. Pembina has alot of skilled players and speed. The Blackhawks are an excellent team, were last summer too. They have loads of talented players and it's always a great game between the 2. Midwest gets stronger and stronger every year as well.

It's obvious to me that whoever from Pembina Valley is on here talking, just doesn't have the maturity to respect the kids. Why not just send an email to the Blades scheduler and see if the teams can play again. I'm sure it would be another great game(s).

Your right, I apologize, you sound like a well rounded person, if you go back you will see in an earlier post that I mentioned I stood by a very nice Dad from the Blades and no I have no real problem with them and very much respect them and there talent. but read all the posts, there is some real arrogance in some,
" clearly the best team" ?? like you said allot of times it is who has the edge that day. " one of the best teams in North America" ??? wow we have found teams that have literately handed us our back ends in Western Canada there is soooo many good players in the world and allot of times the very best just play with friends in the spring/summer and don't go looking for an elite team, they have a much bigger goal in mind. Google search birth places of NHL players and see where 80% of them were born. The Blades are very much quality and at least the person I stood next to was great and I'm sure the kids are to, good luck with your overall development of your kids and I hope a few will be able to move on to the next level.

[Hnut61]

I can only imagine what we would be reading if it had been the other way around...

Games over, stuff happens, move on.

"I can't believe I'm reading on here guys from Pembina of all places putting this team down." (jancze5)

THAT statement lacks respect and bleeds arrogance....

[Big Blades Fan]

Anyone know why the Blades didn't go to the Showdown in Motown last weekend? Bernie took all his Machine teams there to play against the best teams in Country and Canada?

I am a Blades supporter for many years. Our teams used to go to the Showdown. It is a good tournament. There are some very good teams. There are also some weaker teams, so you end up with about half your games being 6-1 or so. We found that the travel money was better spent at other tournaments.

For example, this past weekend, most the best 96 and 97 teams in the country and Canada were at Toronto Prospects, not Detroit. The Detroit teams, some of which are among the very best, were at the Showdown.

I noted the success of the Machine teams in Detroit and the Blades teams in Toronto. Congratulations to all. In a small way, this speaks very well of the state of hockey in The State of Hockey.

[Spellchecker]

I can't help but chime in on this becaue my son plays for the Blades.

BLUF: (that's bottom line up front for those who don't know)
At this age, there are a many many many good teams and great players. On any given day, in any given rink, games can swing either way. A bad bounce here, a hot goalie there, a questionable call, a shot that hit the post, it all happens. One weekend 5-5, the next 6-1. It's a game and these games get better and better the older our boys get. It would be crappy if the 94 Blades just went in and lambasted teams 10-1, and they don't, never said they did.

I can't believe I'm reading on here guys from Pembina of all places putting this team down. It was a really good hockey game between 2 teams of good players. Pembina has alot of skilled players and speed. The Blackhawks are an excellent team, were last summer too. They have loads of talented players and it's always a great game between the 2. Midwest gets stronger and stronger every year as well.

It's obvious to me that whoever from Pembina Valley is on here talking, just doesn't have the maturity to respect the kids. Why not just send an email to the Blades scheduler and see if the teams can play again. I'm sure it would be another great game(s).

Your right, I apologize, you sound like a well rounded person, if you go back you will see in an earlier post that I mentioned I stood by a very nice Dad from the Blades and no I have no real problem with them and very much respect them and there talent. but read all the posts, there is some real arrogance in some,
" clearly the best team" ?? like you said allot of times it is who has the edge that day. " one of the best teams in North America" ??? wow we have found teams that have literately handed us our back ends in Western Canada there is soooo many good players in the world and allot of times the very best just play with friends in the spring/summer and don't go looking for an elite team, they have a much bigger goal in mind. Google search birth places of NHL players and see where 80% of them were born. The Blades are very much quality and at least the person I stood next to was great and I'm sure the kids are to, good luck with your overall development of your kids and I hope a few will be able to move on to the next level.

Correction (Again): 30% of NHL Players come from Europe, 18% from the United States, 1% from other, and 51% from Canada. That is down from 80% Canadian just 10 years ago. Who is arrogant?