Two Nations Female Hockey League 2008

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:35 pm

Valley Eggroll wrote:
Thunderbird77 wrote:It looks like when the stats were added for the US teams, the existing stats and records for the Canadian teams were deleted.

The highest priority should have been adding the scores and standings from this past weekend. Stats are nice, but secondary. This is a Two Nations event, so it would be good to see everything together -- all at the same time.

Finally, it looks like some of the posted stats don't add up. Last time I checked Total Points = Goals + Assists.

Probably just new league growing pains...
Better chance that the "volunteer" in charge of posting stats and standings is from a US team. Certainly seems that the Blades were being highlighted in the stats and this message board. "Looks like the team to beat". They ran up a score in their first weekend and the stats followed suit. Best part is, they could hardly find a win this past weekend against the Canadians. Heard they went 1-2-1. Hardly makes them the "team" to beat. With their 12-1 win the week before, maybe one game they will be the "the team to beat up on!"

The Candadian teams played a week earlier than the US teams but yet have nothing to show on the website. Pembina Valley Icecats are truly "the team to beat" in Elite II and Reese's Pieces in Elite I.

Hey stat posting and website is done in Canada - I made the post on The Blades from the US perspective - sorry if you took offense.

All the Canadian teams were very good - I think that is why we have this league. We have a weekend in WPG and the Championship - the best team will be decided on the rink the way it should be. The League had the Canadian Stats up first and then US Stats just went up on Friday - they are working on a set of standings and a way for all the stats to be on the site which is what I think everyone wants.

Here is a list of players from the Canadian U22 and U18 teams that are skating in the league:

U22
Delayne Brian - Pieces
Bailey Bram - Pieces
Jenelle Kohanchuk - Lighting

U18
Katie Wilson - Pieces
Tess Duskik - Pieces
Brittany Hergesheimer - Pieces
Brigette Laquette - Saints
Christine Bestland - PV
Brittany Philips - Bear Cats
Breann Frykas - Bear Cats

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:57 am

Egg head, you are right, the Pembina Ice Cats are defiantly the team to beat. Nevertheless, I would not count out the Manitoba Saints or those young Blades. The Ice Cats size (physical play) and maturity (speed) caught the Blades off guard and tagged them for a quick 3 goals. However, once the Blades adapted to their style of play (and accounted for Christine Bestland) they more then held their own through the last two periods. I think we will know a lot more after the weekend in Winnipeg.

Thunderbird77 · Post by **Thunderbird77** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:54 pm

Agreed that no one should be counted out before the games are played. Any insights as to what happened in the Blades loss to the Starz or the tie?

The Blades are the youngest team out there. However, Pembina Valley is the youngest Canadian team. There doesn't seem to be a direct correlation between age and win-loss.

winnings not 4 everyone · Tue May 13, 2008 2:55 pm

Thunderbird77 wrote:Agreed that no one should be counted out before the games are played. Any insights as to what happened in the Blades loss to the Starz or the tie?

The Blades are the youngest team out there. However, Pembina Valley is the youngest Canadian team. There doesn't seem to be a direct correlation between age and win-loss.

How about they got an early lead then got outscored. I'll bet they have a few practices on their schedule before they go to Winnipeg. This team, IMO, was put together for the win, not the development.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:30 pm

Don’t sell the Starzz short; they have their share of talent also. The first game between the Blades and the Starzz, my only thought was that someone forgot to tell the Blades that the games were 60 minutes long, not 45. They had a comfortable lead, two to one in shots and then they just stopped playing. Give the Starzz their due, they never quit and it appeared as if they wanted it just a little more. However the Blades didn’t make that same mistake the second time around. Both teams battled to the end in a very entertaining game.

If it was truly all about the winning I think they would have scratched a couple of players and registered in some U14 tournaments instead. They appear to be a full year younger then any team they faced, in my book that’s positioning yourself for development.

hacker · Post by **hacker** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:19 pm

One of the greatest things about this league is the length of the games and the quality of competition. Without a doubt it is the premier venue if you want to be challenged. No more easy games for any of the teams.

Anyone who has followed the Starzz and Blades (formerly Ice Cats) knows how competitive their games have been. It is a 3 or 4 year rivalry. The Blades beefed up their roster by signing some former Starzz players this year. Will they be able to retain their roster in 09? The grass might be greener on the other side of the Hill!

Valley Eggroll · Post by **Valley Eggroll** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:23 pm

hockeyheaven wrote:Don’t sell the Starzz short; they have their share of talent also. The first game between the Blades and the Starzz, my only thought was that someone forgot to tell the Blades that the games were 60 minutes long, not 45. They had a comfortable lead, two to one in shots and then they just stopped playing. Give the Starzz their due, they never quit and it appeared as if they wanted it just a little more. However the Blades didn’t make that same mistake the second time around. Both teams battled to the end in a very entertaining game.

If it was truly all about the winning I think they would have scratched a couple of players and registered in some U14 tournaments instead. They appear to be a full year younger then any team they faced, in my book that’s positioning yourself for development.

If it is not about the win, what would be the reason for adding 4 of their players from the Starz team?. Brandt X2, Hanson, McKeever. Not really what you would consider "scratch" players. As far as age goes, not really a valid argument. Instead of taking "averages" off of rosters, take "averages" off of games played. Several rostered players have not played but are "backups" for schedule conflicts. Even so, most teams are without a doubt, in the 93 birth year. It just amazes me that this is the team being highlighted in the stats. The stats do not necessarily come from Canada. They come from a volunteer that will do this for the league. IMO, it is a Blade parent until someone can prove otherwise.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:36 am

Valley Eggroll wrote:
hockeyheaven wrote:Don’t sell the Starzz short; they have their share of talent also. The first game between the Blades and the Starzz, my only thought was that someone forgot to tell the Blades that the games were 60 minutes long, not 45. They had a comfortable lead, two to one in shots and then they just stopped playing. Give the Starzz their due, they never quit and it appeared as if they wanted it just a little more. However the Blades didn’t make that same mistake the second time around. Both teams battled to the end in a very entertaining game.

If it was truly all about the winning I think they would have scratched a couple of players and registered in some U14 tournaments instead. They appear to be a full year younger then any team they faced, in my book that’s positioning yourself for development.
If it is not about the win, what would be the reason for adding 4 of their players from the Starz team?. Brandt X2, Hanson, McKeever. Not really what you would consider "scratch" players. As far as age goes, not really a valid argument. Instead of taking "averages" off of rosters, take "averages" off of games played. Several rostered players have not played but are "backups" for schedule conflicts. Even so, most teams are without a doubt, in the 93 birth year. It just amazes me that this is the team being highlighted in the stats. The stats do not necessarily come from Canada. They come from a volunteer that will do this for the league. IMO, it is a Blade parent until someone can prove otherwise.

The volunteer is connected with an Elite I US team not the Blades. He enters the data provided by the Home team onto the scoresheet into a spreadsheet. That spreadsheet with game results for the weekend is forwarded to coaches/managers and head of the League in Canada. The Head of the League then gives the file to a webprovider who is in Canada to post on the site. The stats are what the home team reports on the scoresheet. On the go forward they are trying to post the entire stats onto the site as I understand it.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:56 am

Here are standings for Elite I (two games are missing at Elite II so no scores released)

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GOALS FOR GOALS AGAINST

Manitoba Lightning 5 1 2 12 27 18
Reece's Pieces 5 2 1 11 45 32
Minnesota EXTREME 4 3 1 9 28 28
St. Croix Saints 3 2 3 9 23 22
Bearcats 3 4 1 7 30 26
OS Elite 3 5 0 6 21 38
Walser USA Elite I 1 7 0 2 16 26

RESULTS: At Plymouth, MN May 9-11, 2008

9-May-08 Lightning 4 Extreme 1
9-May-08 BEARCATS 1 Walser 1 2
9-May-08 Reece‘s Piece‘s 8 St Croix Saints 6
9-May-08 OS Elite 2 St Croix Saints 4
10-May-08 Lightning 7 OS Elite 2
10-May-08 St Croix Saints 4 BEARCATS 4
10-May-08 Walser 1 1 Reece‘s Piece‘s 3
10-May-08 Walser 1 1 Lightning 2
10-May-08 Extreme 6 BEARCATS 5
10-May-08 OS Elite 2 Reece‘s Piece‘s 10
11-May-08 St Croix Saints 1 Lightning 1
11-May-08 BEARCATS 4 OS Elite 0
11-May-08 Reece‘s Piece‘s 9 Extreme 6
11-May-08 Extreme 5 Walser 1 4

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri May 16, 2008 8:33 am

GOALS GOALS
ELITE II WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS FOR AGAINST

Pembina Valley Ice Cats 7 0 1 15 49 13
The Blades 5 2 1 11 37 18
Manitoba Saints 3 2 3 9 18 13
Northern Starzz 4 4 0 8 25 28
Flames 1 6 1 3 9 33
Walser USA Elite II 0 6 2 2 7 42

RESULTS: At Plymouth, MN May 9-11, 2008

9-May-08 Manitoba Saints 5 Walser 2 0
9-May-08 Northern Starzz 4 Blades 3
9-May-08 Pembina Valley 11 Flames 0
10-May-08 Walser 2 2 Manitoba Saints 2
10-May-08 Flames 1 Northern Starzz 3
10-May-08 Blades 4 Pembina Valley 6
10-May-08 Manitoba Saints 0 Blades 0
10-May-08 Northern Starzz 3 Walser 2 2
10-May-08 Pembina Valley 6 Flames 0
11-May-08 Flames 1 Manitoba Saints 5
11-May-08 Blades 5 Northern Starzz 3
11-May-08 Walser 2 0 Pembina Valley 10

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:13 pm

Good luck to all of the U.S. teams as they head north to Winnipeg for this weekend's games:

http://www.2nationsfemalehockeyleague.c ... 252008.php

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:13 am

Not sure of all scores from Friday but here are a few:

Elite I
Reeces Pieces 6 St. Croix Saints 5
Lightning 4 OS Elite 1
EXTREME 4 Bear Cats 1

Elite II
Pembina Ice Cats 3 Blades 2
MB Saints 2 Flames 1

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:50 pm

Results from last weekend in Winnipeg have been posted:

RESULTS: At Winnipeg, Manitoba May 23-25, 2008

5/23/2008 Reece's Piece's 6 St Croix Saints 5
5/23/2008 Lightning 5 OS Elite 1
5/23/2008 Extreme 4 BEARCATS 1
5/24/2008 Walser I 1 Reece's Piece's 7
5/24/2008 St Croix Saints 1 Lightning 5
5/24/2008 BEARCATS 3 Walser I 2
5/24/2008 OS Elite 2 BEARCATS 7
5/24/2008 Extreme 6 OS Elite 1
5/24/2008 Reece's Piece's 4 Extreme 5
5/25/2008 Lightning 4 Extreme 2
5/25/2008 Walser I 2 Lightning 6
5/25/2008 BEARCATS 5 St Croix Saints 6
5/25/2008 OS Elite 2 Reece's Piece's 10

Standings for Elite I as of 5/26/08:

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GOALS FOR/AGAINST

Manitoba Lightning 8 2 2 18 44 27
Reece's Pieces 8 3 1 17 72 45
Minnesota EXTREME 8 3 1 17 48 35
St. Croix Saints 4 4 3 11 35 38
Bearcats 5 6 1 11 46 40
OS Elite 3 9 0 6 27 66
Walser USA Elite I 1 10 0 2 21 42

The St. Croix Saints and Walser Elite I play tomorrow 5/31 to wrap up the regular season. The league playoffs will be held the following weekend at Blaine Super Rink starting June 6th at 3:00 pm. Should be some great hockey action. See website for the full schedule:

http://www.2nationsfemalehockeyleague.c ... 082008.php

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:15 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:Results from last weekend in Winnipeg have been posted:

RESULTS: At Winnipeg, Manitoba May 23-25, 2008

5/23/2008 Reece's Piece's 6 St Croix Saints 5
5/23/2008 Lightning 5 OS Elite 1
5/23/2008 Extreme 4 BEARCATS 1
5/24/2008 Walser I 1 Reece's Piece's 7
5/24/2008 St Croix Saints 1 Lightning 5
5/24/2008 BEARCATS 3 Walser I 2
5/24/2008 OS Elite 2 BEARCATS 7
5/24/2008 Extreme 6 OS Elite 1
5/24/2008 Reece's Piece's 4 Extreme 5
5/25/2008 Lightning 4 Extreme 2
5/25/2008 Walser I 2 Lightning 6
5/25/2008 BEARCATS 5 St Croix Saints 6
5/25/2008 OS Elite 2 Reece's Piece's 10

Standings for Elite I as of 5/26/08:

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GOALS FOR/AGAINST

Manitoba Lightning 8 2 2 18 44 27
Reece's Pieces 8 3 1 17 72 45
Minnesota EXTREME 8 3 1 17 48 35
St. Croix Saints 4 4 3 11 35 38
Bearcats 5 6 1 11 46 40
OS Elite 3 9 0 6 27 66
Walser USA Elite I 1 10 0 2 21 42

The St. Croix Saints and Walser Elite I play tomorrow 5/31 to wrap up the regular season. The league playoffs will be held the following weekend at Blaine Super Rink starting June 6th at 3:00 pm. Should be some great hockey action. See website for the full schedule:

http://www.2nationsfemalehockeyleague.c ... 082008.php

The League has made big strides forward in year two. Last week they met with coaches in Winnipeg and sounds like a group of top teams both US and CDN have contacted the League to join next year so there will be some different/additional teams involved and overall increased competition.

The League has also had success with players who have contacted the League and been placed on a team - they are going to try and open up through the website this option - not all players will be taken but top HS players who are not on a team in the League will be able to apply.

There was also discussion about starting a U14 Division discussion (pre HS) to go with the current HS Divison. HS Division may go to U18 next year which would eliminate some of the postgrads/college players in the League. Coaches were asked to commit for next year if their team was going to return by the Blaine Championship.

One of the smart things the League did year II was going to single hotel and single rink venues - it allows everyone especially players to mix and watch some great hockey.

Lots of good players in the League but Wilson ('91) and Bram ('90) of the Reeces Pieces CDN team are outstanding....they are on the U18 and U22 CDN National teams.

Interesting to talk with players or parents who are US but playing on CDN team or CDN playing on US team - these players have really experienced a cultural experience and heard a different coaching approach.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:43 pm

St. Croix Saints beat Walser 3-2 with 6-4 goal with 33 seconds left - great game back and forth.

Final Standings Going Into Championship Tournament:

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GF GA
Manitoba Lightning 8 2 2 18 44 27
Reece's Pieces 8 3 1 17 72 45
Minnesota EXTREME 8 3 1 17 48 35
St. Croix Saints 5 4 3 13 38 40
Bearcats 5 6 1 11 46 40
OS Elite 3 9 0 6 27 66
Walser USA Elite I 1 11 0 2 23 45

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:26 pm

joehockey wrote:St. Croix Saints beat Walser 3-2 with 6-4 goal with 33 seconds left - great game back and forth.

Final Standings Going Into Championship Tournament:

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GF GA
Manitoba Lightning 8 2 2 18 44 27
Reece's Pieces 8 3 1 17 72 45
Minnesota EXTREME 8 3 1 17 48 35
St. Croix Saints 5 4 3 13 38 40
Bearcats 5 6 1 11 46 40
OS Elite 3 9 0 6 27 66
Walser USA Elite I 1 11 0 2 23 45

joehockey, how do the playoffs work with 7 teams in this division? Is there a play-in game?

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:56 am

Good question in Elite I there is an intial game. Teams have been seeded based on final standings and games are set on the website.

HockeyFan79 · Post by **HockeyFan79** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:04 pm

joehockey wrote:
Valley Eggroll wrote:
Thunderbird77 wrote:It looks like when the stats were added for the US teams, the existing stats and records for the Canadian teams were deleted.

The highest priority should have been adding the scores and standings from this past weekend. Stats are nice, but secondary. This is a Two Nations event, so it would be good to see everything together -- all at the same time.

Finally, it looks like some of the posted stats don't add up. Last time I checked Total Points = Goals + Assists.

Probably just new league growing pains...
Better chance that the "volunteer" in charge of posting stats and standings is from a US team. Certainly seems that the Blades were being highlighted in the stats and this message board. "Looks like the team to beat". They ran up a score in their first weekend and the stats followed suit. Best part is, they could hardly find a win this past weekend against the Canadians. Heard they went 1-2-1. Hardly makes them the "team" to beat. With their 12-1 win the week before, maybe one game they will be the "the team to beat up on!"

The Candadian teams played a week earlier than the US teams but yet have nothing to show on the website. Pembina Valley Icecats are truly "the team to beat" in Elite II and Reese's Pieces in Elite I.
Hey stat posting and website is done in Canada - I made the post on The Blades from the US perspective - sorry if you took offense.

All the Canadian teams were very good - I think that is why we have this league. We have a weekend in WPG and the Championship - the best team will be decided on the rink the way it should be. The League had the Canadian Stats up first and then US Stats just went up on Friday - they are working on a set of standings and a way for all the stats to be on the site which is what I think everyone wants.

Here is a list of players from the Canadian U22 and U18 teams that are skating in the league:

U22
Delayne Brian - Pieces
Bailey Bram - Pieces
Jenelle Kohanchuk - Lighting

U18
Katie Wilson - Pieces
Tess Duskik - Pieces
Brittany Hergesheimer - Pieces
Brigette Laquette - Saints
Christine Bestland - PV
Brittany Philips - Bear Cats
Breann Frykas - Bear Cats

Just to clarify, the names mentioned above are not on the Canadian U22 and U18 teams, rather they have been invited to try out for the teams. 51-53 players(including goalies) were invited to tryout for the U22 team. 47 players were invited to tryout for the U18 team. The tryout lists can be found for both teams on the Hockey Canada website.

HockeyFan79 · Post by **HockeyFan79** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:10 pm

MNHockeyFan wrote:
joehockey wrote:St. Croix Saints beat Walser 3-2 with 6-4 goal with 33 seconds left - great game back and forth.

Final Standings Going Into Championship Tournament:

ELITE I WINS LOSSES TIES POINTS GF GA
Manitoba Lightning 8 2 2 18 44 27
Reece's Pieces 8 3 1 17 72 45
Minnesota EXTREME 8 3 1 17 48 35
St. Croix Saints 5 4 3 13 38 40
Bearcats 5 6 1 11 46 40
OS Elite 3 9 0 6 27 66
Walser USA Elite I 1 11 0 2 23 45
joehockey, how do the playoffs work with 7 teams in this division? Is there a play-in game?

The Pieces actually finished in 3rd due to losing the tie-breaker of least goals against with the Extreme (since the season series was split between the two teams).

For the Elite 1 division the playoffs work as follows. Every team plays two games based on season standings. After which the teams are reseeded 1 through 7. With the top 4 (semis 1vs4, 2vs3)playing for the championship, and 5-7 seeds playing for the consolation side.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:25 am

TWO NATIONS FEMALE HOCKEY LEAGUE: Elite I
2008 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS AS OF 31 MAY 2008

ELITE I
TOTAL NAME TEAM

POINTS 33 Bailey Bram REECES
24 Katie Wilson REECES
17 Cassandra Salmen Extreme
14 Regan Boulton BEARCATS
14 Amy Lee BEARCATS
13 Sam Krause Extreme
13 Kari Lundberg St Croix Saints
13 Meg Steinmetz St Croix Saints
13 Kristin Cockerill REECES

GOALS 24 Bailey Bram REECES
13 Katie Wilson REECES
9 Regan Boulton BEARCATS
9 Brittany Philips BEARCATS
9 Sara Ness Extreme
8 Michelle Pawluk REECES
8 Janelle Kohanchuk LIGHTNING
8 Kari Lundberg St Croix Saints

ASSISTS 11 Katie Wilson REECES
11 Meg Steinmetz St Croix Saints
10 Cassandra Salmen Extreme
9 Bailey Bram REECES
9 Sam Krause Extreme
8 Amy Lee BEARCATS
FIVE TIED WITH SEVEN

PENALTY 38 Ali Nelson Extreme
MINUTES 30 Janessa Haller Extreme
30 Kristi Lyn Pollock LIGHTNING
24 Mary O’Brien St Croix Saints
24 Justine Herlofsky OS Elite

GOALIE 0.942 Tonya Cardinal Lightning
SAVE 0.925 Tayler Van Denakker Lightning
% 0.912 Leah Jondahl Extreme
0.909 Jessica Newstrom Extreme
0.906 Delayne Brian Reeces

GOALIE 5 Chloe Nelson Reeces
WINS 4 Jessica Newstrom Extreme
4 Tayler Van Denakker Lightning
4 Tonya Cardinal Lightning
4 Tara Ursel Bearcats
4 Leah Jondahl Extreme

GOALS 2.00 Tonya Cardinal Lightning
AGAINST 2.20 Jessica Newstrom Extreme
AVERAGE 2.40 Tayler Van Denakker Lightning
2.75 Delayne Brian Reeces
3.00 Leah Jondahl Extreme
3.00 Kayla Lange St. Croix
3.00 Chloe Billadeau St. Croix

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:38 am

joehockey wrote:TWO NATIONS FEMALE HOCKEY LEAGUE: Elite I
2008 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS AS OF 31 MAY 2008

PENALTY 38 Ali Nelson Extreme
MINUTES 30 Janessa Haller Extreme
30 Kristi Lyn Pollock LIGHTNING
24 Mary O’Brien St Croix Saints
24 Justine Herlofsky OS Elite

Given the reputation of the Canadians that they play physical, it's interesting that 4 out of the 5 top penalty leaders are U.S. players.

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:09 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:Given the reputation of the Canadians that they play physical, it's interesting that 4 out of the 5 top penalty leaders are U.S. players.

Could that be do to the U.S. player don't know how to deal with physical play, and the Canadians always have so they are more suited for it?

For those who have seen these games, how physical were they?

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:11 am

I think that is one of the beneift of the League from what I have seen over two seasons - playing physical is learned - if someone plays you physically and you in turn and retaliate you get the penalty. I don't know the situation across the league but what I have seen with the Saint Croix Saints is we have pikcked up to many penalties adjustying to the more physical CDN teams.....it is all learned and the second reaction is usually what the ref calls.

hockeyheaven · Post by **hockeyheaven** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:51 pm

If you ask me, the players who routinely get excessive penalties minutes are the same ones at the top of the list in this league also. They let them play in Canada and the players tend to be quite physical, but are generally not rough or cheap. They use their sticks well and finish off their checks (err…body positioning). Actually, one of the biggest hacks is a girl from Minneapolis who happens to play for a Manitoba team. From the games I seen it did not seem to take the Minnesota girls long to figure it out

hockeyrube7 · Post by **hockeyrube7** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:05 pm

Sounds like this league is accomplishing something that MN hockey may need to look at adapting. Could be wrong, but from everything I read here, and from what I have seen here in MN, the kid with elite skills here can be a stand out, but tends to fade to the middle of the pack when played with a physical game, or some in HS, but even more as they get in to the college teams. Sounds like hockey the way it was meant to be played, does that seem to be the case in the league?