Upper Midwest High School Girls ELite League

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:29 pm

It looks like Decker 18, Cohen 22, Kessel 8 (when healthy that is a line) and Hunt 4 are really the stars. Very good goaltending to. To beat them one of the HS teams will have to play a perfect game, get great goaltending and a little luck.....who knows maybe this weekend....

It would be interesting to see what percent of the goals they have had are PP or SH. My sense is the HS players are playing them 5x5 ok.

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:36 pm

MNHockeyFan wrote:Just one more weekend of play for the high school girls to get a win over the SSM U19 team. Based on what I've seen so far, SSM has dominated just about every game, if not always on the scoreboard at least in terms of overall playmaking, puck possession, shots on goal, etc. Much of this is due to their two stars, Decker and Kessel. Without those two it would certainly be a lot more even. Last year SSM probably would have been even more dominant, with the Lam twins who are already off to a great start with the U at the D1 level. But no question even without them the current team is very very good, better than I expected to be honest.

It will be interesting to see how the Elite teams fare against their U16 team. As of Sunday morning they were undefeated at 8-0, so they must be very talented also.

I watched the SSM U16 team play in St. Cloud. They have some very good players but more than talent I saw a group of players that played as a team. I don't think the overall talent of SSM U16 is any better than the HS Elite players (I would say that the HS Elite girls are stronger since they are older). The big advantage for SSM U16 is that they practice and play together 5-6 days a week. I think the HS Elite teams have a difficult time competing because they only practice together a few times and then play games and I'm sure that just like the Advanced program some are trying to impress the scouts with individual play rather than trying to win as a team. The Elite teams have only been together for a few weeks. SSM U16 players live and breath hockey together 24/7 since school started and maybe even earlier. I think people are putting too much emphasis on beating or being competitive with SSM. I think the purpose of the league should be showcasing and developing MN HS talent. If you want to compete with SSM, put together an allstar team that plays together all summer and teach them to play together as a team but I don't endorse this because I don't think that beating SSM should be the league's objective.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:25 pm

I think the some/many of the HS girls may have better individual skills across the entire team (SSM has more high level and maybe more low end) but have nowhere close to the discipline or team skills of SSM - they play two different games - in the game of Hockey which is a team game it has meant big time advantage to SSM. The HS girls in first two weeks took many offensive zone penalties - needlessly - SSM will take punishing penalties but most are in defensive end to prevent goals. The HS girls dump and change always, the SSM girls stress puck control at all times. The HS girls rush the puck and shoot - SSM will pass the puck and pass up a shot to set up a better shot. This is more than playing together this is the accepted mind set of HS hockey in many cases - my hope is that many of the top HS players learn and apply some of the team concepts they are playing against when they meet SSM.

I agree the League objective is not to beat SSM it is to improve HS players and play - on the boy’s side SSM wins 75% of the time in regular League and the MN All Star often does well in the end of League NIT last year winning it all. I would like to think the girls could achieve a similar benchmark. The reality is if the HS teams are not competitive SSM has plenty of options for competition so there is a minimal level of success implied.....I know some believe it would be great for this to be HS vs. HS - Based on what I have seen in first two weeks I think the players would not enjoy it as much nor learn as much as they have to in facing SSM. Watch a HS game vs. SSM I think you will agree this is way better pace and challenge than HS vs. HS.

The SSM U16 Team will be competitive to the HS Girls.

But all of this does set up one of those impossible 1980 Miracle's.....a bunch of MN HS girls thrown together to play the highly trained SSM U19 super power - they don't have a chance or do they.......

But hey like everything this is just one hockey Dad's thoughts.....

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:40 pm

OntheEdge wrote:I watched the SSM U16 team play in St. Cloud. They have some very good players but more than talent I saw a group of players that played as a team. I don't think the overall talent of SSM U16 is any better than the HS Elite players (I would say that the HS Elite girls are stronger since they are older). The big advantage for SSM U16 is that they practice and play together 5-6 days a week. I think the HS Elite teams have a difficult time competing because they only practice together a few times and then play games and I'm sure that just like the Advanced program some are trying to impress the scouts with individual play rather than trying to win as a team. The Elite teams have only been together for a few weeks. SSM U16 players live and breath hockey together 24/7 since school started and maybe even earlier. I think people are putting too much emphasis on beating or being competitive with SSM. I think the purpose of the league should be showcasing and developing MN HS talent. If you want to compete with SSM, put together an allstar team that plays together all summer and teach them to play together as a team but I don't endorse this because I don't think that beating SSM should be the league's objective.

You make good points but I still say when you lace up your skates you play to win, and having everyone totally focused on winning results in having your team play better both individually and as a unit. I agree that beating SSM should not be the league's main objective, but yet you hate to see any one team run away from everyone else, going undefeated halfway into it.

I do agree that it's great that the high school girls get to face a higher level of competition than they normally play against. But if what you say is true, that the main purpose of the league is to showcase MN HS talent, this only reinforces individual play at the expense of developing team skills, which is precisely what SSM has used to their advantage in being able to win all of their games so far. They practice together as a unit twice a day, refining their systems both offensively and defensively, and they seem to know exactly where to be and what to do in just about every situation....which says that they are very well coached as well. When you combine all this with all of the individual talent they possess, they become a very formidable opponent. As joehockey said, it will take a near perfect game to beat them, and if someone is able to spring an upset, that would be great for both the team members and the league as a whole.

chickendance · Post by **chickendance** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:20 pm

I would suggest that the league goal should be to beat SSM (or whoever else becomes top dog). If the goal is to improve the HS girls play, then they better get to a point where they can beat SSM.

Joe you make the case that SSM plays patient, puck control style hockey, while the HS girls are all about rushing the puck. You also believe there is more overall talent on the HS teams. If that is true, then if the HS girls learn to play disciplined puck control hockey they should be able to achieve a goal of beating SSM. This is not about practicing together it is about discipline. We ought to have been teaching this all along.

It is good that the girls get to see what this kind of play yields. They now have to decide whether they learn from it and apply it to their game.

The league has had a first good year already! Glad for those girls that were able to participate. I am sure that in years to come and they continue to improve on the format it will be even better!

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:11 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:
OntheEdge wrote:I watched the SSM U16 team play in St. Cloud. They have some very good players but more than talent I saw a group of players that played as a team. I don't think the overall talent of SSM U16 is any better than the HS Elite players (I would say that the HS Elite girls are stronger since they are older). The big advantage for SSM U16 is that they practice and play together 5-6 days a week. I think the HS Elite teams have a difficult time competing because they only practice together a few times and then play games and I'm sure that just like the Advanced program some are trying to impress the scouts with individual play rather than trying to win as a team. The Elite teams have only been together for a few weeks. SSM U16 players live and breath hockey together 24/7 since school started and maybe even earlier. I think people are putting too much emphasis on beating or being competitive with SSM. I think the purpose of the league should be showcasing and developing MN HS talent. If you want to compete with SSM, put together an allstar team that plays together all summer and teach them to play together as a team but I don't endorse this because I don't think that beating SSM should be the league's objective.
You make good points but I still say when you lace up your skates you play to win, and having everyone totally focused on winning results in having your team play better both individually and as a unit. I agree that beating SSM should not be the league's main objective, but yet you hate to see any one team run away from everyone else, going undefeated halfway into it.

I do agree that it's great that the high school girls get to face a higher level of competition than they normally play against. But if what you say is true, that the main purpose of the league is to showcase MN HS talent, this only reinforces individual play at the expense of developing team skills, which is precisely what SSM has used to their advantage in being able to win all of their games so far. They practice together as a unit twice a day, refining their systems both offensively and defensively, and they seem to know exactly where to be and what to do in just about every situation....which says that they are very well coached as well. When you combine all this with all of the individual talent they possess, they become a very formidable opponent. As joehockey said, it will take a near perfect game to beat them, and if someone is able to spring an upset, that would be great for both the team members and the league as a whole.

I don't think beating SSM U16 will be as Herculean as you and Joe make out. Winning wouldn't be a "miracle on ice". The HS Elite girls are stronger and I believe overall more talented. Beating SSM U16 will take playing like a team, great effort, great goal tending and like all hockey games just a little luck.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:19 am

I was talking about the U19.

OntheEdge · Post by **OntheEdge** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:38 am

joehockey wrote:I was talking about the U19.

I'm happy that you were talking about U19 because the more I think about it I would be disappointed if the HS teams don't win a few games against SSM U16.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:01 am

joehockey wrote:I was talking about the U19.

I was definitely talking about the U19 as well.

2inNet · Post by **2inNet** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:23 pm

There are a few misconceptions about Shattuck. The girls are on the ice Monday thru Friday for 75 minutes...not twice a day but yes way more than most teams. Hockey season starts early in September and ice is available both before and after the season.
The 19's plays a tough disciplined competitive game. The 16's are learning to play together in just that way. They will not fare as well as the 19's in this league but they will play to win.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:11 am

2inNet wrote:There are a few misconceptions about Shattuck. The girls are on the ice Monday thru Friday for 75 minutes...not twice a day but yes way more than most teams.

Not that it matters much, but I was told by a parent that they were having two practices a day. Must have been a misunderstanding - maybe one was dryland only(?). In any case I would certainly agree that they do play a "tough disciplined game" and they make the most out of whatever practice time they are getting.

hockeya1a · Post by **hockeya1a** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:08 am

Any stats yet?

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:09 pm

Stat link is up but not linked to any stats yet.

Hey looks like the SSM vs. Outstate game from last Saturday morning can be purchased and the game tonight vs. Thoroughbreds is going to be webcasted - http://www.ssmwebcasting.com

Here is a stat Decker for SSM she has 45 points, including 31 goals, through only 12 games!! Kessel has only played in 3 games.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:54 am

St. Cloud Weekend - Sounds like SSM U19 is healthy coming into the final weekend of thier play in the League at St. Cloud (SSM U16 will play in the 4th weekend). They beat Thoroughbreds 10-3 on Thursday night.

A few of the top HS players in the League will be off on Official School Visits this MEA weekend so other girls will get a chance to play.

The Elite HS All Star team from the League will play the Thoroughbreds on 10/31 in the first game of the NIKE Bauer NIT at Shattuck.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:00 am

Stats are now posted - it is only the leaders and does not include SSM.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/stats.htm

Stat Leaders by Position

Name........... Pos.....GP.....Goals.....Assists......Points......PPG
Cara Johnson F....... 6....... 2........... 7........... 9............ 1.50
Meghan Lorence F... 5........ 5........... 1........... 6............ 1.20
Callie Dahl F........... 6........ 2........... 4........... 6............ 1.00
Lauren Zrust F......... 4....... 3........... 2............5............. 1.25
Hannah Brandt F....... 5...... 4........... 1........... 5............. 1.00
Becky Kortum F......... 6...... 4........... 1........... 5............. 0.83
Kelsey Romatoski D.. 6..... 0........... 4........... 4............. 0.67
Maggie Pendleton D.. 6..... 1........... 3........... 4............. 0.67
Allie Duellman D.. 3..... 1............ 2........... 3............ 1.00
Lisa Martinson D...6..... 2........... 0.......... 2............ 0.33

Kallie Billadeau G 180 Min 138 SOG 13 Goals 4.33 GAA 0.91 SVP

hockeya1a · Post by **hockeya1a** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:10 am

joehockey wrote:Stats are now posted - it is only the leaders and does not include SSM.

http://www.girlselitehockey.com/stats.htm

Stat Leaders by Position

Name Pos GP Goals Assists Points PPG
Cara Johnson F 6 2 7 9 1.50
Meghan Lorence F 5 5 1 6 1.20
Callie Dahl F 6 2 4 6 1.00
Lauren Zrust F 4 3 2 5 1.25
Hannah Brandt F 5 4 1 5 1.00
Becky Kortum F 6 4 1 5 0.83
Kelsey Romatoski D 6 0 4 4 0.67
Maggie Pendleton D 6 1 3 4 0.67
Allie Duellman D 3 1 2 3 1.00
Lisa Martinson D 6 2 0 2 0.33

Kallie Billadeau G 180 Min 138 SOG 13 Goals 4.33 GAA 0.91 SVP

Hopefully they will have all of the girls stats up at some point.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:41 pm

I hope so but as we all know points don't tell the whole story. Some top girls like McDonald and Charpentier are out with injury so haven't played or scored but are on rosters. Also at this game pace there are lots of kids playing great but not on the score sheet. I don't know if they will post the SSM stats - hope they do though - lots of talent at work.

I hope the League gets all the stats up and girls who have played as subs - but even with all the stats it never tells all the story.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:03 pm

Busy weekend in St. Cloud this weekend with the Gopher/SCSU mens teams playing a home and home, the Huskies women hosting UMD twice and this Elite League playing their 6 games, all at the NSC. On Saturday the West and East Metro play at 6:00 pm on Rink 2 which will overlap the 5:00 pm SCSU-UMD matchup on the main rink.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:04 pm

Great chance for the League to watch UMD @ SCSU - UMD and SCSU both coming off being swept and both will want a win! I am sure many of the Metro HS Players will take in some of the JWHL games (NAHA is at 5 PM) and the OSU @ MN - tonight is Rock Ridder and everyone is hoping for a overflow crowd - lots of HS and youth players should be on hand.

Other games at St. Cloud for the League - all on big main NHC Rick

Saturday
8 PM SSM 19 vs. East Metro

Sunday morning
9 AM East Metro vs. Outstate
11 AM West Metro vs. SSM 19

3 PM SSM 19 vs. Outstate
5 PM East Metro vs. West Metro

Thunderbird77 · Post by **Thunderbird77** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:51 pm

I hope so but as we all know points don't tell the whole story. Some top girls like McDonald and Charpentier are out with injury so haven't played or scored but are on rosters. Also at this game pace there are lots of kids playing great but not on the score sheet.

Are you suggesting that the girls that are scoring aren't as good as the girls that are sidelined and that their accomplishments are diminished because other girls are injured? Or, are the girls that aren't scoring somehow better than the ones that are? Why?

You do the scorers and the Elite League a disservice with your comments. The league is fast pace. The competition is good. You get a point in the Elite League and it means something.

My heartiest congratulations to the girls on the list and to all the players that are making the inaugural season a success.

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:12 pm

Thunderbird77 wrote:
I hope so but as we all know points don't tell the whole story. Some top girls like McDonald and Charpentier are out with injury so haven't played or scored but are on rosters. Also at this game pace there are lots of kids playing great but not on the score sheet.
Are you suggesting that the girls that are scoring aren't as good as the girls that are sidelined and that their accomplishments are diminished because other girls are injured? Or, are the girls that aren't scoring somehow better than the ones that are? Why?

You do the scorers and the Elite League a disservice with your comments. The league is fast pace. The competition is good. You get a point in the Elite League and it means something.

NO not at all!

I have seen most all of the games except for the split venues last weekend - play is great and this is a great league with fast, tight physical play. Hats off to the players with points! Stats are a measure - great measure and the leaders are exactly that. I had had some private messages asking why others weren't listed or all listed which I think would be ideal. And there have been girls on rosters who haven't been in the line up that you sometimes expect to be top scores - I mentioned two who I knew are hurt.

My heartiest congratulations to the girls on the list and to all the players that are making the inaugural season a success....this is a great list of players the seniors are all D1 and NDP, the juniors and sophs are NDP all talented and can grow into great players and Brandt an NDP is great exception that makes a lot of sense.....I wish all of them the best.

I do think of hockey as a team game and each of these teams have 20 great players - in 6 games to score multiple times is great - but also I know and have seen many great plays and players who have made offensive or defensive plays that are not captured in this short list of just goals and assists....I have read your posts I think you are a great hockey mind and would agree great play ends up on the score board but it is a collection of efforts in every hockey success.

We both can agree this is a great collection of talent and I appreciate everyones efforts who has put this together.

hshockeyfan91 · Post by **hshockeyfan91** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:49 pm

Joehockey - Thanks for all the updates on the Elite league - I appreciate them. It seems like Thunderbird took some offense at what you were saying. I didn't read your original comments in a negative way - what I thought I heard you saying was the girls on the list are doing great, but many others are too - in other words very inclusive.

I think anytime a message is posted that it's possible to be misunderstood - in any case, please don't stop the updates!!

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:12 pm

Outstate 5 - West Metro 4 (West led 3-0 at half way point)
East Metro 4 - SSM U19 4 (1-1 end of 1, 4-2 SSM after 2)

Great pace and play in both games.

Standings
SSM................... 6-0-1
East Metro.......... 2-3-2
West Metro..........2-4-1
Outstate..............2-5

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:27 pm

Sunday Morning
East Metro 4 - Outstate 0
SSM U19 5 - West Metro 3 (SSM killed off a late 5-3 and scored an open netter to clinch win)

Standings
SSM................... 7-0-1
East Metro.......... 3-3-2
West Metro..........2-5-1
Outstate..............2-6

joehockey · Post by **joehockey** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:53 pm

Results Through Week 3

SSM is the clear leader though the HS teams had their best weekend of competition against them. The SSM U16 teams will play next weekend in the final weekend games at the Super Rink.

Sunday Afternoon:
SSM U19 6 - Outstate 2 (Outstate led 2-0)
West Metro 5 East Metro 4 (West Metro led 5-1)

Standings
SSM................... 8-0-1 Pts 17
East Metro.......... 3-4-2 Pts 8
West Metro..........3-5-1 Pts 7
Outstate..............2-7 Pts 4

HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Upper Midwest High School Girls ELite League

SSM

Re: SSM

Thanks JoeHockey!