Upper Midwest High School Girls ELite League

[chickendance]

Benchmarking is important.

[crazydad]

Yes, the crunch got their butts kicked. They did start a brand new goaltender they just signed and she had played only one or two games. Noone mentioned that they tied the Edge the night before 2 - 2. To me, and Im not real smart here, but I think a 2-2 game is competitive...especially when the Edge scored on a rebound that was CLEARLY kicked in and the other goal came on a clean breakaway. They are a good bunch of girls that need a little credit. They are getting better and what more can you ask for?

GO Crunch!!

BTW did the T-Breds play the Edge yet? Any score? Thanks

[MNHockeyFan]

In their second game today the MN Elite All Stars beat The Edge School 6-0.

[Oilers08]

BTW did the T-Breds play the Edge yet? Any score? Thanks

T-Breds tied Edge 1-1. Elite beat Edge 6-0 so Elite vs Shattuck 12:30 tomorrow. Should be a great game as Elite are starting to gel.

[joehockey]

What was the score of the Crunch vs. Thoroughbreds, were they competitive?

[joehockey]

Yes, the crunch got their butts kicked. They did start a brand new goaltender they just signed and she had played only one or two games. Noone mentioned that they tied the Edge the night before 2 - 2. To me, and Im not real smart here, but I think a 2-2 game is competitive...especially when the Edge scored on a rebound that was CLEARLY kicked in and the other goal came on a clean breakaway. They are a good bunch of girls that need a little credit. They are getting better and what more can you ask for?

GO Crunch!!

BTW did the T-Breds play the Edge yet? Any score? Thanks

Thanks that is a great what were the shots like?

The Crunch has played a tough schedule - I think everyone wants this concept to work and I am sure the kids are all great. The question is if they don't continue to play well or more competitive in the tough schedule they have they may not be able to return to the Tournaments in the future.

[MNHockeyFan]

T-Breds tied Edge 1-1. Elite beat Edge 6-0 so Elite vs Shattuck 12:30 tomorrow. Should be a great game as Elite are starting to gel.

In today's championship game I give the nod to Elite over SSM, mainly because SSM will not have either Decker or Kessel who I understand are out preparing with the national team for some kind of tournament? Without these two in the lineup SSM should be a lot easier to beat. Would have been great to see them play the Elite at full strength.

[hockey1518]

The Thoroughbreds beat the crunch 7-1

[MNHockeyFan]

Today's final: MN Elite 3, SSMU19 0

[joehockey]

Outstanding! The Elite Allstars outscored opponents 27 (5+13+6+3) to 1 (1 + 0 + 0 + 0). Early on a few people said the SSM team was largely Decker and her scoring (she by far was the leading scorer in the League) it appears they missed her and Kessel today. Will be fun to see the League in year two and how the competition evolves.

Chris Peterson, Winny Brodt and Eric Johnson did a great job organizing the League and other coaches were great also. Should have even more of the top players in the League next year. Will be a great opportunity to involve other guests in the first weekend and it appears the final Weekend will also have top teams.

What were the other scores today and how did the Blades end up against the SSM U16?

[hshockeyfan91]

SSM did have Kessel, but no Decker. Shots were officially 35 to 23 in favor of the HS Elite, and I think some people would have counted the shots closer to 40 to 20. The bottom line is that while SSM is a very good team, the HS Elite team by no means "got lucky" today - they were the better team today from beginning to end. The HS Elite forwards worked hard in both ends of the rink, the defenders were difficult to beat, and did a great job breaking the puck out, and Kallie Billedeau was outstanding in goal - all in all the whole team played well.

Decker would certainly have helped SSM, but I don't think she would have been enough to make a difference today - SSM did not have a lot of space to operate in.

This was a pretty good weekend for girls who had never played as a team before, and only had one practice togther before this weekend (and not everyone could make that).

Finally, I would second joehockey's appreciation to the whole group of coaches and organizers of the Fall HS Elite league - it was a great opportunity and incrediblly well run for a 1st year. I'm sure in years to come this league will become even better. I think three teams was the right amount for this year. It will be interesting to see what happens in future years. Congratulations to the players and coachers and thanks for a great month of hockey!!

[joehockey]

From the SSM site - Looks like the SSM 16 beat the MN Blades 1-0 in the U16 Championship Game.

[Media]

If the success of the Minnesota Crunch is to be defined by wins and losses this year then I will allow you to draw your own conclusion. Will we be invited back to these tourneys, I believe we will. We have had no greater supporters and help than from teams such as Shattuck St Marys, Madison Capitals, ThunderBay Queens just to name a few. College coaches such as Ace Greg, Steve Sertich, Brian Idalski, Jeff Giesen , Brad Frost Jeff Viznor have all at one time or another stood up for our program as something that is needed. Our local fans and families and have supported us in each of our home games, we rival any team I would guess with fans on the road. Our COACHING STAFF has brought these girls a long way in 3 months they have been together. Do you expect a first year program to achieve on the score board the same as teams which have been established for years ? Would we be a better team if we played the weakest teams we could find? These girls work hard every day, maintain a great attitude and I am as proud as can be of what they have accomplished and will accomplish.We along with many other hockey supporters will stand behind them, give them the best we can. If your only criteria is based on wins and losses then this program is not for you. Yes we want to win every game and will strive to that end,
judge us if you must, but this team yes the girls the coaches and I will continue to pursue this program for the good (in my opinion) of the players of the future and for the betterment of the girls on this team today . We have great fans, great parents, great sponsors. We shall persevere even at the dismay of those who have trouble embracing change.

[hockeya1a]

If the success of the Minnesota Crunch is to be defined by wins and losses this year then I will allow you to draw your own conclusion. Will we be invited back to these tourneys, I believe we will. We have had no greater supporters and help than from teams such as Shattuck St Marys, Madison Capitals, ThunderBay Queens just to name a few. College coaches such as Ace Greg, Steve Sertich, Brian Idalski, Jeff Giesen , Brad Frost Jeff Viznor have all at one time or another stood up for our program as something that is needed. Our local fans and families and have supported us in each of our home games, we rival any team I would guess with fans on the road. Our COACHING STAFF has brought these girls a long way in 3 months they have been together. Do you expect a first year program to achieve on the score board the same as teams which have been established for years ? Would we be a better team if we played the weakest teams we could find? These girls work hard every day, maintain a great attitude and I am as proud as can be of what they have accomplished and will accomplish.We along with many other hockey supporters will stand behind them, give them the best we can. If your only criteria is based on wins and losses then this program is not for you. Yes we want to win every game and will strive to that end,
judge us if you must, but this team yes the girls the coaches and I will continue to pursue this program for the good (in my opinion) of the players of the future and for the betterment of the girls on this team today . We have great fans, great parents, great sponsors. We shall persevere even at the dismay of those who have trouble embracing change.

This is just another great thing for Women in hockey.

I believe that Success can and should also be measured based on improvment too, not just wins and losses!