Albert lea vs. Mankato West

[Sin_Bin_526]

Who will win?

[nipeshow18]

albert lea. west is way down this year

[Sin_Bin_526]

should be a fun game to watch with great atmosphere. Albert lea will pull away with a 6 to 2 win.

[Where_is_the_bridge?]

I think this still sould be a close one, west tender needs to have a solid game or it could get a little lopsided....i'm gonna go either way 5-3 with an Empty net.

[GopherPuck15]

Is West really that bad? I thought I read somewhere these two teams tied in scrimmages earlier this year 3-3?

[davey]

Is West really that bad? I thought I read somewhere these two teams tied in scrimmages earlier this year 3-3?

They did tie a couple weeks ago. I never put too much into those scrimmages. I expect this to be a pretty close game. Both teams lost key people from last year but return a solid core of players. Also, both team playing unproven goaltenders.

[GopherPuck15]

Is West really that bad? I thought I read somewhere these two teams tied in scrimmages earlier this year 3-3?

They did tie a couple weeks ago. I never put too much into those scrimmages. I expect this to be a pretty close game. Both teams lost key people from last year but return a solid core of players. Also, both team playing unproven goaltenders.

Do either teams have any young guys that could make an impact? Those guys could be the difference in this game.

[maverickshockey33]

A younger kid for West that might make an impact could be Forward Weber. Played 2nd line i believe last year and made an impact last year as either a freshman or sophomore.

[SEMNHOCKEYFAN]

Albert Lea wins 5-2

[Dog_Log17]

I got West winning this one at home 4-3.

[Dog_Log17]

I got West winning this one at home 4-3.

Also any updates would be appreciated I cant attend tonights game.

[golfreak]

FINAL-

AL-5
WEST-3

[OU812]

Where_is_the_bridge said -

"I think this still sould be a close one, west tender needs to have a solid game or it could get a little lopsided....i'm gonna go either way 5-3 with an Empty net."

Nice call, bridge. Happened exactly that way right down to the empty netter. Great game.

[Sin_Bin_526]

very good game. AL looked impressive.

[Where_is_the_bridge?]

Thanks OU812....It was a good competive game, both teams have some things to work on, many players especially for west playing in their first varisty game. It's a long season that's just getting started, can't wait for the rematch.

[LZ94]

I thought this was a very good game, good atmosphere, West fans were fun. Interesting costumes. When people talk about Minnesota High School Hockey, these are the types of games that make it great.

Looks like both of these teams will fall into the second tier of teams in Section 1A with Faribault and possibly Red Wing.

Top tier is probably New Prague and Lourdes. Do people think that Red Wing is in the category with those two? I haven't seen them as of yet.

My opinion was that it appeared Albert Lea controlled a little more of the play than West, but A.L. also went to sleep from time to time. If A.L. can put together three solid periods perhaps they will be able to play with Lourdes and New Prague.

Campbell (#3) for West and Adams (#9) for A.L. appear to be two of the best defensemen in the section. Both seemed to be on the ice all night and played great for their teams.

Other than those two, Zimmerman (#18) for West and Brackey (#16) and Prihoda (#8) seemed to be the best fowards on the rink.

Little number 3 for Albert Lea scored the nicest goal of the night. What a shot. Albert Lea's goals seemed to be more of the skill variety while West scored with screen shots and deflections.

Just my opinion!

[hockeypurist]

Nice call '...Bridge'. It was a fine game from a fan perspective. The fans were definitely into it! Both teams played hard. West needs to stay out of the box, though. Penalties were 12-8 for West, with West giving up 2 PP goals. More importantly, their line flow was messed up because of all the penalties. As a result, by the third period, some key players were exhausted. Campbell clearly stood out as West's most solid D-man, and dished up 2 assists. He has great potential to carry that team if he steps it up a notch. AL's #9 played very well, and will see a lot of icetime this year. AL's goalie seems a bit shaky, and West did not offer up many great chances. West's goalie made some nice saves, but gave up some awfully big rebounds. West's D-men need to get on top of these...something they didn't have to worry too much about with Bruggy in net. Both teams forward lines look to be still feeling each other out. AL looked to roll 3 lines more than West did. A player to watch this year will be Jensen for West. That kid is big can hit like no one else in the section! He'll need to put the puck in the net too if West is going to taste any success this year.
I agree with one poster that these 2 teams will be in the middle third of the section. Lourdes, NP and RW will occupy the top tier, for sure. Regardless, there will be some great hockey to watch this year.

[Puckhandler]

I agree with LZ94 and Hockeypurist for the most part. The only point I disagree with is about A.L.'s goalie. The goals West scored were screens and misdirections/deflections. That wasn't the issue of the A.L. goalie, but more the A.L. defensemen and forwards who didn't get out of the way, or didn't clear people out of the way.

[tpshockey30]

AL's goalie is the size of my 52' sharp aqous TV. Not a strong goalie, compared to even Cassanova!

[Puckhandler]

AL's goalie is the size of my 52' sharp aqous TV. Not a strong goalie, compared to even Cassanova!

Unless your name is Ty Webb, you don't compare atheletes by height.

If you do, then that would make A.L.'s goalie better than West's goalie. Since he's taller.

Or you could compare them by results. In which case, A.L.'s goalie is better because he got the win. Which is really the important stat. Isn't it?

[ALL-STAR ROOKIE]

I agree with LZ94 and Hockeypurist for the most part. The only point I disagree with is about A.L.'s goalie. The goals West scored were screens and misdirections/deflections. That wasn't the issue of the A.L. goalie, but more the A.L. defensemen and forwards who didn't get out of the way, or didn't clear people out of the way.

Why the goalie excuses when you won? Does that mean all future goals scored on your goalie will be the fault of the players in front of him.

So on a break-away, the team scores a goal on your goalie , you would say " The players should of stopped him first."


Little Jonny W. might be small, but he has a big heart and plays hard.

[Puckhandler]

I agree with LZ94 and Hockeypurist for the most part. The only point I disagree with is about A.L.'s goalie. The goals West scored were screens and misdirections/deflections. That wasn't the issue of the A.L. goalie, but more the A.L. defensemen and forwards who didn't get out of the way, or didn't clear people out of the way.

Why the goalie excuses when you won? Does that mean all future goals scored on your goalie will be the fault of the players in front of him.

So on a break-away, the team scores a goal on your goalie , you would say " The players should of stopped him first."

Little Jonny W. might be small, but he has a big heart and plays hard.

I wasn't making excuses. I was trying to say that he played fine.

I was commenting on the person that said he's not a strong goalie. I was disagreeing with that. I believe the little fella is a very good goalie. So, Mr. Rookie, you and I are in agreement with each other.

Go troll elsewhere, Mr. Troll.