Showdown in D10 - Predictions?

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:50 am

The 2 Centennial teams have posted 2 shutouts each so far, but Princeton and Blaine have also won both their games. Who will prevail this weekend?

CentRed already has a Region spot clinched due to winning the regular season, so will they come out flat and let Blaine sneak past them? If Blaine loses, then the Princeton-CentBlack game will determine the 2nd Region slot.

Andover just played both those teams this weekend and based on their experience I would give the nod to Princeton. One would think that an Andover observer would lean toward CentBlack since the Huskies were a shutout victim on Saturday but actually held a 2-0 lead on Princeton for awhile on Sunday. Despite the score on Saturday, however, Andover put a scare into Centennial. In their previous meeting, Andover completely dominated the 3rd period and nearly pulled an upset; and their goalie kept this one a 1-0 game until the last 5 minutes (the 3rd goal was an empty-netter). However when playing Princeton, no such 3rd period dominance was possible as Princeton controlled the flow of the game - despite needing to come from behind.

Coaching is the difference, IMO. Princeton's coaches will make adjustments as the game progresses in order to ensure that they control the tempo. Centennial has weak coaching for all 3 U12 teams this year (the A team didn't even make districts!) and probably won't counter the adjustments - they certainly didn't when Andover took over the game in the 3rd periods of each meeting between them.

Finally, Princeton beat Andover 5-0 in the regular season finale - a game the Huskies needed to win in order to get the 5th seed (instead of Coon Rapids) in the playoffs.

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:03 am

Forgot to make my prediction in the upper bracket:

Since Blaine and Princeton are the only D10 teams to score on CentRed's (should have been the A) goalie this year, I'm calling that the final pairing with Blaine shutting down the "Big Red Machine" 1-0. Gonna be a tough Saturday for Circle Pines residents.

Go Gophers · Post by **Go Gophers** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:11 am

Blaine has yet to be blown out this season. Would be nice to them sneak by Red and roll the dice from there. Princeton holds a 2 games to 1 advantage on the season, but Blaine's win against them was a shutout. Flip a coin if it were to happen.

If Blaine were to win against Red, would they then be the #2 seed at Regions with the automatic bid?

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:50 am

Go Gophers wrote:Blaine has yet to be blown out this season. Would be nice to them sneak by Red and roll the dice from there. Princeton holds a 2 games to 1 advantage on the season, but Blaine's win against them was a shutout. Flip a coin if it were to happen.

If Blaine were to win against Red, would they then be the #2 seed at Regions with the automatic bid?

It's unclear to me how the 1/2 seeding works. Is the tournament championship worth more than the regular season championship?

Go Gophers · Post by **Go Gophers** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:56 am

It sure should be, as in most cases this time of year it's win or go home. If not, why the heck is the Red machine even playing.

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:07 am

Blaine has to beat Red and the winner of Princeton/Black in order to advance. Too bad Andover kinda ruined Blaine's chances for the #3 seed in D10 by getting the tie a couple weeks ago. Of course Blaine would've had to have beaten CentBlack in their 2nd meeting as well.

CenRedFan · Post by **CenRedFan** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:09 am

Red is playing to determine if they are 1st or 2nd seed. If they don't play or don't win the championship game, they are 2nd. So I guess if Blaine beats Red and wins it all, they are 1st seed.

Holeinthewall · Post by **Holeinthewall** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:45 am

Sounds like this Cent Red team has been lucky all year if it's been stated that their coaching isn't that good. .....even with their one loss D10 record.
How did they do in Tourneys this year? Did they beat any good teams outside of D10? Has their goalie been tested? sounds as if the better teams are scoring on them...
That will be a big sign of a good team. Most of the good u12b teams you see have good skaters, but weak or average at best goaltending.
How are the puck stoppers on Blaine, Princeton, and CentBlk? Sounds as it will make for a good D10 weekend?

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:58 am

Holeinthewall wrote:Sounds like this Cent Red team has been lucky all year if it's been stated that their coaching isn't that good. .....even with their one loss D10 record.
How did they do in Tourneys this year? Did they beat any good teams outside of D10? Has their goalie been tested? sounds as if the better teams are scoring on them...
That will be a big sign of a good team. Most of the good u12b teams you see have good skaters, but weak or average at best goaltending.
How are the puck stoppers on Blaine, Princeton, and CentBlk? Sounds as it will make for a good D10 weekend?

CentRed's goalie hasn't been tested much. They beat both Edina White and Green in tournaments but lost to Eden Prairie Black. They beat Wayzata Blue (blue used backup goalie) and tied Owatonna in scrimmages. Most games she sees less than 10 shots - I happened to be in the building for a game against Spring Lake Park where she didn't touch the puck until about a minute remained in the 2nd period! The secret to the Red's success is that they are ALWAYS first to the puck - their team speed is remarkable!

Goalies for Blaine, Princeton and CentBlack all run hot and cold depending on how "in the flow" they get. Andover goalie is probably better than any of them, but needed better skaters around her.

CenRedFan · Post by **CenRedFan** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:07 pm

LawsonLowLife wrote:The 2 Centennial teams have posted 2 shutouts each so far, but Princeton and Blaine have also won both their games. Who will prevail this weekend?

CentRed already has a Region spot clinched due to winning the regular season, so will they come out flat and let Blaine sneak past them? If Blaine loses, then the Princeton-CentBlack game will determine the 2nd Region slot.

Andover just played both those teams this weekend and based on their experience I would give the nod to Princeton. One would think that an Andover observer would lean toward CentBlack since the Huskies were a shutout victim on Saturday but actually held a 2-0 lead on Princeton for awhile on Sunday. Despite the score on Saturday, however, Andover put a scare into Centennial. In their previous meeting, Andover completely dominated the 3rd period and nearly pulled an upset; and their goalie kept this one a 1-0 game until the last 5 minutes (the 3rd goal was an empty-netter). However when playing Princeton, no such 3rd period dominance was possible as Princeton controlled the flow of the game - despite needing to come from behind.

Coaching is the difference, IMO. Princeton's coaches will make adjustments as the game progresses in order to ensure that they control the tempo. Centennial has weak coaching for all 3 U12 teams this year (the A team didn't even make districts!) and probably won't counter the adjustments - they certainly didn't when Andover took over the game in the 3rd periods of each meeting between them.

Finally, Princeton beat Andover 5-0 in the regular season finale - a game the Huskies needed to win in order to get the 5th seed (instead of Coon Rapids) in the playoffs.

so who do you see as the best players in their positions on these teams?

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:20 pm

Nice try.

I like 'em all.

CenRedFan · Post by **CenRedFan** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:30 pm

LawsonLowLife wrote:Nice try.

I like 'em all.

Wasn't "trying" anything just wondering what the thought was on who was good on what team. I'm sure most goalies are good but there have to be other players that are big contributors. Just curious.....

I'll go first!

Andover - #13 is very good skater and scores a lot of goals. #12 is a good defender but pulls some cheap shots that puts her in the sin bin. There are some good girls on this team but they seem easily frustrated which leads them to get very chippy causing lots of penalties and dislike by other teams in D10. Andover always put together good teams at every level.

Princeton - #12 skates through everyone and is not very big -Defense is somewhat lacking other than #14 - tall and has a hard shot from the blue line and has good hockey sense and you better watch out if she gets going because she will take you down. #8 has a tendency to go offensive instead of playing defensively and leaves her linemate who couldn't stop someone if they had to. #15 had a phenomenal game against Andover but seems to run out of steam. Very well coached team.

Blaine - #'s 9, 12, 13, and 15 are very good. Great goalie - all around good team with a few stand outs.

Not commenting on Centennial's teams at all.

I think it will be Red and Princeton in the final.

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:15 pm

Ok, I like 5, 3 and 12 from Princeton and agree with you about the Andover girls. Not sure about the comment that Andover is not well-liked, though. Other than a dustup against CentRed (I think a Dad got tossed) I haven't heard anything particularly negative about their playing style.

CenRedFan · Post by **CenRedFan** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:59 am

LawsonLowLife wrote:Ok, I like 5, 3 and 12 from Princeton and agree with you about the Andover girls. Not sure about the comment that Andover is not well-liked, though. Other than a dustup against CentRed (I think a Dad got tossed) I haven't heard anything particularly negative about their playing style.

I've heard they are a little chippy with other teams as well but don't know that for a fact. There was definitely an issue with a Red game but I'll leave it at that.

MoveYourFeet · Post by **MoveYourFeet** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:42 am

Play is play, wheather "chippy", playing hard, out working the opponent or however you want to put it. IMO - The kids play to play and deal with a opponents play however they see fit. I am happy we have a forum for debate dont get me wrong, but lets not let a one/two game(s) dictate a season of play. I myself have been someone to toss a jab with little information.

IMO -The cream will always rise to the top. Coaching will be the biggest factor in tournaments/playoffs. When regions are set almost all the teams will be equally matched and yes there will be one or two players that stand out more than the rest of the player faction but it will come down to coaching. Which coach will have their kids prepared on game day?

Good luck teams, play fast and make memories!

"when two teams want to win..... only one can win"

redshoes · Post by **redshoes** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:13 pm

I agree with Moveyourfeet... some teams are just more aggressive than othres. However, I do think some coaches can cross the line and tell their kids to hurt other players. I have seen it done!

As far as the the winning team being determined by the coaching... partly agree. Remember they ARE 11 and 12 year old girls. If they show up and eat right, sleep right, have their attitude adjusted just so, the girls will play well. Coaching will come into play, but if they haven't had good coaching all year, it is too late to start. There have been comments regarding the Centennial Coaches... pretty sure a team with a nearly undefeated season gets that far without good coaching.

Good luck to all!

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:19 pm

Despite the fact that Andover lost all their games against the 2 Centennial B teams, they did split with the A team and finished ahead of them in the standings. All these games were very competitive and the Andover coaches appeared to be more adept at making adjustments between periods. Of course that's just a view from the stands, but when you go from getting only a handful of shots in the first 2 periods to about 15 in the 3rd, some strategy must have been changed.

LawsonLowLife · Post by **LawsonLowLife** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:35 am

LawsonLowLife wrote:
Goalies for Blaine, Princeton and CentBlack all run hot and cold depending on how "in the flow" they get. Andover goalie is probably better than any of them, but needed better skaters around her.

8 goals allowed vs Chisago, ouch! I wonder if the flu bug at the middle school did them in.

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Showdown in D10 - Predictions?

Showdown in D10 - Predictions?

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