Section 6AA Finial: Minnetonka(20-7) vs. Eden Prairie(24-3)

HockeyGuru#6 · Post by **HockeyGuru#6** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:15 am

Both teams have been playing very well lately. Who will win?

hockey4lyfe · Post by **hockey4lyfe** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:23 pm

This is unfortunate that these two top level teams have to play in section finals and only one of them goes to state. They could both, along wiht the section 2aa final teams be in the big tourney.

With that being said, i have to give the upper hand to minnetonka. they are clicking as of late and have been very dangerous since the new year. E.P will be tough though, handling bsm who beat mtka early in the yr. This will be a fun one to watch and i think mtka will take it in the end.

4-2 (en) MTKA

Roseauverrated · Post by **Roseauverrated** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:24 pm

Should be a very good game, I think Tonka is a better team now than they were when Eden Prairie beat them earlier this season. Tonka 3-2 OT.

SEMNHOCKEYFAN · Post by **SEMNHOCKEYFAN** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:36 pm

EP- 3
Tonka- 2

starmvp · Post by **starmvp** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:51 pm

Minnetonka is not gonna want to go down like last year.
Skippers- 4
Eagles- 3

shakey · Post by **shakey** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:05 pm

I don't understand why EP does not get more respect on this board. It seems that many posters consider the Eagles the likely #1 seed to get knocked off in sections. First there was a lot of talk that Benilde would do them in and now Tonka seems to be emerging as favorite to win on Thursday at Mariucci. EP has been incredibly consistent all year long - never lost a game in which they were favored, took Edina to the wall in both games and handed Jefferson their only loss in splitting their conference series with the Jags. They go three lines deep, have a strong blue line anchored by the top defenseman in the state and their goaltender has the best numbers in the metro. Can someone explain?

Doc Holliday · Post by **Doc Holliday** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:40 pm

Ah, a section final battle between two teams that historically have been victims of losing big games in section finals to Edina with the Old School (Minnetonka: '84, '87, '88, '89, '96) and the New School (EP: '95, '97, '98, '00, '07). To their credit, each has a win with the Old School in '90 and the New School in '03.

Very even matchup. I like Tonka at forward, especially with them having two very good lines that score, but like EP's defense & goaltender just a tad bit more.

If I had to choose at gunpoint, I say Tonka 3-2 in OT. But I definitely wouldn't bring the deed to the farm along to the betting window.

Roseauverrated · Post by **Roseauverrated** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:44 pm

By no means am I trying to disrespect Eden Prairie by predicting a one goal win by Tonka... in OT. Both teams are very good and really I think this one can go either way very easily with a bad bounce here or there. The results of the poll right now seem to show EP holding the lead so I don't quite see why you think everyone is favoring Tonka to win this one. Both teams have been playing very consistent lately, aside from Tonka's slip up against Edina. It really is a shame these two teams are meeting each other now because I'm sure they would both kick the crap out of some of the teams that are going to be in the state tournament.

Mr.swampdonky · Post by **Mr.swampdonky** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:06 pm

Rau with two goals and rogge with one. Ford plays another great game.

Ep wins 3-1

Slap Shot · Post by **Slap Shot** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:29 pm

shakey wrote:EP has been incredibly consistent all year long - never lost a game in which they were favored, took Edina to the wall in both games and handed Jefferson their only loss in splitting their conference series with the Jags. They go three lines deep, have a strong blue line anchored by the top defenseman in the state and their goaltender has the best numbers in the metro. Can someone explain?

I think a lot of people see who Tonka lost to (is there a bad loss in there?) and that most of the losses came before January. This is a very young team (4 seniors of which I believe only 2 see significant ice time) and has gotten better as the season progressed. Peaking going into sections is typically a key. Add that Tonka themselves go three lines deep, have one of the best forechecks I've ever witnessed, play good defense and also have one of the best goalies and it's not hard to see why people see this as a tossup.

One concern from me will be the youth (first big game for many) and the fact they held late leads agains EP, STA and Edina and lost.

Doc Holliday wrote:Ah, a section final battle between two teams that historically have been victims of losing big games in section finals to Edina with the Old School (Minnetonka: '84, '87, '88, '89, '96)...

The '84 team was the first of the Erickson era to show that Tonka was going to be a quality program but were probably overmatched, the '85 team that made state outshot Jefferson 50-26 but lost in 4 OTs (thanks to piss-poor goaltending) Friday morning when the game was suspended from Thursday after 3 OTs, imho both the '86 Skippers and Hornets could have won state had they both not run into a hot Damien Rhodes, another Skippers team lost to an excellent Roseau team in the state semis and I think the '96 and '08 teams were perhaps their best to not get there at all. A snake-bitten program to be sure.

Catkid17 · Post by **Catkid17** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:38 pm

Eden Prarie is a dang good hockey team but i would like the Skippers to make it to state and show their talent as jake Gardiner missed out last year when they were spoiled by Benilde. Skippers 5-4 in and offensive Shootout.

cjmhockey19 · Post by **cjmhockey19** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 2:45 pm

I think Tonka can pull this one out....they win it in a thriller 6-5 2OT.

ladybing · Post by **ladybing** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:09 pm

EP's last loss was on Jan 16 (14 straight wins) all 3 losses by one goal to either Edina or Jefferson. EP will win this game by 2 goal.

Factsmatter1 · Post by **Factsmatter1** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:17 pm

After watching the EP Jefferson game and the EP Benilde game and watching Tonka play twice on TV and Myfox I would assess the situation as follows:

When Leddy is on the ice EP is tough. He factors in a lot of the scoring either directly or indirectly. I think every goal that was scored on EP against both Benilde and Jefferson happened when Leddy was not on the ice. They are a talented team regardless but they are a much better team when he is on the ice than when he is not.

EP has a more effective power than Tonka as least statistically. Kyle Rau is at his best and one of the best when he is on the power play. He is not as impressive as a one on one skills player or even 5 on 5. He really takes advantage of the "Leddy wall" at the blue line. He easily was handled on 1 on 1 situations in the BSM game... maybe size and speed related. For whatever reason Tonka's power play is ineffective so one deciding factor will be penalties. In their last meeting I think EP scored at least 2 of their goals on the PP but I am not sure. Tonka is ranked near the bottom of the state in PP which is surprising to me... nor sure what's going on.

Both teams are deep with lots of very young underclassmen who play significant roles. I think Tonka has the overall edge on defense excluding the Leddy factor. I noticed in the Benilde game Leddy did not seem to skate the puck as much as he usually does. I hear rumors that either his shoulder or knee or possibly both are injured which may explain this.

Up front both teams are very quick with a size advantage probably going to Tonka. EP is not a team who tends to spend a lot of time in the other teams end but when they are there and particularly during the transition game they are extremely effective and efficient. Their passing (in particular on the breakout) in the few games I saw them was extremely good. Both teams get scoring across the whole lineup. In last night's game scoresheet indicates every forward on Tonka's top three lines got at least one point so there really is one that EP focus on to "isolate" whereas I think if Tonka can find a way to isolate Leddy this could be an advantage for them. 13 players on EP and 10 on Tonka have double digits in points. Looks like Tonka played a tougher sched so I would call this even overall. Tonka has no Senior defenseman and two fast and strong Soph's on top two lines. EP has many sophomores who play both upfront and on D. Both of these teams will be a force not only this year but also next. Too bad they are in the same section. Really would be fun to see these two plus Jeff/Edina/DE/CENorBL in the state tourney although the section playoffs should be just as fun if not more...

Both teams have been playing great "back half of the season" hockey since. EP, other than a loss to Jefferson early and Edina twice has really been on a roll but against a relatively easier schedule. They haven't lost a game by more than 1 goal and haven't lost since 1/16. In a relatively tough schedule Tonka lost 4 out of their first 10 (all before 12/31) and two were by 1 goal and two by 2 goals. Since then Tonka has only lost 3 games all by one goal and 2 of them in OT.

Goal tending on both teams is solid and consistent with underclassman in Ford (soph) and Kruger (Jr.) who are both near the top of their class. Haven't seen either one of them in my limited exposure to them have a "bad game".

My prediction: In a high penalty game I would favor EP because of PP strength and the fact that Rau becomes 3x the player in that situation and I would favor Tonka in a low penalty (5 or less) as I think they are tougher 5 on 5. I wasn't overly impressed with EP in the Benilde game despite the fact that they got it done which may be their best quality... they play with confidence and know how to get it done. But then again so has Tonka in the back 2/3rd's of their scheduel. Tonka has proven themselves tough to beat when they are able to skate three 3 lines 5 on five. When the penalties start getting up their a team with a top power play has an advantage against Tonka. That's how Hopkins upset them... If the game goes to OT I would favor EP to win.

Regardless of any of the above I think this may be the best game of the entire year since IMHO I think these are the two of the best if not the 2 best teams in the state... based on back half performance.

Roseauverrated · Post by **Roseauverrated** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:33 pm

Wow thanks for the great analysis, I agree with pretty much everything you pointed out. I'm really bummed I can't make it to this game, it should be pretty intense!

HockeyMN1 · Post by **HockeyMN1** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:46 pm

Yea should be a very intense and exciting game... I take EP 3-2 in a nailbiter.

buzzerbeater · Post by **buzzerbeater** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:01 pm

when and where is this game? ill be there for sure! i cant even predict who will win... its that close.

gerryodrowski · Post by **gerryodrowski** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:08 pm

Slap Shot wrote:
shakey wrote:EP has been incredibly consistent all year long - never lost a game in which they were favored, took Edina to the wall in both games and handed Jefferson their only loss in splitting their conference series with the Jags. They go three lines deep, have a strong blue line anchored by the top defenseman in the state and their goaltender has the best numbers in the metro. Can someone explain?
I think a lot of people see who Tonka lost to (is there a bad loss in there?) and that most of the losses came before January. This is a very young team (4 seniors of which I believe only 2 see significant ice time) and has gotten better as the season progressed. Peaking going into sections is typically a key. Add that Tonka themselves go three lines deep, have one of the best forechecks I've ever witnessed, play good defense and also have one of the best goalies and it's not hard to see why people see this as a tossup.

One concern from me will be the youth (first big game for many) and the fact they held late leads agains EP, STA and Edina and lost.

Doc Holliday wrote:Ah, a section final battle between two teams that historically have been victims of losing big games in section finals to Edina with the Old School (Minnetonka: '84, '87, '88, '89, '96)...
The '84 team was the first of the Erickson era to show that Tonka was going to be a quality program but were probably overmatched, the '85 team that made state outshot Jefferson 50-26 but lost in 4 OTs (thanks to piss-poor goaltending) Friday morning when the game was suspended from Thursday after 3 OTs, imho both the '86 Skippers and Hornets could have won state had they both not run into a hot Damien Rhodes, another Skippers team lost to an excellent Roseau team in the state semis and I think the '96 and '08 teams were perhaps their best to not get there at all. A snake-bitten program to be sure.

I would call losing a 3 goal lead a "bad loss" no matter who it was against.

FREDFLINTSTONE · Post by **FREDFLINTSTONE** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:26 pm

Slap Shot wrote:
shakey wrote:EP has been incredibly consistent all year long - never lost a game in which they were favored, took Edina to the wall in both games and handed Jefferson their only loss in splitting their conference series with the Jags. They go three lines deep, have a strong blue line anchored by the top defenseman in the state and their goaltender has the best numbers in the metro. Can someone explain?
I think a lot of people see who Tonka lost to (is there a bad loss in there?) and that most of the losses came before January. This is a very young team (4 seniors of which I believe only 2 see significant ice time) and has gotten better as the season progressed. Peaking going into sections is typically a key. Add that Tonka themselves go three lines deep, have one of the best forechecks I've ever witnessed, play good defense and also have one of the best goalies and it's not hard to see why people see this as a tossup.

One concern from me will be the youth (first big game for many) and the fact they held late leads agains EP, STA and Edina and lost.

Doc Holliday wrote:Ah, a section final battle between two teams that historically have been victims of losing big games in section finals to Edina with the Old School (Minnetonka: '84, '87, '88, '89, '96)...
The '84 team was the first of the Erickson era to show that Tonka was going to be a quality program but were probably overmatched, the '85 team that made state outshot Jefferson 50-26 but lost in 4 OTs (thanks to piss-poor goaltending) Friday morning when the game was suspended from Thursday after 3 OTs, imho both the '86 Skippers and Hornets could have won state had they both not run into a hot Damien Rhodes, another Skippers team lost to an excellent Roseau team in the state semis and I think the '96 and '08 teams were perhaps their best to not get there at all. A snake-bitten program to be sure.

A slapshot to de head could result in delusional thoughts........your name fits.

Hockeyguy_27 · Post by **Hockeyguy_27** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:22 am

EP barely beat Benilde in a game where they were far more talented. They're good but Tonka is 2 goals better.

FREDFLINTSTONE · Post by **FREDFLINTSTONE** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:54 am

Kinda like the Jags are two goals better than the Honuts.

FREDFLINTSTONE · Post by **FREDFLINTSTONE** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:56 am

Hockeyguy_27 wrote:EP barely beat Benilde in a game where they were far more talented. They're good but Tonka is 2 goals better.

stay over in your own thread cake head

Slap Shot · Post by **Slap Shot** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:02 pm

FREDFLINTSTONE wrote:
Hockeyguy_27 wrote:EP barely beat Benilde in a game where they were far more talented. They're good but Tonka is 2 goals better.
stay over in your own thread cake head

Paint chips?

I would call losing a 3 goal lead a "bad loss" no matter who it was against.

Maybe.

stmartin123 · Post by **stmartin123** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:24 pm

buzzerbeater wrote:when and where is this game? ill be there for sure! i cant even predict who will win... its that close.

It is an 8'clock start at Mariucci. But Edina and Jefferson play before at 6. So, I would suggest getting there early. Its going to be a fun night. Four of the top teams in state.

Ill take the skippers in this one.
4-3, hopefully in OT

HasNoMoves · Post by **HasNoMoves** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:30 pm

well no team with more than 5 losses has EVER won the championship unless you count greenway under the tier 2 system in 1992 but that tier system was a flawed joke...so looks like an uphill battle for tonka even if they win and make it to state.