EP vs BRECK ?

[ladybing]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

[Doglover]

Not an EP fan at all but the Mustangs would be tamed.

[starmvp]

It would be close but I think EP would take it

[wildthing]

Assuming both teams were playing thier top game...
EP 6 (or more)
Breck 1 (or less)

[whos_it]

It doesn't matter. EP won the real show and Breck won the lesser tournament. 2 times as many people voted AA when they put their name on the waiting list for season tickets, bought one outside or waited in line at the X.

Maybe the state should try one class and we won't ever have to have this discussion again. Oh, that is right, if we did that, 8 lesser talented teams wouldn't be alowed to go to St. Paul in March. I didn't even say that the lesser talented teams were in one class or the other but 8 of them would not be making the trip.

Maybe hockey should be the first sport in the state to get to 8 classes. Just think of all the kids that would get to state. Even then, 92 teams would have to stay at home. Maybe there should be 19.5 classes and then everyone could go to state.

Sorry I got off topic.

EP gets my vote. I agree with all the people that purchased AA tickets.

[whos_it]

It doesn't matter. EP won the real show and Breck won the lesser tournament. 2 times as many people voted AA when they put their name on the waiting list for season tickets, bought one outside or waited in line at the X.

Maybe the state should try one class and we won't ever have to have this discussion again. Oh, that is right, if we did that, 8 lesser talented teams wouldn't be alowed to go to St. Paul in March. I didn't even say that the lesser talented teams were in one class or the other but 8 of them would not be making the trip.

Maybe hockey should be the first sport in the state to get to 8 classes. Just think of all the kids that would get to state. Even then, 92 teams would have to stay at home. Maybe there should be 19.5 classes and then everyone could go to state.

Sorry I got off topic.

EP gets my vote. I agree with all the people that purchased AA tickets.

Oops, I checked out the 2008 attendance and actually 3.654 times as many people voted for the AA game being the real show.

[hockeymaster]

It doesn't matter. EP won the real show and Breck won the lesser tournament. 2 times as many people voted AA when they put their name on the waiting list for season tickets, bought one outside or waited in line at the X.

Maybe the state should try one class and we won't ever have to have this discussion again. Oh, that is right, if we did that, 8 lesser talented teams wouldn't be alowed to go to St. Paul in March. I didn't even say that the lesser talented teams were in one class or the other but 8 of them would not be making the trip.

Maybe hockey should be the first sport in the state to get to 8 classes. Just think of all the kids that would get to state. Even then, 92 teams would have to stay at home. Maybe there should be 19.5 classes and then everyone could go to state.

Sorry I got off topic.

EP gets my vote. I agree with all the people that purchased AA tickets.

this is the stupidest thing i have ever heard. Just because more people waited in line and wanted season tickets for AA games DOES NOT mean that they are more talented teams. The reason that there were more people at those games is because they are from larger schools in larger cities with a larger fan base. The classes are selected by size of the school, not the ability of the players. and the only reason that some of the AA teams are better is becuase they have a larger pool of players to choose from. There has been several times this year and every other year that single A teams have beat AA teams. So by no means do single A teams have less talent. And they seperate into classes so that it is fair to all teams.

[Elvis]

More than just the school's fan base go to the AA games. I'm not sure that a school the size of Breck would make it through a AA section (never did in the one class system), let alone the AA tournament. Sure, they could beat EP in one game, but I don't think they could win three games against the AA teams like Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. I think Warroad, on the other hand, could compete for the AA title, both because of their section, and that they are a strong, physical team. Breck would have to come through 2AA or 4AA, and I don't think that would happen.

Everybody complains about private school teams like Breck, Blake, and Duluth Marshall being in Class A, but when they were playing against the big schools, how far did they get? I don't recall ever seeing any one of these teams in the MSHSL State Tournament. I think St. Thomas could compete at the AA level because they have twice as many boys in their school, much like Hill Murray or Benilde. Class A was created for the smaller schools, who still have good teams, to compete. Roseau, of course, is the big exception here.

That being said, a return to the one class tournament would be favorable.

[K Dope]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

This would mean the A team got a free pass to a shot at the real title. Beating Delano, Rogers and Mound to get to state is weak. Breck earned their title but needs to move to AA if they ever want respect. Same goes for the other A privates.

[Goldy23]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

This would mean the A team got a free pass to a shot at the real title. Beating Delano, Rogers and Mound to get to state is weak. Breck earned their title but needs to move to AA if they ever want respect. Same goes for the other A privates.

My guess is that it would be a great game. Probably a much better game than the EP Borehead game turned into. The Mustangs also shut out Moorhead 5-0 in the Moorhead scrimmages at the beginging of the season.

Would have been interesting as both teams featured current and former Breck goailes as Ford started his Freshman year at Breck and then moved back to EP by X-mas, partly I'm sure due to the seeing how good Russell was and that he would likely be playing behind Russell for two years.

My guess is with the Mustangs losing only 2 players, this will be a discussion well into the 2009-10 season as the debate won't be is Breck the #1 team in A, but is Breck possibly the best team in the State?

[MNhockey9711]

When oh when did people become stupid about this topic? For YEARS this was a one class tourney, MANY MANY MANY class A sized schools won this tourney. So why do you all believe that a class A team couldnt possible win it now? When someone comes up with that and can prove that it didnt happen in the past then I will agree but if Roseau can win two big school titles since the split then I think we can all agree that it is possible on any given year for a team like Warroad, D.M. STA, Breck so on and so on could compete at state. Had Moorhead ran into Warroad again this past year in sections I am not so sure you would have seen the Spuds at state. Alittle food for thought people!

[whos_it]

It doesn't matter. EP won the real show and Breck won the lesser tournament. 2 times as many people voted AA when they put their name on the waiting list for season tickets, bought one outside or waited in line at the X.

Maybe the state should try one class and we won't ever have to have this discussion again. Oh, that is right, if we did that, 8 lesser talented teams wouldn't be alowed to go to St. Paul in March. I didn't even say that the lesser talented teams were in one class or the other but 8 of them would not be making the trip.

Maybe hockey should be the first sport in the state to get to 8 classes. Just think of all the kids that would get to state. Even then, 92 teams would have to stay at home. Maybe there should be 19.5 classes and then everyone could go to state.

Sorry I got off topic.

EP gets my vote. I agree with all the people that purchased AA tickets.

this is the stupidest thing i have ever heard. Just because more people waited in line and wanted season tickets for AA games DOES NOT mean that they are more talented teams. The reason that there were more people at those games is because they are from larger schools in larger cities with a larger fan base. The classes are selected by size of the school, not the ability of the players. and the only reason that some of the AA teams are better is becuase they have a larger pool of players to choose from. There has been several times this year and every other year that single A teams have beat AA teams. So by no means do single A teams have less talent. And they seperate into classes so that it is fair to all teams.

Sometimes you have to read the words not read into the words. I wrote:

"I didn't even say that the lesser talented teams were in one class or the other but 8 of them would not be making the trip."

Are you saying that Moorhead and EP brought all 16,000 HOCKEY FANS to the championship game? I doubt it very much. The 16,000 HOCKEY FANS were there to see, what I believe they felt, was the true state championship. I didn't poll all 16,000 but I did hear many say this in conversations. You explain to me why a fraction as many HOCKEY FANS show up for the A championship.

Interestingly, one of my fondest state tourney games was Warroad vs Totino a couple years ago. Love'd seeing TJ and the boys win the title while the cheapest player in the game sat in the penalty box. It was a great game with a couple great teams.

My guess is that if it were a one class tourney 8 of the 16 teams would not have made the trip.

I still think EP beats Breck in the end.

Sorry I wrote the "stupidest" thing you have ever read. That puts me at the top of that list at least. For once, I have finished on the top.

[MNHockeyFan]

You explain to me why a fraction as many HOCKEY FANS show up for the A championship.

I can explain why the AA tourney (and AA Championship game) outdraws the A tourney and Championship game year after year - and it doesn't matter which teams make either of them. It's because the vast majority of season ticket holders have renewed their tickets for many years, going back to when it was a single class tournament. When they went to two classes, most of these season ticket holders chose to continue with just AA, since it was obvious that's where they could USUALLY expect to see most of the state's top teams. Many (including my parents) bequeathed them to their kids when they moved on. I enjoy watching the Class A tournament, but after attending many of the AA games each year I end up catching the better A matchups on TV.

As far as Breck vs. Eden Prairie this year, I think Breck would have a decent chance in a single game, but if were a Stanley Cup best of 5 or 7 type of series I would definitely go with EP. Substitute Edina for EP and I would say the same. That said, Breck was amazingly good this year, especially for such a small school.

[EHSHack]

Throwin it out there that East is technically an A school, they just play big boy hockey. I think EP would beat Breck, but not every AA team would beat the A team.

[headyhockey]

More than just the school's fan base go to the AA games. I'm not sure that a school the size of Breck would make it through a AA section (never did in the one class system), let alone the AA tournament. Sure, they could beat EP in one game, but I don't think they could win three games against the AA teams like Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. I think Warroad, on the other hand, could compete for the AA title, both because of their section, and that they are a strong, physical team. Breck would have to come through 2AA or 4AA, and I don't think that would happen.

Everybody complains about private school teams like Breck, Blake, and Duluth Marshall being in Class A, but when they were playing against the big schools, how far did they get? I don't recall ever seeing any one of these teams in the MSHSL State Tournament. I think St. Thomas could compete at the AA level because they have twice as many boys in their school, much like Hill Murray or Benilde. Class A was created for the smaller schools, who still have good teams, to compete. Roseau, of course, is the big exception here.

That being said, a return to the one class tournament would be favorable.

Guess what... Breck did beat Moorhead and they beat Duluth East twice. They lost to Wayzata who was a top AA team in ot and they beat CDH who made it pretty far in the State Tourny. I am not sure you're totally correct about this one. And if you think that Warroad could compete at all in AA would you please look at the Breck vs. Warroad score.

[Goldy23]

Throwin it out there that East is technically an A school, they just play big boy hockey. I think EP would beat Breck, but not every AA team would beat the A team.

Yeah. Kinda like when East couldn't beat them! Sorry but you set me up.

[Lakeviewing]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

EP would distroy Breck. Too much depth and so much more talent

[masterB]

Sure, they could beat EP in one game, but I don't think they could win three games against the AA teams like Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. I think Warroad, on the other hand, could compete for the AA title, both because of their section, and that they are a strong, physical team.

Everybody complains about private school teams like Breck, Blake, and Duluth Marshall being in Class A, but when they were playing against the big schools, how far did they get? I don't recall ever seeing any one of these teams in the MSHSL State Tournament. I think St. Thomas could compete at the AA level because they have twice as many boys in their school, much like Hill Murray or Benilde. Class A was created for the smaller schools, who still have good teams, to compete. Roseau, of course, is the big exception here.

That being said, a return to the one class tournament would be favorable.

Well, they didn't play all of the teams you mentioned, " Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. " but of the teams they did run into; Moorhead (scrimmage) , Duluth East, and Cretin, they defeated this year. Interesting that you should mention those teams as the cream of the AA crop. Also, if you watched the championship game, Breck was every bit as strong and physical as Warroad. You mention that the small schools never competed in the past when they were a one class system. This is really irrelevant. Breck hockey of the 2000's is a much different team than in prior decades. The same can be said of Benilde and Holy Angels. My sister went to Benilde, and trust me, back in the 90's they were not competing with any large schools on the ice, let alone Breck or Blake. Fact of the matter, I would love to see an EP-Breck game take place. I think EP has a slight edge in talent and depth, but Breck has the better goalie. Would be a good matchup and I believe it would be alot closer than most would like to believe.

[masterB]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

This would mean the A team got a free pass to a shot at the real title. Beating Delano, Rogers and Mound to get to state is weak. Breck earned their title but needs to move to AA if they ever want respect. Same goes for the other A privates.

Hows beating CDH, Duluth East during the regular season and Moorhead in the preseason go towards earning your respect?

[Elvis]

More than just the school's fan base go to the AA games. I'm not sure that a school the size of Breck would make it through a AA section (never did in the one class system), let alone the AA tournament. Sure, they could beat EP in one game, but I don't think they could win three games against the AA teams like Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. I think Warroad, on the other hand, could compete for the AA title, both because of their section, and that they are a strong, physical team. Breck would have to come through 2AA or 4AA, and I don't think that would happen.

Everybody complains about private school teams like Breck, Blake, and Duluth Marshall being in Class A, but when they were playing against the big schools, how far did they get? I don't recall ever seeing any one of these teams in the MSHSL State Tournament. I think St. Thomas could compete at the AA level because they have twice as many boys in their school, much like Hill Murray or Benilde. Class A was created for the smaller schools, who still have good teams, to compete. Roseau, of course, is the big exception here.

That being said, a return to the one class tournament would be favorable.

Guess what... Breck did beat Moorhead and they beat Duluth East twice. They lost to Wayzata who was a top AA team in ot and they beat CDH who made it pretty far in the State Tourny. I am not sure you're totally correct about this one. And if you think that Warroad could compete at all in AA would you please look at the Breck vs. Warroad score.

I'm saying that Breck would never make it to state in a one class system or as a AA school. They are a great team, capable of beating anybody in the State in one game, but I don't think they would make it through 2AA or 6AA to make it to State. The school is much smaller (half the size?)than AHA, Benilde, Hill, Cretin, Totino, and STA. I fully understand that they are a very talented team, and they have a great program that should repeat as champs again next season, and they'll contend into the future at Class A. My point about Warroad is that they would have a good chance of making it every year in A or AA... Breck would not have the same chance in AA due to the strength of sections 2AA and 6AA.

[Elvis]

Sure, they could beat EP in one game, but I don't think they could win three games against the AA teams like Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. I think Warroad, on the other hand, could compete for the AA title, both because of their section, and that they are a strong, physical team.

Everybody complains about private school teams like Breck, Blake, and Duluth Marshall being in Class A, but when they were playing against the big schools, how far did they get? I don't recall ever seeing any one of these teams in the MSHSL State Tournament. I think St. Thomas could compete at the AA level because they have twice as many boys in their school, much like Hill Murray or Benilde. Class A was created for the smaller schools, who still have good teams, to compete. Roseau, of course, is the big exception here.

That being said, a return to the one class tournament would be favorable.

Well, they didn't play all of the teams you mentioned, " Blaine, EP, Moorhead, Duluth East, Hill Murray, Cretin, and Edina. " but of the teams they did run into; Moorhead (scrimmage) , Duluth East, and Cretin, they defeated this year. Interesting that you should mention those teams as the cream of the AA crop. Also, if you watched the championship game, Breck was every bit as strong and physical as Warroad. You mention that the small schools never competed in the past when they were a one class system. This is really irrelevant. Breck hockey of the 2000's is a much different team than in prior decades. The same can be said of Benilde and Holy Angels. My sister went to Benilde, and trust me, back in the 90's they were not competing with any large schools on the ice, let alone Breck or Blake. Fact of the matter, I would love to see an EP-Breck game take place. I think EP has a slight edge in talent and depth, but Breck has the better goalie. Would be a good matchup and I believe it would be alot closer than most would like to believe.

History is relevant. Breck had some great teams in the mid-late 80's and early 90's with all of the foreign exchange students, and never had a sniff at State. Breck is a smaller school than Benilde, AHA, STA, Hill, Totino, etc... so is Blake. They are also (arguably) more selective when admitting students to their schools. Both schools have proven that they can play with the AA schools, I don't dispute that. I simply don't think they would make it through 6AA or 2AA.

Hypothetical situation from this past season. Say Breck was in 2AA and earned the #3 seed behind Jefferson and Edina. They would have had to beat Chaska, Edina, and Jefferson just to make it to State. Or if they had the #4 behind AHA they would have had to beat Burnsville, Jefferson, and Edina. I know we would all like to see it happen, but do any of you REALLY think this would even be remotely possible?

[thinkb4engaging]

The format needs to be changed- some of you are saying that A team like Breck would not make it thru sections. A number of other teams in AA did not make it to State that should also be participteing in order to decide the BEST team. Just because the Xcel sold out does not mean that EP was the best team, it just means that most fans have interest is watching what they feel is the "real championship". This year the fans could be wrong- we will never know due to how MN High School has organized the the state championships. Unfortunately, MN High School will not change the format - anytime soon. It is not realistic for a small school to pop back and forth when they have a good team to try to win the AA Championship. That does not mean however that they do not have the BEST team in state that year because they do not elect to go to AA. How about 16 team format with a chance for the smaller schools to paricipate?

[K Dope]

What would happen if the AA champs played the A champs?

This would mean the A team got a free pass to a shot at the real title. Beating Delano, Rogers and Mound to get to state is weak. Breck earned their title but needs to move to AA if they ever want respect. Same goes for the other A privates.

Hows beating CDH, Duluth East during the regular season and Moorhead in the preseason go towards earning your respect?

Breck doesn't need my respect. Like I said, they earned a State Championship. I think they need to step up to AA. Right now, they don't have to compete with the teams you mentioned on a weekly basis for an entire season. Their conference games are silly at best and sections this year...a joke.

Congrats to Breck. They just need to compete at a higher level all year.

[bulldog14411]

This would mean the A team got a free pass to a shot at the real title. Beating Delano, Rogers and Mound to get to state is weak. Breck earned their title but needs to move to AA if they ever want respect. Same goes for the other A privates.

Hows beating CDH, Duluth East during the regular season and Moorhead in the preseason go towards earning your respect?

Breck doesn't need my respect. Like I said, they earned a State Championship. I think they need to step up to AA. Right now, they don't have to compete with the teams you mentioned on a weekly basis for an entire season. Their conference games are silly at best and sections this year...a joke.

Congrats to Breck. They just need to compete at a higher level all year.

Since the A teams want respect why dont they just put a prevision in somehow to where the next year (or 2 to make deciding the section they go in easier) the team(s) that wins the A state title must opt up. This will take the question out of whether the team can compete and will eliminate teams that are consistently playing in the A state tournament and truly give the teams that normally wouldnt have a shot at making it to sate their chance at the "little dance."
Yes seniors will graduate and these wont be the same teams but I'm sorry if the A tournament was truly about getting teams who normally wouldnt be able to compete their chance at making it to state it makes me wonder if Warroad has gotten over the mystique of the Xcel Center... Give someone else a shot...

[stopper1]

Class A vs. Class AA. use your head. The competition in AA is so much better. It doesn't matter who beat who throughout the year the better class wins 99% of the time. Anyone who watches hockey in this state knows the gap in overall talent and the quality of the game is huge between A and AA. If you want to find out have some these schools get some ba**s and opt to AA.