AA Rankings by Tier Level

[HockeyMN1]

Once again I will repeat, please get your facts straight before you reply to me. I NEVER ripped EP, I just dont think at this point in the season they have done anything to earn their high ranking. Yes I am sure they are a very good team and by seasons end they will have proven that. But right now other teams schedules have have been more condusive to earning them a higher ranking, wayzata for example. And also once again, I have never said Eagan is better than EP or should be ranked ahead of them or that Eagan will be better at any point this season. Maybe they will maybe they wont, but I am not claiming that right now. My only claims all along are that Eagan should be top 15, Wayzata should be ahead EP based on their schedules and wins against ranked teams. I am not angry at all, a little annoyed that I get attacked and called names for having an opinion but other than that just a very Happy Hockey Fan.

Happy New Year Everyone !!

Well, you did rip EP initially and there is no denying that. Your exact words: "With the loss of so many good players you cannot even call the team defending champs" and "they need to re earn the respect and not be given this free ride just because they were good last year and won it all."

Right there you explicitly stated that you think the talent level is not there and everyone is just handing them a ranking they don't at all deserve. So yes, you DID rip EP and then tried to deny it. That is why everybody is now ripping you.

1/16/2010 and 1/26/2010

Oooohhh, big bad Eagan, I'm scared Looking forward to a couple easy wins

[besthockeyfan]

if it ended in a tie it would have been a game either team could have won, did it?

Imagine that, wingmaster is from Minnetonka. I think most unbiased hockey fans know what I meant. Two good teams very evenly matched! Minnetonka isn't "in a league by its own" as some may have thought. I know its hard for you to give credit to another team wingmaster but I'm quite sure you would have thought my comment was fine had Edina won, as I would have posted the same thing had that been the case.

No, it still would not make sense. And i am not from Minnetonka.

Tough to lie and get away with it when you posted on March 10, 2008, that you are from MINNETONKA!

[HockeyMN1]

Once again I will repeat, please get your facts straight before you reply to me. I NEVER ripped EP, I just dont think at this point in the season they have done anything to earn their high ranking. Yes I am sure they are a very good team and by seasons end they will have proven that. But right now other teams schedules have have been more condusive to earning them a higher ranking, wayzata for example. And also once again, I have never said Eagan is better than EP or should be ranked ahead of them or that Eagan will be better at any point this season. Maybe they will maybe they wont, but I am not claiming that right now. My only claims all along are that Eagan should be top 15, Wayzata should be ahead EP based on their schedules and wins against ranked teams. I am not angry at all, a little annoyed that I get attacked and called names for having an opinion but other than that just a very Happy Hockey Fan.

Happy New Year Everyone !!

Well, you did rip EP initially and there is no denying that. Your exact words: "With the loss of so many good players you cannot even call the team defending champs" and "they need to re earn the respect and not be given this free ride just because they were good last year and won it all."

Right there you explicitly stated that you think the talent level is not there and everyone is just handing them a ranking they don't at all deserve. So yes, you DID rip EP and then tried to deny it. That is why everybody is now ripping you.

1/16/2010 and 1/26/2010

Ooohhh...Big bad Eagan, I'm soooo scared Looking forward to a couple of easy wins.

[karl(east)]

Great depth but maybe not always the best coaching choices and hard for the first line to create much momentum with so much down time - they have to find that frustrating with so little ice time.

Giles, mishandle lines? Now where have we heard that one before?

Thanks for the many insightful comments on this game.

[Slap Shot]

Tonka is not a deeper team than Edina, they are more talented. Hornets rotate four fairly even lines, especially the top 3. Hard to be deeper than that.

I'd say it's pretty even. Tonka has 9 players with 9 or more points and 13 players with at least a goal. Edina has 9 players with 7 or more points and 14 players with at least one goal.

[Factsmatter1]

After watching that game tonight I think we can put both Edina and Tonka in Tier 1. That was an even game that either team could have won. Fun to watch and I'm glad it lived up to its billing.

Sorry "best", but I have to disagree with you. Other than Edina having a hotter goalie than us (STA) I don't see the Edina game vs Tonka as any different than Tonka vs. STA... as a matter of fact I saw the exact same pattern as in the first game against us. First period was dominated (2-1 Edina in shots)by Edina just as it was by STA in our first game against them. In between first and second periods Tonka coaches make significant adjustments) and then Tonka comes out and outshoots Edina 2-1 in the second and third period and wins the game. Identical pattern as in first game against STA. Adjustments were understandable as this was the first game without Gardiner... And I get a kick out of the criticism that Giles is now playing too many lines which is the opposite of the critique he received last year for playing his top line too much... guess you can't please all of the people all of the time... I thought Edina played a solid game but their four lines could not wear Tonka down in the third as they did with Blaine. Tonka is too deep...

[Doglover]

Factsmatter - Good points on the adjustments Mtka made after the first period. I think that's one of the key points - you have to be willing to make adjustments - especially when you're being out shot 2-1. Definitely a sign of good coaching.

I actually really like that Giles seems to have learned a lesson from last year and is playing more lines. I just think there should be some thought to when the lines go out and maybe just not roll 4 regardless of who the opponent has on the ice. Puts some of the young d or less skilled forwards at a distinct disadvantage - especially against a big strong, talented and well coached Mtka team (easier to get away with when you're playing Blaine). Timing is the key in my opinion. Edina had similar depth last year - I just don't think they ever realized it or else didn't take advantage of it. I still think the first two lines should see a bit more ice time than they did on New Years Day - could've made a big difference - Mtka just seemed more deliberate in their line choices - but Mtka and Edina both worked hard and are very good teams. Holl was especially good. Shows character when you get beat and then immediately shake it off and come back and can make it right. It was an enjoyable game to watch - good hockey. Hope I can make the rematch!

[scoreboard33]

Tonka is not a deeper team than Edina, they are more talented. Hornets rotate four fairly even lines, especially the top 3. Hard to be deeper than that.

I'd say it's pretty even. Tonka has 9 players with 9 or more points and 13 players with at least a goal. Edina has 9 players with 7 or more points and 14 players with at least one goal.

Wait, I didn't claim that Edina had deeper scoring but they do play four lines and I think Tonka only plays 3. Also, Tonka gets a higher percentage of their scoring from Gardiner, Coatta, Schutt, et. al. than Edina gets from their "stars". When it comes crunch time Tonka's gonna go to their stars, Edina's depth is gonna be relied on to win the game.

Doglover, I think you have a valid point about lines, but the third line has been providing a lot of scoring too and the fourth line is a strong line definitely holds their own defensively. Maybe the at very end only should Giles go with the top 2.

Factsmatter, Ankeny is making big saves, but he also is getting excellent team defense in front of him and even though the shots were different, quality chances weren't that different. I didn't see the STA games but I'm not sure the chances were that similiar.

All in all, when it was crunch time, Tonka got it done. Thats a sign of a good team, but Edina proved that the Classic Lake Conference is atleast going to be pretty interesting. Wayzata will be really strong and Hopkins has good coaching and some pretty good returners.

Buckle up for some great hockey!

[CB00]

Rather than ranking teams 1-?. I've ranked teams by tiers. As we see each night, upset after upset based on number rankings.


The teams in each tier are alphabetical, so we don't try to order them by numbers rather then tiers.

Tier I Front Runner
Minnetonka

Tier 2 Next in Line
Blaine
Eden Prairie
Edina

Tier 3 Just Missing
H-M
Jefferson
Roseau
Wayzata

Tier 4 Any Given Night
AHA
Andover
BSM
Centennial
CDH
Duluth East
Eagan
Elk River
Maple Grove
Moorhead
Osseo
Rochester Century
Tartan
WBL
Woodbury

Tier 5 Outside Looking In?
Apple Valley
Burnsviile
Flake?
Grand Rapids
St.Cloud Tech
Stillwater
Winona

I dont see many changes in the Tier approach to Ranking the teams. H-M moves up to Tier 2, Blaine moves down to Tier 3, Jefferson moves down to Tier 4, Eagan moves up to Tier 3 (for now, we will see this week), Burnsville moves up into Tier 4, CDH moved down to Tier 5, Moorhead moves down to Tier 5, Brainerd moves into Tier 5, Winona, Flake and SCT out. There maybe some other in Tier 5, give me your opinions.

Remeber these are alphabetical, not in a specific order as this seems to change nightly, but with the Tiers level there is not as much movement.

Tier 1 Front Runner
Minnetonka

Tier 2 Next in Line
Edina
Eden Prairie
Hill Murray

Tier 3 Just Missing
Blaine
Eagan
Roseau
Wayzata


Tier 4 Any Given Night[/b]
AHA
Andover
Bloomington Jefferson
BSM
Burnsville
Centennial
Duluth East
Elk River
Maple Grove
Osseo
Rochester Century
Tartan

Tier 5 Outside Looking In
Apple Valley
Brainerd
CDH
Grand Rapids
Moorhead
Stillwater
WBL
Woodbury

[karl(east)]

Looks very nice.

I'm not sure that Roseau has done enough to earn a spot in tier 3. Of course, they are very hard to rank, given their schedule.

I'd also slide Tartan and Century back into tier 5; perhaps Andover too but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. The Lakevilles might also merit consideration for tier 5.

[Goldfishdude]

WBL beat Century and Woodbury beat Tartan and WBL has a quality win versus a supposedly decent AHA.. I would agree that that both Century and Tartan slide back or WBL/Woodbury both move up.

However, as stated on Karl's rankings, with Woodbury vs WBL on Tuesday, nothing needs to be done with these teams until the game is over.

It's simple.. apply WWE rules... Winner goes to Monday Night Raw (Tier 4). Loser goes to ECW (kicked out completely)

[Lakeviewing]

Your calling me an idiot? What heck has EP done THIS YEAR not LAST YEAR. a BIG FAT NOTHING!! At least Eagan has a win over the #3 team Jefferson and a tourney win in the SSP Premier tournament. Who gives a rip what EP did last year, the rankings are for this year. Your the flippen idiot.

Did not call you and idiot. suggested the thread be retitled "arguing with idiots". I did mention that you are a zealot in which case you are zealous with regards to Eagan which at 8-1 is a very good team but to rank them higher than Eden Prairie (and Jefferson to date) is simply hogwash. Facts are facts Eden Prairie is the reigning state AA CHAMPION and they are not 0-6 or 1-5 they are 5 WINS and 1 loss. The one loss is at Braemar where EP never wins and the stripes will keep it that way. Reading and thinking logically seems to be a challenge for some folks. Again I have no stake in either team. Would i like to see EP repeat? Absolutely! Would I like to see Eagan win a state title? For sure. Eagan sucess just adds to the fabric of our state and its hockey. One last note: I do think EP stands the better odds of doing such when comparing the 2 teams.

EP has never figured out how to win this away holiday tournament game at Edina's home ice and against Edina. Edina has always had an edge on their home ice. The loss at Edina holiday tournament is typical and not a set back for EP. Can anyone name a team that went undeated playing a tough lake conference schedule. Last years EP team, I think went 28-3 with two losses to the highly rated Edina team and one against Jefferson. The losses are typical, you just can' t win all games. Just win when it matters.

[Doglover]

or just get lucky!!

[shakey]

or just get lucky!!

you will eat your words....again!