Holy Angels (5-4) @ Edina (11-2) 1-9-10 7:00pm

[HShockeywatcher]

Can Holy Angels rebound from the uncharacteristic start to their season? Edina beat Holy Angels 5-2 in the championship game of the Schwan's Cup and again 4-1 in the section semifinals.

[starmvp]

Can Holy Angels rebound from the uncharacteristic start to their season? Edina beat Holy Angels 5-2 in the championship game of the Schwan's Cup and again 4-1 in the section semifinals.

It's a whole new season, but anyway, I decided to drive to Richfield and watch the game last night (Tonka vs. AHA) and was surprised to see that Holy Angels actually didn't look that bad. They had a couple unlucky breaks here and there but I thought they played very well against the by far best team in the state. At points during the game they controlled and outworked Minnetonka. Minnetonka is such a strong team, I don't think there are many other teams, right now, that can beat them.

My prediction for tomorrow night's game? Edina has a weak defense that Holy Angels may be able to capitalize on.

AHA- 4
Edina- 2

[blueblood]

Pivotal seeding gm for section 2aa. It's a bigger game for the starz, but I'll take the cake eaters by 2. Final score:

hornets - 5
starz - 3

[13]

I made it out to the AHA vs Minnetonka game and the stars looked good they were down and came back until a spirit deflating power play goal. AHA had more chances than Minnetonka did they just couldn't pull the trigger but i felt AHA is better than everyone thinks they are i have AHA 4-1 over the hornets

[Edgy]

I was also at the AHA / Tonka game - the stars were never in it. THey didn't even get a shot in the second period until almost 15 minutes in. Edina will roll over AHA.

[Zamman]

I was also at the AHA / Tonka game - the stars were never in it. THey didn't even get a shot in the second period until almost 15 minutes in. Edina will roll over AHA.

Wrong, so you must not have been there.....
AHA outshot tonka in the second period and played a lot better than they did last week. Yes, they were in it, till they went down by 3 in the third. But they never gave up.

Edina is tough and I can see them in the state tournament against Tonka in the final, but I agree the defense for Edina is not as good as Tonka's and again I wil ltake the STARS 4 - 2 (EN).

[wblhockeyfan8]

What anyone fails to mention is the 6-3 loss to WBL.
WBL's D is not nearly as good as Edinas.

Edina-6 AHA-1

[Zamman]

What anyone fails to mention is the 6-3 loss to WBL.
WBL's D is not nearly as good as Edinas.

Edina-6 AHA-1

hate to say it, but that was AHA's worst played game in at least 13 years and I have have seen just about all of the, in the last 13 years. But, WBL played a great game and my hat is off to them.

[youngblood08]

Worst game in 13 years!!! Thats because you were finally seeing clearly. In the past your eyes have been glazed over from staring at your resurface job!!

[northwoods oldtimer]

I see "the Dons" picks did not shine against WBL. How can you dominate if you can't dangle at 5' 4"?

[Goldfishdude]

Can Holy Angels rebound from the uncharacteristic start to their season? Edina beat Holy Angels 5-2 in the championship game of the Schwan's Cup and again 4-1 in the section semifinals.

Watchie?? You must have been talking about last year's Schwans, right? Because this year it was Tonka and Edina.

Last year was a whole different dynamic... Edina was led by Anders Lee and Marhsall Everson, and this year Max Everson did not play versus Tonka and Gardiner was also out, so when factoring the two studs were out, Edina was very good against Tonka, while Tonka rolled fairly easily 6-2 over AHA.

Well, if Everson is back, and the way Ankeny can take over a big game, I don't think AHA will be anything but average - they won't get blown out, but they won't be anything but a normal challenge than most teams versus Edina.

In big games, AHA's goalie Tommy Burke hasn't been able to keep the Angels in the game... 6 goals twice versus Tonka, 6 goals versus WBL and was better with 3 versus East, but Edina is stronger than East and WBL.

The only waay AHA has a chance is if Ankeny is off his game and the Reilly's go nutso...

Edina 5 - AHA 2

[Rich Clarke]

Well let's see. Edina's played the toughest schedule in the state and has given up 18 goals in 13 games, one of which was empty net. The Stars? In a mere ten games they've given up 25--and four of those games were against the hapless teams of the Missota. Against competition rising to the level of Edina's competition they've given up 23 goals in five games. Let's face it. The Stars have been a mediocre team thus far and picking them to beat a top ten team is based more on wishful thinking and nostalgia--no different than picking Grand Rapids to beat the top teams this year. Teams win because of their players and ability to produce as a team--not the past success of their uniforms. Maybe the Stars will turn it around, but it's not just the White Bear loss that's embarrassing. The whole season they've been nothing but ordinary.

Having said that, Edina's problem isn't their defense, but their offense. That won't get better because they don't have the scorers they've had in the past. Giles has done a great job of leveraging their defense and making sure they rarely, if ever, trail. That means that the game should remain low scoring and close, and when that's the case the end result remains in doubt until the final horn. If lowly Chaska can hold Edina to a 3-1 win, the more talented Stars should be able to do so also, and could even win if they get the breaks. But even a Stars upset won't mean much unless they follow it up with consistent wins over good teams. Sorry Zamman, but teams don't become champions because of good close losses (and 6-2 isn't a close loss in anyone's book except the most die-hard homers). I doubt anyone from Edina thinks holding Minnetonka to a 3-2 win is anything to celebrate.

[Zamman]

Well let's see. Edina's played the toughest schedule in the state and has given up 18 goals in 13 games, one of which was empty net. The Stars? In a mere ten games they've given up 25--and four of those games were against the hapless teams of the Missota. Against competition rising to the level of Edina's competition they've given up 23 goals in five games. Let's face it. The Stars have been a mediocre team thus far and picking them to beat a top ten team is based more on wishful thinking and nostalgia--no different than picking Grand Rapids to beat the top teams this year. Teams win because of their players and ability to produce as a team--not the past success of their uniforms. Maybe the Stars will turn it around, but it's not just the White Bear loss that's embarrassing. The whole season they've been nothing but ordinary.

Having said that, Edina's problem isn't their defense, but their offense. That won't get better because they don't have the scorers they've had in the past. Giles has done a great job of leveraging their defense and making sure they rarely, if ever, trail. That means that the game should remain low scoring and close, and when that's the case the end result remains in doubt until the final horn. If lowly Chaska can hold Edina to a 3-1 win, the more talented Stars should be able to do so also, and could even win if they get the breaks. But even a Stars upset won't mean much unless they follow it up with consistent wins over good teams. Sorry Zamman, but teams don't become champions because of good close losses (and 6-2 isn't a close loss in anyone's book except the most die-hard homers). I doubt anyone from Edina thinks holding Minnetonka to a 3-2 win is anything to celebrate.

teams also have years where everyone thinks they are great, but in reality are not. I am sdifferent I see them all the time. Bit most people on this board base all their opinions on what others write and what they see in the paper. AHA did play better even if the score did not show it.

[flatontheice]

Well let's see. Edina's played the toughest schedule in the state and has given up 18 goals in 13 games, one of which was empty net. The Stars? In a mere ten games they've given up 25--and four of those games were against the hapless teams of the Missota. Against competition rising to the level of Edina's competition they've given up 23 goals in five games. Let's face it. The Stars have been a mediocre team thus far and picking them to beat a top ten team is based more on wishful thinking and nostalgia--no different than picking Grand Rapids to beat the top teams this year. Teams win because of their players and ability to produce as a team--not the past success of their uniforms. Maybe the Stars will turn it around, but it's not just the White Bear loss that's embarrassing. The whole season they've been nothing but ordinary.

Having said that, Edina's problem isn't their defense, but their offense. That won't get better because they don't have the scorers they've had in the past. Giles has done a great job of leveraging their defense and making sure they rarely, if ever, trail. That means that the game should remain low scoring and close, and when that's the case the end result remains in doubt until the final horn. If lowly Chaska can hold Edina to a 3-1 win, the more talented Stars should be able to do so also, and could even win if they get the breaks. But even a Stars upset won't mean much unless they follow it up with consistent wins over good teams. Sorry Zamman, but teams don't become champions because of good close losses (and 6-2 isn't a close loss in anyone's book except the most die-hard homers). I doubt anyone from Edina thinks holding Minnetonka to a 3-2 win is anything to celebrate.

teams also have years where everyone thinks they are great, but in reality are not. I am sdifferent I see them all the time. Bit most people on this board base all their opinions on what others write and what they see in the paper. AHA did play better even if the score did not show it.

Holy Angels is not very deep and goal tending is suspect..which makes for an average team..which is what they are.

[TCQQL]

Holy Angels is not very deep and goal tending is suspect..which makes for an average team..which is what they are.[/quote]

Suspect??? 4 4 tie. A great game, AHA had the first period 4 to 1 and Trebil fell to his old ways and went with the short shifts playing 5D and 2 lines. Loosing the win to a tie in over time. AHA has a lot more depth than most people give the credit for. Shots were something like 42 Edina to 33 AHA. Also showing that the goal tending is better than most people give them credit for. Its a long way to the X and no body can count out any team yet.

[Goldfishdude]

Zammie. got be happy with the effort. AHA has done something that no team has really been able to do, and that is to get to Ankeny.

You AHA fans have been begging for a little more intensity and you got it today, and hopefully Burke has gotten it together. 4 goals on 42 shots is more than allowable.... Burke has been questioned with his multiple 6 goal games, but this will help his confidence...

[blueblood]

AHA is an average team right now. Yes, they have played better since the Schwan's cup embarrassment , but they still haven't beat anyone. Right now they are probably a 4 seed in their section behind Edina, Jefferson, and Burnsville.

Why are they behind Burnsville? Because they play in a weak conference which will hurt them come section seeding times. The coaches from the Lake will not give them credit.

In the long run, AHA needs to review their conference affiliation in hockey in the Missota. Maybe they dhould go independent like the Hunds from Duluth East for hockey....

Z, as the #1 starz fan and keeper of the ice, what do you think?

[starmvp]

AHA is an average team right now. Yes, they have played better since the Schwan's cup embarrassment , but they still haven't beat anyone. Right now they are probably a 4 seed in their section behind Edina, Jefferson, and Burnsville.

Why are they behind Burnsville? Because they play in a weak conference which will hurt them come section seeding times. The coaches from the Lake will not give them credit.

In the long run, AHA needs to review their conference affiliation in hockey in the Missota. Maybe they dhould go independent like the Hunds from Duluth East for hockey....

Z, as the #1 starz fan and keeper of the ice, what do you think?

Behind Burnsville?

[easton18]

AHA is an average team right now. Yes, they have played better since the Schwan's cup embarrassment , but they still haven't beat anyone. Right now they are probably a 4 seed in their section behind Edina, Jefferson, and Burnsville.

Why are they behind Burnsville? Because they play in a weak conference which will hurt them come section seeding times. The coaches from the Lake will not give them credit.

In the long run, AHA needs to review their conference affiliation in hockey in the Missota. Maybe they dhould go independent like the Hunds from Duluth East for hockey....

Z, as the #1 starz fan and keeper of the ice, what do you think?

You would put them behind Burnsville? A team that lost 4-0 at home on FSN to the same Edina team they tied tonight? I don't know about that.

[Lakeviewing]

HA, is way over rated.
quote="easton18"]

AHA is an average team right now. Yes, they have played better since the Schwan's cup embarrassment , but they still haven't beat anyone. Right now they are probably a 4 seed in their section behind Edina, Jefferson, and Burnsville.

Why are they behind Burnsville? Because they play in a weak conference which will hurt them come section seeding times. The coaches from the Lake will not give them credit.

In the long run, AHA needs to review their conference affiliation in hockey in the Missota. Maybe they dhould go independent like the Hunds from Duluth East for hockey....

Z, as the #1 starz fan and keeper of the ice, what do you think?

You would put them behind Burnsville? A team that lost 4-0 at home on FSN to the same Edina team they tied tonight? I don't know about that.[/quote]

[Zamman]

I could see the 4th seed also, only because of politics. At this time I see them as a 3rd seed, behind Edina and Jefferson. The season is long and the team is starting to play better.
In my opinion, if AHA played that independent schedule they would be a tough team to beat because they would play all the top teams. But, they cannot control the conference issue so we have to go with it.

They have now played ten games and have 14 more. They may show people they are better than the Schwan's cup showed.

[wildabouthockey]

I was at the game last night. It was intense. Good crowd. The biggest difference I saw after the first was that Edina had legs to move and AHA did not. AHA couldn't move their feet, make a pass or #9 (Riley) get it out of the zone. #4 Riley looked scared most of the time in the AHA defensive zone and was out there for all the Edina's goals. He is over played in my opinion. If it wasn't for Burke and #5 (Polacek) in the last 2 periods Edina would have killed AHA. Good effort. Fun game to watch.

[micdangles97]

First off its Reilly, 2nd off mike reilly is an amazing player, he sees the ice so well, all 3 of them do. So what the kid had an off night its not that big off a deal, that you have to write them off about it. I've seen all 3 of these kids play and they are pretty unreal. and Mike looking scared? well you clearly havnt seen his face before, it never changes, he wasn't scared i promise you . At the end of the day it was 4-4 they tied, AHA clearly is a pretty good team.

[starmvp]

No one should be called out and criticized on this forum, but, Mike Reilly did get caught in the zone a few times. Otherwise, I don't think he looked scared, he played ok, not "great", in the defensive zone and he made some nice breakout passes. Seemed like AHA was playing two D pairs and they did well being given many odd-man rushes against them. I'm not sure if that was Edina's offensive speed and power or Holy Angel's poor back-checking at times. Edina probably would have won the game if it would have gone on for 10 more minutes, but Holy Angels looked better than people are actually saying they are.

[ya-man]

I was at the game last night. It was intense. Good crowd. The biggest difference I saw after the first was that Edina had legs to move and AHA did not. AHA couldn't move their feet, make a pass or #9 (Riley) get it out of the zone. #4 Riley looked scared most of the time in the AHA defensive zone and was out there for all the Edina's goals. He is over played in my opinion. If it wasn't for Burke and #5 (Polacek) in the last 2 periods Edina would have killed AHA. Good effort. Fun game to watch.

This is the perfect accessment, I've followed AHA for 10 years now and this game was about Edina's depth.