Section 3A

[Bdangles14]

Marshall beats New Ulm 3-2 in over time.......Marshalls goalie played an amazing game!

[golfer5]

yes he did 48 shots on goal 46 saves. .954

[Garry Bettman]

Marshall wins.... 3-2 OT... new ulm has a real good squad.. Marshall worked there bags off. Its hockey.. thats how it goes sometimes anybody can win any given game.

[goldy313]

A nice win for Marshall, a team that really looked like it could use some confidence. The big winner out of this might very well be Redwood Valley given they beat Marshall twice and Marshall beat New Ulm twice.

[Garry Bettman]

Probably wont affect seedings at all... I think everyone has it set... Marshall will get the fifth seed redwood probably 4, litch 3 hutch 2 new ulm 1..... unless hutch and new ulm just crash they will be 1, 2.... even if hutch loses to marshall...

[SWHockeyScout]

Wow Marshall Sweeps New Ulm......Garry Bettman what are you talking about?? This does affect seeding New Ulm can no longer be Number one seed everyone on here has to agree to that. New Ulm lost to Marshall Twice where as Redwood beat Marshall twice...

Now I know all those New Ulm people will get all upset and say we play a tougher schedule than Redwood blah blah blah.. Hey New Ulm Puck followers you know how you prove your the best team in Section 3A you play the other teams and beat them.... I know crazy thought because New Ulm really needs to play those top notch teams like Austin, Northfield, Dodge County and my personal Favorite Minnehaha Academy. I just gave you 4 teams that you do not need to play they are not high quality teams. Don't give me that you have this strong schedule BS...Get rid of one of these put Redwood on your schedule... Or only play LDC once or Marshall once get more 3A teams on your schedule beat them actually earn the right to be number one seed until then stop whining...

I am pleading to my Southwest Coaches out there do not seed New Ulm one you cant now. They were swept by a team thats barely above .500 in SW Conference play. The SW coaches need to take a stand and all vote Redwood number one this would go along way and making New Ulm actually play SW Teams.....And Dodge County Austin and Minnehaha come on New Ulm those games get rid of them play 3A SW teams its the same thing...

Redwood is now the Number One seed in this section... SW coaches need to get together and vote them number one..Hutch LDC New Ulm will all go crazy about this again you know how you solve this PLAY REDWOOD...Wow I know crazy thinking...

I am not from Redwood in fact i really dislike Redwood but you have to give them their due. They beat Marshall Twice New Ulm lost them twice Redwood is now ahead of New Ulm.

But Again this section is a mess now.

Redwood is one and after that it gets really messy

Hutch Lost to New Ulm but beat LDC play Marshall Saturdayand dont play any other 3A teams...

New Ulm Beat up LDC and Windom also beat Hutch but got swept by Marshall

LDC Beat Marshall but lost to New Ulm and Hutch

Marshall Swept New Ulm but got beat by Redwood Twice LDC and Luverne once still play a big one against Hutch Saturday

Windom beat Redwood once but lost to Marshall twice and New Ulm

Luverne Beat Marshall Worthington Farimont and Sleepy Eye Once... But lost too Worthington once and Fairmont Twice if they beat Windom tomorrow night do they move past windom in seeding??

Fairmont beat Luverne twice But lost to Worthington twice and Luverne in the last meeting of the season

Worthington Beat Fairmont both times this season and Luverne once but yet they lost to Sleepy Eye...

Sleepy Eye hey they beat Worthington in their only meetign this season

As you can see seeds 2 through 10 in this section are a mess.

My Seeds as of 2/4/10
1. Redwood
2. Hutch
3. New Ulm
4. LDC
5. Marshall
6. Windom
7. Fairmont
8. Luverne
9. Worthington
10. Sleepy Eye

Big Section 3A Games yet this weekend
2/6/10 Marshall vs Hutch....If Hutch wins they should be the 2 seed however, if Marshall wins that will really mess things up.. I mean then Marshall has beat Hutch and new Ulm but yet lost to Redwood twice and LDC and Luverne where do you seed them..

2/5/10 Windom vs Luverne....If Windom wins they lock up the number 6 seed but, think about if Luverne wins thats makes things even more messy because they will have beat marshall and MBA and tied Dodge County all teams that are 5-0 vs Windom respectively so then is Luverne the 6 seed if they win....

Well every day it gets more interesting should be a fun finish to the season

[TriedThat2]

Seeding a team #1 with wins over others that have a combined record of 53-122 just doesn't make sense!

[SWHockeyScout]

And Seeding a team one that lost to Marshall Twice just doesnt make sense

Seeding a team one that only plays two section common team just doesnt make sense

Get over it New Ulm People you wanna whine about redwoods weak schedule... Play them I have heard from many that New Ulm refuses to play redwood and other section 3a teams...Well then dont complain now that redwood will be seeded higher then you. Easy way to fix this problem play the other teams in your section....

[casualobserver]

Great job Marshall. That had to be one to remember.

I have to agree with SWHockeyScout. Redwood deserves the #1 seed. I believe these are the same kids that had success in youth hockey(peewees), so they can play and know how to win. They will be a tough game for any team in the section.

New Ulm also has a game left with LDC on the 15th. Too bad the seedings will most likely be in by then, cause I predict payback city.

[new2coachin]

Whooooaaa SWHockeyScout, don't jump to your conclusions just yet. Last nights NU vs Marshall final only proves that the Tigers are like kryptonite to the Eagles. I think last nights game moves NU out of the top spot, but does not prove that RV should be #1. If Marshall beats Hutch tomorrow, then crown RV #1. As for the middle of the pack, Windom should be an easy #6. Head to Head with Luverne, Windom beats them 11-3 the first meeting, in the game tonight, Luverne would need to do the same to Windom to prove to me they should be seeded ahead of Windom. I do not see Luverne higher than #7 with two losses to Fairmont and a loss to Worthington. In their games against Marshall, Campion tending the nets for Marshall seems to be the difference maker. The Luverne win over Marshall, Campion is on the bench, Windom faces Campion both games. If one looks at the stats, if Windom can stay out of the penalty box, they will be a tough team to beat. The way I see it today:

#1 Hutch
#2 Redwood
#3 New Ulm
#4 Litch
#5 Marshall
#6 Windom
#7 Luverne
#8 Worthington
#9 Fairmont
#10 Sleepy Eye

As for New Ulm scheduling games with Redwood in the future, I do not see Redwood being as strong the next couple of years. The problem with most of the SW Conf. teams is that they are up and down from year to year and a person really needs to be watching the youth teams to get a feel for whats coming up to judge if they should be playing at the Varsity level a couple of years later. Luverne would be a good example of this, down this year, but next year they should be near the top with their core players being seniors, then a down year or two. I do think that the more games Hutch, NU & Litch play against the southern 3A teams, coaches will start to adjust their style of play, and teams will start stepping up to that level of play over time, and over time, the section will become even tighter.

[Garry Bettman]

SWhockeyschout.. Are you on drugs? New Ulm was a much better team than marshall... shots 48-22... dominant... redwood played right with marshall both times! shots were equal both times! and redwood was able to get some dirty and lucky goals the second time..... ok give the number one seed to redwood... it doesnt matter... i would be shocked if they beat new ulm.... but its possible.... redwood is a good team, but anyone with eyes could tell you that new ulm is 10x better.

[Barry McConell]

i wondered how long it would take before someone from nu would tell everybody how good they are and how badly they dominated marshall last night. i just thought it would be sooner. 'scout--i think you need to actually see all of these teams play before you crown redwood #1. if you truly are a "scout" then you would know that you can't always look at scores, take a look at nu's depth and you would see that they are much deeper then rv. my predictions for the seedings are:
1. hutch
2. nu
3. litch
4. rv
5. marshall
6. windom
7. luverne
8. fairmont
9. worthington
10. sleepy eye

[new2coachin]

i wondered how long it would take before someone from nu would tell everybody how good they are and how badly they dominated marshall last night. i just thought it would be sooner. 'scout--i think you need to actually see all of these teams play before you crown redwood #1. if you truly are a "scout" then you would know that you can't always look at scores, take a look at nu's depth and you would see that they are much deeper then rv. my predictions for the seedings are:
1. hutch
2. nu
3. litch
4. rv
5. marshall
6. windom
7. luverne
8. fairmont
9. worthington
10. sleepy eye

I have seen all of these teams play, and feel that Redwood is a contender for #2 or #3 and would give New Ulm or Hutch a run for their money, but am sure of them over Litch. Redwood at #4 and Marshall at #5 would be fun because we would get to see them play a third game against each other. Redwood has proven something in that they can defeat Marshall (twice) and New Ulm can't (twice).

[golfer5]

Redwood playing Marshall 4-5 makes no sence, Would prove nothing to either team. Marshall was king of the Southwest for so long and got games thru the years with New Ulm litch and Hutch cause there was really no compition for them in the section except Marshall and Windom a few times. Games were scheduled with the conference champions. Now Redwood won it last Year and still no games scheduled. This team from Redwood has seen some hockey since they were 6. Went to the Pee Wee B tournament and finisched 4th, Went to Bantam A a few years and played very well but still as Bantam could not get a game with New Ulm.
Half of Redwood kids practiced this summer in New Ulm? And the Summer league in mankato east and west New Ulm was there we played them finally. Guess who won the league Redwood. I believe Redwood will be better next season, Top 2 scorers are Juniors and start a Freshman now on that line. Again Marshall and redwood rematch in sections does nothing except give a advantage of one of them being out to face the other 3. Marshall is 4th in the Southwest conference now and beat New Ulm twice. Plain and simple Redwood is Number 1>play them and prove other wise. This is this year section playoffs not last year or 5 years ago or a year from now. This year. If New Ulm gets #1 it only says dont worry about the SouthWest Conference play who ever you want and you can get a Number 1 or 2 seed depending on how Hutch does. That is crazy.

[skeie1317]

I do not live in Redwood but kids play there, it should not take long to figure out who I am. With all respect to golfer5, I disagree that NU Hutch and Litch should put RD on the schedule.Why should they? Yes the last 2 years RD has played well for SW MN and it would be fun to play those teams. But 2 years does not make a program. Rd is developing but I believe it will take a few more years to show that we can compete year in and year out. My beef is why everyone takes it out on the RD kids for "not playing anyone". I would venture a guess no kid on any of these teams makes up the schedule. They simply show up to practice, play the games, and hopefully have fun. Yes, winning is more fun. As far as section seeding goes, I would love to be in the heads of all the coaches as they rank this mess. Whom every does represent 3A I hope can show the state that SW MN hockey can compete.

[casualobserver]

Well said skeie1317. I hope nothing but the best for those kids.

By the way....LDC 4 - Delano 2 Very impressive

[Garry Bettman]

Im from marshall and i will tell you that new ulm is the best team in the section... get over it.... ITs very obvious from a hockey standpoint if you watched new ulm play and then watch redwood play, new ulm plays better hockey... doesnt mean they will always win.

Mitch Campion....BENDER.....BENDS IT UP......Johnny reb too.

[Garry Bettman]

So if redwood should be seeded 1 for beating a team twice that beat new ulm twice shouldnt marshall be seeded above new ulm? in your opinions?? hmmm think about that now.. We all know new ulm will be seeded above marshall anyway and i wouldnt be disappointed if they are, they are a good hockey team... and seedings dont matter, if your team is good they can have the 10 seed and get to state, or the 1 seed and get to state it doesnt really matter what seed you are.

I agree in part with jordan and jacob skeie's parent or whatever..... The reality is we are in SW minnesota and those of you who think your hometown team is invincible, are a bit naeve... If Tonka were to come out here it would be hard for any of our top contending teams in this section to keep it within 10 goals.

Have your kid tryout for elites.... you will figure out what up...quick.

[new2coachin]

So if redwood should be seeded 1 for beating a team twice that beat new ulm twice shouldnt marshall be seeded above new ulm? in your opinions?? hmmm think about that now.. We all know new ulm will be seeded above marshall anyway and i wouldnt be disappointed if they are, they are a good hockey team... and seedings dont matter, if your team is good they can have the 10 seed and get to state, or the 1 seed and get to state it doesnt really matter what seed you are.

I agree in part with jordan and jacob skeie's parent or whatever..... The reality is we are in SW minnesota and those of you who think your hometown team is invincible, are a bit naeve... If Tonka were to come out here it would be hard for any of our top contending teams in this section to keep it within 10 goals.

Have your kid tryout for elites.... you will figure out what up...quick.

Aaahhh, if it were only that easy, and if Marshall had not lost to Luverne & Morris, & Litch, then yes they would have an argument. But what I think some of the posters are trying to get across is that without head to head games, all one can compare is common opponents, and Marshall is one common opponent to compare Redwood and New Ulm. Redwood has shown they can score more than 2 goals in a game against Marshall and they can do it with fewer shots. If Marshall beats Hutch tomorrow, God help the coaches trying to decide seedings!!!

[BuffaloRidgeHockey]

As for New Ulm scheduling games with Redwood in the future, I do not see Redwood being as strong the next couple of years. The problem with most of the SW Conf. teams is that they are up and down from year to year and a person really needs to be watching the youth teams to get a feel for whats coming up to judge if they should be playing at the Varsity level a couple of years later. Luverne would be a good example of this, down this year, but next year they should be near the top with their core players being seniors, then a down year or two. I do think that the more games Hutch, NU & Litch play against the southern 3A teams, coaches will start to adjust their style of play, and teams will start stepping up to that level of play over time, and over time, the section will become even tighter.

First time poster here. I will be honest I am a coach in the Luverne Youth Hockey Association. I know Luverne is really not in the mix for the Section this year. However, I think that down the road we should have a pretty solid program. We are the only SouthWest Hockey team going "A's" at the Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam level. And we have what I think is solid talent coming through. I just disagree that Luverne will be up next year then back down. If you break it down I think we should have have some pretty decent years ahead.

Our "A"Bantams (8th & 9th Graders) Beat Hutchinson and Swept New Ulm and has been competing and beating Programs like Faribault, Mankato, Owatanna, Northfield to name a few...No one else in the SW Conference plays "A" Bantams. Thats with the best 9th grader getting moved up to the Varsity level.

Our "A" Pee Wees (6th & 7th Graders) Have beat New Ulm, Marshall, Albert Lea, Waseca, Austin to name a few. Only Marshall has an A Pee Wee team in the SouthWest Conference...

Our "A" Squirts (4th & 5th Graders) Have beat New Ulm, Marshall, Redwood, Albert Lea and are undefeated in District 4 play...

So to say that New Ulm shouldn't schedule a team like Luverne in High School because they are from the SW and they will be up and down I think is just not true. I am not saying we will be great by any means but I think playing and having success at the "A" level against teams like New Ulm from grades 9-4 should develop into at least a competitive team down the road in high school.

But I know its hard to say you never know what will happen and how will the High School Coaches keep developing talent and the questions are endless. I am just saying lets not bash all SW hockey Programs as up and down I think some programs are trying very hard to level the playing field.

[golfer5]

well said and welcome aboard. sometimes they say stuff that makes you just have to comment. Go Cardinals.

[Edger]

Where were all of you reasonable people the past ten years when Marshall was trying to get these same points across?
The goal has always been to simply improve play in the SW corner of the state .. always has been.
Keep battling. Improve your youth levels. Talk all of them into playing A hockey and sticking with it. Takes time and effort but its worth it.

[new2coachin]

As for New Ulm scheduling games with Redwood in the future, I do not see Redwood being as strong the next couple of years. The problem with most of the SW Conf. teams is that they are up and down from year to year and a person really needs to be watching the youth teams to get a feel for whats coming up to judge if they should be playing at the Varsity level a couple of years later. Luverne would be a good example of this, down this year, but next year they should be near the top with their core players being seniors, then a down year or two. I do think that the more games Hutch, NU & Litch play against the southern 3A teams, coaches will start to adjust their style of play, and teams will start stepping up to that level of play over time, and over time, the section will become even tighter.

First time poster here. I will be honest I am a coach in the Luverne Youth Hockey Association. I know Luverne is really not in the mix for the Section this year. However, I think that down the road we should have a pretty solid program. We are the only SouthWest Hockey team going "A's" at the Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam level. And we have what I think is solid talent coming through. I just disagree that Luverne will be up next year then back down. If you break it down I think we should have have some pretty decent years ahead.

I'm on your side & apologize for using Luverne as an example, but my point is that the teams in the SW conference will experience up & down years largely due to their numbers at each age group. How do New Ulm, Hutch & Litch decide who to schedule games with because they probably would not want to play all of the 3A teams? Question for BuffaloRidge, with this years Luverne team looking like a #7 seed, do you think next year they have the talent to be a #4 seed or higher? (In case you are wondering, I do) If so do you think the same will hold true for the next couple of years or do you see a couple other teams slip in with a good year and drop you down to a #6 or #7? (Again, if you are wondering, I do see them being seeded lower) This year & last year would have been a great year to have scheduled Redwood a couple games against New Ulm, Hutch or Litch. Next year it could be Luverne, the following year probably a different team, how do they know who to schedule?

[goldy313]

Who gets the #1 seed isn't always the best team, it's the team that's done the best during the season. New Ulm lost to Marshall twice, the fourth place team in Redwood's conference mind you, they won't be the #1 seed. Hutch lost to New Ulm and they'll likely finish the season with a sub .500 record, no way they're the number 1 seed. Nothing Hutch has done on the ice makes them a #1 seed, that doesn't mean they're not the best team in 3A, they may very well be, they just won't get a #1 seed.

If you're New Ulm or Hutch, win more games, schedule Redwood Valley, etc. Don't get upset because you're not a number 1 seed, it doesn't really matter all that much anyhow, you still have to win 3 games to get out of the section and the finals are played at a neutral site anyhow. Both New Ulm and Hutch have tougher games down the stretch that will better prepare them for the playoffs than Redwood Valley does, it will all work itself out by March 5th.

[BuffaloRidgeHockey]

Luverne Beats Windom tonight 8-7... terrible goaltending for both teams. Luverne comes back from being down 6 to 4 going into the third period. Nice payback win to show that that 11 to 3 lost early in the year was not their true team they had multiple players out with suspensions and injuries in the first game.

To answer the Question about Luverne next year they will return everyone but one player next year.. They will be adding a couple very solid A Bantam players... But their goaltending will prevent them from really a threat even next year. I still both Redwood and Marshall ahead of them in Southwest Conference. And Hutch, LDC, and New Ulm will all finish higher..

However the year after that that their A bantam goalie will be moving up (He is a very solid goaltender) and they will have a lot of solid players moving thats when I see Luverne start to challenge for the Southwest Crown..

Nice Win for them tonight though but you cant give up 7 goals to Windom and expect to be a playoff threat. Also, Windom's goaltending was very poor as well both teams will not be a threat come playoff time.