Section 3A

[casualobserver]

Hutchinson 1 Farmington 4

Farmington had lost 10 in a row going into this game. Hutchinson continues to struggle. It couldn't have set up any better for Marshall today.

[bardown27]

I wouldnt exactly say set up nice for Marshall. Hutch is going to come in pissed off and looking to pound the crap out of somebody today. not many teams like losing to a team who doesnt have a conference win(farmington had none until last night). look for hutch to come out and take this one.

Hutch-4

Marshall-2

[M-TownSiv]

End of 1st period

Hutch 2
Marshall 1

[M-TownSiv]

End of 2nd Period

Hutch 3
Marshall 2

Marshall tied it early in the 2nd, but Hutch regained the lead on the PP towards the end of the period

[M-TownSiv]

End of 3, going to OT

Hutch 3
Marshall 3

[M-TownSiv]

Final OT
Hutch 4
Marshall 3

[golfer5]

Redwood 6 Fairmont 1
Luverne over Morris 4-3
sleepy eye over worthington 6-2
Any word on litch vs st cloud cathedral?

[SWHockeyScout]

Well this Section is the definition of parity anyone can beat anyone on different nights. I think this last week proved that point. I think as was said by Goldy in an earlier post this will all get sorted out on March 5 in St. Peter. Until then we have to figure out the road to get there here is my outlook on it.

For your information I have seen every team in this section play. I think that truly of the top 5 teams anyone of them could get hot in win this section. I know teams may have more depth or skill then others however when you seed you go by the results. And that’s what the playoffs are for to prove those seeds wrong or right. This is my opinion as I see it right now.

Section 3A Seeds as of 2/7/10
#1 Redwood Valley
#2 Hutchinson
#3 New Ulm
#4 Marshall
#5 LDC
#6 Windom
#7 Luverne
#8 Fairmont
#9 Worthington
#10 Sleepy Eye

Its so hard to seed 2-10….
Hutch lost to New Ulm but beat LDC & Marshall
New Ulm Beat LDC and Hutch but was swept by Marshall…
Marshall Swept New Ulm so can they be seeded lower then them??..But they also lost to Hutch, LDC& Luverne
LDC lost to New Ulm and Hutch but beat Marshall
Windom Beat Redwood once and Fairmont, Luverne once…But the was swept by Marshall and lost to Luverne the 2nd time
Luverne Beat Marshall and Windom the 2nd time …But they lost to Fairmont Twice and lost to Worthington
Fairmont Beat Luverne twice and Sleepy Eye…But they got beat by Windom and were swept by Worthington
Worthington Swept Fairmont and beat Luverne once but they got swept by Sleepy Eye
Sleepy Eye has lost every game but two those two wins are both against Worthington

Like I said I have no idea how these seeds are going to turn out…This is just my opinion, which means nothing in the big picture sense. But lets hear and see your seeds fellow 3A followers …This thing is complicated….

How About just seed them by overall Records ...
#1 Redwood (17-2-0)
#2 New Ulm (11-8-0)
#3 LDC (11-8-0)
#4 Hutch (9-10-1)
#5 Marshall (10-12-0)
#6 Luverne (7-11-1)
#7 Windom (7-13-1)
#8 Fairmont (6-14-0)
#9 Worthington (3-16-0)
#10 Sleepy Eye (2-17-0)

I guess that doesn't really work either like I said what's your guys idea this thing is so jumbled and out of sorts!!

[hoccardger]

Whoa...Sleepy eye beats Worthington - good for them

Marshall takes Hutch to overtime - Marshall is moving in a positive direction. I just saw them play, and they are only as good as their goalie. They work hard, but the goalie is great. Looking at followthepuck stats, looks like Campion is right up there with Swenson and Burgau for top goalie in the section - save percentage is in the top ten of the state (better than Swenson and NU), but then again he doesn't play the teams that Hutch plays. They have a tougher conference than Marshall. Marshall does well against good teams (NU, Hutch, Lourdes), but not sure why they didn't beat some weaker teams.

Hutch got a much needed win against Marshall - came in a little down from their slump, but the win should help them. They are a better all around team than Marshall, but may have trouble with NU. Hutch has too many stand out players, but needs work on the depth of the bottom lines. Marshall beats NU because of the Marshall goalie - hands down.

I say good job to the Marshall goalie - it was a great game. Hutch needs to work hard to win this conference, but if they put it together, they can win it. Right now:

1 New ulm
2 Hutch
3 LDC
4 Marshall
5 Redwood
6 Windom
7 Luverne

[golfer5]

Whoa...Sleepy eye beats Worthington - good for them

Marshall takes Hutch to overtime - Marshall is moving in a positive direction. I just saw them play, and they are only as good as their goalie. They work hard, but the goalie is great. Looking at followthepuck stats, looks like Campion is right up there with Swenson and Burgau for top goalie in the section - save percentage is in the top ten of the state (better than Swenson and NU), but then again he doesn't play the teams that Hutch plays. They have a tougher conference than Marshall. Marshall does well against good teams (NU, Hutch, Lourdes), but not sure why they didn't beat some weaker teams.

Hutch got a much needed win against Marshall - came in a little down from their slump, but the win should help them. They are a better all around team than Marshall, but may have trouble with NU. Hutch has too many stand out players, but needs work on the depth of the bottom lines. Marshall beats NU because of the Marshall goalie - hands down.

I say good job to the Marshall goalie - it was a great game. Hutch needs to work hard to win this conference, but if they put it together, they can win it. Right now:

1 New ulm
2 Hutch
3 LDC
4 Marshall
5 Redwood
6 Windom
7 Luverne

You might want to look at who has the most wins by a goalie in the state?
How can you justify putting Marshall ahead of Redwood and New Ulm ahead of Marshall.

[hoccardger]

Settle down golfer 5...
you were around in the 80's - my parents weren't even married or graduated yet...why do we have so many parents on this site?

I honestly don't know Redwood, and haven't seen them play - just look at the stats and the schedule. Yep - heard all your arguments on why they are so good...will believe it when I see it - and hopefully we will meet them! (unless Marshall finally gets a win against them)

I think Hutch and NU just have good hockey teams, as does LDC. LDC big win against Delano is a tough win, and makes them a contender. Hutch may be down a little, but I think they can do it. Marshall has a couple good players and a hot goalie. I am guessing he had an off night against RW and looks like he didn't play the first time...not sure why they do that there... I think the back up played Elite though

RWV may have a good team - who knows. We will see in the playoffs won't we. Any game could be any ones but not playing quality teams, it is really hard to justify them being good. Lets see what happens in FEB. More power to them if they actually prove it????

[M-TownSiv]

1) Redwood
2) NU
3) Hutch
4) LDC
5) Marshall
6) Luverne
7) Windom
#8 Fairmont
9) Worthington
10) Sleepy Eye

Reasoning: Redwood get nod a #1 due to some major help from Marshall sweeping NU, and they just keep winning. NU is down to #2, they still beat Hutch head to head and have the second best record in the section, but the Marshall losses will hurt them from getting #1. Hutch is at #3, they beat LDC and Marshall, but head to head loss against NU won't help. LDC is #4 based on the win against Marshall, get antoher crack at NU, but I don't know if it will count. Marshall at #5, and that is the only one that i think is a lock at this point, they can't jump ahead of anyone else due to losses and I don't think NU can drop lower than a 5. Everyone else appears to be settle now that Luverne is taking charge at #6, Windom falling to #7, then Fairmont, Worthington and Sleepy Eye rounding out.

Okay, I can't lie I got this from pulling teams out of a hat

[golfer5]

Settle down golfer 5...
you were around in the 80's - my parents weren't even married or graduated yet...why do we have so many parents on this site?

I honestly don't know Redwood, and haven't seen them play - just look at the stats and the schedule. Yep - heard all your arguments on why they are so good...will believe it when I see it - and hopefully we will meet them! (unless Marshall finally gets a win against them)

I think Hutch and NU just have good hockey teams, as does LDC. LDC big win against Delano is a tough win, and makes them a contender. Hutch may be down a little, but I think they can do it. Marshall has a couple good players and a hot goalie. I am guessing he had an off night against RW and looks like he didn't play the first time...not sure why they do that there... I think the back up played Elite though

RWV may have a good team - who knows. We will see in the playoffs won't we. Any game could be any ones but not playing quality teams, it is really hard to justify them being good. Lets see what happens in FEB. More power to them if they actually prove it????

Have won against Marshall 4 times in a row, that part has been proven and u dont get 7 lucky goals against Campion. U either score them or u dont. It is Feb

[Edger]

Just my opinion
(I've seen them all play at least twice, some I've seen play 3 or 4 times)

1. Hutch .... Been there, done it, several "very good" players in the top two lines. Lack of great depth won't hurt in section play, you ride the horses.
2. New Ulm .... Typical NU team, solid 1-thru-15. Goalie is good, not great. Shoot a lot and shoot hard, but not enough legit goal-scorers.
3. LDC ..... I think everyone is underestimating this team based on their collapse in NU. (which can happen during the year). Very similar to Hutch, think this team will surprise someone in section play.
4. Redwood .... We've heard it all about them. Truth is, they are pretty good. Play hard. But haven't had to grind it out against quality teams like NU/Hutch have had to all year. If they can come section time, good for them, but will need to see it.
5. Marshall .... Saved their season the past week. Was an impressive week. Who knows if it will carry through to sections, but IF it does, they proved this week they can play with anyone.
6. Luverne ... Have to agree that they have moved ahead of Windom. Young squad who is gaining confidence daily.
7. Windom ..... Disappointing so far, but still say they could pull an upset. Some areas of strength for them in the past have become weaknesses lately.
8. Sleepy Eye ..... much better team this year. Finally have some players who have had some success on the way up. No longer a pushover. And improving every game.
9. Worthington ..... Not good to start with, then inconsistent on top of it. Can beat any of the 6-10 teams, tho .... (including themselves )
10. Fairmont ...... Same, can beat 6 thru 10, or can lose to anyone.


So, not much different than most of you.
What does it really matter. For years, goldy has been the voice of reason on this message board and he still is. New Ulm has had #1 seeds and it has done them no good. It's simply a tournament. The top 4 just play one less game, and that has both its advantages and disadvantages.
It'll all come down (like it ALWAYS does), to whose best players play best, and to whose goalie gets (and stays) hot for 2 or 3 games.
Dang fun time of year. Enjoy it.

[blue2141]

Just my opinion
(I've seen them all play at least twice, some I've seen play 3 or 4 times)

1. Hutch .... Been there, done it, several "very good" players in the top two lines. Lack of great depth won't hurt in section play, you ride the horses.
2. New Ulm .... Typical NU team, solid 1-thru-15. Goalie is good, not great. Shoot a lot and shoot hard, but not enough legit goal-scorers.
3. LDC ..... I think everyone is underestimating this team based on their collapse in NU. (which can happen during the year). Very similar to Hutch, think this team will surprise someone in section play.
4. Redwood .... We've heard it all about them. Truth is, they are pretty good. Play hard. But haven't had to grind it out against quality teams like NU/Hutch have had to all year. If they can come section time, good for them, but will need to see it.
5. Marshall .... Saved their season the past week. Was an impressive week. Who knows if it will carry through to sections, but IF it does, they proved this week they can play with anyone.
6. Luverne ... Have to agree that they have moved ahead of Windom. Young squad who is gaining confidence daily.
7. Windom ..... Disappointing so far, but still say they could pull an upset. Some areas of strength for them in the past have become weaknesses lately.
8. Sleepy Eye ..... much better team this year. Finally have some players who have had some success on the way up. No longer a pushover. And improving every game.
9. Worthington ..... Not good to start with, then inconsistent on top of it. Can beat any of the 6-10 teams, tho .... (including themselves )
10. Fairmont ...... Same, can beat 6 thru 10, or can lose to anyone.


So, not much different than most of you.
What does it really matter. For years, goldy has been the voice of reason on this message board and he still is. New Ulm has had #1 seeds and it has done them no good. It's simply a tournament. The top 4 just play one less game, and that has both its advantages and disadvantages.
It'll all come down (like it ALWAYS does), to whose best players play best, and to whose goalie gets (and stays) hot for 2 or 3 games.
Dang fun time of year. Enjoy it.

I don't think anyone can come up with a truely "fair" way to sort out the top 5 here. The advantage of a #1 or #2 is two home games (since the semis are unfortunately not at the GAC this year) and #4 and #5 have to play at #4.

Since there is no fair way, I'd say give the #1 nod to Redwood. It could be that I'm carrying over my hatred of the BCS and what they have been doing to Boise State. Give them their chance and if they get beat up so be it. Nobody else can make a good case that they "deserve it."

[Garry Bettman]

[/quote]
You might want to look at who has the most wins by a goalie in the state?
How can you justify putting Marshall ahead of Redwood and New Ulm ahead of Marshall.[/quote]

HA... This whole section is messed up and seedings dont really matter in the end....
He has the most wins as he plays the easiest schedule in the state on a fairly decent team... and he plays every single game, backup goalie hasnt seen the ice.... he should lead the state in wins... hes a decent goalie but naahhhh.

[goalieguy_14]

i think if the coach's were smart they'd give NU the #1 seed, look what they do with it

[moose27]

[quote="goalieguy_14"]i think if the coach's were smart they'd give NU the #1 seed, look what they do with it[/quote]


Doesn't matter who the number 1 seed is. The winner of the this section will be lucky to get 15 shots on net in the opening round of the state tournament at the X barring their are no major upsets come playoff time. Just think Hutch, NU, or LDC against St.Thomas. HA!!!


Redwood will be the one seed and hasn't even played a team in the top 20 for Class A. In all honesty though it might be the best section as far competitiveness goes. Throw Hutch, LDC, NU, RW, and Marshall into a hat and pick one. They are all average at best Class A teams and that is being generous. Hutch has the best goalie in the section and if he heats up i am picking them but right now i am picking LDC.

[golfer5]

PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:31 am Post subject: Class A Top 20 1-7-10 Reply with quote
Only a handful of games left for all of our teams. There is a lot of movement this week.

1. St Thomas Academy (16-4)
The Cadets defeat the Pioneers to take hold of a share of the conference title and a 10 game winning streak. The Eagles will play them tight this week.
-This week: Rochester Lourdes (Tues, 7:30pm), Richfield (Thurs, 7:30pm), @Henry Sibley (Sat, 7:30pm)

2. Breck (18-2)
The Mustangs continue to dismantle their conference opponents while showing they are very beatable by playing Rochester Lourdes too close for comfort.
-This week: St Paul Academy (Thurs, 7:30pm), @St Paul Como Park (Sat, 2pm)

3. Hermantown (18-3)
All the Hawks’ losses this season have been by one goal, all to AA opponents.
-This week: @Duluth Denfeld (Tues, 7:30pm), Red Wing (Sat, 3pm)

4. Mahtomedi (16-5)
I would’ve moved them up if they had beaten Spring Lake Park by a bigger margin. Their only losses this season are to St Thomas, Breck and Hill Murray.
-This week: Henry Sibley (Thurs, 7:30pm), Tartan (Sat, 3pm)

5. Warroad (17-4)
The Warriors have been proving themselves lately. They crushed EGF and beat two good Duluth schools lately.
-This week: Grand Forks Red River (Tues, 7:30pm), Moorhead (Thurs, 6pm), Bemidji (Fri, 7:30pm)

6. International Falls (13-6-2)
Big jump, yes, but the Broncos beat Hibbing and tied Virginia lately. Their only loss this year has been to Hermantown by 3.
-This week: @Lake of the Woods (Thurs, 7:30pm), Grand Rapids (Fri, 7:30pm)

7. Sartell-St Stephen (14-6-2)
Alexandria was a little road bump, but Sartell beat Virginia today. Not a top 4 team if Warroad makes it, but in control of their own destiny in 6A.
-This week: @River Lakes (Tues, 7pm), St Cloud Apollo (Thurs, 7pm)

8. Virginia (14-6-3)
The Blue Devils definitely aren’t cruising toward the end of the season. I would say they still have the top seed in their hands, but they play two very losable section games to two teams who could take the top seed from them.
-This week: Duluth Marshall (Tues, 7:30pm)


9. Duluth Marshall (9-11-1)
Beating Thief River Falls helps the Hilltoppers out quite a bit. They have some very good games this week, games that could bring them to the top of their section and help them continue to rise in the rankings.
-This week: @Virginia (Tues, 7:30pm), Totino-Grace (Thurs, 7pm), @Superior (Sat, 2:30)

10. Thief River Falls (15-6)
Going 1-2 this past week doesn’t help them in the rankings and leave 8A up in the air at the moment. I would say losing to Crookston is worse than losing to EGF; Warroad probably has the edge back. This is a huge drop, yes, but teams around them keep winning while they lose to Crookston and a rising Duluth Marshall.
-This week: Red Lake Falls (Mon, 7:30pm), @Roseau (Fri, 7:30pm)

11. Blake (15-6)
This is an example of a team dropping not by any fault of their own. They haven’t beaten anyone worth mentioning all season and teams below them keep beating quality opponents while they have given up 2 goals to 3 of the last 4 conference opponents.
-This week: @Minnehaha Academy (Tues, 7pm), St Paul Johnson (Sat, 3pm)

12. Hibbing (10-8-2)
The Bluejackets are a good team that will be a threat to anyone they play in sections, but they haven’t beaten teams who are sitting ahead of them.
-This week: @Grand Rapids (Tues, 7:30pm), @Eveleth-Gilbert (Fri, 7:30pm)

13. St Cloud Cathedral (13-6)
Should the Crusaders be higher? If they go 2-0 this week they will definitely move up. If they don’t, Delano will probably see a spot a bit higher than them.
-This week: @Orono (Tues, 7pm), Delano (Fri, 7:15pm)

14. Sauk Rapids-Rice (11-8-1)
There are two VERY good opponents this week for the Storm, both away games. Winning both would be great for them. They are 10-1 in their last 11 games. Anyone know how old their new goalie is?
-This week: @Alexandria (Tues, 7pm), @Brainerd (Thurs, 7pm)

15. Alexandria (12-5-1)
They beat Sartell this week, which helps out a lot. They have Sauk Rapids this week, who beat them away in OT before, a big game for my rankings.
-This week: Sauk Rapids-Rice (Tues, 7pm), Fergus Falls (Thurs, 7pm)

16. Delano (14-7)
They have a big week this week, with a chance to take back a tie of the conference title.
-This week: Holy Family Catholic (Tues, 7:30pm), @St Cloud Cathedral (Fri, 7:15pm), @Meadow Creek Christian (Sat, 3pm)

17. Rochester Lourdes (12-6-3)
Tying New Prague and losing to Mound-Westonka hurt. The Eagles play New Ulm this week to try to raise their seed for 1A
-This week: @St Thomas (Tues, 7:30pm), New Ulm (Thurs, 7:30pm)

18. Spring Lake Park (16-5)
It is very possible this is too low for the Panthers after losing to Mahtomedi by 1, but they also have losses to Totino Grace and Chisago Lakes.
-This week: @St Louis Park (Tues, 7pm), @St Francis (Fri, 7pm)

19. Redwood Valley (15-2)
Not an exact science at all; although the Cardinals have not played New Ulm for Litchfield, they have beaten Marshall twice who has beaten both of those teams. It would be nice to find out a little bit about the Cardinals; is this a young team that will be back next year, or is it mostly seniors?
-This week: @Morris/Benson (Tues, 7pm)

Again any press is good press. Thanks HShockeywatcher. Scout New Ulm lost to your favorite Minnehaha Academy on sat 3-1 Litch looses to St cloud cathedral 7-2

[blue2141]

The hockey players from NU, Hutch, Marshall and LDC all could have made their team the #1 seed on the ice but were not able to do so. The players from RW have won their two key match up games. It is not their fault they have a crappy schedule.
1) RW
2) Hutch
3) NU
4) LDC
5) Marshall

[hutchtostate]

all u RW fans - why don't you make a site just for you to brag up RW, and let the rest of us talk some hockey.

or better yet, since it seems like you are all old adults, go to the casino and talk about how greeat your team is there

First time here - all the teams are decent. I think LDC, Hutch and NU are the most solid and play good hockey. Marshall gave us a run - hard working little team with a hot goalie last week - glad you beat NU . We should have scored more goals, but the goalie was good. Looks like the goalie saved them in both games. It's going to be hard for Marshall to play more close games like that though. We thought Campion was close to Sweson and better than Burgau. I think Hutch has the experience to do well, and after reading this blog, I hope someone knocks RW out early You make it hard for us to cheer for them.

Tigers repeat to state.

[Garry Bettman]

[quote="hutchtostate"]all u RW fans - why don't you make a site just for you to brag up RW, and let the rest of us talk some hockey.

or better yet, since it seems like you are all old adults, go to the casino and talk about how greeat your team is there

First time here - all the teams are decent. I think LDC, Hutch and NU are the most solid and play good hockey. Marshall gave us a run - hard working little team with a hot goalie last week - glad you beat NU . We should have scored more goals, but the goalie was good. Looks like the goalie saved them in both games. It's going to be hard for Marshall to play more close games like that though. We thought Campion was close to Sweson and better than Burgau. I think Hutch has the experience to do well, and after reading this blog, I hope someone knocks RW out early You make it hard for us to cheer for them.

Tigers repeat to state.[/quote]

Tigers will repeat to state... you heard it here... but which tigers? Marshall's got a shot., check that seeds one through 5 have a shot... draw out of a hat.... Campion over Swenson. =)

[letsgowild]

The hockey players from NU, Hutch, Marshall and LDC all could have made their team the #1 seed on the ice but were not able to do so. The players from RW have won their two key match up games. It is not their fault they have a crappy schedule.
1) RW
2) Hutch
3) NU
4) LDC
5) Marshall

I still don't know how you can seed Redwood ahead of Litch, Hutch or New Ulm. Redwood hasn't beat any team ranked ahead of any one of those teams.
Redwood beat Marshall twice and Henry Sibley, thats the best they beat.
(lost to Windom)
Litch beat Mound West Tonka, Marshall, Delano and played Orono tough.
Hutch beat Prior Lake, Willmar, Marshall and tied Northfield.
New Ulm beat Hutch, Litch, Proctor and Northfield. (lost to Marshall twice)

[Skill Stick]

Seedings do not matter! When it comes down to playoffs any team will be hard to beat. Look at NU and there 1 seed the last two years. Two section final losses. I'm sure the Boys down there don't even want the 1 seed. Let RV have it any see what they can do with it. Marshall fans you also need to calm down. Getting a little over excited over the wins against NU. Your only as good as you goalie is. I'm suprised your helmets fit over your guys heads right not. Just play hockey and don't worry about seedings. The best team will win no matter what seed they are. But here's how I see the teams...

Hutch- Solid first line with a couple good D and goaltender. Got a much needed win against Marshall last Saturday.

RV- Hanson and Miller carry the team from what I've seen. A couple other solid players and a decent goaltender.

Litch- Solid team. Could be the best in my eyes. The NU loss means nothing. Adams is there best player and goalie is off and on.

Marshall- Only as good as their goalie. Need to play Campion the rest of the year to win. Decent squad at best. Need to get over the wins over NU. Team works hard.

NU- Solid depth. Seems like having some trouble scoring as of late? Good goalie and a solid first line. Is Burgau really that good?

Windom- Good first line. Goaltending and penalties seem to be a problem. Sleeper team. Eisenminger can deffinatly play!

After that not much to talk about.

[golfer5]

All been talked about too much ( Lets Play Hockey).