HM and Minnetonka 3/12/10 @ 8:00Pm

[HMHockey943]

Who do you think will win?

[Sparlimb]

Hill can win this game, but they will need to play much like they did two years ago in their title run. They absolutely cannot afford to take the first period off like they have done so many times this year. Minnetonka has had Hill's number the last few years, so it is time for payback. I think there are some real interesting styles in this game. These are probably the best two teams in state defensively, although HM was pretty lackluster last night. It will come down to which goalie plays better and which team wants to outwork the other. This one should be fun to watch. I'll take my team in a shocker 5-4 HM in double OT.

[east hockey]

Tonka by three.

Lee

[DasCondor]

this game should be good.. if Hill gets any penalties the game is over..tonkas powerplay is VERY good this year rolling at 50% in playoffs if tonka wins, this will add to their list of wins over basically every top team this year
For hill to be in this, they will definantly need more than 16 shots on goal

Im going with 5-2 Tonka

[bigtimescout]

Should be a very good game, interested to see which freshman, Coatta or Lavelle, will have a bigger impact in this one. Both are very impressive hockey players. I think that Tonka's ability to cycle will be the X factor, if they can generate offense down low and work it to their D1 blueline, I think baby timmy will have a tough time seeing shots when Gardiner is in the way. In saying so, The defense of Tonka will be the difference maker in this one.

Tonka - 4
HM - 2

[BodyShots]

Outside of the last minute of the 1st period, and first minute of the 2nd period, HM looked awful last night. Their breakout reminded me of WBL. Beat it up the boards, and when that doesn't work, just flip it out to the neutral zone. I thought Lechner did a terrible job of making adjustments between periods. Even the announcers where surprised at their lack of adjustments. BUT, they won the game and move on.

If they don't play 100% better, Tonka takes this one in a cake walk 6-2.

[Goldfishdude]

Outside of the last minute of the 1st period, and first minute of the 2nd period, HM looked awful last night. Their breakout reminded me of WBL. Beat it up the boards, and when that doesn't work, just flip it out to the neutral zone. I thought Lechner did a terrible job of making adjustments between periods. Even the announcers where surprised at their lack of adjustments. BUT, they won the game and move on.

If they don't play 100% better, Tonka takes this one in a cake walk 6-2.

Body..... the same game plan East put on H-M was what I was trying to stress for WBL to do. It appeared East pressured the puck.... closed passing lanes... held their checks better, and forced the play rather than sitting back and hoping H-M would make a bad pass.

Even though I still feel H-M has tremendous depth, I don't think it's a secret that Tonka's Max Gardiner will be the best player on the ice, and if H-M doesn't stop him, they will have no chance. H-M cannot allow more than 2 pts from him... I think the Tonka first line is a mild mis-match over H-M.

H-M's 2nd and 3rd lines will have to come thru, and they will have to play in front of the net. I am not sure H-M will win too many battles behind or around the net with Hesketh, Holl, Prochnos'....

AND, they will have to break Kruger in nets.... he was solid again yesterday.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was alarmed and disappointed that Tonka gave up 30 shots to Lakeville. If Tonka plays a style like East did versus H-M, I don't foresee more than 22 H-M shots, but if Tonka doesn't protect the front of the net like they didn't do against Lakeville, and if H-M can win some of those battles behind and around the net, an upset is not out of the question.

However, I think Tonka has their game face on today, and won't approach this game like it did versus Lakeville.

Tonka 5 - HM 2...... Gardiner 3 pts..

[DasCondor]

yea urick didn't seem to happy with their performance last night...They should come out flying tonight

[SEMinnyHCKY]

H-M needs to be physical, but not get penalties - Tonka's PP is solid. It will be a fine line for the Pioneers - frustrate Tonka but not get put in the sin bin. I seem to remember a Roseau - Hill - Murray semi a couple years ago when Hill took Roseau out of their game with physical play.

This being said, I have always cheered against the Pioneers and hope Tonka wins! A few fans of the Pioneers sit by me and tell me they have come out a bit flat in the first periods of games, which is what happened last night against Duluth East, they can't do it again tonight! Should be a fun game to watch! Tonka 4-2 with a EN.

[starmvp]

Tonka 5-2

[Goldfishdude]

H-M needs to be physical, but not get penalties - Tonka's PP is solid. It will be a fine line for the Pioneers - frustrate Tonka but not get put in the sin bin. I seem to remember a Roseau - Hill - Murray semi a couple years ago when Hill took Roseau out of their game with physical play.

This being said, I have always cheered against the Pioneers and hope Tonka wins! A few fans of the Pioneers sit by me and tell me they have come out a bit flat in the first periods of games, which is what happened last night against Duluth East, they can't do it again tonight! Should be a fun game to watch! Tonka 4-2 with a EN.

This is exactly true....

Against some of the better teams, it seems as though H-M will still get 10-15 shots on goal in the first period, but most are from top of circles out, and then it's like the proverbial light switch gets turned on in which they crash the net, battle for rebounds, and then team speed, power play and taking advantage of odd-man rushes kick in.

In the section 4AA quarterfinal game versus St. Paul Como, H-M had 19 shots on goal in the first period, but only one goal. Como wasn't allowing many second or third chances..... Then by time mid-second period came along, PPGs and odd-man rushes with the skilled forwards took over.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

Hill will not be able to keep up with Tonka. Tonka in another beat down. Hill's only sliver of a chance to win tonight is if they play a physical game. Not sure Hill can do that.

[Factsmatter1]

Watched the internet TV version of LVN-Tonka and HM-DE matchups. My observations:

-LVN goalie was actually pretty darn good. I think Tonka ended up near 50 shots but there were MANY good scoring chances... many of them by Gardiner-Frawley line.
-Tonka defense were taking way too many risks which resulted in the excessive scoring chances for LVN. Many times the Tonka forwards were up ice and open and in good position for a pass yet the Tonka D either didn't look or decided to rush rather than pass. This is the behavior that gets them in trouble with good teams. As the competition gets better Tonka D better remember they have a job to do in the D zone otherwise they will suffer from the odd man rush syndrome they enabled at Wayzata and Edina games.
-Everybody on Tonka's offense and defense is an offensive threat
-I don't think HM has an answer for Tonka's top line
-HM may have a slight advantage on the third line matchup with speed. Tonka will have to keep Hesketh on when their 3rd is on. He is the only D that consistently stays home.
-Gardiner had a big night last night but I suspect another Skipper forward or two will step up to the goal scoring podium tonight at they have all year.

My bet is Tonka by 2 unless HM plays like they did last night then it will be more...

[east hockey]

Geez, Urick looks young enough to be my son. Liked the segment showing him talking to his kids in the locker room before the game.

Lee

[Teak]

Prochno! 1-0 for Tonka. At 12:09 of first period. Assist, Connor Ryan.

[Teak]

Hill-Murray ties 1-1 on a rebound shot off the glass behind, Casto follows up with a tap in. 16:32 in first.

The barn is beginning to burn.

[east hockey]

Very impressed with the play of the Pioneers so far tonight.

Lee

[Teak]

Very impressed with the play of the Pioneers so far tonight.

Lee

Hill totally outplayed 'Tonka in the second. Only Kruger kept them at 1-1. Only 8 SOG for 'Tonka through 2.

[east hockey]

Tied 1-1 after two. Man, Hill-Murray took it to them for periods of time in that period. Kruger is keeping them in this game. Only 8 SOG through two periods for the Skippers?

Lee

[Teak]

Tied 1-1 after two. Man, Hill-Murray took it to them for periods of time in that period. Kruger is keeping them in this game. Only 8 SOG through two periods for the Skippers?

Lee

Yup. SOG in the second, HM 11, Minnetonka 2. Those D1 guys better pick up their game in the final period.

[keepyourheadup]

Not a huge fan of the st. paul allstars but gosh darn they are playing well. If not for Krueger this would look like the LN game.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Tied 1-1 after two. Man, Hill-Murray took it to them for periods of time in that period. Kruger is keeping them in this game. Only 8 SOG through two periods for the Skippers?

Lee

They're getting their asses handed to them. Once Hill won in '08 it's like the magic's been with them ever since. The best minds in hockey currently (even if they lose tonight).

[blueblood]

this game is a lot like the game tonka played against blake (maybe lechner got some pointers).

Tonka lead 2-1 through two periods with about 12 shots on goal. No flow, no creativity.

Then in the third they erupted for 4 goals. For all you skippies out there, lets hope that happens again...

[east hockey]

Pioneers playing with more composure, Minnetonka has picked it up a bit in the third but they're looking mystified at times. Like "well, what might work now?"

Oh, and those 1 on 2 or 3 breaks are working well.

Lee

[MrBoDangles]

Geez, Urick looks young enough to be my son. Liked the segment showing him talking to his kids in the locker room before the game.

Lee

Urick? I thougt Adam Sandler was the Minnetonka coach..?