AA Quarter: #3 Blaine (21-4-3) v. Apple Valley (17-11)

[besthockeyfan]

Very fun game to watch; Aaron Gretz and the unheralded AV defensemen deserve a lot of credi for shutting down all those talented forwards. Bjugstad had his chances and probably spent all of 2 minutes off the ice in the 3rd. Great team play and some surprising contributions fron the lower lines won AV this game. Michaelson and Fasching looked like they were trying to be a bit too cute at times, but they sure are the real deal. Props to the Eagles on a big win and helping out my bracket!

Good call on AV Karl. You are one of the few smart ones that gave AV a chance. Interesting how some people say the Lake conference is overrated and then their 6th place team knocks off the 1st place team in their conference!
Good luck on your DE pick tonight. If you get that one you'll be in great shape!!

[eastside hockey]

Very exciting to see that Apple Valley could get it done. Congrats. now lets take down Edina. Too bad Lakeviewing isnt an AV fan, because there play is so poor, and they didn't have a chance.

[MNHockey75]

Apple Valley should be pretty good the next couple years. Some good young defensemen, nice young fowards, and a good goalie. How did they lose 11 games? Michaelson looks to be the real deal. Bjugstad looked disinterested. He wouldn't shoot the puck. A lot of gliding and standing and watching. Tony Larson looked real good for Blaine, he was about the only one. Scheid was okay I guess. Feel sorry a little bit for Harper, the only goal was a bit lucky, he did his part. Gretz and Harper really put on a clinic. Edina's road to the championship got a bit easier.

[Goldfishdude]

Is it just me or does the AV Coach remind you of Chris Farley?

My hidden locker room video caught this speech..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_YK9wVK6IQ

[youngblood08]

Just perfect.

[newsguy35]

Is it that every year Blaine gets knocked off when they are the seeded or expected winner? I kinda felt bad for the Blaine players and would be interested to hear what Aus had to say between periods. His on camera interview was more directed towards official let downs instead of how his team could improve...

Fashing, Michaelson and Gretz are the real deal. The muck and grind type of game is their specialty with the other lines and it prevailed. I found it very interesting to see how the top 2 lines for each team basically nullified each other and low and behold a senior whom has been a role player as D and wing scores to win it... Gretz WAS better than Harper, can he stand on his head again?

[keepyourheadup]

I think the goal scorer was wearing the "C" He's been more than just a role player.

[newsguy35]

He may be wearing the C, he also may have had 2 penalties that hurt them when they played Bville. I also noticed it said his 9th goal of the year. I would claim that as a role player. He plays on a line that is suppose to shut down the other teams scorers. I am not discrediting him, I am simply stating his role is not that of a goal scorer. He is a physical player whom did his "role"...

Also forgot to add that he basically got a "C" by default. Look at the roster, then tell me the last time you saw a "C" on a sophomore... I like Robson, he is a nice kid and does his job well.

[minnesotaice]

Here I am, come and get me.



What a game!! Aus got outcoached in the state tourney once again and Blaine's sloppy defense was exposed by AV today. Also Gretz was standing on his head today, what a player!! Just goes to show what a hot goalie can do for ya come playoff time.

[MnPride2]

Is it that every year Blaine gets knocked off when they are the seeded or expected winner? I kinda felt bad for the Blaine players and would be interested to hear what Aus had to say between periods. His on camera interview was more directed towards official let downs instead of how his team could improve...

I too feel sorry for the Blaine players,for the past 5 years or so the talent has been there,it takes a coach to use the talent in the right way. So if the talent is there...humm

[MnPride2]

Maybe it`s time for a coaching change...maybe coach Jules is still around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGGDc6Y1oug

[Goldfishdude]

Maybe it`s time for a coaching change...maybe coach Jules is still around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGGDc6Y1oug

Pridie..... Never saw that coming!!!!

[keepyourheadup]

I guess I can buy that, my point being it took the whole AV team to win the game.

[blueblood]

Maybe the Lake wasn't so bad after all this year....

AV played a really nice game today. Blaine had 30 shots, but nothing really dangerous. Their pp was terrible....

It's a MN District 6 playoff party (AV, Edina and Tonka) at the HS level.....

[Sparlimb]

Blaine is ripe for the picking. I've seen them twice in person this year and both time their defense was really poor. They have one pretty good line and Bjugstad, who was responsible for all 3 goals against Maple Grove. All you need to do is get ahead of Blaine and then forecheck like crazy and they don't have a chance. Don't be surprised to see an upset here. I like AV 3-2.

I'm not one to say "I told you so". Or am I?

[AVHOCKEY13]

Is it just me or does the AV Coach remind you of Chris Farley?

That's what a lot of AV thinks too. He walks around school, and has the same humor as Farley also. But in my mind he looks like Pete Rose (A young Pete Rose).

Does any know where I can find the post-game interview with Gretz?

[hockeyjunkie2]

Is it just me or does the AV Coach remind you of Chris Farley?

That's what a lot of AV thinks too. He walks around school, and has the same humor as Farley also. But in my mind he looks like Pete Rose (A young Pete Rose).

Does any know where I can find the post-game interview with Gretz?

I'd like to find the pregame speech Hayes gave that they showed on TV. I was at the game but heard he said somethin about what Brown can do for you

[dump and chase]

Finally make it to state and the camera is on you and the best you can do is what can brown do for you?!?!?

[hockeyjunkie2]

Finally make it to state and the camera is on you and the best you can do is what can brown do for you?!?!?

I think it was meant more out of humor as an attempt to relax the young guys and just let them have fun and enjoy the moment they are in right now. Talking to someone who watched it he said the team got a laugh after it and the coach wasn't being entirely serious.

[dump and chase]

haha thanks HJ2 i got it... you must have missed the sarcastic tone or are really sensitive to the comments made about the coach's remarks..

[hockeyjunkie2]

haha thanks HJ2 i got it... you must have missed the sarcastic tone or are really sensitive to the comments made about the coach's remarks..

Missed the sarcastic tone no sensitivity about comments made about Jer-Bear

[MrBoDangles]

Is it that every year Blaine gets knocked off when they are the seeded or expected winner? I kinda felt bad for the Blaine players and would be interested to hear what Aus had to say between periods. His on camera interview was more directed towards official let downs instead of how his team could improve...

I too feel sorry for the Blaine players,for the past 5 years or so the talent has been there,it takes a coach to use the talent in the right way. So if the talent is there...humm

Mad because your son (the goalie) didn't make varsity and had to play jr gold. Maybe it was your negative influence that kept him off the team.

[MnPride2]

Mad,not really what`s done is done,my son "the goalie" has had a pretty good hockey career,many league/district championships,a couple of regional championships,2 state appearances,many AAA teams,he`s played all over the state,Canada,Lake Placid,he`s played with some of the best skaters in the state. He a decent JV year in which he easily could have played in some Varsity games,why Aus never gave him the chance we`ll never know,if it was because of my "neg. influence" than i guess i`m a piece of $%&#,i think it was more his size that was the problem(didn`t look like an athlete). I have listened to many a Blaine parent over the years bad mouth Aus,their kids still played. My son never "had" to play JG,what he "had" to do was decide to keep his job or to play JG after the coach called him to play. Could he have filled Harpers shoes...never he`s not that good of a goalie. Anyways what i said i meant...

"I too feel sorry for the Blaine players,for the past 5 years or so the talent has been there,it takes a coach to use the talent in the right way. So if the talent is there...humm"

I really do feel bad the boys,i`ve known them all for a long long time,again the talent was there...again it didn`t get done...Mad???...5 years in a row,as in any sport if the talents there,but it ain`t getting done...the next move is...