Suburban East Conference

[hockeywild7]

The refs are not responsible for the final game stats, it is the coaches who are. Refs don't have as a priority nor official responsibility to get every goal or assist right. They obviously try to but the coach has the final say in who gets credit. So if the refs get it wrong it is the coaches job to change it with the official score keeper. Most refs talk to coaches about this before or during the game as they want to make sure the proper players get credit for goals or assists when deserved.

[OntheEdge]

Observer - You fail to factor in at least few things, for one a player who plays an aggressive style might draw a checking penalty lets say every other game, if her team is not really skilled on the PK lets say they give up 20% that would be about 10 penalties a year and about 2 goals, however her aggressive play may directly prevent the opposition from scoring 10 and might result in her team scoring 10 over the course of a season. That would be a net gain of 18 goals over telling her to not make any body contact so she can avoid those 10 penalties.

Don't get me wrong, I know that there are cheap, unjustified, even stupid plays. There are also players who play the game in a way that puts their team at a disadvantage, these are things coaches deal with everyday. I think I have much less hair now because of kids reaching with their stick rather than moving their feet. I have taken many sticks away for whole practices (try going an hour of drills with no stick) after these types of penalties, called and uncalled. In my opinion there is no black and white answer and your cure would do more harm than good to most hockey teams. Just the sheer speed of the game means that often the players react rather than rationalize in games. To expect zero penalties or to say you will sit anyone with a certain type of penalty X amount of shifts is maybe a good theory but in real terms unrealistic and impracticable.

I agree with royals dad especially when it comes to defenders. Everyone says "take the body" but in the same breath they say "don't get a penalty". If you are a good defender and take the body, then every once in a while you will get a penalty. Part of the issue has to do with the refs too. There is too much inconsistency with referees. One ref thinks all body contact is checking, roughing or interference and another lets them play (unfortunately this approach sometimes changes during the same game). I'm not blaming the refs because it is hard to distinguish a check from permissible body contact but there are a lot of factors involved in penalties.

[observer]

I wish the refs would skate to each team before the game and spend one minute speaking with each team about what they look for and what they call. It would help improve the relationship right out of the gate with both the players and the coaches. Refs are inconsistent so it's tough to know what to expect until the game starts.

Contact is tricky as you can rock a big strong player and nothing will happen. Put the same bump on a little weak thang and she'll go flying. Same bump, two different opponents.

Let the other team make the mistakes.

[OntheEdge]

I wish the refs would skate to each team before the game and spend one minute speaking with each team about what they look for and what they call. It would help improve the relationship right out of the gate with both the players and the coaches. Refs are inconsistent so it's tough to know what to expect until the game starts.

Contact is tricky as you can rock a big strong player and nothing will happen. Put the same bump on a little weak thang and she'll go flying. Same bump, two different opponents.

Let the other team make the mistakes.

Agreed Observer. Some girls have spent the summer lifting weights and getting stronger. Occasionally a "weak thang" will fall over at the slightest contact with these stronger players and draw a penalty. The last few years I have seen something I didn't think would happen in girls hockey...the dive. Some girls are getting pretty good a embellishing the effects of contact. I think I saw a diving penalty in a box score this year which is very unusual at the HS level especially in girls.

[jumpstart]

I agree, as I have been lectured to in previous posts that they rely upon the "home official scorer", problem is they often are given misinformation. The scoring stats come from the ref, I can't tell you how many times I have seen a player get credit for an assist or even a goal who wasn't near the play or was actually on the bench. Also, if two girls have the same last name (sisters, cousins ect.) they often get incorrectly credited with a point or penalty. Jumpstart, this was the case of the girl from Hastings, there are sisters and cousins on the team with the same last name, a penalty was incorrectly credited to the wrong person in the stats but in reality the correct girl went to the box and it never resulted in an ejection.

I will agree with you that referees often get the information wrong on the ice. It is up to the players and the coaches to correct those errors during and right after the game before the scoresheet becomes final. If players score goals or have assists, they should be rewarded with accurate stats. I will have to take your word on what happened at the Hastings v. WBL game because I don't remember well enough to argue and certainly don't want to go back and watch the film ...

Weighing in on penalties: My thought is that penalties are a part of the game of hockey just as fouls are part of the game of basketball. There are times to take a penalty (trying to stop a breakaway) and other times when a penalty is stupid (already down one player and take another penalty). I don't think you can have a fast and hard rule for everyone on the team about taking a penalty and sitting a shift. Sometimes referees make bad calls, and it would be unfair to punish a player for that. Also, on a team you might have a player who takes very few penalties and someone else who has a tendency to take many penalties. It would be unfair to treat these two players the same when it comes to meeting out punishment. I think it is the job of each coach to monitor and control as much as possible how, when and by whom penalties are being taken.

[hockey_rocker]

Just to clear up one thing here..officially #24 for Hastings only had 4 penalties for 8 minutes. And was not ejected. The hub was entered incorrectly. Don't believe everything you see there. Each team is supposed to have someone who enters the stats there. Not every team does so it is left at the discretion of someone else whom I don't know who that might be. I enter our stats and have gone out to enter them after sending them in only to find they have already been done. Which is fine with me as long as they are correct. If not, I fix them. Personally, I don't think penalty stats should be kept there. All it does is encourage duscussions like this one. One more thing, the boarding call, was totally shoulder to shoulder, there was no cross check at all. The stronger shoulder won.

[hockey_rocker]

Don't get me wrong though, not that a penalty shouldn't have been called. The refs almost have to call something when a player goes that hard into the boards as a result of contact. I wasn't so sure it deserved 5 minutes but again she hit pretty hard. However, the Hastings check later was way more blatent than this one, and that ref needs to be consistent with that call. And, it was only a few minutes later. He, lost control form that point forward. That is where I have a problem with this.

[ref101]

According the the score sheet turned in to hockey hub she had 5 penalties for 10 minutes. 1 penalty in 1st for holding, 3 penalties in the 2nd-(cross checking, slashing and roughing) and 1 penalty in the 3rd for holding.

5 penalties of any kind in one game does get ya a game misconduct, but it's the only game misconduct that does not apply to the players "next game" status. The player can play the next scheduled game.

[brookyone]

The SEC standings at present:

http://www.mngirlshockeyhub.com/page/sh ... ason=33703

WBL putting a fine season together and building momentum. I haven't seen them this season but they're looking like a definite player / factor for the section title when the time comes.

[Melvin44]

Can someone tell me what's up with Forest Lake? This should be their year one would think.

[goalzilla]

Melvin I was wondering the same thing FL played a lot of teams tough last year..Its a year of paraody...Look at WB playing strong and physical..wonder if they would be better yet if they still had Abramson in goal>>>also Same for Stillwater their senior goalie is playing U19 for White Bear Lake and their strongest offensive player left for the Thorughbreds this season. It is a year of why and what ifs??? As far as the conference it looks like it may come down to WB,Roseville. MV as the faves. Been a fun season to watch,

[jumpstart]

Melvin I was wondering the same thing FL played a lot of teams tough last year..Its a year of paraody...Look at WB playing strong and physical..wonder if they would be better yet if they still had Abramson in goal>>>also Same for Stillwater their senior goalie is playing U19 for White Bear Lake and their strongest offensive player left for the Thorughbreds this season. It is a year of why and what ifs??? As far as the conference it looks like it may come down to WB,Roseville. MV as the faves. Been a fun season to watch,

Speaking to the goalie situation at White Bear Lake, their 9th grade goalie has really stepped up and is playing very well. She has 11 wins and 1 loss, 4 shutouts and a gaa of .922. Not too bad.

I have to agree that there is greater parity [note the correct spelling] in the Suburban East Conference this year. Roseville, Stillwater and White Bear Lake, along with Hill Murray, all lost some very talented players to graduation, but the talent remaining is still quite strong. Moundsview also has a very good team this year. I think any of these teams can beat each other on any given night, and I think it will all come down to which team is playing well at the end of the season and maybe gets a lucky break or two in Section play.

[goalzilla]

Agree with Jumpstart...Its going to be pretty interesting to see who comes out on top at year end. When anyone can win it makes for a fun season to watch. Oh also (Correct stats for WBL goalie) GAA is 1.31 and the save percentage is .922. :D

[jumpstart]

(Correct stats for WBL goalie) GAA is 1.31 and the save percentage is .922.

Correction noted. Sorry about that.

[hockeywild7]

Goalzilla not sure what goalie you're referring too but Stillwater's top returning goalie was a freshman last year and is starting this year as expected. Also the top 2 returning underclassman scorers are back from last years team. The one you are referring too who left for the t-breds was not the top underclassman scorer last year nor would she have been there top offensive player this season. So far I like WBL, then Roseville and Stillwater as the conference favorites. Mounds View and Hastings are also very close. Any of these teams can beat anyone in the conference on any given night.

[goalzilla]

The goalie I am referring to is the goalie that played behind sobzceck and the only other goalie to get time in the varsity net for stillwater the last two years other than Sobzcek. She got sick last year and couldnt complete the season. Remeber seeing her get the win against Forest lake last year.

[Melvin44]

I've seen a few games this year and feel the talent level is down. Goalies look smaller and the games I've seen seem like there isn't those 2-3 strong lines and more like 1. Games are 5,6,7 to 1.

Still good hockey as all are in the same boat. In the WBL vs Irondale game it seemed like it was Lorence and MacDonald and not much else. WBL vs Stillwater it seemed like WBL had the stronger top players and created a ton of chances. Stillwater didn't generate any offense unless they were on the PP. In my opinion Stillwater should try to set up Hewes way more especially on the PP with her shot and put girls in front for the rebounds. They'll only get better.

I like the BEARS ton. But I do want to them play Roseville with their nice forward players, excellent D and of course the top goalie in my opinion. Should be a great game.

The Bears are just fine with the Frosh goalie they have and we should give her the credit she deserves. Last years goalie wouldn't have made any difference. Your heart has to be in it!

MV is the dark horse and can win on any given night.

FL?? Still trying to figure out.

I like a couple of Cretin's D.

And can someone tell me the reasoning behind East ridge, Woodbury, Park. Why not have only 2 teams for now? Poor Shaw.

[iceage]

.
And can someone tell me the reasoning behind East ridge, Woodbury, Park. Why not have only 2 teams for now? Poor Shaw.

Why not one? The boundries that were set up favors East Ridge. No new housing in Park or Woodbury. In 5 or 6 years Park will be a second rate high school and Woodbury high school will become a middle school. East Ridge will expand. Woodbury and East Ridge are on top o each other. Someone made a bundle of money.

[Just_Another_Fan]

And can someone tell me the reasoning behind East ridge, Woodbury, Park. Why not have only 2 teams for now? Poor Shaw.

I know I am going to receive A LOT of flack for this, but the only reason there is three teams, instead of two competitive ones, was AD and parent selfishness. Parents at one school, I won't say which one, wanted to see their girls play varsity a year early rather than keeping the WB-ER co-op for one more year. Absolutely ridiculous, selfish decision IMHO.

Woodbury and Cottage Grove already see a lot of top talent from the youth programs go to schools like Hill-Murray, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is just sad to see teams struggle when the talent and friendships are split up like that. Co-ops, when used correctly, are great for high school sports.

[Melvin44]

Can the girls still choose where they play? If so they could overide the parents and have a very strong team. What ifs..

Almost forgot Hastings another team who can beat anyone on any given day.

Sorry!

[Just_Another_Fan]

Can the girls still choose where they play? If so they could overide the parents and have a very strong team. What ifs..

Almost forgot Hastings another team who can beat anyone on any given day.

Sorry!

There is only one girl who went to ER initially when the school opened last year and is now back at Woodbury. She is a senior this year and I think she started playing for Woodbury varsity when she was in 9th grade. In that scenario, I feel it is fair for her to go back to the varsity team she played 2 seasons of varsity for before the co-op. Other than that the transfer rule would be enforced, however I have not heard about any girls living in the ER attendance area but choosing to attend Woodbury and vice versa to start out their high school careers.

[NIFALTY]

Woodbury/East Ridge had a Co-op last season. As per the MSHSL it was for ONLY one season. Normally schools the size of Woodbury and East Ridge are not allowed to Co-op. Because East Ridge had no senior class last school year they were allowed a Co-op with Woodbury. They were told it was for only one year! As far as I can tell no parents or administrators from either school had any input one way or the other.The MSHSL makes the decision on all Co-ops.

[grlzhockeyrocks]

Hats off to Stillwater in last night's tie against Hastings. The referees mucked up what would have been a really good game and became a sixth man on the ice for the Ponies. Ten penalties for Hastings to two from Stillwater. Three power play goals by the Ponies, two with a 5 on 3 advantage. Hastings deserved some of the penalties but many were suspect while absolutely nothing was called on the home team (unless you count the obvious 7 man "too many on the ice" call). They even called two chincy sinbins in overtime. One ref was asked by a Hastings coach after a girl was taken down "why wasn't that a hook?" The answer was that "the stick wrapped around the body does not necessarily mean it is a hook". I was standing near some Stillwater fans and by their comments also recognized the lopsided calls. Too bad because 5 on 5 it was a good game.
That said, Stillwater has a great scoring line in Zdechilk, Reiter and O'Brien, they all skate well together.

[MNhockeylover]

heard that cdh beat moundsview 6-1

[hockeyheaven]

Hats off to the Raiders for their big win over the Bears and taking the Conference title...Erika Allen was brilliant