mn miracle man wrote:MNHockey75 wrote:25 sheet power wrote:WOW every game so close. you would think 03-05 warroad could have put up a big score or trf could have in 06.
TRF was a top five team in 2003 and it was a pretty tight matchup. They split during the regular season. A controversial no goal was called against TRF that swung the game into Warroad's favor. Tony Selvog was a man amongst boys that year. I still think that's the best Warroad team I've ever seen (even with Kyle Hardwick out with a broken leg).
In 2005 TRF had injury and goaltender problems (they were still a top 10 team), but I'm not sure it would have mattered against that loaded Warroad offense. Forney notched a hat-trick against a very, very good LOW team in the semis as they won 3-2. Warroad eventually beat Totino (a team TRF beat early in the season in Totino's barn) in OT for the state title. Aaron Marvin scored the the walk-off goal.
In 2006 TRF outshot Warroad 56-23 I believe (something like that), but Tyler Potts was simply amazing in goal. Every shift was edge of your seat action. TRF had a legitimate shot at state and was leading Hermantown 3-1 (a team they lost to 9-0 earlier in the season), but when Forney went down with a separated shoulder the tide turned. Drew LeBlanc and Karl Gilbert were too much to handle in the 3rd.
Great memories regardless.
Just curious after you go into such detail, but what in your mind makes that 2003 team stand out above the 2005 team? I remember TRF was the favorite heading into the season and was expected to win it all, and if I remember correctly Warroad was predicted 4th in the preseason of the GF Herald.
It's just an opinion. I based it on the good old fashioned eye-test. They were deeper at forward and defense. They were tougher. They could outscore teams or beat them to a pulp. Tony Sorrels was unbeatable at times. But once again, the X-factor was Tony Selvog. They also had Mr. Eades behind the bench..
Oshie and Brodeen were good together in 2005 and Marvin was still coming into his own. Bengston basically parked in front and got garbage goals (someone had to do it). Mark Thiele wasn't as good as Sorrels either. Despite having a 18-year-old Oshie, they just weren't nearly as deep, as physical or talented as the 2003 team. When it comes to ranking teams, I don't look at records or where they ended up, I use my eyes and assess. And every year is different (schedule, other teams, coaching, state "seeding"). They've been fortunate to have Selvog, Oshie, Marvin and Nelson. Who will fill the shoes?
This years TRF team simply isn't as good as the 2003, 2005, 2007 or 2009 teams, but because they don't have to go up against a Nelson, Oshie, Marvin or Selvog they pulled it off. It could be a sign of things to come. With that said, this TRF team can skate with anyone in the Class A field without a doubt, even STA. It should be interesting where everyone gets seeded. Assuming Hermantown beats Rogers, there are six teams that arguably deserve a #1 seed. STA/Totino, Hermantown, Lourdes, Breck, Hibbing and TRF. TRF did tie Hermantown and blew a 2-0 lead against Totino. And Breck did just have to rally against a team Warroad beat 9-2...