D3 Bantam B1 predictions

[D3 Fan]

I know that Bantam A gets all of the attention, but I just wanted to throw out some thoughts and questions on the B1 level, specifically for District 3.

I think the favorites would have to be considers OMGHA Crimson and Wayzata Blue, as the upper B1 teams from each of those monster associations. (My kid is a Bantam B1 in D3, but not on either of those teams!) Any predictions on which of these two teams has the upper hand. I believe they play each other here within a week or so, so we should know more soon!

Any predictions for which other teams might be able to sneak up and challenge OMGHA Crimson or Wayzata Blue? I know that Wayzata Gold tied Crimson last week, but they also tied North Metro - so go figure there!

Does anyone know if D3 sends 2 or 3 teams to Regionals this year?

[pineline]

Blue beat Crimson 2-1 last night. Having seen both teams to date, I would say that Blue has a leg up at this time. But they have also been together as a team a couple weeks longer then MG. Edina White beat Blue but then got pounded last weekend by MG.

[D3 Fan]

Thanks for that update pineline. I had Wayzata Blue, OMGHA Crimson and Edina White as my top 3 teams in the first LPH ranking submissions, who else should be in that top-5 discussion?

[brooks]

From the handbook. The East regional consists of D3, D8, & D2. D3 and D8 send three teams and D2 sends 2. I believe Maple Grove is hosting the Bantam A & B events. First round pairings are B1 v A2, C1 v A3, A1 v C2, and C2 v B2.

Hope this helps.

[jBlaze3000]

North Metro doesn't have an A team at any level. Their Bantam B1 team looks pretty good.

[D3 Fan]

That is good to know that D3 will get to send 3 teams on to Regionals. Thanks for that info.

North Metro and OMGHA Crimson play on Friday, so we'll know a little more on if the Pirates can hang with the big boys after that game. It is a little frustrating when an associations without an A team comes in and beats up on your B1 team (trying not to be too sour grapes here), but I guess I can understand why North Metro doesn't field an A team.

On a separate note, when is the D3 website going to get game results and standings posted? I understand that it is a lot of work, and we're talking about volunteers here, but I've got to think that there would be some people willing to help keep those standings up to date.

[Newbie Dad]

D3 appears to have 6 Bantam B1 teams represented in the first LPH rankings. Wayzata Blue/Gold/Navy, OMGHA Crimson/Black and North Metro.

Question: Are those Wayzata and OMGHA teams balanced, or do they stack a top team or two?

[Wisconsinguy]

I sure hope they don't stack teams, why would they do that? They can't be that insecure can they be?

Does anyone else stack teams? Why?

[ahastars03]

I know Wayzata stacks the Blue team. Not sure on OMG.

As for why they would do that- I can think of 2 things. First thing is they can win a lot more games that way. The second is that they are playing with players that have a closer skill level to them, Wayzata has 3 teams so they could have player number 16 playing with player number 60. I know if I was player 16 I wouldn't want that.

[D3 Fan]

The OMGHA Crimson (Bantam B1) team is an "upper" team, which is a nicer way of saying "stacked". They were State Champs last year.

What is really fun is when one of the supposed "upper" teams lose to one of the "lower" teams from their same association. You can bet that the kids on the supposed "lower" teams are pretty hyped up to play the kids who were deemed to be better than them in tryouts.

[hockeysmart]

Minnesota youth hockey needs to either allow it or not allow and all districs must follow the rule. I know D8 does not allow their teams to "stack" a team. Last year Woodbury Black was stacked and they would not allow any D8 team to do that this year. This is not fair to the other teams and districts that do not allow the stacking of a team. Will be interesting to see how it plays out, but OMG Crimson and Wayzata Blue had best be in the top 3-4 all year having done this.