keepyourheadup wrote:Happy you just have a way of rubbing folks the wrong way. It was simply one mans opinion. Really no need to go off on the guy. 4-2 hardly seems to indicate outplayed and out classed. As for Jake there is not a single team in the state that wouldn't love to have the kid on their team. He competes every shift no matter what. Your Wildcats are good, possibly very good, but they have a tendency to let teams hang around longer than they should. They will get the chance to prove just how good they can be when they get to the X.
Yes, Guentzel completes every shift...and then he completes most of the next guy's shift as well.
HappyHockeyFan wrote:He comes off as a sore loser... he basically completely blames the loss on Hill not being very good and they couldnt break out or complete two passes and give no credit to Eagan being a top team in the state.
Criticizing his team's deficiencies and not sucking up to your team makes him a sore loser?
I'm sorry but I disagree Eagan may of won tonight against an okay Hill Marray team but there schedule is weak for being able to get the 4th spot in the rankings yeah they may be 18-2 but they really haven't played anyone besides Minnetonka and Eden prairie which were there two losses of the year. I would love I see them play maple grove, Edina, or Moorhead. All of those teams play a tougher schedule then Eagan and have just as good of records. I'm sorry but I'm not sold on this Eagan team being ranked 4th in state I guess we will just have to see what they are made of when it come time for playoffs!
Merchant made a nifty play along the boards after Guentzel completely misplayed the puck along the blue line.
If keeping Hill from breaking out makes a team great, well, every team I've seen Hill play this season is great. They can't break out against anyone.
Happy, any of the last five Hill teams could easily handle this one. If you want me to say this is a great Hill team, OK fine, they're one of our best. Now it looks like a stellar win for Eagan. Eagan played better than Hill because they ARE better. They totally out classed Hill, and they were up by one goal with less than one minute in the game?
Eagan could get upset in the semis of their section. Or they could make it to the championship game. If all the planets are in alignment, they might win whole d#%& thing. If I were a betting man (and coincidentally I am) I'd put my money on a Mariucci appearance for the Wild Cats. They'll meet the Pioneers there, after we barely survive a section final against a middling White Bear, 5-4 in one OT.
Eagan's schedule definitely doesn't help them, but if people take them lightly because of it they'll be in for a surprise. They have the same core of players back who finished 3rd at state last year. They ran into a hot goalie against EP and ended up losing 2-1. Anyone at that game would agree that it was at least an even game and many would say Eagan outplayed EP, but the EP goaltender played an amazing game and they got the win. If Eagan makes it to state and doesn't get one of the top 4 seeds that's ok. But I bet if that happens, none of those top 4 seeds will want to have to play them in the 1st round.
[quote="East Side Pioneer Guy"]This Hill team is nothing special. There has been no improvement over the course of the season. Lines continue to change, the quality of play does not.
Sadly I agree with this. Bill keeps trying different line combinations with out much change in results.
tonkafan77 wrote:It is sad to see the arena so empty
Aldrich Arena holds 3,000. Everybody sits on top because those seats have the best sightlines. It looks empty on TV. There were probably 700 people there last night. Those 700 would nearly fill a lot of high school buildings.
My analysis of the game: Most of the time Eagan looked way stronger physically than HM. Wolf and Merchant were the best players on the ice. Yet there were stretches of time where HM had a lot of scoring chances. They were putting a lot of pressure on at 1-1 when Eagan picked up the major penalty. HM was tentative and terrible during those 5 minutes and Eagan got the shortie. When it was 3-2 Eagan, for most of the 3rd period, HM had several good opportunities to tie it. It was a good hockey game and both goalies are very good.
Both teams will be at State. HM really benefits from a down year for the SEC schools. Eagan will also have an easy road to State. Upsets can happen but both teams will be heavy favorites. Eagan does not have the offensive firepower of Duluth East or Tonka but those teams have proved to be beatable in recent weeks.
stpaul wrote:
Aldrich Arena holds 3,000. Everybody sits on top because those seats have the best sightlines. It looks empty on TV. There were probably 700 people there last night. Those 700 would nearly fill a lot of high school buildings.
Unless you're supporting the visiting team, and have to either sit in front of that clunky press box/concrete bunker or far enough away from it to see the corners. Not that I'm complaining, mind you...Aldrich is Lambeau-like when compared against all of the soulless concrete pole barns that have been built over the past 30 years.
stpaul wrote:
My analysis of the game: Most of the time Eagan looked way stronger physically than HM. Wolf and Merchant were the best players on the ice. Yet there were stretches of time where HM had a lot of scoring chances. They were putting a lot of pressure on at 1-1 when Eagan picked up the major penalty. HM was tentative and terrible during those 5 minutes and Eagan got the shortie. When it was 3-2 Eagan, for most of the 3rd period, HM had several good opportunities to tie it. It was a good hockey game and both goalies are very good.
Both teams will be at State. HM really benefits from a down year for the SEC schools. Eagan will also have an easy road to State. Upsets can happen but both teams will be heavy favorites. Eagan does not have the offensive firepower of Duluth East or Tonka but those teams have proved to be beatable in recent weeks.
A fair analysis of the game, imo. H-M's goalie did keep them in the game, given how often the puck was held in his defensive zone. I wouldn't think of questioning Coach Lechner's tactics, but in this rube's humble opinion, H-M would have had better luck breaking out of its zone if it didn't always have one of their forwards standing on the far blue line, waiting for the home run pass that will give him a breakaway opportunity and the chance to practice his cele at center ice.
stpaul wrote:
Aldrich Arena holds 3,000. Everybody sits on top because those seats have the best sightlines. It looks empty on TV. There were probably 700 people there last night. Those 700 would nearly fill a lot of high school buildings.
Unless you're supporting the visiting team, and have to either sit in front of that clunky press box/concrete bunker or far enough away from it to see the corners. Not that I'm complaining, mind you...Aldrich is Lambeau-like when compared against all of the soulless concrete pole barns that have been built over the past 30 years.
stpaul wrote:
My analysis of the game: Most of the time Eagan looked way stronger physically than HM. Wolf and Merchant were the best players on the ice. Yet there were stretches of time where HM had a lot of scoring chances. They were putting a lot of pressure on at 1-1 when Eagan picked up the major penalty. HM was tentative and terrible during those 5 minutes and Eagan got the shortie. When it was 3-2 Eagan, for most of the 3rd period, HM had several good opportunities to tie it. It was a good hockey game and both goalies are very good.
Both teams will be at State. HM really benefits from a down year for the SEC schools. Eagan will also have an easy road to State. Upsets can happen but both teams will be heavy favorites. Eagan does not have the offensive firepower of Duluth East or Tonka but those teams have proved to be beatable in recent weeks.
A fair analysis of the game, imo. H-M's goalie did keep them in the game, given how often the puck was held in his defensive zone. I wouldn't think of questioning Coach Lechner's tactics, but in this rube's humble opinion, H-M would have had better luck breaking out of its zone if it didn't always have one of their forwards standing on the far blue line, waiting for the home run pass that will give him a breakaway opportunity and the chance to practice his cele at center ice.
That is the HM breakout play. Does the name Zapeda ring a bell?
East Side Pioneer Guy wrote:Merchant made a nifty play along the boards after Guentzel completely misplayed the puck along the blue line.
If keeping Hill from breaking out makes a team great, well, every team I've seen Hill play this season is great. They can't break out against anyone.
Happy, any of the last five Hill teams could easily handle this one. If you want me to say this is a great Hill team, OK fine, they're one of our best. Now it looks like a stellar win for Eagan. Eagan played better than Hill because they ARE better. They totally out classed Hill, and they were up by one goal with less than one minute in the game?
Eagan could get upset in the semis of their section. Or they could make it to the championship game. If all the planets are in alignment, they might win whole d#%& thing. If I were a betting man (and coincidentally I am) I'd put my money on a Mariucci appearance for the Wild Cats. They'll meet the Pioneers there, after we barely survive a section final against a middling White Bear, 5-4 in one OT.
Maybe try not to be so thin skinned.
Not thin skinned, just dont find your assessment of the game last night to be credible. Eagan outplayed Hill 5 on 5 (others on here have agreed) and only gave up 2 pp goals. Regardless of what the caliber of this Hill team is they are ranked top ten so their not too bad. They also, like eagan had a few players talented enough to play in elite league this past year. And you can go ahead and knock Eagan for their losses against EP and Tonka but anyone who watched those games knows Eagan outplayed EP and played right along with Tonka and in both games they directly lost on miscues by Eagan. This is the same group of players basically that took 3rd in state last year, but if it helps you sleep at night to deny how good Eagan is then go for it...
It's not the Best players, it's the Right players! HB
I have to agree with Happy. Eagan is very good and capable of knocking one off this year's big dogs DE, Tonka & MG at the Xcel in March. They have a very sold defensive group, they forecheck and have a solid goalie. I disagree with ESPG. HM has improved a lot since December. I saw all 4 games played vs. STA & Mahtomedi. Huge differences from the earlier games. HM dominated both last week. Agree that they hurt themselves with lousy breakouts.
Not an Eagan guy or an Eagan fan. Bottom line is this: Other than East, MG and Tonka they are better than any other team in the state. They completely outplayed EP in the 1st loss, EP's goalie played outta his mind, and it was the beginning of the year so it doesn't matter. They hung with Tonka and if those 2 teams played 10 times I think they beat them 3-4 times.
I think they would beat Edina, Moorhead or EP. They are a very complete team and come at teams all night long with a relentless forecheck. There is not a huge dropoff between their 1st line and their 3rd line unlike most top 10 teams. So they are in a weaker conference, its not their fault. They scheduled tough non-conference games with EP, Tonka and HM. Zajac and Merchant are 2 of the best players in the state and get no ink. Sure they don't care either. By the sounds of it, Mike Taylor does a nice job keeping all those guys well grounded. It all depends on how things go in the playoffs and then how the seedings end up at the X, but I would not be suprised one bit for this team to finish top 3 again.
Not sure why all the ragging on Eagan. Agree with Sats - they are a complete team, and one of the best defensive teams in the state today. Let them have their year - they deserve it. With seniors Zajac, Merchant, and goalie Butler all leaving, things will not be as easy for them in the future.
keepyourheadup wrote:Lets not forget they basically play 4 d, all seniors as well.
A skilled junior moved up from d to play third-line forward this year, and drops back whenever one of those seniors visit the box under the new rule changes. Eagan also has two excellent soph d waiting in the wings. So yeah, it'll be a challenge to match the play of D-1 prospects that have started for two years, but they'll do fine.
I like this years team, don't get me wrong, but next year will be a whole different story. If they feel they are better moving the # 5 D to forward and go with 4, it tells me they are playing for now which they probably should be. As good as the soph d might be if they are playing ZERO minutes this year the learning curve next year will be awfully steep. Taylor does a nice job but this team is led and dominated by three year seniors.
keepyourheadup wrote:I like this years team, don't get me wrong, but next year will be a whole different story. If they feel they are better moving the # 5 D to forward and go with 4, it tells me they are playing for now which they probably should be. As good as the soph d might be if they are playing ZERO minutes this year the learning curve next year will be awfully steep. Taylor does a nice job but this team is led and dominated by three year seniors.
Well, the soph D are playing ZERO minutes right now because they're both injured. And while there's no doubt that this year's group of seniors are something special, it might be worth noting Eagan's PeeWee and Bantam A teams went just as deep into Regionals/State the year after this group moved up to the next level.
Another point worth noting is that part of the reason that this team is so Senior heavy and so successful is because this senior class has stayed home, and stayed in school. They didn't all head off to AHA or CDH in ninth grade (like kids were doing six-seven years ago), and they haven't left a year early to play juniors.
That other programs haven't been as successful with retention is part of the reason why the Wildcats are getting grief about their "weak" schedule this year. They're playing AV tonight...do you think that the Eagles would be a top ten team right now if Fasching and Michaelson were still there? I do.
keepyourheadup wrote:I like this years team, don't get me wrong, but next year will be a whole different story. If they feel they are better moving the # 5 D to forward and go with 4, it tells me they are playing for now which they probably should be. As good as the soph d might be if they are playing ZERO minutes this year the learning curve next year will be awfully steep. Taylor does a nice job but this team is led and dominated by three year seniors.
Well, the soph D are playing ZERO minutes right now because they're both injured. And while there's no doubt that this year's group of seniors are something special, it might be worth noting Eagan's PeeWee and Bantam A teams went just as deep into Regionals/State the year after this group moved up to the next level.
Another point worth noting is that part of the reason that this team is so Senior heavy and so successful is because this senior class has stayed home, and stayed in school. They didn't all head off to AHA or CDH in ninth grade (like kids were doing six-seven years ago), and they haven't left a year early to play juniors.
That other programs haven't been as successful with retention is part of the reason why the Wildcats are getting grief about their "weak" schedule this year. They're playing AV tonight...do you think that the Eagles would be a top ten team right now if Fasching and Michaelson were still there? I do.
All good points. I think it would absolutely come down to the wire in sections (still may) if Fasching and Michaelson stuck around this yr. AV might have even been the team to beat in the section. Again, Eagan's non conf games were all tough.
I applaud them for staying! I guess my point is it just isn't very easy to replace guys like Wolfe, Kuchera, May and McGovern on the blue line. As for Valley if they kept the 4 that left I think they might even be better. Lets not forget that kid between the pipes in Ann Arbor, add Pedrie to the blue line and in my opinion it would be the best starting lineup in the state.
Sats81 wrote:
All good points. I think it would absolutely come down to the wire in sections (still may) if Fasching and Michaelson stuck around this yr. AV might have even been the team to beat in the section. Again, Eagan's non conf games were all tough.
Well, there was Hastings and East Ridge in the mix, and games against Hopkins, Anoka, and Woodbury at the SSP tournament. So maybe you can say that Eagan's non-conf, non-tournament, out-of-section games were all tough?
Wildcats played at Edina last year...would have been nice if the Hornets had completed the home-and-home. What happened there, I wonder? And Eagan got some grief for not being in a tougher Christmas tournament, but I'm not so sure that the blame for this can be 100% placed on the coach/program...especially if they tried, but weren't able to get an invite into the Schwan's Gold division. There weren't any "Top 10 Teams" in the silver division (unless you're talking Single A Breck).
Sats81 wrote:
All good points. I think it would absolutely come down to the wire in sections (still may) if Fasching and Michaelson stuck around this yr. AV might have even been the team to beat in the section. Again, Eagan's non conf games were all tough.
Well, there was Hastings and East Ridge in the mix, and games against Hopkins, Anoka, and Woodbury at the SSP tournament. So maybe you can say that Eagan's non-conf, non-tournament, out-of-section games were all tough?
Wildcats played at Edina last year...would have been nice if the Hornets had completed the home-and-home. What happened there, I wonder? And Eagan got some grief for not being in a tougher Christmas tournament, but I'm not so sure that the blame for this can be 100% placed on the coach/program...especially if they tried, but weren't able to get an invite into the Schwan's Gold division. There weren't any "Top 10 Teams" in the silver division (unless you're talking Single A Breck).
There is no doubt there will be a dropoff next year but I think they will be competitive next year. They have some nice Junior talent like Cullen Willox, Josh Loew, Zach Shultz, Will Peterson, Nick Smallidge and Zach Glienke who has scored 21 of his 28 points in the last 10 games. Goaltending should be decent as well with the young Lindgren taking over. I have no idea what kind of talent is coming up on the other teams in Eagans section but I think they could make another run at the State Tourney next year as well, although I think it will be a year long process growing as a team without the leadership of the current Senior Class. They will take there lumps early but by the time sections come along I think they will be ready.
It's not the Best players, it's the Right players! HB
I'll be honest, I had very high hopes for this Hill-Murray team, and there problem this season is what has typically been their strength, their depth. 1.5 lines deep MAYBE at the forwards, and Heinrich is out about every other shift. Dugas is a very good, and very capable goalie, but the team has no depth. Their offseason losses of Herlofsky, Johnson, and Wood hurt them a ton, as well as losing Voltin. They could've had a great team this year but without those guys they are a very shallow team.
Don't get me wrong, I think that Eagan has a nice team, good defensive core and some good offensive players, but there is a very fine line between them and the elite teams in the state. They had a nice run last year at the Xcel but their record is deceptive this year. Fortunately for them they have a pretty weak section so they most likely will be at the X come March, but they won't be able to knock off a Duluth East, or a Minnetonka, or an Edina team.
UntouchableFlow wrote:I'll be honest, I had very high hopes for this Hill-Murray team, and there problem this season is what has typically been their strength, their depth. 1.5 lines deep MAYBE at the forwards, and Heinrich is out about every other shift. Dugas is a very good, and very capable goalie, but the team has no depth. Their offseason losses of Herlofsky, Johnson, and Wood hurt them a ton, as well as losing Voltin. They could've had a great team this year but without those guys they are a very shallow team.
Don't get me wrong, I think that Eagan has a nice team, good defensive core and some good offensive players, but there is a very fine line between them and the elite teams in the state. They had a nice run last year at the Xcel but their record is deceptive this year. Fortunately for them they have a pretty weak section so they most likely will be at the X come March, but they won't be able to knock off a Duluth East, or a Minnetonka, or an Edina team.
Sorry but, your so wrong, there isnt a single team Eagan can't beat and its ridiculous to think otherwise.
It's not the Best players, it's the Right players! HB
UntouchableFlow wrote:I'll be honest, I had very high hopes for this Hill-Murray team, and there problem this season is what has typically been their strength, their depth. 1.5 lines deep MAYBE at the forwards, and Heinrich is out about every other shift. Dugas is a very good, and very capable goalie, but the team has no depth. Their offseason losses of Herlofsky, Johnson, and Wood hurt them a ton, as well as losing Voltin. They could've had a great team this year but without those guys they are a very shallow team.
Don't get me wrong, I think that Eagan has a nice team, good defensive core and some good offensive players, but there is a very fine line between them and the elite teams in the state. They had a nice run last year at the Xcel but their record is deceptive this year. Fortunately for them they have a pretty weak section so they most likely will be at the X come March, but they won't be able to knock off a Duluth East, or a Minnetonka, or an Edina team.
Sorry but, your so wrong, there isnt a single team Eagan can't beat and its ridiculous to think otherwise.
It's High School hockey, most teams can beat almost any team on a given night. Obviously there are exceptions to that. You could start by listing some significant wins by your squad so far this season. Really tough Holiday tournament that they battled through.... Wins against a roller coaster ride Burnsville squad, and limping past Kloos and Lakeville South, really impressive. Like I said, they've got a nice squad, but Hill-Murray is the first team in the top 10 that they've beaten all season.
Not that I'm complaining, mind you...Aldrich is Lambeau-like when compared against all of the soulless concrete pole barns that have been built over the past 30 years.