Section 3A

[notTONIGHT]

.
Prediction: LDC 5 Luverne 3. LDC’s size and strength and playoff experience will be too much for Luverne in the end. This will be the one upset of the Quarterfinals.[/b]



8-1 Luverne. All you naysayers please keep it up. The Cardinals are a good young hockey team.

There youth teams have either beaten or played very close games with NU, Hutch, and LCD AKA "Big Three" but yet they have refused to play them at the High School level for the following reasons:

1. Didn't have a JV. They do now

2. Too far to drive. Not a problem they will play at the "Big Three" Arenas
(Hutch is going to Eleveth next year. Too far to drive? REALLY!

3. They would not be competive games.

4. Hutch said they are only allowed to play so many games a year but
after Marshall beat them this year they were able to add another game
against Marshall. Interesting to say the least.

LCD has put them on their schuedle for next year. It time NU and Hutch step up instead running away.

Who cares about scheduling? big deal....Luverne fans whining about not getting scheduled against the "big 3" is such a worthless rant.....


WIN THE SECTION... DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

There is ONE way to earn respect it the state of hockey.... EARN IT!

If Luverne belongs in the scheduling mix, continue doing what they did tonight... Absolutely smash the competition. LDC was absolutely dazed...they had no answer... Continue that and fans of Luverne will quit bitching about scheduling.... they will be a destination organization..

The time for talk is over....

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Well the Quarterfinals are over.

No big upsets to speak of....

New Ulm Area 11 Worthington 1
The Eagles took they took the Trojans out of the game early.

Quotes on the game from New Ulm Area Boys Hockey Coach Erik Setterhom (courtesy of the New Ul Journal Newspaper)

For Setterholm, his team's quick start was just the way that he wanted to begin the game.

"Any time you have to play a game like this, you want to take care of business in the first 17 minutes," he said. "Don't make it a game - do not let them think that they are in it for a minute. We want to be the aggressor, and we did that."

"We really pounded the puck at them in the first two periods," said Setterholm about his team's 41-7 shot advantage in the first two periods. "But to their credit, their goaltender is not a bad goalie. He is a big kid, fills the net up and he moves well."

Setterholm said that his team's depth took its toll on the Trojans, who were outmanned and had some key injuries.

"We played three and four lines and then in the third period we just played our third and fourth line," Setterholm said.

Sounds like New Ulm Area should be fresh as they head to the Semi-finals on Saturday.

Hutchinson 6 Windom 5
This was the game I went to and I can 't say enough good things about Windom and their Coach Jon Ammerman. This program has really turned it around and battled the entire night. It was a really entertaining game.

First what a performance by Junior Goaltender Ben Stubbe stopping 55 of 61 shots. He was able to make huge saves and Windom was able to bury their chances. This game was 1-1 then 2-2 then 3-3 in the third then Hutch looked like they had pulled away making it 6-3. Windom didn't quit though and scored two goals late to make it interesting.

Hutch will need to get better goaltending if they want to beat New Ulm on Saturday. They showed some very nice things on offense but will need their tender to make some big saves in Semis something that did not happen tonight.

Marshall 8 Fairmont 3
Marshall got off to a slow start but eventually took over later on in the game.

Quotes on the game from Marshall Boys Hockey Coach Kori Pearson (courtesy of the Marshall Independent Newspaper)

"We wanted to start a lot faster than we did," said Marshall head coach Kori Pearson. "But I think that it was sticking with the game plan and eventually wearing them down where we would finish them."

"We had a lot of possession time in their zone. We didn't give up a whole lot," Pearson said. "We did what we wanted that way, but it's like what Coach Mellenthin said after the first, we have to have results.

"It's great that we can keep the puck and control it, move it around, but if we are not getting anything out of it, it doesn't matter anyways."

"Once we got going, I think we had a deeper bench where we could use more guys and keep the pressure on them," Pearson said. "I thought we did a good job in the third, we didn't give anything up in our zone, no pressure really. The guys got a little hungry around the net and buried chances when they got them."

On the upcoming matchup with Luverne.

"Defensively, I think we may be able to tighten up a little better than they are, but it's going to come down to who's better," Pearson said. "Their offense, our defense, we are two very even teams and it's going to come down to who makes fewer mistakes."

Coach Pearson sounds confidant that his defensive zone will be better then Luverne's. That’s could be the difference as we move forward. The Tigers again struggled burying chances early that has been their weakness all year. Dominate large phases of a game but get nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. However, in the playoffs as you move deeper into the tournament whoever plays the best defense will win the hockey games. The Tigers are the best of the 4 teams remaining at playing defense.

Luverne 8 LDC 1
Well Luverne does what they are suppose to do beat a team that had lost 19 straight games. They did it much more handily then I ever thought they could.

Like Luverne or not they are an explosive offense where it takes Marshall 20 shots to get 1 goal. Luverne can score 5 goals on 11 shots. The Cardinals have joined the top dogs this year because they now have depth as well. Just going off what one poster said they got 3 or 4 goals tonight from their 3rd line.

It is going to be a fun match-up in Gustavus on Saturday. One team that can score in bunches the other that prides themselves on shutting their opponents down. Oh did I mention these Towns kind of hate each other. That is what Playoff hockey is all about. They spilt during the regular season each handling their opponent on home ice. Now neutral ice with winner getting the ultimate bragging rights.

Count me in as excited!

We are down to 4!

[timcorbin21]

the only games we've seen all year are a portion of the marshall vs willmar, and then willmar vs hutch. i thought hutch was much better in a losing effort. after the hutch/windom game i'm not so sure.
marshall had to wear faimont down last night?
windom played with hutch?
Worthington, Windom and Luverne all improved this year but the rest of the section has dropped a bunch.
On a somewhat different topic what about an XMAS Sectional Tournament. Have it rotated from Marshall to Hutch & New Ulm. Invite some out of section teams maybe. Be good for the communities. I noticed Marshall and Luverne were both in the open at the Schwans cup playing some teams that arn't all that great why not save the gas

[new2coachin]

the only games we've seen all year are a portion of the marshall vs willmar, and then willmar vs hutch. i thought hutch was much better in a losing effort. after the hutch/windom game i'm not so sure.
marshall had to wear faimont down last night?
windom played with hutch?
Worthington, Windom and Luverne all improved this year but the rest of the section has dropped a bunch.
On a somewhat different topic what about an XMAS Sectional Tournament. Have it rotated from Marshall to Hutch & New Ulm. Invite some out of section teams maybe. Be good for the communities. I noticed Marshall and Luverne were both in the open at the Schwans cup playing some teams that arn't all that great why not save the gas

This weekend, since I usually root for the underdogs...I will be pulling for Luverne (enrollment 467 vs Marshall's 1186) & pulling for Hutch (enrollment 762 vs over the A limit NU enrollment of 1408)

[Bhindthemask]

.
Prediction: LDC 5 Luverne 3. LDC’s size and strength and playoff experience will be too much for Luverne in the end. This will be the one upset of the Quarterfinals.[/b]



8-1 Luverne. All you naysayers please keep it up. The Cardinals are a good young hockey team.

There youth teams have either beaten or played very close games with NU, Hutch, and LCD AKA "Big Three" but yet they have refused to play them at the High School level for the following reasons:

1. Didn't have a JV. They do now

2. Too far to drive. Not a problem they will play at the "Big Three" Arenas
(Hutch is going to Eleveth next year. Too far to drive? REALLY!

3. They would not be competive games.

4. Hutch said they are only allowed to play so many games a year but
after Marshall beat them this year they were able to add another game
against Marshall. Interesting to say the least.

LCD has put them on their schuedle for next year. It time NU and Hutch step up instead running away.

Who cares about scheduling? big deal....Luverne fans whining about not getting scheduled against the "big 3" is such a worthless rant.....


WIN THE SECTION... DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

There is ONE way to earn respect it the state of hockey.... EARN IT!

If Luverne belongs in the scheduling mix, continue doing what they did tonight... Absolutely smash the competition. LDC was absolutely dazed...they had no answer... Continue that and fans of Luverne will quit bitching about scheduling.... they will be a destination organization..

The time for talk is over....

Who cares about scheduling? big deal....Luverne fans whining about not getting scheduled against the "big 3" is such a worthless rant.....
Actually it is a big deal. Luverne needs more competitive games. Wouldn't it make perfect sense to find those games within the section? I don't think it's whining as much as it is saying, "let's do this".

WIN THE SECTION... DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
So if this is what it takes to get respect, then no one should be getting any respect except for New Ulm. Marshall has never won a section championship, and they seem to get the respect.

There is ONE way to earn respect it the state of hockey.... EARN IT!
If teams refuse to play you, it's tough to earn the respect.

If Luverne belongs in the scheduling mix, continue doing what they did tonight... Absolutely smash the competition. LDC was absolutely dazed...they had no answer... Continue that and fans of Luverne will quit bitching about scheduling.... they will be a destination organization..
No one in this section has smashed LDC. But Luverne is expected to do it and do it with regularity. How can they do this with regularity when they never get a chance to play these teams. We all know, that no one, no matter the situation, is going to view Luverne as a destination.

The time for talk is over
You're right, now Luverne, go beat Marshall!

Boys, it doesn't matter what anyone on this thread says. Luverne know's how to hustle, know's how to score, and most of all, it know's how to win. Talk is cheap. Let's go cards.[/b]

[TheSiouxSuck]

the only games we've seen all year are a portion of the marshall vs willmar, and then willmar vs hutch. i thought hutch was much better in a losing effort. after the hutch/windom game i'm not so sure.
marshall had to wear faimont down last night?
windom played with hutch?
Worthington, Windom and Luverne all improved this year but the rest of the section has dropped a bunch.
On a somewhat different topic what about an XMAS Sectional Tournament. Have it rotated from Marshall to Hutch & New Ulm. Invite some out of section teams maybe. Be good for the communities. I noticed Marshall and Luverne were both in the open at the Schwans cup playing some teams that arn't all that great why not save the gas

This weekend, since I usually root for the underdogs...I will be pulling for Luverne (enrollment 467 vs Marshall's 1186) & pulling for Hutch (enrollment 762 vs over the A limit NU enrollment of 140

New Ulm was granted a 1 year waiver to stay A because of the late merger with Sleepy Eye, St Mary's, and Springfield (which I beleive had no players join the hockey program after the merger). Those three schools had a previous merger and from how it sounds, Springfield will be dropped from that next year after when there is more time to find another coop which should put New Ulm back under the Class A limit.

[Chalk_Talk]

Congrats luverne... 1st ..... semi-respectable win in team history..... before you get carried away... I would be curious to know if this game was dominated as the score indicates... shots were only 31-26 or something.... which doesnt usually correlated to a 8-1 score. usually indicates similar amounts of offensive zone time.... anyone have any comments on this.. Litch tending really that bad? I had a hunch luverne would win as Litch has really been stuggling but didnt see this lopsided.

also, I really dont appreciate the luverne folk bashin 3A hockey scout.... outside of victory guarantees.... he actually knows more about hockey than any one of you ignorant fools who post on here.

If Section3Ascout knows so much why is he using a published article and claiming it to be his?....That is pretty low.

And now you are backing him.

[fastncrash]

the only games we've seen all year are a portion of the marshall vs willmar, and then willmar vs hutch. i thought hutch was much better in a losing effort. after the hutch/windom game i'm not so sure.
marshall had to wear faimont down last night?
windom played with hutch?
Worthington, Windom and Luverne all improved this year but the rest of the section has dropped a bunch.
On a somewhat different topic what about an XMAS Sectional Tournament. Have it rotated from Marshall to Hutch & New Ulm. Invite some out of section teams maybe. Be good for the communities. I noticed Marshall and Luverne were both in the open at the Schwans cup playing some teams that arn't all that great why not save the gas

This weekend, since I usually root for the underdogs...I will be pulling for Luverne (enrollment 467 vs Marshall's 1186) & pulling for Hutch (enrollment 762 vs over the A limit NU enrollment of 140

New Ulm was granted a 1 year waiver to stay A because of the late merger with Sleepy Eye, St Mary's, and Springfield (which I beleive had no players join the hockey program after the merger). Those three schools had a previous merger and from how it sounds, Springfield will be dropped from that next year after when there is more time to find another coop which should put New Ulm back under the Class A limit.

For all the "Chest pounding" about how superior their program is to the rest of the section... it sure looks to me like they would much rather stay on the porch they numerically dominate to protect their chests!

[new2coachin]

This weekend, since I usually root for the underdogs...I will be pulling for Luverne (enrollment 467 vs Marshall's 1186) & pulling for Hutch (enrollment 762 vs over the A limit NU enrollment of 140

New Ulm was granted a 1 year waiver to stay A because of the late merger with Sleepy Eye, St Mary's, and Springfield (which I beleive had no players join the hockey program after the merger). Those three schools had a previous merger and from how it sounds, Springfield will be dropped from that next year after when there is more time to find another coop which should put New Ulm back under the Class A limit.

For all the "Chest pounding" about how superior their program is to the rest of the section... it sure looks to me like they would much rather stay on the porch they numerically dominate to protect their chests!

[CherryPicker99]

Section3Ascout count me in as excited too! The four remaining teams all deserve to be in St. Peter. I believe all these teams are very even. A lot of people think it's New Ulm's section to lose and that's not the case. They better show up to play on Saturday.

[theoldref]

I was at the Windom vs Hutchinson game and you gotta give Windom credit for staying with them (on the scoreboard anyway). The shots in this game definitely reflected on the way the game was played, Hutchinson came out a little slow in the first period but absolutely dominated after that. Hutch had 3 or 4 chances to hit an open net while Windom's goalie was on the ground and they missed every single one. Also the ref's completely missed a goal for Hutchinson. Fortunately for Windom goals are all that matter. What the heck was up with Hutch's goalie? There's no way he has been playing like that all year, they would never have won any games. I applaud Windom for keeping it close even with the shot differential. If Hutch's goalie plays against New Ulm the way he played against Windom they don't have a prayer. This weekend should be interesting!!

[Iranger33]

If you want a break down of the goals from the game vs Windom I can give them to you.

1) PP goal for Windom (back door play that D didn't pick up Windom)
2) Windom player lifted the goal stick and puck went five hole
3) PP goal for Windom (soft goal)
4) D forgot to take the guy and shot was deflected and changed direction
5) D turns puck over and 2-0 in the slot.

So by breaking the goals down can you say the goalie had a bad game, or do you say just a case of bad luck.

The bigger question for Hutch is the play of the Defense, if the Defense keeps playing this way it will be tough on Saturday. Turnovers, not moving the puck, going out of there way to make a hit causing odd man rushes, and rushing the puck up the ice and thinking you are the only player out on the ice.

[p_cku]

Who cares about scheduling? big deal....Luverne fans whining about not getting scheduled against the "big 3" is such a worthless rant.....


WIN THE SECTION... DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

There is ONE way to earn respect it the state of hockey.... EARN IT!

If Luverne belongs in the scheduling mix, continue doing what they did tonight... Absolutely smash the competition. LDC was absolutely dazed...they had no answer... Continue that and fans of Luverne will quit bitching about scheduling.... they will be a destination organization..

The time for talk is over....[/quote]

It seem notonight all you do is talk.

[SquareWheels]

Zach Allen's dad, 5 goals on 22 shots is not BAD LUCK. when your kid doesn't play well don't sugar coat it, your only making him and yourself look poor. Good luck to all 4 teams tommorow.

[Iranger33]

Zach Allen's dad, 5 goals on 22 shots is not BAD LUCK. when your kid doesn't play well don't sugar coat it, your only making him and yourself look poor. Good luck to all 4 teams tommorow.

so what you are saying is that it doesn't matter how the team plays in front of the goalie. Your mentality is that every shot on net should be saved. I simply explained the goals.

[SquareWheels]

"""So by breaking the goals down can you say the goalie had a bad game, or do you say just a case of bad luck."""

oh yeah your right I totally said your son is suppose to save every shot.. c'mon you can't put words in my mouth. Face the fact that saving 80% of shots against windom high school that maybe you should take it easy on heading straight to the forum and backing up your son. for your sake, and ESPECIALLY his, let his game do the talking...

[Iranger33]

"""So by breaking the goals down can you say the goalie had a bad game, or do you say just a case of bad luck."""

oh yeah your right I totally said your son is suppose to save every shot.. c'mon you can't put words in my mouth. Face the fact that saving 80% of shots against windom high school that maybe you should take it easy on heading straight to the forum and backing up your son. for your sake, and ESPECIALLY his, let his game do the talking...

stats don't mean sh##

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Well Semi-Final Saturday @ Gustavus tomorrow it should be fun.

#1 Seed New Ulm Area (15-11-0) vs #4 Seed Hutchinson (10-16-0)

Well this the match-up many experts on here had marked as the Section Championship. Well we will get it a round earlier. This should be a very good game. New Ulm Area is the favorite with their potent offense and post season tournament success. On the other hand you have Hutch who has proven they can beat good teams. they took out Class A top 20 teams Orono and Mound Westonka earlier this year. In order for Hutch to win they will need to get better goaltending then they got on Thursday. New Ulm needs to come out firing and test the Hutch tender early.

Fun match-up to watch: Peterson vs Cowger
I think these two are the top player in Section 3A. It should be fun to see them go head-to-head tomorrow. Cowger is an extremely talented puck carrying D-man. Peterson is a sniper and has haunted this Section since he entered the varsity line-up. Cant wait to watch the this match-up within the game.

Prediction: New Ulm Area 4 Hutchinson 3. I think this will be a very fun and entertaining game. It will go back and forth but I think the Eagles find a win to when it counts


#2 Seed Marshall (16-7-1) vs. #3 Seed Luverne (20-3-2)

This Southwest Conference grudge match takes center stage. No matter what we will get our first Southwest Conference team in the Section 3A Championship. Like I said earlier it is going to be a fun match-up in Gustavus on Saturday. One team that can score in bunches the other that prides themselves on shutting their opponents down. Oh did I mention these Towns kind of hate each other. That is what Playoff hockey is all about. They spilt during the regular season each handling their opponent on home ice. Now neutral ice with winner getting the ultimate bragging rights.

Fun Match-up to watch: Marshall's Defense vs. Luverne's Offense
Like I said above Luverne can score but at the same time Marshall has a trio of strong Senior D-man led by Mr. Campion looking to shut them down. If Marshall's D shut down Luverne's Forwards it will be a long day for the Cardinals. If the Luverne Forwards get loose it will be a long day for the Tigers. This should be a fun one.

Prediction: Marshall 4 Luverne 2. You have to like Marshall's D in this one. Marshall beat Luverne 3 times and ended the Cardinals season last year. Looks like unfortunately for the Cardinals the Tigers will do the honors again this season and send Luverne packing.

Should be a very fun day tomorrow good luck to the 4 remaining teams!

[InigoMontoya]

"""So by breaking the goals down can you say the goalie had a bad game, or do you say just a case of bad luck."""

oh yeah your right I totally said your son is suppose to save every shot.. c'mon you can't put words in my mouth. Face the fact that saving 80% of shots against windom high school that maybe you should take it easy on heading straight to the forum and backing up your son. for your sake, and ESPECIALLY his, let his game do the talking...

stats don't mean sh##

Is the goalie's dad arguing with a defenseman's dad?

[bardown27]

hutch and new ulm tied at 1 after one. new ulm to have about 1:30 of 5-3 to start the 2nd

[theoldref]

If you want a break down of the goals from the game vs Windom I can give them to you.

1) PP goal for Windom (back door play that D didn't pick up Windom)
2) Windom player lifted the goal stick and puck went five hole
3) PP goal for Windom (soft goal)
4) D forgot to take the guy and shot was deflected and changed direction
5) D turns puck over and 2-0 in the slot.

So by breaking the goals down can you say the goalie had a bad game, or do you say just a case of bad luck.

The bigger question for Hutch is the play of the Defense, if the Defense keeps playing this way it will be tough on Saturday. Turnovers, not moving the puck, going out of there way to make a hit causing odd man rushes, and rushing the puck up the ice and thinking you are the only player out on the ice.

Wow this is so biased!!!! I'll give it to you that he couldn't do anything about the 1st and last goal, but the lifted stick 5 hole is a weak excuse, that was a soft shot he didn't get down fast enough. The 3rd goal was really soft considering that is was a back hand that went 5 hole. If that puck was deflected then the scorer sure didn't reflect it, the d-man got the goal, that puck wasn't deflected he just completely misread it. He gives up huge rebounds!!!! I'm not saying he's terrible, but don't come on here and argue that the kid had "a case of bad luck" because he just flat out had a bad game and I hope he can have a better one vs. New Ulm. Obviously this year he's had some good games because Hutch does have some significant wins, but his game against Windom was NOT good or bad luck, it was just BAD!!

[bardown27]

hutch and new ulm tied at 2 after two.

[timcorbin21]

Section 3A HockeyScout you need to get some vegetables in your diet all that crow isnt good for you. marshall cant play o & d at the same time.

[Cujo]

Well an exciting day at the GAC. Nice prediction on the NU vs Hutch HockeyScout and keep doing what your doing. I like hearing your take on stuff.

NU-Hutch game- NU played bad for most of the game but won it in overtime when it mattered. BarDown, whats your excuse for the OT winner? It makes you look bad talking him up and then they lose. Just let your sons play do the talking. NU barely snuck out of there with the win! I feel like Hutch outplayed them for most of them game. Like I said NU got lucky and cant make it to state playing like that.

Onto the Marshall vs Luverne game. Pretty evenly played for the first two periods, not a lot went on and there wasnt many shots to show for it. I could tell it was a grudge match, plenty of body play and penalties. Penalties in the end killed Marshall. Goalies were both a bit shaky at time but seemed to settle in. But congrats to the Luverne Cardinals on their first trip to the section finals!!

I expected this to be a pretty close game. Both goalies are sophmores playing in possibly the biggest game of there life. They have both played common opponents pretty much the same. New Ulm does have the upper hand with line changes and having experience, but if they play like they did today, there chances are slim at winning. I do expect Luverne to come out flying and giving it all. Im predicting a 4-3 game or around there. Dont know what team to pick. But congrats to NU and Luverne for making it this far! Leave it all out there next week..

[cellyhard01]

Did anyone see the shot from #19 in the 3rd period that swafford called a goal and then called it off, heard that it was in. Any replies?