Playing every minute of the Class A title game

[rudy]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/140448913.html

Good idea? Bad idea? Why and why not?

[brookyone]

I'd have a hard time finding fault with it since they won the title and she was fairly instrumental in that result. Can't say I'd be surprised if someone has a problem with it...in this forum. Hoping the comments stay positive and of a non derogatory nature towards coach and player.

[MNHockeyFan]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/140448913.html

Good idea? Bad idea? Why and why not?

Great idea, but only because it worked to perfection...in this instance. It was a very unusual case, something we may not see again in a state championship game for a long time, if ever. And for sure it would have been more difficult without all of the TV time outs, which is pretty much akin to taking a shift off.

[GopherFanARM]

And for sure it would have been more difficult without all of the TV time outs, which is pretty much akin to taking a shift off.

The trap in a game with TV timeouts, at least from what I've seen at the college level, is that if you keep bringing the same kids back on a quicker rotation because they've rested the normal amount, then they're gassed by the end because they've had more ice time than they are accustomed to having. What I've seen over the years from HS players who rarely leave the ice as part of their normal routine is that they can form the bad habit of watching/resting while play is underway. Rather than an asset going forward, I see it as something that will need to be overcome at the next level, where if you're back on your heals, it's never a good thing.

[MNHockeyFan]

Rather than an asset going forward, I see it as something that will need to be overcome at the next level, where if you're back on your heals, it's never a good thing.

Couldn't agree more - the speed and intensity at the D1 level makes it a whole new ballgame, where no player can afford to sit back and rest. Anyone who does will quickly become a liability for her team, because the opposing players are just too good and will take advantage of the "time and space" (overused cliche' IMO but it certainly would apply here).

Even at the Class A high school level, being able to dominant the play like McMillen was able to do, so much of the time without ever leaving the ice, was quite the accomplishment. Sure she might have rushed the puck a bit more had she taken more normal shifts, but I do think Breck would have been left more vulnerable to SSP's pressure when she wasn't out there. One of her real strengths in this game was getting the puck out of Breck's defensive zone - she made many excellent breakout passes, and without her back there the Packers would have spent a lot more time in Breck's end.

All that said, I do think she will have to change her game in several respects when she puts on a Gopher uniform next season, but my guess is that she already understands this probably better than anybody. Best of luck to her as she has a lot of talent and a very promising future.

[puckskillz]

I thought we saw her sit a couple of shifts but would agree with the TV timeouts as allowing her to stay out. She may be the only player in the state that could do that effectively not only because of her strength but because of skill in orchestrating the puck out of the zone. Her poise with the puck and ability to either fend off or beat the first fore checker and then her ability to make that 90 foot pass allowed Breck to play the majority of the game in the SSP or neutral zones which took pressure off of them defensively. Very impressive player who will be outstanding in a normal rotation at the U.

[brookyone]

I'm more than a little doubtful we'll see any carry over of this strategy employed in a high school championship final going forward to her college career. There's virtually no opportunity for coasting in the college game...in order to extend overall playing time. In division I even the very top D, including Olympians go 110% during every shift. The move to D-I will be a whole new ballgame for Miss McMillen as MNHockeyFan states. I'd be surprised if this strategy played in her final high school game and any byproduct would get in the way of her future adjustment to D-I college hockey. Having been in the mix on National Teams I'd think she would be prepared for that adjustment and the higher intensity aspect. I pretty much expect MM to ultimately exhibit the level of poise we've seen from Miss Ramsey in her rookie season. Of course I do expect an offensive component to her game from the D position in the future. The D pairings in 2012-2013 will be interesting to see undoubtedly.

[Otter]

Hey, whatever works, right?
It's just a little bit humbling for Girls' hockey fans who thought that the sport had moved far past a kid being able to play a whole game--that or one player being able to dominate like in the day of Winny Brodt or Ronda Curtin or Krissy Wendell. The first day of the class A tournament was humbling period.

[Tigers33]

I think it kept her from showing her whole game. She looked sluggish at times, or for that fact most the time. To me thats to bad that a coach would do this.

[mulefarm]

I would say it shows that this level of hockey is very poor. There is know way that a player should be able to play a whole game, especially a state championship game!

[ghshockeyfan]

Or it shows just how amazingly talented the player actually is.

Yes - it's relative - I get that. Not sure the rest are that bad. She just may be that good.

Different perspective I think. And supported by the fact that she participated on a U18 National Team.

Same can be said for LaShomb.

And the U18 National Team wasn't just picking from MN Class A.

Can't wait to see these two girls play D1 when they are playing a normal shift surrounded by entire teams of similarly talented players.