(1)New Ulm vs. (3)Luverne

[Cujo]

Sure this is section 3A. Not the best section, but the game means something to us down south. So just keep your negative comments to yourself. Thanks!

Just had to get that off my chest, but any predictions?

[PuckU126]

Sure this is section 3A. Not the best section, but the game means something to us down south. So just keep your negative comments to yourself. Thanks!

Just had to get that off my chest, but any predictions?

We said, Cujo.

I think New Ulm will make the trip back to St. Paul for the 3rd straight year.

[Hoc2x21]

Luverne will win this with stellar goalie play 4-2. New blood at the State is always good. Bring it on Luverne. See you in St. Paul.

[CherryPicker99]

I believe Luverne has a chance to win this game. They had trouble on Saturday staying out of the penalty box and didn't play well and still managed to beat Marshall. If Meyer plays a good game in net and they can stay full strength Luverne can beat New Ulm.

[roundhead]

I think it will be a tight checking game eventually decided by a single goal. Hoping that the Luverne Class A Cardinals will slip by the New Ulm Area Class AA Eagles.

[dangle snipe n' celly]

New ulm is bigger faster and stronger than any team in the section. they will have no problem beating luverne to go to state for the 3rd time in a row. im predicting atleast 6-2 in favor of new ulm

[notTONIGHT]

This game will come down to the old cliche' depth and goaltending. Luverne runs 3 lines. Has a solid goalie.

New Ulm goalie can be very streaky and tough to get around when hot.

Nobody can say either team is a lock to win.

This will not be a repeat of two years ago.

If Peterson dogs it like he did on Saturday, then Welcome to the X Luverne....

[Sheetice]

This game will come down to the old cliche' depth and goaltending. Luverne runs 3 lines. Has a solid goalie.

New Ulm goalie can be very streaky and tough to get around when hot.

Nobody can say either team is a lock to win.

This will not be a repeat of two years ago.

If Peterson dogs it like he did on Saturday, then Welcome to the X Luverne....

I agree with Peterson's performance, I think he only had ONE shot on goal.

Both teams don't check much.

New Ulm moves the puck a little better.

Give a small edge to luverne's goalie.

New Ulm's first line is better, but lines 2 and 3 are even.

New Ulm's defence has been shaky all year, give the edge here to luverne.

So who's going to win.
With New Ulm's experience I give them the edge .
New Ulm wins 5 to 4 in overtime.

[Cujo]

I know I probably should have posted my prediction in my first post, but I didnt, so here it is.

This is my opinion on how each team needs to win:

New Ulm- This is where the #1 seed comes in hand. Line changes are all up to New Ulm. But what they need to do is first off, COME READY TO PLAY!! If they come to play like they did againt Hutch, the outcome probably wont be in their favor. New Ulm does however have the experience and doesnt get down on themselves as they showed in the Hutch game, they battled back a few times. They do need to get a quick one in on Meyer early in the game and put pressure on Luvernes defense. When pressure was on them in the Marshall game their D made some poor choices and bad passes. NU needs to make their presence felt, make the defense turn the puck over and captitalize on the oppertunities given. They also need to make sure their powerplay is clicking. I dont know if Luverne generally takes a lot of penatlies or if it was just a grudge match with Marshall. Either way they need to score on the PP when given the chance. Also take them out in the first two periods. Make them battle back against your experience. Need good goaltending from Mr. Kraus. He gave a goal right to Hutch in the first period. This may sound cliche, but get Brody Peterson the puck, he may be a one sided player but he usually makes he presence felt in the offensive zone and can deffinatley put the puck away. He didnt play well against Hutch, but Ive seen him play very well before so I expect him to come ready to play. As for defense, New Ulm cant let up as many offensive rushes like they did. Cant give up as many turnovers either!

Luverne- Well youve been complaining about respect, this is the time to prove what your worth. This game aint easy, so be mentally prepared. To win they need to first off play strong D and contain the New Ulms forwards. Forecheck hard and make NU's defense turn the puck over. You have some very talented forwards to put the puck away! You cant take as many penalties as you did against Marshall. Hit, Hit, and Hit! If you can fluster and slow down New Ulms forwards, I'll bet money the game starts to go in your favor. Maxwell is going to need to play a lot in this game. He needs to standout and be a leader. He does however carry the puck up a lot, but in this game needs to get the puck up and get those fast breaks on NU's defense. Your going to have to play 51 minutes! New Ulm wont give up so dont expect them to. Meyer needs to stand on his head and get some momentum for his team.

Things both teams have in common: both have sophmore goalies starting in their first section final games. Defensive zone is sketchy on both parts. Forward lines pretty even. Ill give the edge to NU's top line, middle lines are even, and the better third line goes to Luverne.

This is just my opinion. Im sure many will disagree. Just one mans opinion.

Good Luck to all, see you Friday!

[notTONIGHT]

On a side not, how can you not cheer for the underdog?

If you TRIPLE Luverne's enrollment you would STILL be short of New Ulms Enrollment for this year.

That is pretty mind boggling.

Cant wait for Friday

[hutchtostate]

On a side not, how can you not cheer for the underdog?

If you TRIPLE Luverne's enrollment you would STILL be short of New Ulms Enrollment for this year.

That is pretty mind boggling.

Cant wait for Friday

It's wet enough outside - quit your whining. your post has no substance.

Entire section is the weakest it has been in years. Whoever makes it will get crushed as state. Personally, hate to cheer for the arrogance of the ziggy zaggy cheer, but the whining from Luverne pushes me to support the team that we know has a strong hockey tradition. Maybe Luverne will get there, but NU will be less embarrassed at state than 3a sending Luverne.

[notTONIGHT]

On a side not, how can you not cheer for the underdog?

If you TRIPLE Luverne's enrollment you would STILL be short of New Ulms Enrollment for this year.

That is pretty mind boggling.

Cant wait for Friday

It's wet enough outside - quit your whining. your post has no substance.

Entire section is the weakest it has been in years. Whoever makes it will get crushed as state. Personally, hate to cheer for the arrogance of the ziggy zaggy cheer, but the whining from Luverne pushes me to support the team that we know has a strong hockey tradition. Maybe Luverne will get there, but NU will be less embarrassed at state than 3a sending Luverne.

What was whining about pointing out enrollment?

Thats whining? Talk about a post with no substance.....

[Sheetice]

On a side not, how can you not cheer for the underdog?

If you TRIPLE Luverne's enrollment you would STILL be short of New Ulms Enrollment for this year.

That is pretty mind boggling.

Cant wait for Friday

It's wet enough outside - quit your whining. your post has no substance.

Entire section is the weakest it has been in years. Whoever makes it will get crushed as state. Personally, hate to cheer for the arrogance of the ziggy zaggy cheer, but the whining from Luverne pushes me to support the team that we know has a strong hockey tradition. Maybe Luverne will get there, but NU will be less embarrassed at state than 3a sending Luverne.

What was whining about pointing out enrollment?

Thats whining? Talk about a post with no substance.....

I agree, thanks for pointing that out!!

[goldy313]

I think New Ulm will win because experiance in this game makes a huge difference and Luverne hasn't been in this game before. I don't see there being much a difference in talent, New Ulm played a tougher schedule but didn't win many of those games so I think that equals out. The scores against common opponents is about as similar as you can get as well so it looks like this is a great matchup.

I hope Luverne wins, it's nice to see new teams make it to St. Paul. For that reason I'd also like to see Northfield and Brainerd win as well. None of these teams will win a state title but I think it's great for the school and community to get over the hump and make it to state.

[SouthernMNHockey]

I think it will be a tight checking game eventually decided by a single goal. Hoping that the Luverne Class A Cardinals will slip by the New Ulm Area Class AA Eagles.

Explain...

[HockeyGuy81]

I think it will be a tight checking game eventually decided by a single goal. Hoping that the Luverne Class A Cardinals will slip by the New Ulm Area Class AA Eagles.

[Bhindthemask]

On a side not, how can you not cheer for the underdog?

If you TRIPLE Luverne's enrollment you would STILL be short of New Ulms Enrollment for this year.

That is pretty mind boggling.

Cant wait for Friday

It's wet enough outside - quit your whining. your post has no substance.

Entire section is the weakest it has been in years. Whoever makes it will get crushed as state. Personally, hate to cheer for the arrogance of the ziggy zaggy cheer, but the whining from Luverne pushes me to support the team that we know has a strong hockey tradition. Maybe Luverne will get there, but NU will be less embarrassed at state than 3a sending Luverne.

"NU will be less embarrassed at state than 3A sending Luverne." I don't get it. If Luverne beats NU wouldn't that suggest that Luverne is just as qualified to be at the X? Or does NU have a better shot because they play a tougher schedule? 3A won't be sending anyone to state, whoever makes it to state earned it. If Luverne does make it to the X, they will have beaten the 6, 2, and 1 seeds to get there. I would call that earning it. Hutchtostate, you guys already had your shot at the number 1 seed and lost in the semi's. If NU wins Friday, they will surely be considered the best team in the section. Will the same be said if Luverne wins?

[Hoc2x21]

Lets say Luverne makes it to The X, any score better than the 13-2 pummeling that S T A put on N U last year will be less embarrassing.

[Sats81]

New Ulm 3-2

[PVTeaglesAA]

Eagles 8 Laverne 1

[Sheetice]

Lets say Luverne makes it to The X, any score better than the 13-2 pummeling that S T A put on N U last year will be less embarrassing.

Still not as embarrassing when Luverne played N.U. two years ago and some of Luvernes players and coaches didn't shake hands after the game!!
(NOW THATS EMBARRASSING) score N.U...11 - Luverne...1

[Hoc2x21]

Lets say Luverne makes it to The X, any score better than the 13-2 pummeling that S T A put on N U last year will be less embarrassing.

Still not as embarrassing when Luverne played N.U. two years ago and some of Luvernes players and coaches didn't shake hands after the game!!
(NOW THATS EMBARRASSING) score N.U...11 - Luverne...1

I agree that is embarrassing and is completely unacceptable! You have to admit that this is as strong a Luverne team as has been around in some time.
Granted they didn't play a powerhouse schedule but they are a nice team.

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Well we are down to just two teams. One that everyone expected and the other that I think most are still in shock over. We will get our 3A representative after Friday night. Should be interesting to see what happens.

#1 New Ulm Area Eagles (16-11-0) vs. #3 Luverne Cardinals (21-3-2)

This is truly a david vs. goliath match-up. New Ulm Area has an AA size enrollment while Luverne is the smallest in Section 3A one of the smallest in the State.

New Ulm has been to 6 straight Section Finals and 2 straight State Tournaments. Luverne is making there first ever Section Final.

New Ulm has had legitimate high school hockey since the 70’s while Luverne’s first season of High School was 1999. Thus we have the backdrop of what I think sets-up as an entertaining side story.

I just don’t see Luverne making this much of a game. These games are won by Seniors New Ulm has a very strong senior class. Luverne is a really young team they only play about 3 seniors on a regular shift.

Inexperience in the big game with a young team against a team that has been there done that I think this one wont be close.

New Ulm Area 6 Luverne 2

New Ulm Area heads back to state for the 3rd straight time. Luverne earned respect this year no one would have thought they get this far. However the fairy tale of the little engine that could (Luverne) comes to crashing halt Friday night.

[goldy313]

I think only you and bettman are in shock. Anybody who follows this section isn't in shock Luverne is in the finals.

[rbkhockey97]

i dont think anybody cares about this game (even the people in section 3A) because whoever wins will play a good team and get beat by at least 6 or 7