St Thomas (14-1-1) @ Hill-Murray (14-2-1) 1-24-13 7:30pm

[Carl Racki]

Really this game doesn't matter except for bragging rights....
Until next year when STA finally steps up to play AA.
I do believe that STA just might be the best team in the state this year. The first time that I can remember when the top A team just might be the best team in the state.

[MNHockeyFan]

I do believe that STA just might be the best team in the state this year. The first time that I can remember when the top A team just might be the best team in the state.

I tend to agree with you that they are the best so far, based on their record. I'm a little puzzled as to why so many here think the Pioneers will beat them?

[Gems]

I do believe that STA just might be the best team in the state this year. The first time that I can remember when the top A team just might be the best team in the state.

I tend to agree with you that they are the best so far, based on their record. I'm a little puzzled as to why so many here think the Pioneers will beat them?

Well if you were at the first game Hill was leading 1-0 going into the third and Hill made changes in the line-up which had an effect on the outcome of the game. Then the teams skated to a tie at Christmas with Hill winning the shootout, so with that, it looks like both teams can beat each other on any given night and that is why some, NOT ALL, think the Pioneers have a chance at beating the defending class A champs...

[hondo98]

Any idea if both teams are healthy? With the flu and this time of year every team seems to be short 2 or 3.

[pioneers]

Any idea if both teams are healthy? With the flu and this time of year every team seems to be short 2 or 3.

The Pioneers were at full strength on Saturday, no one out with injuries.
Unless the flu bug hit since then, they should be OK.

[MNHockeyFan]

Well if you were at the first game Hill was leading 1-0 going into the third and Hill made changes in the line-up which had an effect on the outcome of the game. Then the teams skated to a tie at Christmas with Hill winning the shootout, so with that, it looks like both teams can beat each other on any given night and that is why some, NOT ALL, think the Pioneers have a chance at beating the defending class A champs...

Right now it's 65%-35% HM. In an election that would be considered a LANDSLIDE! And the poll doesn't ask if the Pioneers "have a chance"; it asks which team will win!

[Gems]

Well if you were at the first game Hill was leading 1-0 going into the third and Hill made changes in the line-up which had an effect on the outcome of the game. Then the teams skated to a tie at Christmas with Hill winning the shootout, so with that, it looks like both teams can beat each other on any given night and that is why some, NOT ALL, think the Pioneers have a chance at beating the defending class A champs...

Right now it's 65%-35% HM. In an election that would be considered a LANDSLIDE! And the poll doesn't ask if the Pioneers "have a chance"; it asks which team will win!

I stand corrected...but it is ONLY 32 votes...I wonder if they will have room in Aldrich for those 32

[HShockeywatcher]

Well if you were at the first game Hill was leading 1-0 going into the third and Hill made changes in the line-up which had an effect on the outcome of the game. Then the teams skated to a tie at Christmas with Hill winning the shootout, so with that, it looks like both teams can beat each other on any given night and that is why some, NOT ALL, think the Pioneers have a chance at beating the defending class A champs...

It is funny how in just about every big game this year that a good team has lost there were excuses about why they lost.

The first time around, both teams played a great game and Hill allowed two goals in the third.
The second time around, both teams played a great game, but more goals were scored and it ended in a tie.

We have two defensive teams, with the top two goalies in the state in GAA and both being top 5 in Save %, this game will likely be a low scoring affair and the outcome will likely be decided by the defense/goalies.
Both teams are scoring more than 4 goals a game and allowing just over 1 a game. Just looking at the statistics, the teams are very similar in just about every way, including how their points are distributed.

Whether Versich will play tonight or not may play a factor in the outcome as well.

[karl(east)]

A fun game between two excellent teams. Dugas had a big night in goal for Hill, which was key, but if I had to pick out something else that separated the teams, it would be puck movement in the offensive zone--Hill was somewhat better, especially on the second line. It looked like STA was trying to skate through the teeth of the Hill defense a bit too often, and at times they had options. Joey Anderson sure made his presence felt for Hill, and I thought Brown had a very nice night, both offensively and defensively. For STA, Novak and Donohoe were the standouts in this one.

All in all, an entertaining game between two of the best teams out there. With Wayzata going down tonight, Hill has a good shot at being #1 next week.

[Pioneerprideguy]

A fun game between two excellent teams. Dugas had a big night in goal for Hill, which was key, but if I had to pick out something else that separated the teams, it would be puck movement in the offensive zone--Hill was somewhat better, especially on the second line. It looked like STA was trying to skate through the teeth of the Hill defense a bit too often, and at times they had options. Joey Anderson sure made his presence felt for Hill, and I thought Brown had a very nice night, both offensively and defensively. For STA, Novak and Donohoe were the standouts in this one.

All in all, an entertaining game between two of the best teams out there. With Wayzata going down tonight, Hill has a good shot at being #1 next week.

Spot on Karl. Dugas was the difference & Hill's 2nd line was their best line all night. How bout that little 8th grader?...wow. He looked like he belonged from the first shift and what a thrill to score his first varsit goal in a meaningful game. HM needs to have the same intensity on Sat against a section opponent (Tartan). Congrats Pioneers (JV as well) on a solid night of hockey.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

This was a well played game between two very good teams that came to play hockey. There were long stretches between whistles, and not a lot of off sides, icings, or penalties. It reminded me of a typical Hill-Edina game. Good hits but nothing cheap. Lots of fast skating.

The STA side was maybe 40-45% full; the Hill side maybe 55-60% full. Not what I would call a packed house, but a larger crowd than the Aldrich game of this series has drawn than the last few years.

There is no reason these teams don't meet until the end of the first and second rounds of conference play. Either team could get upset by a second tier team in the next month, and that's not the way the conference championship should be decided. Projections can always go wrong, but the teams that are expected to finish first/second/third should be playing each other the last game or two of the season.This is like having the championship game at 6PM and then playing the third place game at 8PM.
Hill, STA, Mahtomedi, and Tartan should be mixing it up at then end.

[HShockeywatcher]

There were unfortunately plenty of missed opportunities for STA. Both teams played a very good defensive game, but HM played the better offense tonight. It'll be great to see a competitive conference rivalry for years to come.

There is no reason these teams don't meet until the end of the first and second rounds of conference play. Either team could get upset by a second tier team in the next month, and that's not the way the conference championship should be decided. Projections can always go wrong, but the teams that are expected to finish first/second/third should be playing each other the last game or two of the season.This is like having the championship game at 6PM and then playing the third place game at 8PM.
Hill, STA, Mahtomedi, and Tartan should be mixing it up at then end.

Agreed.

[iwatchalotofhockey]

here is our Pointstreak Stats Highlight Clips Link from tonight's game:


http://pointstreak.com/flashapp/index_h ... id=2094522

[Wallyworld]

A fun game between two excellent teams. Dugas had a big night in goal for Hill, which was key, but if I had to pick out something else that separated the teams, it would be puck movement in the offensive zone--Hill was somewhat better, especially on the second line. It looked like STA was trying to skate through the teeth of the Hill defense a bit too often, and at times they had options. Joey Anderson sure made his presence felt for Hill, and I thought Brown had a very nice night, both offensively and defensively. For STA, Novak and Donohoe were the standouts in this one.

All in all, an entertaining game between two of the best teams out there. With Wayzata going down tonight, Hill has a good shot at being #1 next week.

Spot on Karl. Dugas was the difference & Hill's 2nd line was their best line all night. How bout that little 8th grader?...wow. He looked like he belonged from the first shift and what a thrill to score his first varsit goal in a meaningful game. HM needs to have the same intensity on Sat against a section opponent (Tartan). Congrats Pioneers (JV as well) on a solid night of hockey.

Joey is a great up and coming talent but everyone is jumping through the roof when they hear 8th grader. He's a 98 birth year and was held back a year or would be a 9th grader.. Still great player but no circus attraction.

[UntouchableFlow]

A nice showing for the youngster Joey. I had heard quite a bit of hype around him coming into the year and I was curious to see how he would develop as the year went on. Good to see that he's adjusted well to High School hockey, he looked great all game long today and seems to work well with Willie Brown.

Big win for Hill, and with the Wayzata loss, they should slide into 1st in the rankings next week. I'd rather see them stay at #2 or #3, as the #1 ranking has been very tough to hold onto as this season has progressed. Very pleased to see where this Pioneer squad is at this point in the season and if Joey can continue to make an impact, it will help out the offense a lot.

[BodyShots]

Another brilliant coaching performance by Lechner. What other high school coach in Minnesota could take an 8th grader and insert him into a big game and get excellent play out of his line? The man is a genius and definitely coach of the year. He does more with less talent than any other coach

[Wallyworld]

Great, high-tempo game with few whistles. Dugas gets my number 1 star as he played other-wordly at times - reminds me of Bitzer from Moorhead when Hill played them in the state semis.

Willie Brown was the clear #2 star as his presence was felt all over the ice. In typical fashion, his goal started with him back-checking and sending the puck out to mid-ice and he got a pass back as he flew down the right side. Not much room for him to work with but there's a reason he was voted Top 5 Snipers by coaches assoc. and he hit the upper corner. He played with Zevnik in the Elite League this fall and seems to have his number because he also beat him badly with a water bottle shot to win the SChwann's Cup.. Also, it was Brown's forechecking that got the puck to Funk who then fed Joey for Hill's second goal..

And yes, Joey Anderson, the 9th grader turned 8th grader gets my third star. Wonder if they will bring his 7th grade brother up to Varsity as well ( he'd actually be in 8th grade but was held back a year as well).. I was impressed by Joey's vision and his passing - especially being just second varsity game where tendency would usually be just to get rid of puck.. Hands look pretty good as well. I've seen his ability to Snipe as well in the multiple JV games, so he's got the whole package.. I'm not a scout so not sure about his skating speed etc.. The question is - will he be at Hill for 4-5 years or will he go to Ann Arbor for the U.S. Development Program.. I think Ann Arbor places a premium on size so not sure if he fits their mold in that respect..

Lechner gets my #4 star for out-coaching everyone..

Anyone else notice how Hill's 1st line looked like crap last night.. Brown had more shots on goal than the 1st line combined.. Lavalle, just doesn't look sharp, especially compared to his play aside Guentzel last year.. They got a power play goal but with out the odd-man opportunity they would have been scoreless and helpless..

So with the pioneers second win in a row over STA (even though shootout win was classified as a tie) can we put the "STA is best team in either class" talk to rest.. And with Wayzata's loss (plus a game Sat. against Edina) Hill should take the #1 spot and they finish out with a relatively weak schedule.. Should go 22-2-1 unless they have bus legs going up to Moorhead for the finale..

[old goalie85]

O.K. you guys got me. What is up w/all of this "held back" talk ? First it was just him. Now your saying the little brother was as well. Does this mean that the kids started school late ?? Had to repeat 1st grade ?? repeat 6th grade?/ what is the story here?? my 98 is a first year Bantam {8th grade} fall B-day and was never held back. I get the kids out of the house as soon as I can.

[Gems]

O.K. you guys got me. What is up w/all of this "held back" talk ? First it was just him. Now your saying the little brother was as well. Does this mean that the kids started school late ?? Had to repeat 1st grade ?? repeat 6th grade?/ what is the story here?? my 98 is a first year Bantam {8th grade} fall B-day and was never held back. I get the kids out of the house as soon as I can.

Yes your son is in 8th grade but has a later birthdate in the year where as kids born first half of the year would be older grade wise...thus a early '98 would qualify as a 9th grader...hope this helps...

[MrBoDangles]

A fun game between two excellent teams. Dugas had a big night in goal for Hill, which was key, but if I had to pick out something else that separated the teams, it would be puck movement in the offensive zone--Hill was somewhat better, especially on the second line. It looked like STA was trying to skate through the teeth of the Hill defense a bit too often, and at times they had options. Joey Anderson sure made his presence felt for Hill, and I thought Brown had a very nice night, both offensively and defensively. For STA, Novak and Donohoe were the standouts in this one.

All in all, an entertaining game between two of the best teams out there. With Wayzata going down tonight, Hill has a good shot at being #1 next week.

Spot on Karl. Dugas was the difference & Hill's 2nd line was their best line all night. How bout that little 8th grader?...wow. He looked like he belonged from the first shift and what a thrill to score his first varsit goal in a meaningful game. HM needs to have the same intensity on Sat against a section opponent (Tartan). Congrats Pioneers (JV as well) on a solid night of hockey.

Joey is a great up and coming talent but everyone is jumping through the roof when they hear 8th grader. He's a 98 birth year and was held back a year or would be a 9th grader.. Still great player but no circus attraction.

97 fall born in 8th grade would have been held back a year.

Where are the brothers from?

[old goalie85]

Thanks Gems, I got it. Bo they are from Roseville.

[Pioneerprideguy]

Birth years are used for association hockey & grade level is used in high school. This kid is an 8th grader playing varsity hockey on one of the best teams this year. He is fortunate to be playing with the only other 8th grader at HM to accomplish such a feat. If Joey turns out to be 1/2 the quality kid Zach Lavalle is, he will be a pretty amazing young man. Keep working hard & enjoy the experience.

[Granttenn]

Check out the cumulative goalie stats after last night's game.. Zevnik 1.30 GAA with .945 save %.. Dugas 1.33 GAA with a .944 save %.. Since strength of schedule is similar, the deciding factor for Sr. GOY may be that Dugas has 5 shutouts while Zevnik only has 2.. Still, two incredible goalies. Not too often you get to see the state's top two goalies face off 3 times in a season.. In head to head (discounting shootout) Zevnik gave up 7 goals while Dugas let in 6..

[old goalie85]

I heard one or both of the Godbout twins may have played in 8th as well.

[old goalie85]

And yes I don't care how old the kid is. Congrats.