Section 4AA

[Fwdguy]

Ok. 2 things have changed my thinking on this whole tartan think. In the past I have said tartan would not get higher then a 4 seed.
1st: the tie with STA
2nd: the BAD play for MV
With those 2 thing I put tartan at a solid #3 seed.
WBL will win out. tartan will go 2-3 and MV will go 1-3.
#1 Hill
#2 WBL
#3 tartan
#4 MV
#5 RV
#6 SW
#7 NSP
#8 Como

[WBLHockeyfan04]

IF Tartan wins out, and I said if...or if they end up beating DE....a win over DE would qualify as a legit, top-end team type victory.

We will see what happens the next 8 days here. Most likely you'll get WBL/Tartan in the 2 and 3 seed anyway...I think WBL getting swept by Hastings may be what hurts them.

Definitely Tartan's schedule not as tough as WBL, but their 3 losses have come to HM and STA, and their tie came vs. STA. Would WBL do better than that vs. HM and STA if they played both twice? I personally say no but that is simply my opinion. I think WBL has played well lately and is dangerous team, but give Tartan a little lead over them for race for #2.

I agree with your opinion. I think how they fare against DE may determine it all. I think WBL has a good chance to win out, but if Tartan can beat DE or tie, I'd give them the 2 seed over the Bears.

[greenway1969]

Hoping Tartan gets the #2 seed. I'd like to see them play North in the first round. That would be a fun game.

[inthetwine]

Hoping Tartan gets the #2 seed. I'd like to see them play North in the first round. That would be a fun game.

I'd rather see teams form different conferences match up. CSC vs. SEC.

[SomeHotBroads]

This section is really starting to shape up pretty easy for the coaches after Mounds View's fallout. What was once a race for #2 between MV, WBL, and TAR, has become a two team race between WBL and TAR.

My seedings with the most obnoxious abbreviations I could think of.

(1) Hil-Mur*
(2) WteBarLke
(3) TN
(4) Rosvil
(5) MuVe**
(6) STILLWATE
(7) Nor Sai Pau
(8) OMO

*Indicates private school
**Indicates a team that could be a 4 seed, but lost to Park for gosh sakes so darn it they are going to 5 because that's life. Oh yeah, and they tied Roseville (yeah I know they beat them later in the season) and lost to Stillwater 9-1.

[nosoupforyou]

Hoping Tartan gets the #2 seed. I'd like to see them play North in the first round. That would be a fun game.

If it wasn't an intra-district game with so many on both teams knowing each other the game wouldn't be close. Sad to see a program like NSP with some nice history and solid teams not too long ago (Nate Dey, where have you gone?) be in such disarray and decline. Their senior night included a couple players showing up late, balking at participating in the stick tunnel, and then berating their teammates throughout the game. Throw in a set of unfavorable demographics and you've got another example of an inner-ring school slowly, but inexorably, moving toward co-op status ala Columbia Hts, Fridley, etc.

[inthetwine]

Hoping Tartan gets the #2 seed. I'd like to see them play North in the first round. That would be a fun game.

If it wasn't an intra-district game with so many on both teams knowing each other the game wouldn't be close. Sad to see a program like NSP with some nice history and solid teams not too long ago (Nate Dey, where have you gone?) be in such disarray and decline. Their senior night included a couple players showing up late, balking at participating in the stick tunnel, and then berating their teammates throughout the game. Throw in a set of unfavorable demographics and you've got another example of an inner-ring school slowly, but inexorably, moving toward co-op status ala Columbia Hts, Fridley, etc.

NSP won't be a co-op for long time to come, they still have a very viable youth program. They just lose to many player to other options, nobody want's to play for the current coach.

[GreekChurch]

Hoping Tartan gets the #2 seed. I'd like to see them play North in the first round. That would be a fun game.

If it wasn't an intra-district game with so many on both teams knowing each other the game wouldn't be close. Sad to see a program like NSP with some nice history and solid teams not too long ago (Nate Dey, where have you gone?) be in such disarray and decline. Their senior night included a couple players showing up late, balking at participating in the stick tunnel, and then berating their teammates throughout the game. Throw in a set of unfavorable demographics and you've got another example of an inner-ring school slowly, but inexorably, moving toward co-op status ala Columbia Hts, Fridley, etc.

NSP won't be a co-op for long time to come, they still have a very viable youth program. They just lose to many player to other options, nobody want's to play for the current coach.

I don't think the youth program is as healthy as you might think. NSP has one Bantam team ( B1) Three Peewee teams A,B2, C and two Squirt teams B, and C I think you're right as the Top Peewee A pllayers will probably opt to play elsewhere when they reach High School. Who can blame them really.

[inthetwine]

My picks, at least I hope this is it.
1. Hll
2. WBL
3. Tartan
4. Moundsview
5. Roseville
6. Stillwater
7. North Saint Paul
8. Como
2 and 3 really don't matter, my guess is based on strengh of schedule only. Of course if Tartan beats Duluth East, things change.

[WBLHockeyfan04]

My picks, at least I hope this is it.
1. Hll
2. WBL
3. Tartan
4. Moundsview
5. Roseville
6. Stillwater
7. North Saint Paul
8. Como
2 and 3 really don't matter, my guess is based on strengh of schedule only. Of course if Tartan beats Duluth East, things change.

Looks good to me.

[BodyShots]

My picks, at least I hope this is it.
1. Hll
2. WBL
3. Tartan
4. Moundsview
5. Roseville
6. Stillwater
7. North Saint Paul
8. Como
2 and 3 really don't matter, my guess is based on strengh of schedule only. Of course if Tartan beats Duluth East, things change.

Wrong. Would you rather play NSP, or the team you just squeeked out a victory by the skin of your teeth?

[inthetwine]

My picks, at least I hope this is it.
1. Hll
2. WBL
3. Tartan
4. Moundsview
5. Roseville
6. Stillwater
7. North Saint Paul
8. Como
2 and 3 really don't matter, my guess is based on strengh of schedule only. Of course if Tartan beats Duluth East, things change.

Wrong. Would you rather play NSP, or the team you just squeeked out a victory by the skin of your teeth?

Doesn't matter, you still have to win.

[greenway1969]

North is my adopted team down here and it is sad to see how far this program has declined. I'm reluctant to criticize a coach but North is one of the poorest coached teams I have ever witnessed. Last year's North team would have had the potential to reach the section finals, but their best player opted to play for the Juniors. (Completely understandable.) He was a high scoring forward who was moved to defense during the previous year section play-off game. You could tell he was lost at that position. He tried his hardest but he was not a defenseman. The North teams typically depend on individual talent rather than any game plan or productive style. They are undisciplined and take too many bad penalties. Their break-out is based on slapping the puck around the boards and hoping a teammate gets to the puck first. North will never be competitive unless a change in leadership takes place.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I worked in Richardson Elementary about six years ago. Based on my observations and conversations with some of the staff as well as my experience, it seemed like North was about in the same place Harding was about 25 years before.

[Tenoverpar]

1. Pioneer Express
8. Como

4. Moundsview (what happened?)
5. Roseville

3. Tartan (no respect, wants some, earn it)
6. Stillwater (another what happened?)

7. North Saint Paul
2. WBL (turned it on 2nd half)

Hill 15 Como 0
Roseville 5 Moundsview 4
Tartan 3 Stillwater 2
WBL 10 NSP 0

HILL 10 Roseville 2
WBL 5 Tartan 3

HILL 5
WBL 4

HILL #2 see at state

[bemused]

1. Pioneer Express
8. Como

4. Moundsview (what happened?)
5. Roseville

3. Tartan (no respect, wants some, earn it)
6. Stillwater (another what happened?)

7. North Saint Paul
2. WBL (turned it on 2nd half)

Hill 15 Como 0
Roseville 5 Moundsview 4
Tartan 3 Stillwater 2
WBL 10 NSP 0

HILL 10 Roseville 2
WBL 5 Tartan 3

HILL 5
WBL 4

HILL #2 see at state

Agree on the eventual winner but my money is on Tartan over WBL. I like the Bears but unless #2 from WBL literally shadows Jackson they have nobody else on that defensive corps that can carry his skates...

[BodyShots]

1. HM - clear #1
2. Tartan - Won every game so far except those against #1 in AA and A
3. WBL - (8-1-1) past 10 games
4. MV - (2-7-1) past 10 games
5. SW - (2-7-1) past 10 games and beat Roseville three times.
6. RV - (3-7) past 10 games. Ahead of SW in SEC, but lost all head to head
7. NSP
8. Como

I wish somebody who follows MV can tell us what happened to them? Is it injuries, defections, or team mayhem?

[PuckU126]

HILL #2 see at state

Who would be the #1 seed then? Just curious.

If HM defeats Moorhead Saturday and make it to state, they'll be the clear cut #1 seed.

[Pioneerprideguy]

HM is obviously the team to beat and I see them playing in the section finals. I think they are 2-3 goals better than the next best team. However, it would not shock me to see them get upset by WBL or Tartan. If the door to HM's penalty box keeps opening, or a 5 min major comes into play, I think the Coliseum is a buzz. If played 5 on 5, I think HM takes care of business.

As I've said before, the gap between HM and their field in 4AA may have been wide early in the season, but by March, I suspect that gap will narrow quite a bit.

[PuckU126]

As I've said before, the gap between HM and their field in 4AA may have been wide early in the season, but by March, I suspect that gap will narrow quite a bit.

You got it. Rivalry games can be unpredictable.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Did White Bear "turn it on in the second half", or just hit the soft part of their schedule?

There is little difference between #2 and #3.

It always bares repeating, if WB and Hill meet in the section tournamnet and WB is 1-23, I'm no less nervous than if WB were 23-1.

[inthetwine]

1. HM - clear #1
2. Tartan - Won every game so far except those against #1 in AA and A
3. WBL - (8-1-1) past 10 games
4. MV - (2-7-1) past 10 games
5. SW - (2-7-1) past 10 games and beat Roseville three times.
6. RV - (3-7) past 10 games. Ahead of SW in SEC, but lost all head to head
7. NSP
8. Como

I wish somebody who follows MV can tell us what happened to them? Is it injuries, defections, or team mayhem?

Unless Tartan beats Duluth East, WBL will be the #2 seed, WBL has wins agianst far better quality teams than Tartan. Plus WBL has 1 goal losses to 3 top 10 teams, a feat Tartan has not come close to except 1 game with St. Thomas. But like I said, a win agianst DE, changes things.

[WBLHockeyfan04]

With Tartan just losing 3-0 at home to Duluth East. I would now put the Bears as the #2 seed. This is how I see it playing out.

1- Hill Murray
2- WBL
3- Tartan
4- Moundsview
5- Roseville
6- Stillwater
7- NSP
8- Como

I would be a bit surprised if it was different than this.

[meridian90]

Did White Bear "turn it on in the second half", or just hit the soft part of their schedule?

There is little difference between #2 and #3.

It always bares repeating, if WB and Hill meet in the section tournamnet and WB is 1-23, I'm no less nervous than if WB were 23-1.

It was kind of a combination of both. I think a switch clicked with a lot of the younger guys after they played Edina. They played their best game of the season up to that point in a 2-1 loss. Both Edina goals came on the PP. It seemed that a lot of the players on the team understood their roles and the system a lot better, and confidence with the puck seemed to jump a ton from there.

The loss of Whippler on D makes them a little more vulnerable there, but overall the "turned it on" is probably more of an adjustment from Bantams for some of the kids making the jump. Just the overall speed of play and comfort level is world's different.

Admittedly, they weren't playing the same schedule they were early in the year, but some of the losses/ties early in the year would not have happened at the end. Cannot overstate how Gorman in goal is a difference maker too. If he is hot, he can be incredible at times.

Now, do I think its still a very David v. Goliath if they run into Hill in the section championship? yeah, I do, but who knows.

as a bears fan, i'd love to see a trip to state for another CHANCE to win a first round game, but it would be a complete surprise to me if they were able to overcome the "odds"

[pioneers]

Official

1. H-M
2. WBL
3. Tartan
4. Stillwater
5. MV
6.Roseville
7. NSP
8. Como