3AA

[mnhockfan99]

3AA:

1 Eagan
2 Cretin
3 Eastview
4 East Ridge
5 Hastings
6 Rosemount
7 Apple Valley
8 Park
9 Woodbury

[almostashappy]

3AA:

1 Eagan
2 Cretin
3 Eastview
4 East Ridge
5 Hastings
6 Rosemount
7 Apple Valley
8 Park
9 Woodbury

Eastview win over Prior Lake yesterday may have given them the 3 seed over East Ridge. I'm happy to the potential for two SSC vs SEC matchups in the semi's (after last year's first round upsets in the section, higher seeds should not take anything for granted).

[joehockey]

Park 6 Woodbury 2

[hockeyfan893]

One of the most compelling story lines in this section appears to be a depth of goaltenders. Eagan's Lindgren, Cretin's Jancze, and Eastview's Driscoll appear to have had very good regular seasons and ostensibly good stats. Will one of these goalies get hot? It is not out of the realm of possibility for exceptional goaltender play to elucidate strange occurrences around playoff time.

Would love to hear insight from those who know the Section better than me.

[Ogie]

One of the most compelling story lines in this section appears to be a depth of goaltenders. Eagan's Lindgren, Cretin's Jancze, and Eastview's Driscoll appear to have had very good regular seasons and ostensibly good stats. Will one of these goalies get hot? It is not out of the realm of possibility for exceptional goaltender play to elucidate strange occurrences around playoff time.

Would love to hear insight from those who know the Section better than me.

Though I won't lay any claim to knowing the section well, I did take in the last few games involving Eastview.

Though they have a few guys bordering on criminally small (a couple listed at 5'7" who don't look that tall to me in their skates) they are a scrappy team that won't let themselves get pushed around by anyone....Strong goaltending to boot.

Of all the teams in this section, I think Eastview would be the most likely to steal it from Eagan.

[HappyHockeyFan]

One of the most compelling story lines in this section appears to be a depth of goaltenders. Eagan's Lindgren, Cretin's Jancze, and Eastview's Driscoll appear to have had very good regular seasons and ostensibly good stats. Will one of these goalies get hot? It is not out of the realm of possibility for exceptional goaltender play to elucidate strange occurrences around playoff time.

Would love to hear insight from those who know the Section better than me.

Though I won't lay any claim to knowing the section well, I did take in the last few games involving Eastview.

Though they have a few guys bordering on criminally small (a couple listed at 5'7" who don't look that tall to me in their skates) they are a scrappy team that won't let themselves get pushed around by anyone....Strong goaltending to boot.

Of all the teams in this section, I think Eastview would be the most likely to steal it from Eagan.

Eagan beat them handily a short while ago, unless Eastview gets a repeat 64 save performance from their goalie, highley unlikely, Eastview doesnt have a chance.

[Tenoverpar]

In my uneducated guess thats a swag from the left:

In my eyes, the only way someone knocks off Eagan in this section is they have to score 4 goals on thier 19 shots and their goalie has to stand on their head and make the requisite 40 saves while 3 dust past them tick tack goal...4-3

It is interesting the emergence of a slew of Soph goalies who are excelling and a Eastview-CDH semi at the Coliseum could produce a matchup that develops a 3 year rivalry upcoming.

East Ridge did have their best young player out almost the entire second half of the season, not sure if he's back but could be a difference maker if healthy. I'm pretty sure the core of this East Ridge team was part of that Woodbury group that went to back to back Bantam state finals a few years ago, minus a few big guns that left to greener looking pastures.

Hastings can play with anyone when they're clicking, they showed that during the season, they also can be horrible, they showed that. THe first round game should be a doozy. (East RIdge 4-3 in OT)

Park will be hoping that Eagan has already looked past them and booked their locker room at the coliseum for Saturday night. We've all seen it once in our lifetime where a complete and utter 6 goal underdog sticks around because the favorite lowers their game and the intensity is down and they play like its a practice and then suddenly its 2-1 in the 3rd and everyone is like...holy crap it's 2-1..we need to bury one more (Eagan 7-0)

CDH can put up 5 but they can also not even show up sometimes and that's been shown throughout the year. The Edina/White Bear games back to back were a high point, they're just hoping they didn't peak there and still have something in the tank. Regardless they give up basically 2 goals a game it's just a matter of do they score 5,6 or 1. Apple Valley is obviously on paper a big underdog, but they're not going to not show up and give it what they have, if they can play 5 on 5 and stick around who knows what happens. (CDH 4-2)

Eastview is expected to get past Rosemount, but again, Rosemount is a young scrappy team with a 1st year coach with a lifetime of experience. You never know when you're going to see the early 90's left wing lock. (Eastview 5-3)

[InYourFace09]

The lone upset in the first round will come from Hastings. East Ridge has already beat them twice this year and I see Hastings coming out on top of this one. Always hard to beat a team three times.

4-2 Raiders

Eagan, CDH, and Eastview all move on with ease.

[scorekeeper]

The lone upset in the first round will come from Hastings. East Ridge has already beat them twice this year and I see Hastings coming out on top of this one. Always hard to beat a team three times.

4-2 Raiders

Eagan, CDH, and Eastview all move on with ease.

I am intreagued by the Eastview / Rosemount game. Both have players who can beat you almost single-handedly.

I know this from experience, having been on the short end of a Zach Driscoll (Eastview) signature performance and also witnessed a couple of Lucas Gillettte (Rosemount) clinics.

Both teams beat each other by shutout this year. 3-0 Rosemount and 6-0 Eastview.

[TheJet]

One of the most compelling story lines in this section appears to be a depth of goaltenders. Eagan's Lindgren, Cretin's Jancze, and Eastview's Driscoll appear to have had very good regular seasons and ostensibly good stats. Will one of these goalies get hot? It is not out of the realm of possibility for exceptional goaltender play to elucidate strange occurrences around playoff time.

Would love to hear insight from those who know the Section better than me.

Though I won't lay any claim to knowing the section well, I did take in the last few games involving Eastview.

Though they have a few guys bordering on criminally small (a couple listed at 5'7" who don't look that tall to me in their skates) they are a scrappy team that won't let themselves get pushed around by anyone....Strong goaltending to boot.

Of all the teams in this section, I think Eastview would be the most likely to steal it from Eagan.

Eagan beat them handily a short while ago, unless Eastview gets a repeat 64 save performance from their goalie, highley unlikely, Eastview doesnt have a chance.

Beg to differ and I would think Eagan players/parents/bench would also. EV goalie played with a bad ear infection - the game could have even been 2-2 to enter the 3rd rather than 3-1. EV lost one of its 4 D late in the 2nd and they could not hold it together in the 3rd when it indeed got out of hand - also thanks to a 5-3 advantage to Eagan that netted 2. If EV by chance can get there they of course have a chance - as does anyone else.

[almostashappy]

Though I won't lay any claim to knowing the section well, I did take in the last few games involving Eastview.

Though they have a few guys bordering on criminally small (a couple listed at 5'7" who don't look that tall to me in their skates) they are a scrappy team that won't let themselves get pushed around by anyone....Strong goaltending to boot.

Of all the teams in this section, I think Eastview would be the most likely to steal it from Eagan.

Eagan beat them handily a short while ago, unless Eastview gets a repeat 64 save performance from their goalie, highley unlikely, Eastview doesnt have a chance.

Beg to differ and I would think Eagan players/parents/bench would also. EV goalie played with a bad ear infection - the game could have even been 2-2 to enter the 3rd rather than 3-1. EV lost one of its 4 D late in the 2nd and they could not hold it together in the 3rd when it indeed got out of hand - also thanks to a 5-3 advantage to Eagan that netted 2. If EV by chance can get there they of course have a chance - as does anyone else.

Oh, great...next thing you know we'll have the Apple Valley fans grousing over the fact that A.J. Michaelson played the 2011 Section 3AA final in a borrowed pair of skates.

So was Driscoll's ear also the reason why Eastview got shut out by Rosemount earlier this year? Let's see...Lindgren played the H-M game with the flu...same flu bug was around during the Tonka loss, with Muck out and Glienke green around the gills...and gee, if Hermantown hadn't had those 5-3 and 5-4 advantages....so does Eagan have a rationalized 24-1 record yet?

[TheJet]

Eagan beat them handily a short while ago, unless Eastview gets a repeat 64 save performance from their goalie, highley unlikely, Eastview doesnt have a chance.

Beg to differ and I would think Eagan players/parents/bench would also. EV goalie played with a bad ear infection - the game could have even been 2-2 to enter the 3rd rather than 3-1. EV lost one of its 4 D late in the 2nd and they could not hold it together in the 3rd when it indeed got out of hand - also thanks to a 5-3 advantage to Eagan that netted 2. If EV by chance can get there they of course have a chance - as does anyone else.

Oh, great...next thing you know we'll have the Apple Valley fans grousing over the fact that A.J. Michaelson played the 2011 Section 3AA final in a borrowed pair of skates.

So was Driscoll's ear also the reason why Eastview got shut out by Rosemount earlier this year? Let's see...Lindgren played the H-M game with the flu...same flu bug was around during the Tonka loss, with Muck out and Glienke green around the gills...and gee, if Hermantown hadn't had those 5-3 and 5-4 advantages....so does Eagan have a rationalized 24-1 record yet?

Chip and a chair. To say no chance is moronic. Just a little insight on the beating them handily comment - relax.

[Nuts&Bolts]

Wait. Did somebody say Eagan got 2 power play goals? In one game or on the year? Eagan has a terrible power play worst of any of the top 10 AA schools in the state. My buddy was at the game tonight and said Eagan gave up 3 short handed breakaways and the game was closer than 5-0. Leads me to believe Eagan is set to be upset. East Ridge scored 4 on them this year but I suppose Eagan had the flu or it was early in the season. An all East final with Ridge pulling an upset to represent 3AA?

[koolio]

Wait. Did somebody say Eagan got 2 power play goals? In one game or on the year? Eagan has a terrible power play worst of any of the top 10 AA schools in the state. My buddy was at the game tonight and said Eagan gave up 3 short handed breakaways and the game was closer than 5-0. Leads me to believe Eagan is set to be upset. East Ridge scored 4 on them this year but I suppose Eagan had the flu or it was early in the season. An all East final with Ridge pulling an upset to represent 3AA?

I checked the Hub and see that the shots were 48 to 21 in favor of Eagan. Seems like your buddy might be a little Nuts&Biased.

How about Apple Valley's win over Cretin?! Nothing is certain in the section or most any other. Gotta love sectional playoff games.

[goldy313]

Kind of reminds me of football where every SSC and Classic Lake team beat SEC and NWSC teams no matter the seeds.

[Nuts&Bolts]

Scorekeeper will set the record straight for us on the Eagan power play - no drinking of Koolaid involved.

As for CDH, no tears shed here seeing them go out in round 1. It assures a public school will represent 3AA at least for one more year until STA(A) comes in.

[sanryam]

Looks like AV's goalie was a huge factor to their win. CDH outshot AV 27 to 18. Nice job on the PK by AV too.

[scorekeeper]

Scorekeeper will set the record straight for us.

Not much to set straight really. The wide margin and shut out speak for itself. It was an all you can eat Eagan smorgasboard. All Eagan. All Day.

I think both goalies deserve a ton of credit. The Park goalie played really well and did a good job keeping Eagan in single digits. Lindgren had to make a couple of really nice saves for Eagan to preserve the shutout - particulary in the last chunk of the 3rd when Park had the never-ending 5-on-3 going.

The outcome was not unexpected, although you can never be 100% comfortable in a single elimination format.

Still, having seen all of the top teams play several times, it's pretty obvious that no team can match Eagan 5-on-5 for a full game. As N&B eluded to, you can beat Eagan at times on special teams, but 5-on-5, the Wildcats should be favored over any team in the state.

Still, in a single elimination format, with a few bounces and with a few calls go their way, either Eastridge or Eastview could win 3AA.

I know Eagan takes nothing for granted. There is nothing to take for granted in any section right now. Just ask CDH ...

[HappyHockeyFan]

To clarify because some people cant seem to read, I said unless Eastview gets a performance from their goalie like they did the first time the teams play they dont have a chance. I didnt say no matter what they dont have a chance I said they would need a repeat performance from their goalie to have a chance. How many more ways would you like me to say it ??

[mnhockfan99]

[quote="HappyHockeyFan"]To clarify because some people cant seem to read, I said unless Eastview gets a performance from their goalie like they did the first time the teams play they dont have a chance. I didnt say no matter what they dont have a chance I said they would need a repeat performance from their goalie to have a chance. How many more ways would you like me to say it ??[/quote]

I agree 100%, Eastview only has a chance if they play Eagan.....if their G outperforms Eagan's G by a lot. Eagan to me was playing excellent hockey as the year went on - two solid lines...I would be severely shocked if they do not come out of 3AA. Like Hill in 4AA they really don't have to go through any top teams to get to state. Not to discredit anyone but compare to most other sections where there are at least 2 legit top 15 teams. But in a 1 game contest anything can happen...

[snyper12]

To clarify because some people cant seem to read, I said unless Eastview gets a performance from their goalie like they did the first time the teams play they dont have a chance. I didnt say no matter what they dont have a chance I said they would need a repeat performance from their goalie to have a chance. How many more ways would you like me to say it ??

Out there on a limb w/that prediction. Could be said about any game w/a big underdog.

[sicksauce23]

Wait. Did somebody say Eagan got 2 power play goals? In one game or on the year? Eagan has a terrible power play worst of any of the top 10 AA schools in the state. My buddy was at the game tonight and said Eagan gave up 3 short handed breakaways and the game was closer than 5-0. Leads me to believe Eagan is set to be upset. East Ridge scored 4 on them this year but I suppose Eagan had the flu or it was early in the season. An all East final with Ridge pulling an upset to represent 3AA?

I checked the Hub and see that the shots were 48 to 21 in favor of Eagan. Seems like your buddy might be a little Nuts&Biased.

How about Apple Valley's win over Cretin?! Nothing is certain in the section or most any other. Gotta love sectional playoff games.

Apple Valley was 5 & 20 coming into this game and was a 7 seed. This is a big upset in the 1st round. CDH has lost twice the past 2 years at home as the 2 seed to the #7. Trust me it is not goaltending

[Tenoverpar]

Kudos to Apple Valley's Goalie and the kids that didn't stop working and burried the puck the few chances they had. THe scorekeeper didn't give the AV goalie enough credit as he more likely stopped about 45 shots,he was just a wall in net. LIke I said, CDH will score 5 or 1...still a great year for CDH who wasn't picked to do squat but in the end they fluttered...ugh..

[almostashappy]

Apple Valley was 5 & 20 coming into this game and was a 7 seed. This is a big upset in the 1st round. CDH has lost twice the past 2 years at home as the 2 seed to the #7. Trust me it is not goaltending

Last year CDH was #3 seed when they lost to #6 Hastings at home in first round. It was Apple Valley who was the #2 seed that lost at home (to East Ridge). Nicely symmetrical upset win last night for the Eagles.

Now I kind of wish that Rosemount had played either East Ridge or Hastings last night, rather than Eastview. Would have set up the chance to have all four ISD196 high schools hold a mini-tournament for the 3AA championship.

[Hermmunster58]

Congrats to AV for posting the first upset in AA. I had a chance to see Cretin play a few weeks back vs WBL and it was a great game to watch. Whalin was fantastic and Cretin looked very solid. What surprised me was how young both teams were.
Sounds like sicksauce23 had a bad experience with Cretin and since has decided to air his "sour grapes" which is ok (Trust me it is not the goaltending). From a distance and although their season ended abruptly, it looks like the Cretin team/coaching had a very good season compared to last year. I believe they had a state tourney appearance in the not-to- distant past and with 6 or 7 sophomores playing varsity this year would make me think their program is on the upswing.
Both the WBL and Cretin programs seem to have a positive 2 years in front of them and should be fun to watch.