6AA Final: #1 Benilde vs. #3 Wayzata

mnhockey30 · Post by **mnhockey30** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:07 am

Who you got in the 6AA Final?

Wasilla · Post by **Wasilla** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:15 am

mnhockey30 wrote:Who you got in the 6AA Final?

Wayzata! Tonka has been hot most of the season and if they can beat Tonka- they should be able to make it to state.

Post by **karl(east)** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:32 am

Series history: Benilde leads 4-3 since they opted up to AA in the mid-00s.
Playoff history: Wayzata won a 2011 6AA semifinal 6-3.

Reasons to like Wayzata:
-Dingmann in goal. He didn't play in their loss to BSM back in January.
-Unlike Minnetonka last season, they play their home games on an olympic sheet. They should be more able to handle Benilde's speed at Mariucci.
-The old mantra about defense winning championships. They probably won't get burned in transition as badly as the Skippers did.

Reasons to like Benilde:
-No one can match the explosiveness of Besse/Labosky/Moore/Naas.
-For the most part, they've played much better defensively of late.
-They've been here before, while Wayzata is a very young team.

MHL All-Star · Post by **MHL All-Star** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:37 am

The Red Knights will win if they can figure out Dingmann and Wayzata's ability to block shots. I was at the Tonka Zata game last night and Wayzata must of had 15 block shots in the 2nd period. Sprang has been getting better every game which will be a good sign for the Red Knights.
I got the Red Knights in this 5-3. Should be a great game!!!

The51 · Post by **The51** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:54 am

I'm assuming this game will be broadcast online somewhere?

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 1:57 pm

Should be tighter than the last Championship Game these two played, but same result.

Wayzata 4, BSM 2

With an EN

Bonehead · Post by **Bonehead** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:27 pm

Go Wayzata!

Reasons to like Wayzata:
-They're not Benilde
-They're not Benilde
-They're not Benilde

Reasons to like Benilde
-You went to Benilde
-You go to Benilde
-You hope your kid goes to Benilde

celly93 · Post by **celly93** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:13 pm

I find it funny that Wayzata, a team that finished the regular season 1-3 and a team that nobody picked to win the section (just check the prediction thread), is now the favorite to beat the No. 1 seed and No. 2 team in the state, a team which has lost twice in 2013, once in a blizzard.

I'm not saying that it won't be a tight game or even that BSM will win, I just think it's funny how people on here put their hearts ahead of their heads sometimes.

MHL All-Star · Post by **MHL All-Star** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 3:52 pm

Totally agree with you there Celly93. I also think whats funny is when Wayzata beat BSM, they didn't have Chandler Lindstrand playing (probably their best defensemen). But when they did have him playing they lost. I understand Vaughn was playing, but he is going to be an outstanding goalie in the future. Its a weird game!

tonkafan77 · Post by **tonkafan77** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:32 pm

celly93 wrote:I find it funny that Wayzata, a team that finished the regular season 1-3 and a team that nobody picked to win the section (just check the prediction thread), is now the favorite to beat the No. 1 seed and No. 2 team in the state, a team which has lost twice in 2013, once in a blizzard.

I'm not saying that it won't be a tight game or even that BSM will win, I just think it's funny how people on here put their hearts ahead of their heads sometimes.

I think people weren't expecting them to get past Minnetonka. Now that they have, the whole scenario has changed.

They've played each other twice now-
Game One) Wayzata 7- Benilde 1
Game Two) Benilde 5- Wayzata 2

Game two was also played without Dingman so that may have played a factor as well. Also, Wayzata is used to the big sheet and will be able to practice at PIC the next couple days to get ready for it.

That being said, this will sure be a classic. I'm not sure who will come out on top.

MHL All-Star · Post by **MHL All-Star** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 6:41 pm

Tonkafan...I think a lot of people were expecting tonka to lose. Wayzata just has way to much depth for Wayzata to handle. Tonka has one complete good line when Wayzata has 3 solid lines. Ciacco is not the same like he was last year. Dingmann completely outplayed him. You know that Benilde will be practicing on olympic size rink for the next few days. They did it last year. I'm pretty sure they practiced somewhere local though.

tonkafan77 · Post by **tonkafan77** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 7:45 pm

MHL All-Star wrote:Tonkafan...I think a lot of people were expecting tonka to lose.

If you look back at the poll, it says:

Minnetonka 16
Wayzata 3

So now that Wayzata won, there are different expectations. I think they'll beat Benilde on Wednesday.

MHL All-Star · Post by **MHL All-Star** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 7:59 pm

Thats 19 people...A lot of people said that EP was going to win because they beat up on Holy Family. The Red Knights are very strong with overcoming others momentum but yes it should be a great game!

PuckU126 · Post by **PuckU126** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:23 pm

4-3 Trojans.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:24 pm

What's the ticket situation supposed to be? Really long lines at the door or have they fixed that once and for all?

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:47 pm

celly93 wrote:I find it funny that Wayzata, a team that finished the regular season 1-3 and a team that nobody picked to win the section (just check the prediction thread), is now the favorite to beat the No. 1 seed and No. 2 team in the state, a team which has lost twice in 2013, once in a blizzard.

They've lost 5 times this season, including a 7-1 loss to Wayzata in a Championship game

celly93 · Post by **celly93** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:45 am

D3Referee wrote:
celly93 wrote:I find it funny that Wayzata, a team that finished the regular season 1-3 and a team that nobody picked to win the section (just check the prediction thread), is now the favorite to beat the No. 1 seed and No. 2 team in the state, a team which has lost twice in 2013, once in a blizzard.
They've lost 5 times this season, including a 7-1 loss to Wayzata in a Championship game

In 2012, they lost to Hill-Murray, Blaine, and Wayzata.
In 2013, they've lost to STA and Grand Rapids

My point was that BSM has been on a roll since those December losses.

FREDFLINTSTONE · Post by **FREDFLINTSTONE** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:47 am

I don't care who Benilde plays, I always pull for the other team......even if it's the Honets.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:25 am

The poll is evenly split, so maybe this will give my favorite team a little boost:

GO RED KNIGHTS!

stmartin123 · Post by **stmartin123** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:17 am

FREDFLINTSTONE wrote:I don't care who Benilde plays, I was always pull for the other team......even if it's the Honets.

cigar · Post by **cigar** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:43 am

should be a good game.

both teams have had difficult regular season schedules.

both teams played solid last game.

both teams know each other.

i think wayzata has a little more depth, but in one game scenario it doesn't carry much weight.

wayzata is very young...

Bsm has the experience from last year which should give them the slight edge.

IMHO · Post by **IMHO** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:41 pm

As pointed out, one of the Wayzata's mantras is Defense WINS championships. Karl's comment that BSMs has "played much better defensively of late" ain't enough to take the day. What I will agree with our esteemed moderator is about the importance of having Dingmann in net. While lack of experience vs. BSM will surely be a factor, I'm going with the defense, the goalie, and Wayzata 4-2.

Doc Holliday · Post by **Doc Holliday** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:58 pm

Love to see Wayzata, but still like Benilde. The one thing I was amazed about the Besse-Moore-Labosky line is how responsible they are with & without the puck. Always playing smart. I also think that the big sheet can sometimes help teams with "questionable" defense because it allows for puck movement. I still remember last year how Minnetonka could not get their forecheck & down low game going against Benilde becasue Benilde was able to move the puck effictively out of their zone. The extra space helped with that.

Wayzata can win. I've always liked Dingman going back to his sophomore year. And BSM does have some depth questions as they go farther & father into it. Questions that Wayzata can take advantage of. But still like Benilde, I'll say 5-3 with the 5th being an empy netter.

Shinbone_News · Post by **Shinbone_News** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:02 pm

MHL All-Star wrote:The Red Knights will win if they can figure out Dingmann and Wayzata's ability to block shots. I was at the Tonka Zata game last night and Wayzata must of had 15 block shots in the 2nd period. Sprang has been getting better every game which will be a good sign for the Red Knights.
I got the Red Knights in this 5-3. Should be a great game!!!

Funny you mention this. I talked to a BSM parent about the difference between the two games, especially in terms of blocked shots. He said the second game they put Besse on point -- problem solved. Not too many Wayzata skaters willing to stand in front of Besse's shot more than once.

Just the messenger here, don't shoot me Trojan fans.

I think BSM's experience and seniority wins this one. 6-1.

GOPHERFAN119 · Post by **GOPHERFAN119** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:50 pm

I have had the opportunity to watch many homes games for the Trojans.

The key for them is to score 1st. I may be wrong, I believe they are undefeated in games when they have scored first.

If the team can play like they did thru the Hill Murray game with strong goaltending, solid defense, blocked shots, keep it a low scoring game and secure an early lead, I like their chances.

If BSM gets an early lead, I believe it will be a challenge for the Trojans to win.

Hoping for a Trojan win.....

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