AA Quarterfinal: Eastview vs. #1 Hill-Murray

[Ogie]

The more I look at this forum post it seems like the overall consensus is either an upset or very close game but in my years watching HS hockey (40) it seems when almost everyone is on a bandwagon like this you often get a game that isnt even close... Same with when you totally count a team out (see this in the superbowl alot too when everyone is going one direction watch out for the underdog I.e. Giants over Pats). So in that respect I kind of like the fact that everyone is talking about Eastview while the #1 team in state with 2 losses in 28 games, waits quietly in the wings... and dont think that all this talk about Eastview's goalie isnt going to inspire Dugas even more.... P.S. though I like to see the big name schools in the tourney, I am happy for the Eastview team and fan base...


.

I'm as far from a bandwagon rider as you get.

I watched Eastview play several games down the stretch...They don't take any crap off of anyone...The slugfest they had in Prior Lake was inches from getting totally out of hand....They beat the crap out of Eagan, the team I had picked to probably take it all, twice in that stretch.

If any game in the quarters is the booby trap game for the favorite, it's this one.

[BodyShots]

OK, I keep hearing about a "hot goalie", and I have to ask what a goalie must do to earn the "hot goalie" tag? I think that requires more than one game.

He's #4 in the state in save % for this season. That's more than one game.

That tells me, he is a good goalie. Not necessarily a "HOT" goalie. "HOT" means, what have you done for me lately? Better than normal?

[MNHockeyFan3]

Slattery was injured late in the WBL game. Anyone know his status?

It was his shoulder and he will be playing in the state games this weekend. He practiced today although his shoulder was in a sling most of this last weekend.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

OK, I keep hearing about a "hot goalie", and I have to ask what a goalie must do to earn the "hot goalie" tag? I think that requires more than one game.

He's #4 in the state in save % for this season. That's more than one game.

I see "good" and "hot' as being different, though not mutually exclusive. To me. and I think to most, "hot" means playing great, above one's normal level, and making an unusually high number of saves that amaze people. By definition, a goalie cannot be hot all season.

My words on this thread have not been parsed very well by many. I have said that he sounds like a good goalie, that nothing can be taken for granted in any tournament game, & that Eastview could certainly steal a win. In first round action, I;ve seen Hill lose to Century (how embarrassing) and barely survive a 16-9 Minnetonka squad.

I'm impressed by the convincing win over Eagan, but not by 9 loses, or wins over the likes of Apple Valley (2 of 3 anyway).

[UntouchableFlow]

It seems like everyone is overvaluing Eastview's goalie and undervaluing Hill-Murray's goalie. Let's not forget that Dugas is a Frank Brimsek finalist, has been solid all year, and played in state last year, as well as backing up Shaughnessy his Freshman year at state. I am by no means taking anything away from Driscoll, as he sounds like a very promising young goalie and his stats speak for themselves.

However, you look at a game like Hill had last week with WBL and a hot goalie shouldn't really intimidate Hill fans. For two, and probably three periods, Hill dominated play and gave WBL only a few chances. Lechner and the squad will be well prepared for this one. Not a chance they get caught off guard by a "hot" goalie.

[WarmUpTheBus]

It seems like everyone is overvaluing Eastview's goalie and undervaluing Hill-Murray's goalie. Let's not forget that Dugas is a Frank Brimsek finalist, has been solid all year, and played in state last year, as well as backing up Shaughnessy his Freshman year at state. I am by no means taking anything away from Driscoll, as he sounds like a very promising young goalie and his stats speak for themselves.

However, you look at a game like Hill had last week with WBL and a hot goalie shouldn't really intimidate Hill fans. For two, and probably three periods, Hill dominated play and gave WBL only a few chances. Lechner and the squad will be well prepared for this one. Not a chance they get caught off guard by a "hot" goalie.

Agree Lechner will be prepared since he was a goalie himself. However he was a better shortstop at St Thomas Univ.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

It seems like everyone is overvaluing Eastview's goalie and undervaluing Hill-Murray's goalie. Let's not forget that Dugas is a Frank Brimsek finalist, has been solid all year, and played in state last year, as well as backing up Shaughnessy his Freshman year at state. I am by no means taking anything away from Driscoll, as he sounds like a very promising young goalie and his stats speak for themselves.

However, you look at a game like Hill had last week with WBL and a hot goalie shouldn't really intimidate Hill fans. For two, and probably three periods, Hill dominated play and gave WBL only a few chances. Lechner and the squad will be well prepared for this one. Not a chance they get caught off guard by a "hot" goalie.

Agree Lechner will be prepared since he was a goalie himself. However he was a better shortstop at St Thomas Univ.

Actually the College Of St Thomas. Only a %$#@&%# would notice.

[Pioneerprideguy]

It seems like everyone is overvaluing Eastview's goalie and undervaluing Hill-Murray's goalie. Let's not forget that Dugas is a Frank Brimsek finalist, has been solid all year, and played in state last year, as well as backing up Shaughnessy his Freshman year at state. I am by no means taking anything away from Driscoll, as he sounds like a very promising young goalie and his stats speak for themselves.

However, you look at a game like Hill had last week with WBL and a hot goalie shouldn't really intimidate Hill fans. For two, and probably three periods, Hill dominated play and gave WBL only a few chances. Lechner and the squad will be well prepared for this one. Not a chance they get caught off guard by a "hot" goalie.

I would argue that Shaf was prepared as the D limited WB to only 15 shots on goal. I was disappointed that Lex couldn't come up with any adjustments to increase quality chances by the forwards. Funny, the lone goal was scored by the D. I think Lex gets way to much credit for HM's success. Skrypeck, Rohlick, and Whisler all had success. Can't think of a hockey coach at HM that has failed very much. Lex is a decent guy, but let's keep things in perspective hear. Not all Pioneer people share the same opinion of Lex.

[HappyHockeyFan]

What I see everyone doing is underestimating the Eastview skaters. Yes Driscoll is a solid goaltender, fundamentally sound, but what I was more impressed with was the overall team play of their skaters. They shut Eagan down, they clogged up the middle of the ice and kept shots to the outside, it sometimes felt like there were 7 Eastview skaters out there. Hockey is very much a mental game and when Eagan couldnt score early it began to frustrate them and then they pressed and started making mistakes they were not making all year, bad passes, no passes, individual play and it worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe Eagan getting a goal early would have changed the dynamic of that game but everything worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe the same will apply to Hillmurray, they have to score early and first, because once Eastview gets a lead their confidence builds and they can play that overall team defense strategy and of course they got the brick wall in net. I could see this game going either way, Hillmurray could get a goal or two early and walk away with it or Eastview keeps them off the board early and wins a close low scoring game. I will be supporting Eastview as reps of section 3AA and I would hate to see their upset of Eagan be wasted. Go Lightening !!

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

What I see everyone doing is underestimating the Eastview skaters. Yes Driscoll is a solid goaltender, fundamentally sound, but what I was more impressed with was the overall team play of their skaters. They shut Eagan down, they clogged up the middle of the ice and kept shots to the outside, it sometimes felt like there were 7 Eastview skaters out there. Hockey is very much a mental game and when Eagan couldnt score early it began to frustrate them and then they pressed and started making mistakes they were not making all year, bad passes, no passes, individual play and it worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe Eagan getting a goal early would have changed the dynamic of that game but everything worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe the same will apply to Hillmurray, they have to score early and first, because once Eastview gets a lead their confidence builds and they can play that overall team defense strategy and of course they got the brick wall in net. I could see this game going either way, Hillmurray could get a goal or two early and walk away with it or Eastview keeps them off the board early and wins a close low scoring game. I will be supporting Eastview as reps of section 3AA and I would hate to see their upset of Eagan be wasted. Go Lightening !!

What you say Eastview did to Eagan, White Bear also did to Hill, keeping them off the board for more than two periods. But rather than get frustrated, Hill maintained discipline. They could have changed things up a bit, but for whatever reason they didn't. White bear could have popped one in, but when you;re getting a shot on goal every five minutes or so, there isn't much chance for that.

I'll be supporting Hill. It would such a waste to lose the quarterfinal game. Heck, we might as well send White Bear if that's going to happen.

[HappyHockeyFan]

I attended both games and I am more impressed with Eastviews effort that White Bears. It should be noted that I am not one of the many Hillmurray bashers, I actually like them and have cheered for them since I was a kid, I just think after seeing Eastview that they could really give Hill some trouble. I like the cinderella story as well, I am fine with whoever wins but will be pulling for Driscoll and the Lightening.

[old goalie85]

Where did Driscoll come from ?? What mean is did he start last year ?? I had never heard of him untill this season.

[TheJet]

Where did Driscoll come from ?? What mean is did he start last year ?? I had never heard of him untill this season.

Eastview program from the get go. Great year w/ Bantam A last year. Machine goalie as well.

[Just Checking]

I am pulling for HM since they are going into this game without a Pope and because Mackerel Snappers need to stick together. But talking to a few buddies who were at the Eagan game has got me concerned for the Pioneers. They were talking about a lot more that the goalie, not that their skaters were on par with HM skaters but they won't get embarrassed. Scrappy, athletic group.

Shots
HM 38
EV 25

3-2 OT win for EV. Could be 4-2 empty net.

[Detlef]

I see "good" and "hot' as being different, though not mutually exclusive. To me. and I think to most, "hot" means playing great, above one's normal level, and making an unusually high number of saves that amaze people. By definition, a goalie cannot be hot all season.

Spot on. The "hot" can be overused certainly, especially since all the goalies are of course at state won their last few games. Hot could apply here since Eastview was only a #3 seed in their section. Still, only twice since January has Eastview allowed more than 2 goals so that doesn't say "hot" to me; it says "good goalie".

My words on this thread have not been parsed very well by many. I have said that he sounds like a good goalie, that nothing can be taken for granted in any tournament game, & that Eastview could certainly steal a win. In first round action, I;ve seen Hill lose to Century (how embarrassing) and barely survive a 16-9 Minnetonka squad.

I've wondered how that loss by H-M to Century sit with the people involved with the H-M progam closely. As far as myself that tourney was pretty much my dream tourney, all the city schools lost to outstate schools and it was all northern teams in both finals.

[old goalie85]

Thanks Jet- So last year was the kid that skated w/our boys those summers ??

[TheJet]

Thanks Jet- So last year was the kid that skated w/our boys those summers ??

Yes.

[gitter]

Shots will be about 44-20 in favor of Hill.

If Driscoll plays well, 2-1 Hill
If not, 5-1 Hill

[Wallyworld]

What I see everyone doing is underestimating the Eastview skaters. Yes Driscoll is a solid goaltender, fundamentally sound, but what I was more impressed with was the overall team play of their skaters. They shut Eagan down, they clogged up the middle of the ice and kept shots to the outside, it sometimes felt like there were 7 Eastview skaters out there. Hockey is very much a mental game and when Eagan couldnt score early it began to frustrate them and then they pressed and started making mistakes they were not making all year, bad passes, no passes, individual play and it worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe Eagan getting a goal early would have changed the dynamic of that game but everything worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe the same will apply to Hillmurray, they have to score early and first, because once Eastview gets a lead their confidence builds and they can play that overall team defense strategy and of course they got the brick wall in net. I could see this game going either way, Hillmurray could get a goal or two early and walk away with it or Eastview keeps them off the board early and wins a close low scoring game. I will be supporting Eastview as reps of section 3AA and I would hate to see their upset of Eagan be wasted. Go Lightening !!

You mention how they clogged up the middle on Eagan etc but Hill is a very different team than Eagan as I believe that team speed is a Hill stregth while Eagan was a bigger, stronger team (though I confess I only saw them twice.) Hill has handled the likes of BSM, Edina, Eagan, Burnsville (2) Tonka, STA (2) etc so they are not intimidated by talent.. Plus you know how in rivalry games people always say you can throw the records etc out the window..I believe that can also apply to State as well. A hot sophmore goalie may play differently in the Big One in front of 17K people at the X... While we've already seen Dugas in this environment..

The best apples to apples as far as a hot (great) goalie is Zevnik at STA and Hill handled them easily the last time they played winning 3-1 and also beat them 4-3 in a shootout to win the Schwann's [which included D East, Tonka, & Edina.] Plus STA is a lot deeper then Eastview at both F and certainly at D. If we weren't coming off the weak part of our schedule and had recently defeated the teams above, I believe the talk would have a very different tone. .. Hill only lost to Wayzata and STA in 28 games (playing almost every top 10 team plus STA 3 times.) so it's not like we get upset often (& we gave up 5 goals total in those 2 losses)..Lechner seems to have an adequate plan for each opponent.

Hill might suprise here as I believe they are due to bust-out offensively.. They haven't quite put it together yet in terms of 1st & 2nd lines clicking at same time but I don't see Slattery & Lavalle staying in a prolonged slump and 2nd line has been the hottest in last month with Willie Brown leading Hill in playoff scoring.. You might see Hill at their best this week and if they are, they can easily beat anyone in the state.

[BlueLineSpecial]

What I see everyone doing is underestimating the Eastview skaters. Yes Driscoll is a solid goaltender, fundamentally sound, but what I was more impressed with was the overall team play of their skaters. They shut Eagan down, they clogged up the middle of the ice and kept shots to the outside, it sometimes felt like there were 7 Eastview skaters out there. Hockey is very much a mental game and when Eagan couldnt score early it began to frustrate them and then they pressed and started making mistakes they were not making all year, bad passes, no passes, individual play and it worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe Eagan getting a goal early would have changed the dynamic of that game but everything worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe the same will apply to Hillmurray, they have to score early and first, because once Eastview gets a lead their confidence builds and they can play that overall team defense strategy and of course they got the brick wall in net. I could see this game going either way, Hillmurray could get a goal or two early and walk away with it or Eastview keeps them off the board early and wins a close low scoring game. I will be supporting Eastview as reps of section 3AA and I would hate to see their upset of Eagan be wasted. Go Lightening !!

You mention how they clogged up the middle on Eagan etc but Hill is a very different team then Eagan as I believe that team speed is a Hill stregth while Eagan was a bigger, stronger team (though I confess I only saw them twice.) Hill has handled the likes of BSM, Edina, Burnsville (2) Tonka, STA (2) etc but so they do not get intimidated by talent..

The best apples to apples as far as a hot (great) goalie is Zevnik at STA and Hill handled them easily the last game they played winning 3-1 and also beat them 4-3 in a shootout to win the Schwann's [which included D East, Tonka, Edina.] If we weren't coming off the weak part of our schedule and had recently defeated the teams above, I believe the talk would have a very different tone. Plus STA is a lot deeper then Eastview at both F and certainly at D... Hill lost to Wayzata and STA in 28 games (playing almost every top 10 team plus STA 3 times.) so it's not like we get upset often..Lechner seems to have an adequate plan for each opponent and this will be no different.

Hill might suprise here as I believe they are due to bust-out offensively.. They haven't quite put it together yet in terms of 1st & 2nd lines clicking at same time but I don't see Slattery & Lavalle staying in a prolonged slump and 2nd line has been the hottest in last monthh with Willie Brown leading Hill in playoff scoring.. You might see Hill at their best this week and if they are, they can easily beat anyone in the state.

I think you're correct, WW. If the second half of the schedule for Hill didn't look so doggone awful it might change the dialogue a bit. Frankly Hill needs to get out of the Classic Suburban. They either need to be put back into the Suburban East or they need to take on an independant schedule. Playing teams like Richfield, Henry Sibley, Simley, St. Paul Como (albeit a section game they couldn't avoid) and the group of other A teams in that conference is doing nobody any good.

Our out of conference schedule is always one of the hardest in the state, and getting STA twice a year is good. Moorhead at the end of the year usually is a good game against a solid opponent. But a dozen or so of our games every year against the above-mentioned teams are not helping. You can almost feel the boredom when at the games against those opponents. I promise you that those boys are not taking those teams as seriously as they could and I think it shows in the box score. We played better against the best.

[Sats81]

Pioneers 6-2

[WarmUpTheBus]

What I see everyone doing is underestimating the Eastview skaters. Yes Driscoll is a solid goaltender, fundamentally sound, but what I was more impressed with was the overall team play of their skaters. They shut Eagan down, they clogged up the middle of the ice and kept shots to the outside, it sometimes felt like there were 7 Eastview skaters out there. Hockey is very much a mental game and when Eagan couldnt score early it began to frustrate them and then they pressed and started making mistakes they were not making all year, bad passes, no passes, individual play and it worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe Eagan getting a goal early would have changed the dynamic of that game but everything worked perfectly for Eastview. I believe the same will apply to Hillmurray, they have to score early and first, because once Eastview gets a lead their confidence builds and they can play that overall team defense strategy and of course they got the brick wall in net. I could see this game going either way, Hillmurray could get a goal or two early and walk away with it or Eastview keeps them off the board early and wins a close low scoring game. I will be supporting Eastview as reps of section 3AA and I would hate to see their upset of Eagan be wasted. Go Lightening !!

You mention how they clogged up the middle on Eagan etc but Hill is a very different team then Eagan as I believe that team speed is a Hill stregth while Eagan was a bigger, stronger team (though I confess I only saw them twice.) Hill has handled the likes of BSM, Edina, Burnsville (2) Tonka, STA (2) etc but so they do not get intimidated by talent..

The best apples to apples as far as a hot (great) goalie is Zevnik at STA and Hill handled them easily the last game they played winning 3-1 and also beat them 4-3 in a shootout to win the Schwann's [which included D East, Tonka, Edina.] If we weren't coming off the weak part of our schedule and had recently defeated the teams above, I believe the talk would have a very different tone. Plus STA is a lot deeper then Eastview at both F and certainly at D... Hill lost to Wayzata and STA in 28 games (playing almost every top 10 team plus STA 3 times.) so it's not like we get upset often..Lechner seems to have an adequate plan for each opponent and this will be no different.

Hill might suprise here as I believe they are due to bust-out offensively.. They haven't quite put it together yet in terms of 1st & 2nd lines clicking at same time but I don't see Slattery & Lavalle staying in a prolonged slump and 2nd line has been the hottest in last monthh with Willie Brown leading Hill in playoff scoring.. You might see Hill at their best this week and if they are, they can easily beat anyone in the state.

I think you're correct, WW. If the second half of the schedule for Hill didn't look so doggone awful it might change the dialogue a bit. Frankly Hill needs to get out of the Classic Suburban. They either need to be put back into the Suburban East or they need to take on an independant schedule. Playing teams like Richfield, Henry Sibley, Simley, St. Paul Como (albeit a section game they couldn't avoid) and the group of other A teams in that conference is doing nobody any good.

Our out of conference schedule is always one of the hardest in the state, and getting STA twice a year is good. Moorhead at the end of the year usually is a good game against a solid opponent. But a dozen or so of our games every year against the above-mentioned teams are not helping. You can almost feel the boredom when at the games against those opponents. I promise you that those boys are not taking those teams as seriously as they could and I think it shows in the box score. We played better against the best.

Rumor a new conference is forming that would include Richfield, St Louis Park, Cooper, Bloomington Schools and others..

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Hill's schedule has certainly improved in the last couple of years. Richfield, Simley, and Sibley now play only one round in the conference. That has allowed adding the Lakevilles which is a modest improvement. Moderating that is that neither Tartan or Mahtomedi have challenged for the conference championship.

It would also be helpful if the schedule weren't so front-loaded.

The (hockey) competition in the SEC wouldn't be that much better; and we'd have more conference games. Plus we would lose the 2 STA games, possibly scheduling them as a non-conference opponent. Rather than 2 WBL conference and 1 STA non-conference games, I'd stick with 2 STA and 1 WBL game. We gain nothing by playing Cretin/Mounds View/Roseville twice each.

An independent schedule would be pretty nice. It would also allow STA to win a conference championship more often. (Gosh, they only have four of them.)

[Doc Holliday]

Hill 3-1.

[Green&Black]

Hill 5-2