AA Quarterfinal: Eastview vs. #1 Hill-Murray

[OldTimePuck00]

I can't tell how I feel about the Slattery kid. Aside from the nice assist on LaValle's first goal, he doesn't look like a Lechner-type player: over-handling of the puck, gliding around, avoiding loose pucks... Is this typical of him or what's the deal?

[goldy313]

No check from behind, now no trip on the wrap around.

The Pioneers are clearly better but the officiating is horrible and EV can't get a break.

[karl(east)]

Okay, can someone explain the bizarre light-show that just broke out at the X? We're all looking around at each other in confusion up here.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Much better period by Eastview. That PP goal seemed to liven them up. Should be a fun period. Nice job by Slattery taking it all the way in with a 4-1 and doesn't get a shot on goal. He's smooth and has a great shot, but my God he is a puck hog

[Rich Clarke]

Cell phone flashlights.

[karl(east)]

Much better period by Eastview. That PP goal seemed to liven them up. Should be a fun period. Nice job by Slattery taking it all the way in with a 4-1 and doesn't get a shot on goal. He's smooth and has a great shot, but my God he is a puck hog

The celly after the PP goal had a few eyes rolling up here, too. But yes, it is amazing how much better a team looks when they start doing sensible things on the breakout.

Cell phone flashlights.

Yes, but why did they all go off at once?

[BlueLineSpecial]

Much better period by Eastview. That PP goal seemed to liven them up. Should be a fun period. Nice job by Slattery taking it all the way in with a 4-1 and doesn't get a shot on goal. He's smooth and has a great shot, but my God he is a puck hog

The celly after the PP goal had a few eyes rolling up here, too. But yes, it is amazing how much better a team looks when they start doing sensible things on the breakout.

Cell phone flashlights.

Yes, but why did they all go off at once?

Also just all-around crisper passing from Eastview in that period. Honestly that first period had me wondering how that team could beat Eagan 4-1. Makes a little more sense now. Eastview is still giving up too many odd-man rushes. Even if they can get 3 3rd period goals I don't see them keeping Hill off the board.

[karl(east)]

Eastview is doing a decent job of hanging around, but has yet to really make Hill sweat.

Not over yet, but it makes you wonder what could've happened if they'd played a better first period.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Hill played a very good game. Couple lapses here and there. Hill owned the 1st period, and in my opinion won the 2nd and 3rd periods although they were much closer. Hill passed the puck much better than Eastview. Eastview capitalized on their opportunities.

Can't really explain why Eastview didn't even attempt to pull their goalie. They go on a PP with a couple minutes left. What's that all about?

[UntouchableFlow]

Two defensive collapses on coverage for Hill, the first goal I don't think Dugas even saw. Nice to see Hill show some offensive capability.

Anybody else annoyed with Slattery's play? Hill has always been known for great puck movement, good decision making, and team play. Slattery is almost the polar opposite; holds onto the puck way too long, makes a lot of poor choices with the puck on his stick and seems to be all about the number on the back of his jersey. I'm hoping he brings more tomorrow night, because the Pioneers will need his offensive talent, but he has to figure out how hard he's going to work.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Two defensive collapses on coverage for Hill, the first goal I don't think Dugas even saw. Nice to see Hill show some offensive capability.

Anybody else annoyed with Slattery's play? Hill has always been known for great puck movement, good decision making, and team play. Slattery is almost the polar opposite; holds onto the puck way too long, makes a lot do poor choices with the puck on his stick and seems to be all about the number on the back of his jersey. I'm hoping he brings more tomorrow night, because the Pioneers will need his offensive talent, but he has to figure out how hard he's going to work.

Here's all I'll say about Slattery: all the skill in the world. Great puck handling skills, and you saw on the assist to one of Lavalle's goals that he can pass the puck and has good vision. That all said, he kept the puck on his stick WAY longer than any other Pioneer. The puck was on a stick and off quickly all night for them, but Slattery would just skate with that thing glued to his stick at times. He can really play, but needs to move the puck faster.

He did have a goal and 2 assists I believe, so he's got the skill just needs to find his mates a bit better. Nice to see the first line score several goals. Seems like its been a while

Also, congrats to Eastview. I thought when it was 4-0 early in the second they were toast. But they really settled in and played a good second half or so. Great experience for them and congrats on making it to state. Would not surprise me to see them back soon.

[MNpuckBlog]

Two defensive collapses on coverage for Hill, the first goal I don't think Dugas even saw. Nice to see Hill show some offensive capability.

Anybody else annoyed with Slattery's play? Hill has always been known for great puck movement, good decision making, and team play. Slattery is almost the polar opposite; holds onto the puck way too long, makes a lot do poor choices with the puck on his stick and seems to be all about the number on the back of his jersey. I'm hoping he brings more tomorrow night, because the Pioneers will need his offensive talent, but he has to figure out how hard he's going to work.

Here's all I'll say about Slattery: all the skill in the world. Great puck handling skills, and you saw on the assist to one of Lavalle's goals that he can pass the puck and has good vision. That all said, he kept the puck on his stick WAY longer than any other Pioneer. The puck was on a stick and off quickly all night for them, but Slattery would just skate with that thing glued to his stick at times. He can really play, but needs to move the puck faster.

He did have a goal and 2 assists I believe, so he's got the skill just needs to find his mates a bit better. Nice to see the first line score several goals. Seems like its been a while

Also, congrats to Eastview. I thought when it was 4-0 early in the second they were toast. But they really settled in and played a good second half or so. Great experience for them and congrats on making it to state. Would not surprise me to see them back soon.

Very skilled player...but man was he lazy when he didn't have the puck. That being said, if he moved his feet a little more he could be even better than he showed tonight with his beauty of an assist to LaValle. Hats off to Eastview, they put up a better fight than most probably expected of them

[agreatdayforhockey]

A couple things that surprised me:
1. I was shocked at how little offensive instincts/skills Eastview was able to display.
2. I couldn't believe how lazy Slattery was. I noticed this in a game earlier this year but I thought it was a fluke. That will have to change and if the state tournament won't do it, nothing will.

[Ogie]

Okay, can someone explain the bizarre light-show that just broke out at the X? We're all looking around at each other in confusion up here.

Impromptu smart phone flashlight light show...It was pretty cool!

[Ogie]

Eastview is doing a decent job of hanging around, but has yet to really make Hill sweat.

Not over yet, but it makes you wonder what could've happened if they'd played a better first period.

This is not the same team that I saw in the last weeks of the season.

No shutdowns of the passing lanes like before...Hill players kept getting behind their defensemen.

Could it have been because of the bigger ice?...Perhaps.

Hot as Driscoll had been, not even Ken Dryden could've stopped the well set up shots of the Pioneers tonight.

Good on them.

[WBLHockeyfan04]

Eastview is doing a decent job of hanging around, but has yet to really make Hill sweat.

Not over yet, but it makes you wonder what could've happened if they'd played a better first period.

This is not the same team that I saw in the last weeks of the season.

No shutdowns of the passing lanes like before...Hill players kept getting behind their defensemen.

Could it have been because of the bigger ice?...Perhaps.

Hot as Driscoll had been, not even Ken Dryden could've stopped the well set up shots of the Pioneers tonight.

Good on them.

I agree. Wish someone from Eastview would have put a body on a Pioneer player that led to four or so Hill Murray backdoor goals. Apparently backchecking wasn't an option tonight for Eastview. That one on four was pathetic defense.

To their credit they didn't go away and played hard, but a better defensive effort and they could have been in it to the end.

[BogeyMan]

You guys crack me up. This is the way Slattery plays, lazy, selfish, no defense, lack of hustle, and holds on to the puck to the point he kills his line. Yes you saw one great pass that led to a goal by Lavalle but if you take into account the numerous times he cost his team it is a wash or even a loss. He will need to find a new level to his game if the Pioneers want to win tomorrow.....

What surprises me the most is how Lechner tolerates this??????

[stpaul]

You guys crack me up. This is the way Slattery plays, lazy, selfish, no defense, lack of hustle, and holds on to the puck to the point he kills his line. Yes you saw one great pass that led to a goal by Lavalle but if you take into account the numerous times he cost his team it is a wash or even a loss. He will need to find a new level to his game if the Pioneers want to win tomorrow.....

What surprises me the most is how Lechner tolerates this??????

He is a sniper. I want him out there and shooting. Look at his 25 goals. Most came in big games. I bet LaValle would say he loves him as a line mate.

[Pioneerprideguy]

The key to HM's win last night was their depth. When you get multiple goals from your 3rd line you are gonna be tough to beat. In addition, they were able to throw their 4th line out for a handfull of shifts which should make everyone feel a part of the experience as well as keep legs fresh for 3 games in 3 days. Pioneers in Semifinal Friday night...it's all good.

[UntouchableFlow]

You guys crack me up. This is the way Slattery plays, lazy, selfish, no defense, lack of hustle, and holds on to the puck to the point he kills his line. Yes you saw one great pass that led to a goal by Lavalle but if you take into account the numerous times he cost his team it is a wash or even a loss. He will need to find a new level to his game if the Pioneers want to win tomorrow.....

What surprises me the most is how Lechner tolerates this??????

This has been on my mind as well. You look at a team like Hill where everyone, and I mean everyone, buys into the playing style and plays as a unit, and have a kid like Slattery, it makes you scratch your head. There is no debating his offensive talent and upside, but when he can't be relied on to make smart decisions or pass at the right time, it takes so much away from that first line. I found myself so surprised when he actually passed it to Lavalle on that second goal, which was a beautiful pass by the way. That's a play where I would have thought he would shoot 9/10 times. I guess last night was the 1/10...

I hope his game will be an asset to Hill tonight and not a liability. The Pioneers are really going to need his offensive threat and talent to win tonight.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Eastview is doing a decent job of hanging around, but has yet to really make Hill sweat.

Not over yet, but it makes you wonder what could've happened if they'd played a better first period.

This is not the same team that I saw in the last weeks of the season.

No shutdowns of the passing lanes like before...Hill players kept getting behind their defensemen.

Could it have been because of the bigger ice?...Perhaps.

Hot as Driscoll had been, not even Ken Dryden could've stopped the well set up shots of the Pioneers tonight.

Good on them.

I think it had far more to do with Hill's skating ability. Eastview spent most of the time playing catch up. This is one of the best teams offensively I've seen in a while as a pure skating unit. (Noting that that is a big difference than Edina's individual talent.)

They unfortunately are not that great in their own zone, and I imagine Lechner's team philosophy is built around making it a wide open style of play. I could be wrong, but they don't seem to be as defensive minded as some of his other teams. I think tonight's game still does come down to how well they play in their own zone. We know Wayzata has the best goalie and box D, and they have little or no offense. So it will depend on Hill's patience.

[Ogie]

That's kind of what I was alluding to, with the comment about the bigger pro rink.

A little easier to plug up the passing lanes and remain relatively tight in your skating on the rinks that Eastview has usually played on.

Hill just used the open ice and ran away from them.

[Ogie]

Yes, but why did they all go off at once?

It was an audience participation thing, kind of like the wave.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

That's kind of what I was alluding to, with the comment about the bigger pro rink.

A little easier to plug up the passing lanes and remain relatively tight in your skating on the rinks that Eastview has usually played on.

Hill just used the open ice and ran away from them.

Is the X's rink as big as Mariucci?

[Ogie]

Eastview played their section final at the Coliseum.