The Bruce Plante Show, 2013 Edition

[flatontheice]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

Isn't Drew LeBlanc from Silver Bay?

[HawkeyPower]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

Isn't Drew LeBlanc from Silver Bay?

Leblanc grandparents live in Silver Bay. He played his whole career at Hermantown. And what does that really have to do with the topic?

[HawkeyPower]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

Please explain how he was outcoached? His team outplayed a team of Elite league players for the majority of a game that not many people thought Hermantown would keep within running time. Again how was he outcoached? It seems like the Vanellis might have more explaining then Plante.

[EliteHockeyMind]

Biggest cry baby in the state. In my opinion there were at least 5 no calls in the 3rd period. I completely disagree with the officials calling the penalty on Hermantown with 2 minutes left, but the officials must have finally decided they had to call one of the penalties Hermantown was committing. If they let them all go, why call something with 2 minutes left. It was a close call on both the one that was called on Hermantown, and the one that wasn't called on STA's Johnson.

Regardless, Bruce LaPlante has no class whatsoever. What kind of example is he setting for his team? To complain and be sore losers and blame it on the refs? Why can't you just shut your mouth, and let everyone think what they want. STA was already moving up, it does no good to complain infront of everyone watching. It is up to everyones opinion if the refs made a bad call, but at least have some class to bring it up with the league on your own time, and not go on a 13 year old tantrum.

For everyone mocking STA for not having any class for celebrating their goals, and celebrating when they won state....give it a rest. Growing up as a kid one of your dreams is to make the state tourney. You are telling me that you wouldn't celebrate if you won, even if you were expected to? The kids and coaches had no say in moving up in class, it was all on the Headmaster and AD. THey finally took enough heat, and threw their hands up and gave in to finally move up. If you want to boo anyone or complain that someone has no class, it should be Bruce LaPlante for his lack of composure.

[eastsideguy]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

[EliteHockeyMind]

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.[/quote]

+1

It's a shame that his actions and lack of class are being overlooked by the hate for STA. I will say that STA owe's credit to all of the haters though. If it weren't for all of you, who knows, maybe the headmatster and AD at STA would have just stayed in class A. Now the STA coaches, players and fans all get to see their team compete at the level they should.

[Deck Slide]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

When push came to shove the deeper and more talented team stepped to the plate and that is why Hermantown lost 4 years in a row.. Any STA chest pumpers my question to you is. How do you honestly feel good about winning the Class A championship. Great for the kids ya.. Blah, blah, blah.... You have kids from all over the Metro and now it is reaching beyond MN borders. Go play Russel Stover, Shattuck, Compuware, Chicago Fury, and LA Junior Kings in a league where you belong.

Hey fellow Minnesota State Hockey supporters you wanna get rid of the Privates make em go back to having their own State Tournament. We will see how many kids wanna transfer to Breck or STA when they play their state tournament is in front a couple hundred people.

In all honesty the problem with Privates taking kids out of programs is only going to get worse. The Have and Have Nots if you have not noticed are growing further and further apart.

[eastsideguy]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

When push came to shove the deeper and more talented team stepped to the plate and that is why Hermantown lost 4 years in a row.. Any STA chest pumpers my question to you is. How do you honestly feel good about winning the Class A championship. Great for the kids ya.. Blah, blah, blah.... You have kids from all over the Metro and now it is reaching beyond MN borders. Go play Russel Stover, Shattuck, Compuware, Chicago Fury, and LA Junior Kings in a league where you belong.

Hey fellow Minnesota State Hockey supporters you wanna get rid of the Privates make em go back to having their own State Tournament. We will see how many kids wanna transfer to Breck or STA when they play their state tournament is in front a couple hundred people.

In all honesty the problem with Privates taking kids out of programs is only going to get worse. The Have and Have Nots if you have not noticed are growing further and further apart.

not a chest pumper...i agree they should have moved up earlier...the question was about plante...and the fact is he had ample opportunity to win 2 of the 3 and the other he gave away before the game started.

[EliteHockeyMind]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

When push came to shove the deeper and more talented team stepped to the plate and that is why Hermantown lost 4 years in a row.. Any STA chest pumpers my question to you is. How do you honestly feel good about winning the Class A championship. Great for the kids ya.. Blah, blah, blah.... You have kids from all over the Metro and now it is reaching beyond MN borders. Go play Russel Stover, Shattuck, Compuware, Chicago Fury, and LA Junior Kings in a league where you belong.

Hey fellow Minnesota State Hockey supporters you wanna get rid of the Privates make em go back to having their own State Tournament. We will see how many kids wanna transfer to Breck or STA when they play their state tournament is in front a couple hundred people.

In all honesty the problem with Privates taking kids out of programs is only going to get worse. The Have and Have Nots if you have not noticed are growing further and further apart.

It feels good to win a State Championship, regardless of Class A or AA. It doesn't feel great like when STA won in 2006, upsetting Hermantown and Duluth Marshall. Being an STA fan it was the most uncomfortable and guilty I have ever felt cheering for a team to win. I was much happier when we beat Edina in the Schwan Cup, and Hill Murray during the regular season than I was for the state championship. And I agree, it paints a really bad picture when kids from Wisconsin are playing for STA, but if you wanted to really look into it, Novak applied to SPA, STA and other private schools in MN for high school. His families intended for him to go to a college prep private high school before hockey, but clearly hockey was a big reason he went to STA as well. So yes it is difficult for a private school to look good when they have kids from out of state, but these kids from out of state are the ones looking for MN high schools to play at. Why wouldn't you want to play at STA when they have the program like they do if you are looking to play at a private school?

[thestickler07]

Please explain how he was outcoached? His team outplayed a team of Elite league players for the majority of a game that not many people thought Hermantown would keep within running time. Again how was he outcoached? It seems like the Vanellis might have more explaining then Plante.

That's a joke.

Its pathetic to try and artificially lower expectations, Hermantown was not getting blown out that game. STAA beat Breck 2-1 twice, what would make you think a Hermantown team outplaying Breck the day before would be executed by the Cadets?

Why does no one give any credit to Hermantown? These guys could be a #1 or #2 in 7AA the last half a decade if not more EASY.

In crunch time, a part of the game where grit and drive can really help push a team over the top, the Hawks have come up short. And a vast majority have been games where they have given up leads, including multi-goal ones.

[barry_mcconnell]

First off, I cheer for whoever is playing against BSM, HM, and especially STA.

And now Hermantown too. The way Plante went after the refs after the game was a low-class move. If you watch any HS hockey you know that the officiating is always all over the place. The reffing in this game was pretty good overall.

I agree with the call at 1:57. The Hermantown kid pulled down the puck carrier. That play gets called all season. The key thing is that the STA kid had control of the puck.

The non-call at the end could have gone either way. The Hermantown kid did NOT have control of the puck and did not get hauled down. He got beat by an STA kid grabbing and reaching over him. The low ref was nearby but his view was blocked by both players. That doesn't get called during the season either.

Still don't like STA.

[hockey1214]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

EASTSIDE - you are another idiot who has no idea!!! Lets here exactly how Plante "threw his team under the bus" before last years championship. You have no idea my friend!!! Bruce Plante would take a bullet for his team. In return they play their absolute hearts out for him. I want either a link to a newspaper article quoting something he said, his video press conference, etc...Not here say. And if you think for a second that him saying that his team was the underdog was him "throwing them under the bus" you are a complete moron.

[oldschoolpuckster]

Ya gotta give Plante credit, he is doing a great job of deflecting the real reason Hermantown got beat...they were outcoached! The refs didn't blow the lead, Hermantown did. Accept some responsibility Mr. Plante and you would earn more people's respect.

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

EASTSIDE - you are another idiot who has no idea!!! Lets here exactly how Plante "threw his team under the bus" before last years championship. You have no idea my friend!!! Bruce Plante would take a bullet for his team. In return they play their absolute hearts out for him. I want either a link to a newspaper article quoting something he said, his video press conference, etc...Not here say. And if you think for a second that him saying that his team was the underdog was him "throwing them under the bus" you are a complete moron.

How does this post not get deleted???? Because he is defending a looney toon coach...I call BS.

Like I said before, this guy is whats wrong with today's game. Can't win the big one and it must be someone else's fault...it's a shame.

Hermantown is a GREAT team!! (with an outdated coach) Honestly, those kids played an amazing season and should be very proud of their accomplishments!! Well done and best of luck to those moving on!!

[BP]

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

[EHSHack]

Please explain how he was outcoached? His team outplayed a team of Elite league players for the majority of a game that not many people thought Hermantown would keep within running time. Again how was he outcoached? It seems like the Vanellis might have more explaining then Plante.

That's a joke.

Its pathetic to try and artificially lower expectations, Hermantown was not getting blown out that game. STAA beat Breck 2-1 twice, what would make you think a Hermantown team outplaying Breck the day before would be executed by the Cadets?

Why does no one give any credit to Hermantown? These guys could be a #1 or #2 in 7AA the last half a decade if not more EASY.

In crunch time, a part of the game where grit and drive can really help push a team over the top, the Hawks have come up short. And a vast majority have been games where they have given up leads, including multi-goal ones.

Anybody on here ripping Plante is just a fool. Also, you are the joke. You wanna know what the announcers said before the game? "Hermantown has to try and keep it close as long as they can. " He yelled at the refs. Who gives a PLEASE BAN ME?! Guess all professional and college coaches have no class. Guess my little league coach has no class. Guess most coaches I have ever played for, against, or seen have no class. STA player appeared to be grabbing the Hermantown players arm causing himself to get pulled down as the Hermantown guy was falling. Thats how I saw it... Maybe you saw it differently. Ok that's fine we will say it could have gone either way... THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T MAKE THAT CALL IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT. Unless its a breakaway, open shot, or clearly without a doubt (like a headlock) penalty, you don't call it. Im not even a Hermantown fan but to see everyone on here looking down on Hermantown and talking ***** about Bruce Plante is just ridiculous. The better team won? No kidding. The Soviets were a better team in 1980 as well. Being "better" overall doesn't mean anything. Hermantown outplayed STA but gave up a few scoring chances and paid for it. STA may have won in overtime but we didn't get the chance to see that.

Also, why is everyone ripping him for complaining about getting 38 kids? How many of those kids are legitimate varsity players? Bruce gets the most out of his talent, plain and simple.

[EliteHockeyMind]

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

EASTSIDE - you are another idiot who has no idea!!! Lets here exactly how Plante "threw his team under the bus" before last years championship. You have no idea my friend!!! Bruce Plante would take a bullet for his team. In return they play their absolute hearts out for him. I want either a link to a newspaper article quoting something he said, his video press conference, etc...Not here say. And if you think for a second that him saying that his team was the underdog was him "throwing them under the bus" you are a complete moron.

How does this post not get deleted???? Because he is defending a looney toon coach...I call BS.

Like I said before, this guy is whats wrong with today's game. Can't win the big one and it must be someone else's fault...it's a shame.

Hermantown is a GREAT team!! (with an outdated coach) Honestly, those kids played an amazing season and should be very proud of their accomplishments!! Well done and best of luck to those moving on!!

I disagree that this guy is what's wrong with today's game. All I know about Bruce is what he has said in his presser's, and his record of coaching. Just from watching his team's PP against STA I could tell you he was a great coach. It's his lack of class and respect for the game that rub people the wrong way. If I were a Hermantown fan I would love him as a coach, but hate him for his lack of class and public appearance. Hermantown would be so much more respected if he acted with a little more integrity and didn't play the blame game. Poor guy has so much built up anger I don't blame him for losing it, but there is a time and a place to let out your frustration. That time is not after your team loses the championship to go over and flip a lid on the officials. Especially not the time in your post game presser. Great coach, but needs a little bit of perspective on what he looks like by ranting like he does every year.

[thestickler07]

Anybody on here ripping Plante is just a fool. Also, you are the joke. You wanna know what the announcers said before the game? "Hermantown has to try and keep it close as long as they can. " He yelled at the refs. Who gives a PLEASE BAN ME?! Guess all professional and college coaches have no class. Guess my little league coach has no class. Guess most coaches I have ever played for, against, or seen have no class. STA player appeared to be grabbing the Hermantown players arm causing himself to get pulled down as the Hermantown guy was falling. Thats how I saw it... Maybe you saw it differently. Ok that's fine we will say it could have gone either way... THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T MAKE THAT CALL IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT. Unless its a breakaway, open shot, or clearly without a doubt (like a headlock) penalty, you don't call it. Im not even a Hermantown fan but to see everyone on here looking down on Hermantown and talking ***** about Bruce Plante is just ridiculous. The better team won? No kidding. The Soviets were a better team in 1980 as well. Being "better" overall doesn't mean anything. Hermantown outplayed STA but gave up a few scoring chances and paid for it. STA may have won in overtime but we didn't get the chance to see that.

Also, why is everyone ripping him for complaining about getting 38 kids? How many of those kids are legitimate varsity players? Bruce gets the most out of his talent, plain and simple.

I think you quoted the wrong person, considering you didn't respond to anything I said.

[EHSHack]

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

1. Are you kidding me? He is a freaking kid. Emotions run high. He slammed his helmet? Who cares. I saw much worse in high school. He was pissed and they lossed and had a right to be.

2. You must not have been at the game, or any game involving STA. Wasnt just Hermantown booing them, it was almost the entire arena (state). Not fair to single out one group.

3. Again, who cares? Why do you care so much? Why should they have stayed out there? To make sure they really lost and there werent any surprises? To watch the other team celebrate after they just lost the biggest game of their lives with 5 seconds left? He is a kid playing with emotion. These arent adults. Give him a break.

Also funny you didnt mention STA not shaking hands during the medal ceremony like every other team does.

[EliteHockeyMind]

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

Funny you bring this up, but I think this is just simple reaction to the kids feeding off of their coach. If he had control of them they wouldn't be doing this. This is a prime example of why people have been ripping Bruce for having his lack of class. He had a great team and they were well coached but they get away with having a lack of class because of everyone's hatred for STA and their Class A dominance.

[thestickler07]

Also funny you didnt mention STA not shaking hands during the medal ceremony like every other team does.

This has been addressed, didn't happen in the AA game either, the Hawks aren't the victims of a poor sportsmanship conspiracy.

And stop picking on STAA just because they are 158-18-4 against class A opposition the last 7 years.

[EliteHockeyMind]

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

1. Are you kidding me? He is a freaking kid. Emotions run high. He slammed his helmet? Who cares. I saw much worse in high school. He was pissed and they lossed and had a right to be.

2. You must not have been at the game, or any game involving STA. Wasnt just Hermantown booing them, it was almost the entire arena (state). Not fair to single out one group.

3. Again, who cares? Why do you care so much? Why should they have stayed out there? To make sure they really lost and there werent any surprises? To watch the other team celebrate after they just lost the biggest game of their lives with 5 seconds left? He is a kid playing with emotion. These arent adults. Give him a break.

Also funny you didnt mention STA not shaking hands during the medal ceremony like every other team does.

If you go back and actually look at how the hand shake and medal reception was set up, STA guys made an effort to go out and shake hands but Hermantown players didn't follow. Either way I think the argument about players leaving or shaking hands after is garbage. I think the teams should shake hands before getting the medals and you can leave if you want to...if the losing team wants to sit there and watch so they can remember if they are back next year what it felt like, go ahead.

[DubCHAGuy]

They blew two big leads in 2 of the last three years and last year he threw his own team under the bus on the friday night before the championship and they were never in the game. He certainly is partially to blame for the four straight losses.

When push came to shove the deeper and more talented team stepped to the plate and that is why Hermantown lost 4 years in a row.. Any STA chest pumpers my question to you is. How do you honestly feel good about winning the Class A championship. Great for the kids ya.. Blah, blah, blah.... You have kids from all over the Metro and now it is reaching beyond MN borders. Go play Russel Stover, Shattuck, Compuware, Chicago Fury, and LA Junior Kings in a league where you belong.

Hey fellow Minnesota State Hockey supporters you wanna get rid of the Privates make em go back to having their own State Tournament. We will see how many kids wanna transfer to Breck or STA when they play their state tournament is in front a couple hundred people.

In all honesty the problem with Privates taking kids out of programs is only going to get worse. The Have and Have Nots if you have not noticed are growing further and further apart.

It feels good to win a State Championship, regardless of Class A or AA. It doesn't feel great like when STA won in 2006, upsetting Hermantown and Duluth Marshall. Being an STA fan it was the most uncomfortable and guilty I have ever felt cheering for a team to win. I was much happier when we beat Edina in the Schwan Cup, and Hill Murray during the regular season than I was for the state championship. And I agree, it paints a really bad picture when kids from Wisconsin are playing for STA, but if you wanted to really look into it, Novak applied to SPA, STA and other private schools in MN for high school. His families intended for him to go to a college prep private high school before hockey, but clearly hockey was a big reason he went to STA as well. So yes it is difficult for a private school to look good when they have kids from out of state, but these kids from out of state are the ones looking for MN high schools to play at. Why wouldn't you want to play at STA when they have the program like they do if you are looking to play at a private school?

Doesn't he have siblings that went to/still attend River Falls HS?

[DubCHAGuy]

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

Not a Hermantown or STA supporter.

1. He didn't really slam it. Took it off, tossed it on the ground. Kid just lost a heartbreaker after a questionable call. Give him a break.

2. Fans shouldn't have done that. Coaches & players can't control the fans so I'm hoping that isn't who you are disappointed in.

3. Didn't see it, but that's too bad. Coaches should have tried to stop him before he got to the bench, but chasing him down the tunnel would have just made the scene worse. I'm sure Pionk regrets it.

[HShockeywatcher]

On another note, 10 years from now, when everyone is emotionally detached from this game and those defending the call look at the video, I think there will be no discussion as to how bad those calls were at the end of the game. Anyone without the homer goggles on can see that those calls are indefensible and really were sh**ty. They absolutely wrecked what should have been a great finish. And what nobody seemed to notice is that to add insult to injury, they actually called another penalty on Hermantown's Neal Pionk for slashing after the winning goal was scored.

I really wish those two referees would have been brought in to the press conference to explain themselves. The coaches and players have to answer the hard questions, why shouldn't they? I mean a 17 year old kid who just got his heart ripped out has to sit up there and speak, while a grown man who is getting PAID to do a job doesn't have to face the music? I'd really like to hear their perspective on what they saw (or didn't see).

Few are actually defending them. Most are actually critical of them for the entire game. But, from the sounds of it, many people do have their "homer goggles" on, as everyone is complaining about one bad call and one bad non-call at the end of the game, but not talking about any of the terrible calls/non-calls from earlier in the game that contributed to the game being in the position it was in.

Bad calls happened all game, both ways. Move on.

Like I said before, this guy is whats wrong with today's game. Can't win the big one and it must be someone else's fault...it's a shame.

Hermantown is a GREAT team!! (with an outdated coach) Honestly, those kids played an amazing season and should be very proud of their accomplishments!! Well done and best of luck to those moving on!!

Agreed on both comments.

Before reading below, be noted that I didn't care who won the game yesterday (I'm not an STA guy in least bit). Just some observations from the stands. My issue was post game with the award ceremony:

1) Pionk taking his helmet off and slamming his helmet down when announced for all tournament team

2) The Hermantown fans booing when they announced the STA All Tournament players

3) When STA was getting their medals, Pionk grabbed his stuff and left and the coaches watched him leave. At least wait for trophy to be awarded, then go. And the coaches let him leave.

I just was really disappointed in seeing this. Regardless of how it ended with calls, no calls, etc, this is uncalled for. Maybe there was stuff STA fans were saying during the game, etc, but I was in the corner of the H Town fans and couldn't really hear them. I was amazed and disappointed with the lack of sportsmanship displayed after the game. I would defend Bruce for sticking up for his boys, which is great. But, these things above are unxcusable (not blaming Bruce, just all the people involved).

I'd like to hear a response to this........

2. You must not have been at the game, or any game involving STA. Wasnt just Hermantown booing them, it was almost the entire arena (state). Not fair to single out one group.

Seriously? The whole St Thomas side was clapping for the Hermantown All-Tournament Team players as well as Benson when he got the Herb Brooks award. The whole Hermantown side was booing, along with very little clapping, as the St Thomas players were announced.

How are these things simply overlooked?

[cigar]

he is classless assXXXe....