Top Goalies in the State

westsidestory · Post by **westsidestory** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:24 pm

Hunter Shepard of Grand Rapids didn't look nearly as sharp against Eden Prairie, giving up 7 goals on 49 shots, as he did 19 hours earlier against Edina (60 saves on 64 shots), but I would still put him in my short list of top goalies this year. He is an acrobatic as well as a fundamentally sound goaltender, and he follows in a long line of great Grand Rapids goalies in my recent memory (e.g., Dan Clafton, Jim Jetland, Jon Casey, Reidar Jensen). I would also put MacLean Berglove of Elk River on my list, after observing him a few times. It ought to be a great goaltending match-up tonight between Grand Rapids and Elk River at the Edina Classic, perhaps a preview of the Section 7AA final in two months. I haven't Andrew Lindgren of Eagan play, but he has backstopped the team to some quality wins. I also haven't ventured to the south part of the Cities to see Zach Driscoll (Eastview) or Trent Jancze (Cretin-Derham Hall) play yet either, so I can't comment on them. In addition, Blaine, Burnsville, Lakeville and Wayzata tend to consistently develop good goalies, so one could look there too.

newtendy29fan · Post by **newtendy29fan** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 1:55 pm

ShootNScore88 wrote:How did those 2 "best" goalies do Friday night in Edina? Not so well did they.

I am sure that Shepherd was beat after seeing 50+ shots the night before. Will be interesting to watch him as the season continues.

ShootNScore88 · Post by **ShootNScore88** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 2:17 pm

I seen Shepard play a few time last season and once this year. He has not impressed me yet. Duluth Marshall this year. 6 GA on 27 shots. Creates a lot of work for himself with his lack of control of his rebounds.

wayfncold · Post by **wayfncold** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:54 am

Whats going on with Heifort the Bemidji goalie looks like he only played one game, is he hurt?

SidneysDogHouse · Post by **SidneysDogHouse** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 9:56 am

It's been a weird year for goaltenders. The big guys (Driscoll, Ahrens, Lindgren, etc) the ones who've been on futures lists have played well, but not against any horribly exciting competition. Shep has been good, but then not so good, Tonka has two great goalies, but they haven't played well either. So, in the end, the best right now, hands down...LaCombe from Holy Family! Both of their goalies can take them deep in sections, and with the others in that section (other than EP) struggling a bit, it could get interesting!

It must also be noted that there are other goalies stepping up, and teams like BSM are figuring the net out, so fasten your seatbelts!

Wendtlandt (sp) for Hill...barely survived the "D" league"!!! Illgen will keep his job!

northwoods oldtimer · Post by **northwoods oldtimer** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 2:04 pm

westsidestory wrote:Hunter Shepard of Grand Rapids didn't look nearly as sharp against Eden Prairie, giving up 7 goals on 49 shots, as he did 19 hours earlier against Edina (60 saves on 64 shots), but I would still put him in my short list of top goalies this year. He is an acrobatic as well as a fundamentally sound goaltender, and he follows in a long line of great Grand Rapids goalies in my recent memory (e.g., Dan Clafton, Jim Jetland, Jon Casey, Reidar Jensen). I would also put MacLean Berglove of Elk River on my list, after observing him a few times. It ought to be a great goaltending match-up tonight between Grand Rapids and Elk River at the Edina Classic, perhaps a preview of the Section 7AA final in two months. I haven't Andrew Lindgren of Eagan play, but he has backstopped the team to some quality wins. I also haven't ventured to the south part of the Cities to see Zach Driscoll (Eastview) or Trent Jancze (Cretin-Derham Hall) play yet either, so I can't comment on them. In addition, Blaine, Burnsville, Lakeville and Wayzata tend to consistently develop good goalies, so one could look there too.

Forgot to mention one of the best goalie names ever Dom Deguiseppi.
Only kid to "steal" a win from the Hornets (in Classic) at Braemar.

preferhockey · Post by **preferhockey** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 8:17 am

elliott70 wrote:Hurrah for the Bagley goalie.
Not the best, but he keeps putting on the pads despite knowing the other team is going to score 10, 12, maybe 20.

What the heck, let's hear it for the whole Bagley team!
Yay, Bagley!

Agree, that is character. Despite the results shows up and gives it best effort.

stick · Post by **stick** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:38 pm

ShootNScore88 wrote:It is so hard to say who the best goalie in the State is. Goalies are such a product of their team's play. Look in the NHL right now. Jones for the Kings is 7-0 with a .85 GAA and a .971 SV%. Is he the best goalie in the NHL? No.

Everyone likes to look at stats to judge a goalie. If a goalie made 60 saves he must be great. If a goalie gave up 2 goals on 15 shots he must suck. However, we have no idea how those 2 goals went in. Breakaway, 5 on 3, or a bad bounce. Also, the shots on goal stat is never very accurate at any high school game. I see too often a goalie make 3 or 4 saves and 1 go up on the board and also the opposite 1 save and 2 or 3 go on the board. Depends on whose dad is keeping track.

Shepard might be the best goalie in the State. He has a lot to improve on if he wants to play D1. He gives up way too many rebounds. You should never give up 64 shots in a 51 minute game. He needs to freeze the puck better and quicker. He needs to learn to control his end of the ice and dictate the flow of the game better. A lot of his rebounds come back to the net creating a need to make the big save. Last night he kept his team in the game and gave them a chance to win. That is the goalies job. Give your team a chance to win.

The only way to really judge a goalie is to watch them over and over.

Very good points on types of goals scored and shots on net. Are you going to watch any of the holiday tourney's coming up?

ShootNScore88 · Post by **ShootNScore88** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 8:36 pm

Very good points on types of goals scored and shots on net. Are you going to watch any of the holiday tourney's coming up?[/quote]

Stick, I will be at the Heritage Tournament all weekend. No elite teams, but should be some good hockey.