St Thomas Academy (11-5-1) @ Cretin (13-4-1) 1-28-14 7:30pm

[stpaul]

CDH 3, STA 2 after 2

[stpaul]

Novak makes it 3-3 11 min. left

[stpaul]

Reis for CDH with 1 min. left 4-3

[stpaul]

Final
CDH 4, STA 3
STA just missed at the buzzer

[almostashappy]

Final
CDH 4, STA 3
STA just missed at the buzzer

Wow. Big win for the Raiders.

So now, because according to HSHW head-to-head is what matters most, CDH is looking at the top seed in 3AA?

1. CDH (14-4-1) beat STA and Eagan
2. STA (11-6-1)
3. Eastview (14-5) beat Eagan
4. Eagan (12-8-1)

I'm certainly not angling for one match-up over another, but this ranking would have the advantage of setting up the possibility of either a CDH-STA rematch or a Eagan-Eastview repeat of last year's section final.

[HShockeywatcher]

So now, because according to HSHW head-to-head is what matters most, CDH is looking at the top seed in 3AA?

In my opinion, yes. At this point it'd be hard to argue Cretin's whole body of work is better, so we'll see what happens. I think St Thomas deserves the #2 seed at this point, but I did in 2010 too and they got the top seed then, so we'll see what happens.

This hopefully provides St Thomas with the two match ups I was looking forward to. Ultimately, a loss brings more to the rivalry, so this was the result that was probably best overall. Hopefully this game can either be played home/away or at a neutral site for the next couple years. It'd be interesting to see how many they got playing somewhere like Ridder.
Guess we'll see what happens.

I'm certainly not angling for one match-up over another, but this ranking would have the advantage of setting up the possibility of either a CDH-STA rematch or a Eagan-Eastview repeat of last year's section final.

Both would be great. The section final last year was very good.

[almostashappy]

In my opinion, yes. At this point it'd be hard to argue Cretin's whole body of work is better, so we'll see what happens. I think St Thomas deserves the #2 seed at this point, but I did in 2010 too and they got the top seed then, so we'll see what happens.

I could easily see Eastview getting the second seed...with the section split between SSC and Suburban East conference schools, the best from each conference might go 1-2 (like last year, when CDH got the 2 seed). Not that I see that much difference...the 2 vs 3 game would be played on neutral ice. Having the last line change is an advantage, of course, but since Eastview's trump card is the goalie that might not be a big deal.

[hondo98]

The best 'team' won tonight - a deserved win for the Raiders. STA has more skill but when they continue to be a bunch of individuals and not play for each other they are a very average, small team. They will go no where in Sections because its a 'me first' attitude. CDH, Eagan, and obviously Eastview have much better goaltending which is what you need to steal a game in playoffs. The bigger/stronger Raiders had the Cadets on their heals in their own zone much of the game. CDH will have to do a better job on their special teams however. PP nothing special and PK yielded a 2-for-2 for the potent STA PP.

Looks like the Section games if everything goes without upsets (remember Apple Valley?) #1 vs #4 and #2 vs #3 will be up for grabs and fun to watch in a packed Coliseum.

[Tenoverpar]

For CDH fans, this game was a highlight reel of everything good in high school hockey..great atmosphere, loud students, big saves, big goals, big hits..and probably the biggest win in years for the program. For STA, they looked flat as if they werent engaged or just expected to win because it's what they do. The smaller forwards kinda got tossed around all game. If these two teams meet in the Coliseum it would be worth the price of admission to see again.

Personally I think the 3AA section seeding will go:
1. Eastview
2. CDH
3. STA
4. Eagan

[Nuts&Bolts]

I don't see Eastview any higher than 2 but 'almost' agree with Almost that they probably are the #3 behind STAA at 2 and CDH at 1 unless of course any of these teams crash and burn down the stretch. A problem with EV is they really don't play much of anybody outside of the SSC teams like Lakeville North, B'ville, ect. And no I'm not sold on the Andover team EV beat in December. Throw in East Ridge at 5 (who tied Eagan earlier in the year) and 3AA is going to be a dog fight like 6AA, 7AA and probably 8AA.

[Simpleton]

2/11 EV-Eagan game will likely drive final outcome:

- if EV wins
1. CDH
2. EV
3. STA
4. Eagan

- if Eagan wins then perhaps
1. CDH
2. STA
3. Eagan
4. EV

We'll see...

[almostashappy]

I don't see Eastview any higher than 2 but 'almost' agree with Almost that they probably are the #3 behind STAA at 2 and CDH at 1 unless of course any of these teams crash and burn down the stretch. A problem with EV is they really don't play much of anybody outside of the SSC teams like Lakeville North, B'ville, ect. And no I'm not sold on the Andover team EV beat in December. Throw in East Ridge at 5 (who tied Eagan earlier in the year) and 3AA is going to be a dog fight like 6AA, 7AA and probably 8AA.

Hmm...finally looks like there's getting to be enough interest in 3AA to justify starting its own thread. Maybe with my next post....

Eastview won Schwanns Silver, which wasn't otherwise filled with cupcakes. Centennial was a good win. The SSC teams help the Lake Conference fill their schedules, and EV drew short straw and played Hopkins (or long straw, depending on your perspective). They scheduled 3 games against 3AA non-conf opponents (Woodbury, ER, Hastings). Only real cakewalk was Roch Marshall. Next year will probably be very different (Silver champ gets promoted to Gold Division the next year, right?).

There's a clear break in 3AA between the top 4 teams (all with winning records) and everyone else (all with losing records). East Ridge has best chance to finish at .500 or above, thanks to a much weaker conference schedule when compared against Rosemount's and AV's. That will probably be enough.

Rosemount and AV in the 6-8 seed range....could be tricky first round opponents (just ask CDH).