7AA Semifinal: Grand Rapids vs. Duluth East

[Winter is Coming]

Going to be a close, hard fought game. If Shepard & Peterson play big I think GR wins.

The entire team needs to play big and play as a team to win. If Rapids does that they will, if only those 2 play big then Rapids is in deep trouble. We will know in the first 2 minutes who is going to win this one once we either the Hermantown Rapids team or the East Rapids team on the ice.

[Slammer]

I don't like all of this talk about "which team is going to show up". They are always the same team, they just play different against different teams because each team has different styles of play.

Being completely unbiased I think East matches up very well against Rapids. I don't see it being a one goal game, I'm thinking it will be a 3 or 4 goal game.

But, all it takes is Shepard to stand on his head and they will win, but that's the only way I can realistically see them winning. It all comes down to Shepard for rapids.

[Edinahopkins]

If rapids wins east better watch out for the
Next 4 to 5 years. Rapids is a young team ,
Their bantams are arguably the best in the state
If they can figure it out at the high school
Level watch out and thats a big IF

[northwoods oldtimer]

Rapids is not physical enough to beat East.

Still predicting 4 - 0 East win.

[greenway1969]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

[Sparlimb]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

Or having East play like they did against Cambridge and Apple Valley. Kids have up and down games, and its all on the line in this one. I don't recall many games were Randolph led teams completely fell flat, but it has happened. I suppose the Lakeville South game with Justin Kloos is a good example. We'll see.

[Winter is Coming]

I am not trying to pick a fight or get called clueless on here (although it would not be the first time, ) but I really think that Rapids can win this one. I have not seen all of their games this year nor have I seen all of East's but if Rapids can contain Phil Belleau (spelled wrong, sorry about that) and get good TEAM play from their kids they can win. The Rapids team that played Hermantown could beat East. It is a complete Jekyl and Hyde group of kids and who shows up seems to be pretty subjective. The first Rapids East team and others since then were tentative. They all acted like they did not want the puck, did not want to shoot the puck (would pass it off rather than take a shot) and did not want to run the risk of hitting somebody. Their passing was at about a PeeWee B level unless they were passing to the other team in which case it went tape to tape. A very tentative and humble team who looked like they were just happy to have gotten out of bed and off to school that day without anything bad happening to them. If they show up East is going to do things to them that are illegal in most states.

On the other hand, if that Hermantown Rapids team shows up East is in for a game. That team was a passing machine, was very aggressive in all three zones and knew they could score, they just wanted the puck to be able to put it on net. A solid across the board team who looked and acted like they wanted to be there and were enjoying themselves while they were there. East would have to scramble to beat them and if AP gets loose a time or 2 I think that Rapids will win it. Shepard is good and was pretty consistant everytime I saw him. AP was good and was for the most part consistantly good in all of the games that I saw him in. It was that supporting cast that was radically different. That is where the game will be determined in my humble, clueless opinion.

If the Hermantown Rapids team shows up it will be a close 1 goal or 2 with an empty netter either way game. If the other Rapids team shows up it will be a blow out in a very bad way for Rapids to end it's season.

[TheInsider]

If rapids wins east better watch out for the
Next 4 to 5 years. Rapids is a young team ,
Their bantams are arguably the best in the state
If they can figure it out at the high school
Level watch out and thats a big IF

If they lose should they not watch out?

[Newguy_10]

If rapids wins east better watch out for the
Next 4 to 5 years. Rapids is a young team ,
Their bantams are arguably the best in the state
If they can figure it out at the high school
Level watch out and thats a big IF

If they lose should they not watch out?

The next few years in 7AA are going to be even better. Rapids had a great group of bantams last year as did East they did just happen to take 2nd at state. This year Elk River has a very impressive bantam group as does rapids and East isnt terribly far behind.

Back on track here i look for the hounds too take this one as much as i want it to go the other way rapids youth is going to hurt them in this one i have a feeling.

Hounds 4 Rapids 2

[east hockey]

If rapids wins east better watch out for the
Next 4 to 5 years. Rapids is a young team ,
Their bantams are arguably the best in the state
If they can figure it out at the high school
Level watch out and thats a big IF

If they lose should they not watch out?

Nah, if they lose then they have nothing to worry about.

Lee

[curtiscurve]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

[Slammer]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason

[northwoods oldtimer]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason

Actually the whole section is pretty average this year. Making for great section playoffs so far. Hope it continues with a couple "nail biters" Saturday.

[Frequent_MN_Flyer]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason

Hilarious. Oh my god, I wish I could have made this game! BTW:
For all those childishly wishing DJ to get snowed out... He just landed at MSP.

[Bigcat99]

[/quote]They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason[/quote]

Using that logic, it should be a hell of a game - given the fact that your team lost to a... what seed were the Jacks again?

[Slammer]

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason[/quote]

Using that logic, it should be a hell of a game - given the fact that your team lost to a... what seed were the Jacks again?[/quote]

7th!

[curtiscurve]

Rapids could play their best game of the year and still lose by 3 or 4 goals. Only way I see Rapids winning is getting a couple of soft goals and Shepherd playing like he did against Edina.

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason

Let's not get going on the seeds again. Frankly, I think this is the correct Semi-final match-ups, but the seeds are off, East (2) vs Rapids(3) and ER (1) vs Andover (4).

And when we are throwing around the term average, I'm assuming we are defining average as, "the best of the lousiest and the lousiest of the best". Not seeing Grand Rapids fit into that category.

[Slammer]

If Rapids plays their best game of the year (as a team) there is no way East scores 3 goals let alone wins by 3 or 4. I hate to say it, but your name kind of shows your inability to give a vantage point on Grand Rapids with out letting your hatred of your bitter "rival" from yesteryear get in the way of an honest opinion.

The way I see it, East is not a great team but a well coached and battle tested. They have not had a dominating year as they have in the past few years, but are still a very good team. Grand Rapids are not as "average" as they are accused to be by their critics, nor as "great on their good days" as their supporters claim them to be. They have one of the best players in the state and one of the best goaltenders in the state. This makes them very capable of pulling the "upset" or two. If both teams play their "best" game, I believe this is a toss up with the victor being the team that wins the special teams battle. I do not see both teams playing flawlessly but both teams will play well. With all that said, I see a repeat of the 2010-11 section championship game, except this time Rapids will be the team to come from behind and take it 2-1, maybe in O.T. Regardless, it should be a great game and very entertaining.

They are pretty average if you look at it..... They aren't 4th seed for no reason

Let's not get going on the seeds again. Frankly, I think this is the correct Semi-final match-ups, but the seeds are off, East (2) vs Rapids(3) and ER (1) vs Andover (4).

And when we are throwing around the term average, I'm assuming we are defining average as, "the best of the lousiest and the lousiest of the best". Not seeing Grand Rapids fit into that category.

Trust me, I'm not saying that East is something great this year. They aren't. They are overrated. But I see rapids as an average team. Average, but some nights can get a spark from Peterson and Shepard. They will need that to beat East. They won't be able to out skate them or win physically.

I've only seen them play once this year and it was the East game.... So you might be able to see where I'm coming from.

[grindiangrad-80]

I haven't chimed in for awhile so here is my 2 cents. I think it is hard to distinguish between "weaker play" and parity. Most teams have a couple of very high end players. It's not "who" you play but "when" you play them.

As far as this game- GR needs to get over the Duluth East hurdle. They certainly have the talent to beat them. East has the talent to beat GR also. It's the mental part that the Injuns need to conquer. No matter how you spin it- until you do it- you haven't done it.

It will be fun to see how it shakes out.

[northwoods oldtimer]

I haven't chimed in for awhile so here is my 2 cents. I think it is hard to distinguish between "weaker play" and parity. Most teams have a couple of very high end players. It's not "who" you play but "when" you play them.

As far as this game- GR needs to get over the Duluth East hurdle. They certainly have the talent to beat them. East has the talent to beat GR also. It's the mental part that the Injuns need to conquer. No matter how you spin it- until you do it- you haven't done it.

It will be fun to see how it shakes out.

That definitely states it all. Good post.

[Mite-dad]

East wins 4-1. Much cooler uniforms.

[grindiangrad-80]

Thanks Northwoods. You going tomorrow?

[offtheglas]

I haven't chimed in for awhile so here is my 2 cents. I think it is hard to distinguish between "weaker play" and parity. Most teams have a couple of very high end players. It's not "who" you play but "when" you play them.

As far as this game- GR needs to get over the Duluth East hurdle. They certainly have the talent to beat them. East has the talent to beat GR also. It's the mental part that the Injuns need to conquer. No matter how you spin it- until you do it- you haven't done it.

It will be fun to see how it shakes out.

That definitely states it all. Good post.

Hit that right square between the eyes! I hope both teams come out and compete hard and play a good game and the refs don't try and steal the show.

[Slammer]

I haven't chimed in for awhile so here is my 2 cents. I think it is hard to distinguish between "weaker play" and parity. Most teams have a couple of very high end players. It's not "who" you play but "when" you play them.

As far as this game- GR needs to get over the Duluth East hurdle. They certainly have the talent to beat them. East has the talent to beat GR also. It's the mental part that the Injuns need to conquer. No matter how you spin it- until you do it- you haven't done it.

It will be fun to see how it shakes out.

That definitely states it all. Good post.

Hit that right square between the eyes! I hope both teams come out and compete hard and play a good game and the refs don't try and steal the show.

Trust me the refs probably will. I mean, all they have to do is call one 5 minute major for East every east rapids game, and we win

[northwoods oldtimer]

Thanks Northwoods. You going tomorrow?

My heart says yes but the road conditions are dicey for an old man to be driving. Might be stuck listening to radio broadcast instead.