7AA 2014-15

Bayside Tigers · Post by **Bayside Tigers** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:50 pm

Whooooooooooo!!!

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:54 pm

Bayside Tigers wrote:Whooooooooooo!!!

Stylin and profylin

Froggy Richards · Post by **Froggy Richards** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:27 am

kniven wrote:
Slammer wrote:
karl(east) wrote:Duluth East midseason report: http://apatientcycle.com/2015/01/11/lea ... ow-to-win/

"With a new core and the burden of history, they’re off to a slow start, and there’s been a bit of declinist hysteria (all from outside the program, from what I’ve seen) surrounding a team that would, in a vacuum, simply be finding its way through a difficult schedule. But this is the burden of putting on the jersey of a six-time defending section champion with a target on its back. That burden can also be a source of inspiration, as was the case last season, when 7AA’s confident bluebloods stole a section title away from rising Elk River."

Favorite quote from the post. Duluth East hockey isn't going anywhere.

Anybody who counts the Duluth East Greyhounds out are NUTS!!!
Nobody is counting them out yet for this year, there is still time. But as far as the post above, haven't they had a difficult schedule every year? Why are they simply, "finding their way through it," this year and not in years past? At the end of the day, doesn't it come down to talent? I hear a lot about how they are a system team, but the old saying is that skills beat systems. It's hard to deny that the future doesn't look quite as bright as it has in the past on it's face. Bantam and PeeWee teams are both unranked. I can't remember the last time that was the case. I realize they had to bring up three Freshman and also an 8th grader I believe. This no doubt hurts the Bantam team, but I'm not sure a AA team relying on this many young kids is a positive sign either. Nobody has a crystal ball, but would anyone argue that East Hockey is in a better place than it has been at any time in the past 20 years?

pekyman · Post by **pekyman** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:59 am

Froggy Richards wrote:
kniven wrote:
Slammer wrote:
"With a new core and the burden of history, they’re off to a slow start, and there’s been a bit of declinist hysteria (all from outside the program, from what I’ve seen) surrounding a team that would, in a vacuum, simply be finding its way through a difficult schedule. But this is the burden of putting on the jersey of a six-time defending section champion with a target on its back. That burden can also be a source of inspiration, as was the case last season, when 7AA’s confident bluebloods stole a section title away from rising Elk River."

Favorite quote from the post. Duluth East hockey isn't going anywhere.

Anybody who counts the Duluth East Greyhounds out are NUTS!!!
Nobody is counting them out yet for this year, there is still time. But as far as the post above, haven't they had a difficult schedule every year? Why are they simply, "finding their way through it," this year and not in years past? At the end of the day, doesn't it come down to talent? I hear a lot about how they are a system team, but the old saying is that skills beat systems. It's hard to deny that the future doesn't look quite as bright as it has in the past on it's face. Bantam and PeeWee teams are both unranked. I can't remember the last time that was the case. I realize they had to bring up three Freshman and also an 8th grader I believe. This no doubt hurts the Bantam team, but I'm not sure a AA team relying on this many young kids is a positive sign either. Nobody has a crystal ball, but would anyone argue that East Hockey is in a better place than it has been at any time in the past 20 years?
I have been following East hockey for about 10 years and I have never seen teams this low. East BNS and PWA have almost always been in the top ten and the HS team un-ranked is almost unbelievable. Karl is a great fan and writer and is very good at putting a positive spin on the situation.

Post by **karl(east)** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:50 pm

Froggy Richards wrote:Nobody is counting them out yet for this year, there is still time. But as far as the post above, haven't they had a difficult schedule every year? Why are they simply, "finding their way through it," this year and not in years past? At the end of the day, doesn't it come down to talent? I hear a lot about how they are a system team, but the old saying is that skills beat systems. It's hard to deny that the future doesn't look quite as bright as it has in the past on it's face. Bantam and PeeWee teams are both unranked. I can't remember the last time that was the case. I realize they had to bring up three Freshman and also an 8th grader I believe. This no doubt hurts the Bantam team, but I'm not sure a AA team relying on this many young kids is a positive sign either. Nobody has a crystal ball, but would anyone argue that East Hockey is in a better place than it has been at any time in the past 20 years?

Systems aren't a golden bullet, and they can distort talent. They can make teams look better than they actually are (see East the past two years), and at times it may actually constrict the team. (I think this happened somewhat down the stretch in 2012.) You live by the system, you die by the system.

They also take a while to learn. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but their record over the second half of the season over the past decade is much, much better than it is over the first. It's not uncommon for them to be sitting at 5-5 or so after Christmas before going on a run. It's not at all surprising that it takes even longer in a year with lots of inexperience among the forwards and on the lower lines...for example, the 2010 team, with just one returning defenseman and a lot of young forwards, didn't really get going until the playoffs.

I'm not saying this team is as good as that one--it isn't. But it's certainly not as if this group is devoid of talent, and under a different coach, they might well be putting up bigger numbers, and might even have won a few more games. But under Randolph, there's a longer game. Maybe we're just due for a year where things don't quite come together--it happens from time to time. But, given the track record, I'm willing to be patient. When watching the team, I'm also looking for very different things than I would if I were, say, a Hermantown fan. The Hawks are pretty much the Hounds' stylistic antithesis--proof that success comes in many ways, though both styles have their moments of weakness.

As for the long run, no doubt there may be some weaker years (though if these freshmen stick around, they certainly have a solid core that will keep them relevant for the next 2-3 years). Frankly, we East fans are incredibly lucky there haven't been more such down years. But with the youth program looking fine numbers-wise, I'm more inclined to call the relatively down bantams and peewees a valley than a fundamental decline.

I guess it mostly depends on perspective. If your time frame is the past 5-10 years it can seem like East has been great forever, but before this current 6-year run of section titles, they had a stretch where they only went in 3 of 8 years, and 2 of those came as a lower seed, one in a regular season in which they won 11 games. Some of those teams only had 1 or 2 D-I players, instead of the 4+ of 09-13. It's happened before, and it'll happen again.

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:09 pm

East bantams would have been around 5th or 6th right now with the eligible talent that went to High School... Minimum.

Slammer · Post by **Slammer** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:34 pm

Heard a rumor today from an east bantam coach that Rapids will be moving to 8AA next year.. Could anyone see that happening?

I don't think it would make any sense...

gitter · Post by **gitter** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:43 pm

Slammer wrote:Heard a rumor today from an east bantam coach that Rapids will be moving to 8AA next year.. Could anyone see that happening?

I don't think it would make any sense...

I suppose anything is possible. Maybe with Marshall opting up they are going to make Section 7AA like the old pre-class Section 2, where it was a mix of cities teams and Duluth-area teams.

We will see...I'd rather not see it play out that way.

boblee · Post by **boblee** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 1:59 pm

Slammer wrote:Heard a rumor today from an east bantam coach that Rapids will be moving to 8AA next year.. Could anyone see that happening?

I don't think it would make any sense...

Certainly could see this happening. Would hate it.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 2:01 pm

gitter wrote:
Slammer wrote:Heard a rumor today from an east bantam coach that Rapids will be moving to 8AA next year.. Could anyone see that happening?

I don't think it would make any sense...
I suppose anything is possible. Maybe with Marshall opting up they are going to make Section 7AA like the old pre-class Section 2, where it was a mix of cities teams and Duluth-area teams.

We will see...I'd rather not see it play out that way.

Anything concerning the sections would be just rumors and speculation. The MSHSL will meet in the Spring and there is no outside input. The forum will be ripe with speculation.

hadenuf · Post by **hadenuf** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:15 pm

Rapids in 8AA????
Hide your wives and daughters...
LET THE DOMINATION BEGIN!

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:26 am

Rapids over CEC 6-0, and STMA over Andover 4-2.

Should wrap up the 2 seed for Rapids. Meanwhile, Andover is a lock for #7. Appears Forest Lake is sitting at 6. Big games left that will determine 3-5 are East at Cloquet on Feb. 2, and STMA vs. Cloquet the night before the seed meeting.

sanryam · Post by **sanryam** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:22 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Rapids over CEC 6-0, and STMA over Andover 4-2.

Should wrap up the 2 seed for Rapids. Meanwhile, Andover is a lock for #7. Appears Forest Lake is sitting at 6. Big games left that will determine 3-5 are East at Cloquet on Feb. 2, and STMA vs. Cloquet the night before the seed meeting.

Not necessarily. FLake and Andover have yet to go head to head, and as of right now, they have lost to the same 7AA teams (ER,GR,STMA) and have beat the lower teams. Besides their head to head, Andover has to play CEC (who FL beat) and FL has to play East (who Andover tied). So, I'd say 6/7 are a toss up at this point between FL and Andover.

Also, it's very likely 4/5 will be a toss-up between CEC and STMA, probably decided on their head to head game. East does play CEC again, but they have already beaten them once, as they have beaten STMA. I don't really see East dropping past #3.

1. ER
2. GR
3. DE
4/5. CEC/STMA
6/7. FL/ANDOVER
8/9. SF/CI

SimplyPut · Post by **SimplyPut** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:53 am

Didn't Forest lake beat Cloquet. I know STMA beat Forest Lake in an OT

boblee · Post by **boblee** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:37 am

Rapids vs. C-E-C game recap and three stars:

http://grhshockey.com/teams/default.asp ... wsID=34478

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:47 am

Would it be possible for someone from Grand Rapids to step up and give us something on the forum. I'm having a hard time finding any Rapids coverage or conversation here. Thanks

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:54 am

alcloseshaver wrote:Would it be possible for someone from Grand Rapids to step up and give us something on the forum. I'm having a hard time finding any Rapids coverage or conversation here. Thanks

LOL!

Slammer · Post by **Slammer** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:06 am

Lakeville North holds on to beat East 2-1..

If East plays like they did against LN, they will beat Elk River and that will throw a huge wrench into the seeding. I wouldn't be suprised if East ended up with the two seed and GR at three. East is slowly figuring it out and progressing at the right time.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:14 am

Slammer wrote:Lakeville North holds on to beat East 2-1..

If East plays like they did against LN, they will beat Elk River and that will throw a huge wrench into the seeding. I wouldn't be suprised if East ended up with the two seed and GR at three. East is slowly figuring it out and progressing at the right time.

A case could be made for that with a win at ER. Even if ER were to lose to say Blaine and East they would be 20-5 with an overall good resume if they win their other remaining games. Only way their not the 1 seed is if East goes with the were really playing well card. That has worked in the past BTW.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:40 am

alcloseshaver wrote:Would it be possible for someone from Grand Rapids to step up and give us something on the forum. I'm having a hard time finding any Rapids coverage or conversation here. Thanks

Would it be possible for more than 10 Elk River fans to show up at Amsoil Arena? Oh wait, no it wouldn't, because it would be the same 10 if the semi-finals were in the Twin Cities because 10 fans is the Elks entire fan base...

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:53 am

10 - plus parents. Weak student section also, must all be playing other sports?
Pep band is a work in progress...

Mouse in the corner · Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:07 am

Slammer wrote:Lakeville North holds on to beat East 2-1..

If East plays like they did against LN, they will beat Elk River and that will throw a huge wrench into the seeding. I wouldn't be suprised if East ended up with the two seed and GR at three. East is slowly figuring it out and progressing at the right time.

I get the whole slowly getting it together deal but do not think that even if East were to beat ER that they should be the 2 seed unless they just absolutely blow them out which won't happen. ER beat Rapids in a very close game and Rapids blew out East this week. Even if East squeaks out a victory over ER I think that it all stays the same.

ER 1
Rapids 2
East 3
etc
etc

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:10 am

Mouse in the corner wrote:
Slammer wrote:Lakeville North holds on to beat East 2-1..

If East plays like they did against LN, they will beat Elk River and that will throw a huge wrench into the seeding. I wouldn't be suprised if East ended up with the two seed and GR at three. East is slowly figuring it out and progressing at the right time.
I get the whole slowly getting it together deal but do not think that even if East were to beat ER that they should be the 2 seed unless they just absolutely blow them out which won't happen. ER beat Rapids in a very close game and Rapids blew out East this week. Even if East squeaks out a victory over ER I think that it all stays the same.

ER 1
Rapids 2
East 3
etc
etc

Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:15 am

We can all make a case for questionable calls or non calls over the years. My question is if there is a more passionate and loyal fan base than Rapids in the state? Is there anyone close?

Mouse in the corner · Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:25 am

alcloseshaver wrote:We can all make a case for questionable calls or non calls over the years. My question is if there is a more passionate and loyal fan base than Rapids in the state? Is there anyone close?

Even if the Rapids fans are, well, fanatical (read what fan is short for) that still does not remove the fact that ER barely beat Rapids (forgot about the questionable call but I do agree it was crazy that it was not called off due to goalie interferance) and that Rapids blew out East. Unless East takes on a full strength ER team and just absolutely hammers the crap out of them I think that they can be the 3 seed at best. Of course this is Randolph we are talking about and the Hounds do have home ice advantage so we won't know until it happens.