sterfry9 wrote:lack of a poll for this matchup is disappointing. hopefully an old regular can make the state game matchup threads when we get there. usually karl or hshockeywatcher excel in starting threads with the proper information
EDIT: sorry elliott i didnt mean to slight you you've been doing pretty well this season on the starting threads
Or you can just have me give the rookies an assist and add a poll...
....and it's obviously a no brainer the winner of the East/Rapids game would much rather see CEC rather than Elk River. And is this the same for the legions of East/Rapids fans on this forum. I realize I'm on my own on this forum backing CEC. I'm fairly new to this hockey stuff (5 years). Are players, coaches, and fans more fearful of facing a huge rivalry team versus a team with pure talent. Just curious as to how the life long die-hard east/rapids fans lean.
Since Rapids is 0 and forever against east it's easier to play against a team like the elks. Cloquet would be tough on Rapids too better web guy
....and it's obviously a no brainer the winner of the East/Rapids game would much rather see CEC rather than Elk River. And is this the same for the legions of East/Rapids fans on this forum. I realize I'm on my own on this forum backing CEC. I'm fairly new to this hockey stuff (5 years). Are players, coaches, and fans more fearful of facing a huge rivalry team versus a team with pure talent. Just curious as to how the life long die-hard east/rapids fans lean.
Since Rapids is 0 and forever against east it's easier to play against a team like the elks. Cloquet would be tough on Rapids too better web guy
Struggling to remember the 5-1 licking Rapids put on East during the regular season? In East's house no less.
I say Rapids will come in focused and ready on Saturday. Their win during the regular season is a huge confidence boost, East is no longer invincible. Special teams will be huge, Rapids needs to stay out of the box. Lately their penalty kill has been very successful though compared to the first half of the season. Their defenseman are much improved since the beginning of the year. If the forwards can penetrate East's D and create scoring chances the orange and black have a good shot.
kniven wrote:
....and it's obviously a no brainer the winner of the East/Rapids game would much rather see CEC rather than Elk River. And is this the same for the legions of East/Rapids fans on this forum. I realize I'm on my own on this forum backing CEC. I'm fairly new to this hockey stuff (5 years). Are players, coaches, and fans more fearful of facing a huge rivalry team versus a team with pure talent. Just curious as to how the life long die-hard east/rapids fans lean.
Since Rapids is 0 and forever against east it's easier to play against a team like the elks. Cloquet would be tough on Rapids too better web guy
Struggling to remember the 5-1 licking Rapids put on East during the regular season? In East's house no less.
I say Rapids will come in focused and ready on Saturday. Their win during the regular season is a huge confidence boost, East is no longer invincible. Special teams will be huge, Rapids needs to stay out of the box. Lately their penalty kill has been very successful though compared to the first half of the season. Their defenseman are much improved since the beginning of the year. If the forwards can penetrate East's D and create scoring chances the orange and black have a good shot.
Rapids 4.
East 2.
Oh man, I can't wait to see Randolph implement the system early on Saturday.
greenway1969 wrote:Just can't see how Rapids can get to state. I've watched them play Warroad (looked average), Cloquet (looked good), Denfeld (looked average), White Bear (looked awful) and Forest Lake (looked average). Only improvement I've seen in their game is the goaltending. Gerth looks pretty good. East has a better system, better defensemen and better coaching. Beating East in Sectionals is much more difficult then during the season. Rapids seems to panic against a good forechecking team (although they are better then last year). Denfeld's speedy forwards turned the corner on them on more then one occassion. Could Rapids make State? Sure, but out of the four remaining teams I see them as having the least chance.
Must be tough having nothing better to do than rip on your old, favorite rival. Does Greenway still have a hockey program??
I am looking forward to this game on Saturday. I have never watched these 2 play live in my life. I have listened on the radio or watched video stream of some of these classic section battles. It will be fun to see this in person.
Also looking forward to my first visit to Amsoil. My last section action was 2007 at The Decc.