Section 7AA 2015-16

[TheHockeyDJ]

From last night, Hermantown 8, Cloquet 3. I'll just leave that right here....

[Hockeyisnotlife]

DJ, Thanks for taking the brunt of the abuse, so the rest of the GR fans can comment in relative peace.

I understand some commenters being annoyed with the strong Rapids presence on the board, but I think it is pretty cool that one team has so many ...enthusiastic...fans. I am sure a number of other teams wish they had more supporters on-board than 1.

One comment about Rapids though. It seems we hear every year about Rapids having so much potential. It also seems in recent years there has been a frequent tone that the potential was not reached. Eventually, it will be logical to conclude if the potential is never reached, then that is the same as not actually having that potential. The Rapids kids need to ask themselves what their intentions are this year - do they want to strive to meet the team potential? Or do they want to hack around out there and try to score goals out of the chaos that takes over many of their minutes on the ice.

Very good take on some of the issues with this team. I've been around the rink enough the last few years to witness alot of what goes on. You have a bunch of spoiled kids who need to buy into a team concept and parents who love to stir the pot. The coaching staff has their work cut out for them!

Agreed. A whole lot of "me" and not enough "we". Same issue last year. This year, though, I think the younger guys (who experienced winning state at the bantam level) are getting some experience and confidence and will take on some leadership roles and will be fine by the time sections roll around. The move to shore up the D will help the young tenders.

[kniven]

From last night, Hermantown 8, Cloquet 3. I'll just leave that right here....

Yea. 5-3 after 2.....we ran out of gas. A nice holiday tournament for CEC. Back to work tomorrow, Tuesday, and Friday. All on the road. Happy New year everybody ))

[TheHockeyDJ]

From last night, Hermantown 8, Cloquet 3. I'll just leave that right here....

Yea. 5-3 after 2.....we ran out of gas. A nice holiday tournament for CEC. Back to work tomorrow, Tuesday, and Friday. All on the road. Happy New year everybody ))

Listened to the game. Meant that post as a shot at Htown for playing single A. Overall a good week for the Jacks.

[northwoods oldtimer]

As for seedings at this point:

1. Elk River - Clear 1 right now. 3 7AA games left: Andover (2), at East Jan 30
2. Grand Rapids - Gotta beat East/Andover next week to keep chasing ER for the 1 seed.
3. Cloquet - This is a tough pick. Losses to Andover and FL. Beat East/Marshall/Bemidji, and Notre Dame (WI).
4. Andover - Beat CEC and FL. At ER and GR next week.
5. Duluth East - An ugly December with two key 7AA loses. Gotta do more than beat Maple Grove to go higher. The get a chance vs Blaine Sat at Heritage.
6. Forest Lake - Nice win at CEC, outclassed by GR. They get East at home Jan 21 and could throw a huge wrench into seedings with a win there.
7. Duluth Marshall - Have beat East but otherwise been below average rest of the year.
8. St. Francis - Beat STMA on the road, otherwise nothing stands out. Probably still a team that gets beat by 5-6 goals in the quarters.

Agreed with these.

Sats81, don't be so nice to this guy called DJ. He can get pretty nasty with the PM function.

[kniven]

From last night, Hermantown 8, Cloquet 3. I'll just leave that right here....

Yea. 5-3 after 2.....we ran out of gas. A nice holiday tournament for CEC. Back to work tomorrow, Tuesday, and Friday. All on the road. Happy New year everybody ))

Listened to the game. Meant that post as a shot at Htown for playing single A. Overall a good week for the Jacks.

It's all good DJ.

[Sats81]

As for seedings at this point:

1. Elk River - Clear 1 right now. 3 7AA games left: Andover (2), at East Jan 30
2. Grand Rapids - Gotta beat East/Andover next week to keep chasing ER for the 1 seed.
3. Cloquet - This is a tough pick. Losses to Andover and FL. Beat East/Marshall/Bemidji, and Notre Dame (WI).
4. Andover - Beat CEC and FL. At ER and GR next week.
5. Duluth East - An ugly December with two key 7AA loses. Gotta do more than beat Maple Grove to go higher. The get a chance vs Blaine Sat at Heritage.
6. Forest Lake - Nice win at CEC, outclassed by GR. They get East at home Jan 21 and could throw a huge wrench into seedings with a win there.
7. Duluth Marshall - Have beat East but otherwise been below average rest of the year.
8. St. Francis - Beat STMA on the road, otherwise nothing stands out. Probably still a team that gets beat by 5-6 goals in the quarters.

Agreed with these.

Sats81, don't be so nice to this guy called DJ. He can get pretty nasty with the PM function.

Probably first and last time I agree with what he says.

[alcloseshaver]

After this week we drop Andover down a few spots, East should finish with about 15 wins and if they beat CEC they will garner at least the 3 seed. Looking like the usual 3 horse race for the top three spots DJ. Let's talk in a week.

[alcloseshaver]

General consensus out there has East, Rapids, and Elk River as top 10 teams this year. Anyone think Duluth Marshall or another 7AA team can compete with them for a top 3 seed this year?

It will be another dog fight! 7AA is quite a section. The rivalries, competition, and skill is pretty awesome

I wouldn't count on the Elk's as a Top 10 team, that is if they even have a team. Rink talk has half the players trying to find other teams to play on. As much as I disliked that group through the youth years sad to see what's going on.

Appear to be playing as team so far. Has to be one of the bigger surprises so far. Guess they couldn't find other teams to play on...

[TheHockeyDJ]

After this week we drop Andover down a few spots, East should finish with about 15 wins and if they beat CEC they will garner at least the 3 seed. Looking like the usual 3 horse race for the top three spots DJ. Let's talk in a week.

Agreed, Andover is looking like a 7 seed. Top 2 seeds can book their hotel in Duluth. Hoping for Duluth Marshall at Duluth East for the probable 3/6 game

[TheHockeyDJ]

After this week we drop Andover down a few spots, East should finish with about 15 wins and if they beat CEC they will garner at least the 3 seed. Looking like the usual 3 horse race for the top three spots DJ. Let's talk in a week.

Agreed, Andover is looking like a 7 seed. Top 2 seeds can book their hotel in Duluth. Hoping for Duluth Marshall at Duluth East for the probable 3/6 game

[northwoods oldtimer]

What is going on with East this season? I thought for sure they would be a MN top 10 team all season. With Spencer Donovan Hill and Lemaster you have 4 solid defense (best in section) to carry the team which I thought would really help Meierhoff settle in. The points up front have been minimal from senior Dow Peterson and Altman. Thought those kids would be pushing 20-30 point by now. Been following 7AA for a long while now and in years past cannot recall East fan base every spouting the 'regular season does not matter' and very surprised to hear from the coaching legend this season. Of course that formula worked last season but to me that was never the East mantra in years past. Come playoffs at finals the TV timeouts will help the horses mentioned above to log ice. Are they deep enough to get to that game? Secondary scoring appears to be missing. East Hockey and Karl need to fill me in.

[Usthockey13]

What is going on with East this season? I thought for sure they would be a MN top 10 team all season. With Spencer Donovan Hill and Lemaster you have 4 solid defense (best in section) to carry the team which I thought would really help Meierhoff settle in. The points up front have been minimal from senior Dow Peterson and Altman. Thought those kids would be pushing 20-30 point by now. Been following 7AA for a long while now and in years past cannot recall East fan base every spouting the 'regular season does not matter' and very surprised to hear from the coaching legend this season. Of course that formula worked last season but to me that was never the East mantra in years past. Come playoffs at finals the TV timeouts will help the horses mentioned above to log ice. Are they deep enough to get to that game? Secondary scoring appears to be missing. East Hockey and Karl need to fill me in.

I agree this the 1st few statements on thinking they had the top D and some
Power up front. Just hasn't worked out yet. I would say last year was different from years past, but as we say Randolph waits to see what team
He has and tries to implement a game plan. Last year they had roughly the same record at this point. I feel this team does have more overal skill than last years team but that doesn't get the wins alone. They do need to find the heart from last years team. As for secondary scoring they have been getting scoring from worth and Megeau and crist have been putting the puck in the net as well. At the end of the day they just need to win three games in Feb

[northwoods oldtimer]

Worth Mageau and Crist need to put up bigger numbers the second half, that is a very young line with 2 sophomores. Lots of season left for the 7AA contenders to figure things out.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Elk River is rolling along with very strong goaltending from Meyers 9-4-1 2.3 GA .909 save percent. Nice scoring with Zerban Michealis Horn Perbix. Goals against and PK set them apart from from East and Rapids. Team defense looks to be the strength of this young team which will go a long way in playoffs.

[northwoods oldtimer]

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

[TheHockeyDJ]

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

I would never sleep on the Jacks or a Dave Esse lead team. This isn't the Tyler Johnson/Reid Ellingson Lumberjacks of 10 years ago (good lord that was 10 years ago?), but they have defeated East and Bemidji. So obviously you can't take them lightly. Grand Rapids made a lot of changes last week. Appears they have settled in on undefeated Gabe Holum in net. Gavin Hain is officially a defensmen. They also scrapped their advanced PK system because it was a system meant for college teams, and if last week is any indication playing a simplified PK helped. I really don't know about the use of the word "consistency" with this team. It seems to me only BSM can be labeled consistent given their record. All these teams are made up of teenagers, so I don't know where the bar is supposed to be set when we see even NHL teams have a bad game (Wild vs Devils on Sunday). Even vs Hermantown, they didn't play a bad game, Htown has a great goalie and their buried their chances. Given their tough schedule and adjusting to a new coaching staff, I would say their record is pretty good right now. Tonight playing at CEC will be a great way to measure if last week is the beginning of an upward trend for this team.

[kniven]

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

[kniven]

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

I would never sleep on the Jacks or a Dave Esse lead team. This isn't the Tyler Johnson/Reid Ellingson Lumberjacks of 10 years ago (good lord that was 10 years ago?), but they have defeated East and Bemidji. So obviously you can't take them lightly. Grand Rapids made a lot of changes last week. Appears they have settled in on undefeated Gabe Holum in net. Gavin Hain is officially a defensmen. They also scrapped their advanced PK system because it was a system meant for college teams, and if last week is any indication playing a simplified PK helped. I really don't know about the use of the word "consistency" with this team. It seems to me only BSM can be labeled consistent given their record. All these teams are made up of teenagers, so I don't know where the bar is supposed to be set when we see even NHL teams have a bad game (Wild vs Devils on Sunday). Even vs Hermantown, they didn't play a bad game, Htown has a great goalie and their buried their chances. Given their tough schedule and adjusting to a new coaching staff, I would say their record is pretty good right now. Tonight playing at CEC will be a great way to measure if last week is the beginning of an upward trend for this team.

. Speaking of Tyler Johnson. #3 Dylan Johnson junior center and Tyler are first cousins.

[mnhockeytown]

What advanced PK system are you referring to? From the games that I watched, they were playing the typical box.

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

I would never sleep on the Jacks or a Dave Esse lead team. This isn't the Tyler Johnson/Reid Ellingson Lumberjacks of 10 years ago (good lord that was 10 years ago?), but they have defeated East and Bemidji. So obviously you can't take them lightly. Grand Rapids made a lot of changes last week. Appears they have settled in on undefeated Gabe Holum in net. Gavin Hain is officially a defensmen. They also scrapped their advanced PK system because it was a system meant for college teams, and if last week is any indication playing a simplified PK helped. I really don't know about the use of the word "consistency" with this team. It seems to me only BSM can be labeled consistent given their record. All these teams are made up of teenagers, so I don't know where the bar is supposed to be set when we see even NHL teams have a bad game (Wild vs Devils on Sunday). Even vs Hermantown, they didn't play a bad game, Htown has a great goalie and their buried their chances. Given their tough schedule and adjusting to a new coaching staff, I would say their record is pretty good right now. Tonight playing at CEC will be a great way to measure if last week is the beginning of an upward trend for this team.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Just what the assistant coaches said on local radio last weekend.

What advanced PK system are you referring to? From the games that I watched, they were playing the typical box.

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

I would never sleep on the Jacks or a Dave Esse lead team. This isn't the Tyler Johnson/Reid Ellingson Lumberjacks of 10 years ago (good lord that was 10 years ago?), but they have defeated East and Bemidji. So obviously you can't take them lightly. Grand Rapids made a lot of changes last week. Appears they have settled in on undefeated Gabe Holum in net. Gavin Hain is officially a defensmen. They also scrapped their advanced PK system because it was a system meant for college teams, and if last week is any indication playing a simplified PK helped. I really don't know about the use of the word "consistency" with this team. It seems to me only BSM can be labeled consistent given their record. All these teams are made up of teenagers, so I don't know where the bar is supposed to be set when we see even NHL teams have a bad game (Wild vs Devils on Sunday). Even vs Hermantown, they didn't play a bad game, Htown has a great goalie and their buried their chances. Given their tough schedule and adjusting to a new coaching staff, I would say their record is pretty good right now. Tonight playing at CEC will be a great way to measure if last week is the beginning of an upward trend for this team.

[kniven]

DJ, do you think Rapids shows up for this one? Consistency seems to be trouble for this team. On the cold sheet at northwoods, will be a tough call to make as CEC will look to avenge the 5-0 loss from earlier in the season. 7AA is still a battle don't sleep on Cloquet.

0-0 end of 1. SOG even at 8 a piece

[TheHockeyDJ]

Rapids 5, CEC 1. Score not indicative of play. This was not like in Dec when GR dominated. Cloquet played a solid game through 2 periods and GR's skill outlasted them in the third.

[kniven]

Rapids 5, CEC 1. Score not indicative of play. This was not like in Dec when GR dominated. Cloquet played a solid game through 2 periods and GR's skill outlasted them in the third.

Yea DJ. We played tough. Your boys are pretty good. I look forward to getting another shot in sections.

[HockeyStorm]

Andover is falling apart, 9-2 loss tonight - they could be staring at the 7 seed. Cloquet tough loss to section 7A Denfeld tonight. Rapids took care of business as did Forest Lake and Elk River.