AA Semifinal: Wayzata vs. Stillwater

[karl(east)]

Who ya got?

[BodyShots]

I'm riding the Ponies all the way to the title.

[kniven]

Who ya got?

Oh man. My head says Wayzata but my heart says Stillwater. Let is go Ponies!!!!

[jeffpv]

3-2 Ponies.

[@hockeytweet]

Stillwater baby.

Look back a couple years--wasn't the Bantam AA title game between the Ponies and Grand Rapids? Grand Rapids won.

So what do they want? The title game they got? (Grand Rapids). Or the title game they deserved, vs EP? (EP lost to Edina in a huge upset-talk to the Hornets about that one if you want to know how to stop 11)

[green4]

Stillwater baby.

Look back a couple years--wasn't the Bantam AA title game between the Ponies and Grand Rapids? Grand Rapids won.

So what do they want? The title game they got? (Grand Rapids). Or the title game they deserved, vs EP? (EP lost to Edina in a huge upset-talk to the Hornets about that one if you want to know how to stop 11)

I'm not sure edina beating EP is a huge upset, especially cause they did it twice this year. But that's not a bad plan, the ponies coach should call curt. For as good as mittlestedt is he is only 1-6 against the hornets.

But They do have to beat Wayzata first, and that is a big challenge within itself

[Sparlimb]

Wayzata 5-1. Stillwater is a one trick pony, and when they play someone that can shut down their offense, they are toast.

I fear we'll have an all lake final...

[@hockeytweet]

I'm not sure edina beating EP is a huge upset, especially cause they did it twice this year. But that's not a bad plan, the ponies coach should call curt. For as good as mittlestedt is he is only 1-6 against the hornets.

Green,
good point. But I was meaning that Bantam QF game 2 years ago though. So really when it counts, Edina has figured out how to limit him, even back then.

Can GR? Anyone's guess. From the Ponies perspective, assuming they take care of Wayzate, they have another 24 hours to figure that out.

I wouldn't assume anything. Wayzata is a tough out.

[BodyShots]

Wayzata 5-1. Stillwater is a one trick pony, and when they play someone that can shut down their offense, they are toast.

I fear we'll have an all lake final...

Sorry, if I don't take your predictions seriously, but I think this was in an earlier post.

Bemidji v Farmington Final on tap.

Stillwater went to OT 0-0 against the worst Hill team in 15 years. So they are a big pretender.

Wayzata wins their game against a game Burnsville team but then gets upset in a shutout against Farmington.

EP destroys an Anoka team that couldn't beat Hermantown and Bemidji squeaks by a really good Rapids team.

Bemidji shocks the world with a 6-2 win over EP and then takes the title with a solid 7-1 win over Farmington.

Do you have something against Stillwater?

[WestMetro]

In my mind, this game is virtually a toss up just like the Voting shows.

Even on goaltending, two of best in state

Wayzata advantage on defense, although they let some Burnsville forwards get around them yesterday

Stillwater advantage on offensive talent and depth

Wayzata advantage on size and strength, which can tend to wear teams down in the third.

Stillwater advantage on consistency.

-----------------

3.15 pm. Changing my mind - one goal advantage for Wayzata. After Reading elsewhere on this forum about injuries to Stillwater Luke Manning and TJ Sagissor

[Sparlimb]

Do you have something against Stillwater?

I'm getting my Bemidji v Farmington game, just in the wrong finals. Nothing against Stillwater, would prefer to see them beat Wayzata and/or EP. But of the 4 left, I'd rather see GR take it all.

[Mavs]

I would have said Stillwater but with 2 of their top 6 forwards getting hurt vs Farmington and not playing, I have to slide to Wayzata now.

3-2 Wayzata

[jeffpv]

Great defensive battle and what a finish!

[BlueLineSpecial]

Great finish to a game

Stillwater had a heck of a season, and I was really hoping they could ride this thing to a title. Which is saying a lot coming from a diehard pioneer. Hill better get ready for an uphill battle in section 4 next year. Ponies are fairly young and a lot of their best players have another year. They proved this year they could play with anyone and almost rode the lightning to a championship chance. They're a preseason top 3 next year. Hill will be very good (great?) but Ponies are favorite right now. looking forward to a terrific battle next year.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Well this die hard Pioneer fan won't be shedding any tears over the Ponies loss. I expected a close game, and wow, it was a great game. Right up to the final second.

I remember a few years ago, Wayzata was playing a semifinal game and had a 1-0 lead (courtesy a first period goal) well into the 3rd and they couldn't finish it off. (Now, who was that they lost to?) But they figured out they couldn't expect that to hold up so got an insurance goal this time.

[Sparlimb]

Well this die hard Pioneer fan won't be shedding any tears over the Ponies loss. I expected a close game, and wow, it was a great game. Right up to the final second.

I remember a few years ago, Wayzata was playing a semifinal game and had a 1-0 lead (courtesy a first period goal) well into the 3rd and they couldn't finish it off. (Now, who was that they lost to?) But they figured out they couldn't expect that to hold up so got an insurance goal this time.

Difference is Wayzata was the better team tonight and they weren't that night. Wayzata played 4 lines all night tonight and Stillwater often ran 2. That's what ended up being the difference. Wayzata saw plenty of good players in their league, so they weren't star struck like all the SEC teams did this year when they played Stillwater.

I expect Stillwater to be right back there again next year for another epic section final.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Difference is Wayzata was the better team tonight and they weren't that night. Wayzata played 4 lines all night tonight and Stillwater often ran 2. That's what ended up being the difference. Wayzata saw plenty of good players in their league, so they weren't star struck like all the SEC teams did this year when they played Stillwater.

I expect Stillwater to be right back there again next year for another epic section final.

Good point about Stillwater rolling just two lines most of the game. They did that early against Hill in the section final too, and i was surprised both times. the days of winning a state championship with two lines are long gone. Having a 4th line that can be worked in even a couple times each period can be a big bouns in the last 1/2 of the 3rd period. Rolling two lines for most of the game, your shifts need to be short late in the third, which risks getting caught out there too long or making a change at a bad time.

[goldy313]

Early, maybe a minute or so into the game, Stillwater took a shot that Shilling knocked up straight in the air, a Wazata defenseman, both feet in the crease, reached up a grabbed the puck with his hand and carried it down to his knees where he dropped it. The whistle was blown for carrying the puck......the rule is pretty clear that anyone other than the goalie who uses hand in the crease to stop play is a penalty resulting in a penalty shot. I was suprised Stillwater didn't even ask for an explanation. Just because the puck wasn't on the iceshouldn't have made a difference.

In the last flurry, Shilling didn't have control of the puck as time expired, the replay showed a Wayzata defenseman intentionally knocking the net off as time expired. I don't think that was a penalty as it was simultaneous with the game ending but it was real close. That would have been one heck of a call if the officials had made it.

[green4]

Stillwater will be back next year, hopefully they get some tough non-conference games in and if they keep all their juniors they will have a solid senior group.
Hopefully Wayzaza beats EP tomorrow, not too many teams can run 4 lines like they do.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Hey, did anyone notice that the Ponies only took two tournaments to accomplish what White Bear has NEVER done? Any one? Any one? Bueller? Bueller?

[Sparlimb]

Hey, did anyone notice that the Ponies only took two tournaments to accomplish what White Bear has NEVER done? Any one? Any one? Bueller? Bueller?

They became the 2nd team besides Hill to win a QF game in that section in 32 years (Centennial was other). Not been the greatest section for other teams.