2023 Section 4AA Playoffs

[Sparlimb]

Anybody but Hill Murray Friday night.

I worked with a woman in MN who graduated from WBL. She actually buys my tourney tickets every year. She used to tell me the section final should always be WBL and HM in a close game. And I recall thinking, I'm fine with seeing Tartan in a section final and I'm more than happy to have a 4-0 section final. So I'm with you, just on the opposite side...

[mnpuckster]

I'm with your coworker. Should be WBL HM in a close game, always. Even in the Pios win 9/10.

How did it take so long to move 6 Joe Belisle to forward? Took me about 2 shifts this, glad to see WBL staff make the move even if it is months late. There isnt a line in 4AA that can play at the level of WBL #6,8,9

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Anybody but Hill Murray Friday night.

I worked with a woman in MN who graduated from WBL. She actually buys my tourney tickets every year. She used to tell me the section final should always be WBL and HM in a close game. And I recall thinking, I'm fine with seeing Tartan in a section final and I'm more than happy to have a 4-0 section final. So I'm with you, just on the opposite side...

Oof. I went to a Tartan Hill final once. I took my wife. We stopped for dinner first, and I made the mistake of leaving the tickets on the dashboard of the car. When we got out, the side window was smashed, and there were four tickets on the dash!

I called my Dad and asked if he wanted to go, but he said watching Erik Eskola on Almanac was more compelling.

[Sparlimb]

Anybody but Hill Murray Friday night.

I worked with a woman in MN who graduated from WBL. She actually buys my tourney tickets every year. She used to tell me the section final should always be WBL and HM in a close game. And I recall thinking, I'm fine with seeing Tartan in a section final and I'm more than happy to have a 4-0 section final. So I'm with you, just on the opposite side...

Oof. I went to a Tartan Hill final once. I took my wife. We stopped for dinner first, and I made the mistake of leaving the tickets on the dashboard of the car. When we got out, the side window was smashed, and there were four tickets on the dash!

I called my Dad and asked if he wanted to go, but he said watching Erik Eskola on Almanac was more compelling.

Remember the one year Tartan had a good team (made state) they were magically removed from our section. It was very strange...

[SEC Scotty]

My reaction to this comment is the same as that of FDR when he commented on the antipathy uber wealthy industrialists had for him: I welcome their hate.

It makes the wins so much sweeter. Nothing hushes the crowd at the X as much as a Pioneer goal. Nothing.

Well, maybe an Edina goal.

When Hill and Edina meet at the X, Hornet goals get a very slight applause. It's subtle, but detectable. We're just slightly more hated.

I always pull for Hill at state being an east metro guy.

[inthetwine]

Well, maybe an Edina goal.

When Hill and Edina meet at the X, Hornet goals get a very slight applause. It's subtle, but detectable. We're just slightly more hated.

I always pull for Hill at state being an east metro guy.

That’s hilarious, very few kids on Hill’s team are from East metro, the first line is two from Mahtomedi and one for my Bear Lake.

[tourneytickssince59]

I'd argue anyone but Gentry Friday night.
HM class program with history. Gentry is.....something

HM reloads every year. How does it make their program classy? Good grief.

The building staff at X loves Lex and his teams. The kids are very respectful of the building and all who they encounter, Lex insists on that. When they leave the the locker room, there is not so much as a single piece of tape on the floor. Momma isn't there, so the kids know to pick up after themselves, and leave the room as clean as it was when they entered it.

Lex sets the standard. Have you ever seen him blow his top at a bad call? Nope. He models the respect for others that he expects his players to show as well. When players have committed serious infractions of team or school rules, he's booted them from the team, no matter how good they were.

Is it any wonder parents are willing to trust their kids to Lex? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

There is a culture around the team that needs to change. When the infractions are public knowledge, yes they're dealt with swiftly. He's a great coach but it might be time for a change.

[inthetwine]

HM reloads every year. How does it make their program classy? Good grief.

The building staff at X loves Lex and his teams. The kids are very respectful of the building and all who they encounter, Lex insists on that. When they leave the the locker room, there is not so much as a single piece of tape on the floor. Momma isn't there, so the kids know to pick up after themselves, and leave the room as clean as it was when they entered it.

Lex sets the standard. Have you ever seen him blow his top at a bad call? Nope. He models the respect for others that he expects his players to show as well. When players have committed serious infractions of team or school rules, he's booted them from the team, no matter how good they were.

Is it any wonder parents are willing to trust their kids to Lex? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

There is a culture around the team that needs to change. When the infractions are public knowledge, yes they're dealt with swiftly. He's a great coach but it might be time for a change.

Dead wrong, Lechner argues calls as much as any other coach, mainly More. And the hill players show no respect, the JV players, while watching the varsity, just throw the food wrappers on the ground, even at their own home ice.

[Smooth]

Inthetwine I think you nailed on hill behavior

[BlueLineSpecial]

None of the above was reflective of my previous time being close to the program, or is reflective of my observations currently and more removed from the program but as a casual follower/fan.

[tourneytickssince59]

None of the above was reflective of my previous time being close to the program, or is reflective of my observations currently and more removed from the program but as a casual follower/fan.

Being told you are better than everyone else and are part of the best program in state has lead to entitled players (not all but many) that feel they can get away with what they want and past administrations have enabled that behavior. Talk is easy but actually living it is another thing.

[ClassAGuy]

Official Section 4AA seeds:
1. White Bear Lake
2. Stillwater
3. Hill-Murray
4. Gentry Academy
5. Roseville
6. East Ridge
7. Woodbury
8. Tartan

[inthetwine]

I wonder what Lechner had in mind yesterday, when with more than a minute left on the clock, and only two goals down, he declined to pull his goalie. Seems like he was protecting a loss. Some master plan?

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I wonder what Lechner had in mind yesterday, when with more than a minute left on the clock, and only two goals down, he declined to pull his goalie. Seems like he was protecting a loss. Some master plan?

I didn't see the game, but in the past I've seen similar situations where I thought, "Those guys haven't threatened to score most of the game, there's no way they're getting two goals to tie."

[wbmd]

I can see White Bear having trouble with Tartan. Especially when they can only score one goal against Blaine (in overtime) on the 17th.

[mnpuckster]

Theyll put Tartan into running time, but Gentry might steal one from the Bears Wednesday night

[wbmd]

White Bear barely beat Tartan on January 7th (2-1 on home ice).

[BlueLineSpecial]

2 v 7 might be interesting. Stillwater played Woodbury twice this year. Both games went to OT, with each getting a win.

[Sparlimb]

3 v 6 will be interesting. Almost guaranteed to be a one goal game.

Anyone can beat anyone. Although I don't see Tartan beating WBL. Gentry might thought.

[inthetwine]

Does anyone know how they’re going to handle tickets for the 4 AA playoffs?

[BlueLineSpecial]

Does anyone know how they’re going to handle tickets for the 4 AA playoffs?

https://mshsl4aa.hometownticketing.com/embed/all[*]

[BlueLineSpecial]

3 v 6 will be interesting. Almost guaranteed to be a one goal game.

Anyone can beat anyone. Although I don't see Tartan beating WBL. Gentry might thought.

White Bear has been the most consistent team in the section. Hill has been the team that comes close all the time but can’t break through. Most everyone else in the section is schizophrenic. Stillwater & Gentry have shown they can beat some of the best in the state but have also had baffling losses. Roseville, East Ridge, and Woodbury can knock off anyone in the section if they’re at their best. Tartan is in trouble and I’d be shocked to see them beat the Bears, but they did give Hill and White Bear a game this year.

All this should make every round and every game exciting. I can’t think of the last time where almost every game could go either way.

[wbmd]

Honestly, I can see any - or even all - of the lower seeds winning Saturday.

[inthetwine]

Does anyone know how they’re going to handle tickets for the 4 AA playoffs?

https://mshsl4aa.hometownticketing.com/embed/all[*]

Thanks!!

[inthetwine]

Honestly, I can see any - or even all - of the lower seeds winning Saturday.

I agree, that could be a couple upsets.