AA Rankings for 2/1/26

[karl(east)]

After a couple of pretty flat weeks toward the top we have some churn in the top six this week, and Lake Conference action is providing some movement here and there, too. Further down, 5AA and 7AA are absolute clusters, and there’s some weird stuff happening around the margins, too. Here are the rankings, with two weeks to go in the regular season:

1. Minnetonka (18-1-2)
-The Skippers stormed back against Edina to grab a tie and avoid a season sweep at the hands (wings? stingers?) of the Hornets. Clearly Edina can trouble them, but a tie keeps us from any chaos for the top spot for the moment, and they followed that up by obliterating St. Michael-Albertville, a good reminder of just what they can be when on their game. It’s another week of classic Lake Conference rivals coming up.
This week: Thurs vs. #12 Eden Prairie, Sat vs. #11 Wayzata

2. Moorhead (17-2-1)
-The Spuds took care of business against East Grand Forks and slipped past Hermantown. The firepower remains unmatched, though the bleeding of goals remains a source of some concern; this seems t come with the territory for the Spuds this season. They’re on the road this coming week to face the likely 2-seed in their section and a streaking Rogers team that will be hungry for a big result.
This week: Fri at Elk River, Sat at #5 Rogers

3. St. Thomas Academy (16-4-2)
-The Cadets sent a statement with a 4-0 shutout of Shakopee, putting pressure on the top two in the race for a high seed at State. This is a complete team, with a lot of scoring threats, great defensive zone presence, and a star freshman goalie in Owen Ryan. White Bear gives them something of a test this coming week.
This week: Thurs vs. Hastings, Sat at White Bear Lake

4. Edina (16-5-1)
-It was a week deep in the trenches of the Lake Conference for the Hornets. They gave Minnetonka a serious push for a second time this season, though they will likely want the closing stages of the third period back, as they couldn’t lock down a lead. On Saturday it was Eden Prairie’s turn to push them to the brink, but the Hornets found a way to pull it out. No matter what, this fiery team is in the thick of things, night after night. Round two with Buffalo and Maple Grove is ahead of them.
This week: Thurs vs. Buffalo, Sat vs. #14 Maple Grove

5. Rogers (16-4-1)
-The Royals just keep winning, blasting past Spring Lake Park/Coon Rapids and Anoka this past week to run their streak to eight, and they haven’t lost in their last 13. They’ve been very stable in these rankings for a while since they haven’t had a game against a team ahead of them, but they do have two left, the first coming at home this Saturday against Moorhead. Can they make a move here?
This week: Thurs at Centennial, Sat vs. #2 Moorhead

6. Shakopee (18-4)
-The Sabers got shut down by St. Thomas; they didn’t look terrible, but were simply overmatched by the opposition. They followed that up by needing overtime to escape Eastview, which is a bit of a flag and helped out this on-the-fence ranker over whether to put them or Rogers higher. They settle for conference play the rest of the way, including 1AA contender Farmington on Saturday.
This week: Thurs at Eagan, Sat vs. #15 Farmington

7. Hill-Murray (16-3-2)
-The Pioneers have this spot on lockdown, continuing their methodical push; they have now won 10 in a row and are undefeated since the new year. Narrow margins over Mahtomedi and Duluth East don’t have the flashiness of what some of the higher-ranked teams are achieving, though. A couple of good 5AA teams come for visits this week.
This week: Tues vs. #14 Maple Grove, Sat vs. Andover

8. Rosemount (15-4-1)
-Handled a listless Lakeville South and plowed past Prior Lake; they continue to beat the teams they should beat. Farmington headlines the week ahead.
This week: Thurs at #15 Farmington, Sat at Apple Valley/Burnsville

9. Cretin-Derham Hall (15-6)
-The Raiders have now won two straight conference games by six goals each, which may not seem like a big deal until you look at their margins all season long and realize what a change it is from their earlier fondness for very tight games. White Bear this week will give some indication as to whether this shift means anything.
This week: Thurs at White Bear Lake, Sat vs. Mounds View

10. Stillwater (14-6-1)
-The Ponies completed the regular season sweep of White Bear Lake to secure the 2-seed in 4AA. A couple of middling conference foes who are some upset threat to them are up this week.
This week: Thurs vs. Park of Cottage Grove, Sat vs. Roseville

11. Wayzata (10-9-2)
-That scraping sound you may have heard from the west metro was the Trojans getting past Buffalo 1-0 in overtime; they also had a relatively tight one with St. Michael-Albertville, but got the two Lake wins nonetheless. A big tilt with Holy Angels this week should decide 3-seed positioning in 6AA, and they also get a second shot at the Skippers, whom they gave a one-goal game in December.
This week: Wed at #13 Holy Angels, Sat at #1 Minnetonka

12. Eden Prairie (10-10-1)
-The Eagles continued a relatively good stretch of play as they got a quality win over Maple Grove and pushed Edina to the brink in overtime. This young team is showing off what it can do on a pretty regular basis now. They now get a second shot at number one, who beat them 6-3 in the first meeting.
This week: Thurs at #1 Minnetonka, Sat vs. St. Michael-Albertville

13. Holy Angels (14-6)
-A 5-2 win over Elk River is a solid result for the Stars, who were in need of one. Now we’ll see if they can build on that in the 6AA 3-seed fight with Wayzata and a visit to Class A frontrunner Hermantown. A higher ranking is right there in front of them if they can seize it.
This week: Wed vs. #11 Wayzata, Thurs vs. Irondale, Sat at Hermantown

14. Maple Grove (12-6-2)
-The Crimson did not have a banner week, settling for a tie with section competitor Blaine and dropping to Eden Prairie. Increasingly, 5AA is looking like a slightly better version of 7AA, a very open section with 4-5 teams all in a clump and capable of beating each other. The Crimson have done enough to be the top seed, but they’ll have to win two tough games to return to St. Paul. Speaking of tough games, they’ve got Hill and Edina on the docket this week, plus the first of two remaining with St. Michael-Albertville.
This week: Mon at St. Michael-Albertville, Tues at #7 Hill-Murray, Sat at #4 Edina

15. Farmington (18-2-1)
-The Tigers handled Wisconsin power Hudson and Apple Valley/Burnsville to keep the good vibes going. They’ve got a relatively tough finish, including the two South Suburban frontrunners this coming week. Can they make one last splash to round out an impressive regular season that few saw coming?
This week: Thurs vs. #8 Rosemount, Sat at #6 Shakopee

The Next Ten

Blaine (12-7-3)
-The Bengals showed something with a tie against Maple Grove, but they followed that up with a loss to otherwise slumping Andover, which just goes to show how wide open 5AA is going to be in a few weeks. Despite that loss, they can put themselves in very good position for a 2-seed in the section if they can beat Totino this week.

Centennial (13-8)
-The Cougars continue to yo-yo about this realm of the rankings, and after a 3-0 week in which they beat good Elk River and Andover teams, they are back on the rise. Rogers offers the real big test in the week ahead, and Holy Family isn’t a free pass, either.

Elk River (13-7-1)
-The Elks fell to Centennial (a week after beating them) and Holy Angels; neither result is terrible, but it keeps them muddling along in this part of the rankings. They’ve got a tough Class A team in Sartell on Tuesday before they play host to the Goliath Spuds they’ll have to go through in 8AA.

White Bear Lake (9-9-3)
-The Bears gave Stillwater a better test than in the first meeting and rolled past Woodbury, which isn’t a bad week here. Cretin and St. Thomas make for a couple of tough tests next, and give them a chance to make a statement in this final push to the postseason.

Grand Rapids (8-12-1)
-Call it a split decision for the Thunderhawks, who pumped few goals past Duluth Marshall to momentarily take frontrunner status in 7AA, and then gave it away with a loss to Rock Ridge. They may have the most balance of any team in the section among their skaters, but goaltending is a question mark, and they need to seize the opportunities they have. Games with Duluth Denfeld, Superior, and Benilde this week give them a chance to make this record look a little better.

Lakeville South (8-10-2)
-It was a week of dramatic events for the Cougars, as coach Josh Storm was placed on administrative leave. Whatever is going on there, the immediate on-ice results were not positives, as they got handled by Rosemount and suffered a tie to Lakeville North, a result that could leave them with a 2-seed and a semifinal rematch with their cross-city rival even with a win over Farmington in the season’s final week. They’ve got three games in three days this coming week, including two conference games and an interesting cross-class barometer against Delano.

Duluth Marshall (16-3-2)
-The Hilltoppers watched Grand Rapids pull away from them, losing a chance to assert themselves at the top of 7AA and generally confirming my priors on where this team sits. A three-game week is up next, and Bemidji (who just beat fellow 7AA contender Forest Lake) offers some modicum of a AA measuring stick, which is always a precious commodity given their schedule.

Rock Ridge (11-11)
-A big win over Grand Rapids has the Wolverines back into the top 25. None of their losses are really bad, and this was their first quality AA win; what they have often lacked is consistency within games. But there is talent here, and in finishing off Rapids, they have proven they can win something. Champlin Park is their lone opponent this coming week.

East Ridge (11-9)
-Got a nice win over Roseville to throw a wrench into 4AA seeding and have rattled off five in a row now, including the big win over Cretin. If they can avenge an earlier loss to Forest Lake this week, they’ll officially get interesting status in this section.

Chanhassen (12-7-2)
-Ran up some decent margins against New Prague and Prior Lake, helping to atone for a rough previous week. A rematch with Jefferson looms in a battle of teams in this general part of the rankings world.

[SpreadOut!]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

[ryguyMN]

I was impressed with EP's play against Edina last night. I think Edina was a little hungover from the game against Tonka and didn't quite bring their "A" game. An EP player was kicked out for fighting and the team played with energy the whole night. If Edina doesn't score in the final second of the first period, it could have been a different outcome.

[ryguyMN]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

[SpreadOut!]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

I agree EP, having swept MG, should be ranked ahead of MG. But Wayzata (who MG swept and has no signature win) and Holy Angels, who hasn’t beaten anyone, should not be ranked ahead of MG.

[Brodziak Fan Club]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

EP played with energy and grit. They seem like a team that has grown up over the course of the season, with their 6-1 loss at Braemar and last night’s OT loss serving as instructive data points. Their sophomore goalie played a great game. He was in position the whole night and controlled his rebounds. Not sure if Wilmer is injured or what, but the sophomore would give them a puncher’s chance against Tonka and Shakopee come sections.

[SpreadOut!]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

I agree EP, having swept MG, should be ranked ahead of MG. But Wayzata (who MG swept and has no signature win) and Holy Angels, who hasn’t beaten anyone, should not be ranked ahead of MG.

Holy Angels has one win against all the teams in Karl’s top 25 this week: 5-2 last night against Elk River. Holy Angels is 0-5 against the rest of the teams they’ve played who are in Karl’s top 25 this week, getting outscored 29-9 in those games. They also lost to Class A Mahtomedi.

Maple Grove is 12-6-2 overall. Their record against teams in Karl’s top 25 this week is 6-5-1. All five of their losses against Karl’s top 25 are to teams Karl has ranked in his top 12 teams this week (their other loss is to Class A #1 Hermantown). MG beat Karl’s #3, STA, and split with Karl’s #4, Edina, losing to Edina 5-4 and beating them 4-3 (yes, this is the Turkey Trot win, so I’m okay discounting it if people want to argue with that). MG beat Wayzata, Karl’s #11 team this week, both times they played them this season.

My argument here is that there is no way Holy Angels should be ranked higher than Maple Grove.

And, given that Wayzata is 10-9-2, Maple Grove is 12-6-2, these two teams play basically the exact same schedule, Wayzata has no signature wins, and Maple Grove won both MG vs Wayzata games this season, there also is no way Wayzata should be ranked higher than MG.

Karl is the GOAT and I agree with his rankings almost all the time. He’s wrong this week, though, on his Maple Grove ranking, given what I’ve outlined above.

[slacsap]

In case anyone was planning to watch Maple Grove vs. Hill Murray on Tuesday at Aldrich, the game has been re-scheduled due to Precinct Caucuses in Minnespta. I heard the game was going to be played on Thursday at 4:00 at Maple Grove, but have not confirmed that.

[ryguyMN]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

I agree EP, having swept MG, should be ranked ahead of MG. But Wayzata (who MG swept and has no signature win) and Holy Angels, who hasn’t beaten anyone, should not be ranked ahead of MG.

I'll have to put together some composite rankings this week to factor other ranking sources and see if they are in agreement with you. I had put in on the backburner updating it all season as my work demands increased, but things are finally settling down again.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

In case anyone was planning to watch Maple Grove vs. Hill Murray on Tuesday at Aldrich, the game has been re-scheduled due to Precinct Caucuses in Minnespta. I heard the game was going to be played on Thursday at 4:00 at Maple Grove, but have not confirmed that.

WTH? Crud.

Update: The game will be on Thur Feb 5 at Aldrich at 4:00. Per https://metroeastconference.org/public/ ... /school/3/

[slacsap]

In case anyone was planning to watch Maple Grove vs. Hill Murray on Tuesday at Aldrich, the game has been re-scheduled due to Precinct Caucuses in Minnespta. I heard the game was going to be played on Thursday at 4:00 at Maple Grove, but have not confirmed that.

WTH? Crud.

Update: The game will be on Thur Feb 5 at Aldrich at 4:00. Per https://metroeastconference.org/public/ ... /school/3/

Per your link,the game will be at Maple Grove.

[Doc Holliday]

EP played with energy and grit. They seem like a team that has grown up over the course of the season, with their 6-1 loss at Braemar and last night’s OT loss serving as instructive data points. Their sophomore goalie played a great game. He was in position the whole night and controlled his rebounds. Not sure if Wilmer is injured or what, but the sophomore would give them a puncher’s chance against Tonka and Shakopee come sections.

Wilmer is injured; weightlifting accident. Heard that he may not be back.

[BlueLineSpecial]

In case anyone was planning to watch Maple Grove vs. Hill Murray on Tuesday at Aldrich, the game has been re-scheduled due to Precinct Caucuses in Minnespta. I heard the game was going to be played on Thursday at 4:00 at Maple Grove, but have not confirmed that.

WTH? Crud.

Update: The game will be on Thur Feb 5 at Aldrich at 4:00. Per https://metroeastconference.org/public/ ... /school/3/

Per your link,the game will be at Maple Grove.

So, did no one know these caususes were taking place, I assume at Aldrich, when the schedule was being created? Or even, like, a few weeks ago?

It doesn't matter in the scheme of things, but it does feel weird that this just suddenly popped up. So instead of a home game they have to schlep 45 minutes over to Maple Grove to play an away game? Okie dokie

Edit: incoming Hill plays home games through all of sections comment in 3,2,1......

[slacsap]

My guess is that games were scheduled long before caucus date was set. Many schools have re-scheduled games from Tuesday. It is technically against state law to scheudle meetings or events during caucuses, although I've never heard of that being enforced

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I can easily see how the median voter, who does not live and breathe politics, would not have the date for precinct caucuses on his or her radar. For one, it's not every year. Two, it's just Minnesota, it's not noted on calendars the way Easter or Memorial Day is. And caucuses are not held at Aldrich. Hockey arenas are expensive to operate and rent-able time is a perishable commodity, so I would assume that the time Thursday has already been rented out.

I a fairly political animal and February caucuses are not on my radar in December, much less the previous April or whenever schedules are set.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Now riddle me this: Why are some games being held this evening at 7:00, while others got moved to 4:00?

[BP]

Some school districts allow it - some don't. Depends on each one. If you do play today - the rule that a lot of districts have is the game needs to be done by 6:00 - hence some of the 4:00 games today.

[BP]

Being that EP swept Maple Grove, I would think you have to put EP ahead of MG and EP isn't a top 10 team (at least by eye test and computers). That 11-15 ranking range is probably where MG really belongs and were too high to begin with in prior rankings this season.

I agree EP, having swept MG, should be ranked ahead of MG. But Wayzata (who MG swept and has no signature win) and Holy Angels, who hasn’t beaten anyone, should not be ranked ahead of MG.

Holy Angels has one win against all the teams in Karl’s top 25 this week: 5-2 last night against Elk River. Holy Angels is 0-5 against the rest of the teams they’ve played who are in Karl’s top 25 this week, getting outscored 29-9 in those games. They also lost to Class A Mahtomedi.

Maple Grove is 12-6-2 overall. Their record against teams in Karl’s top 25 this week is 6-5-1. All five of their losses against Karl’s top 25 are to teams Karl has ranked in his top 12 teams this week (their other loss is to Class A #1 Hermantown). MG beat Karl’s #3, STA, and split with Karl’s #4, Edina, losing to Edina 5-4 and beating them 4-3 (yes, this is the Turkey Trot win, so I’m okay discounting it if people want to argue with that). MG beat Wayzata, Karl’s #11 team this week, both times they played them this season.

My argument here is that there is no way Holy Angels should be ranked higher than Maple Grove.

And, given that Wayzata is 10-9-2, Maple Grove is 12-6-2, these two teams play basically the exact same schedule, Wayzata has no signature wins, and Maple Grove won both MG vs Wayzata games this season, there also is no way Wayzata should be ranked higher than MG.

Karl is the GOAT and I agree with his rankings almost all the time. He’s wrong this week, though, on his Maple Grove ranking, given what I’ve outlined above.

For sure - Maple Grove probably should be 11. Don't worry about rankings - Just lucky Rogers isn't in your section to provide a little comp in the 3rd worst section in the state.

[grindiangrad-80]

And who is the 2nd and 1st worst section in the state?

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

And who is the 2nd and 1st worst section in the state?

Class A

[O-townClown]

And who is the 2nd and 1st worst section in the state?

7AA & 1AA

Winners will be 7/8 seeds at state.

[ljonny_superst*r]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

100% Accurate. The obsession with Holy Angels for the last 4-5 years is ridiculous much less just this year. They've had maybe 3 wins of consequence in the last 4 seasons, all which ended with a 2nd round drubbing in sections. Their high rankings year in year out shows clear bias and after this season, the cupboard goes bare.

[ljonny_superst*r]

And who is the 2nd and 1st worst section in the state?

7AA & 1AA

Winners will be 7/8 seeds at state.

1AA is the biggest and longest running joke in HS hockey.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

And who is the 2nd and 1st worst section in the state?

7AA & 1AA

Winners will be 7/8 seeds at state.

1AA is the biggest and longest running joke in HS hockey.

We had a good ten years of quality representatives from 1AA, only ending fairly recently.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Enjoy the rankings every week. I think Maple Grove deserved to drop after the last week, but 5 spots is a bit much. I don’t see how they can be behind Wayzata, who they’ve beaten twice and have a better record than playing the same tough schedule. Also, Wayzata has zero signature wins. Maple Grove has a couple. Throw out their win over Edina in Turkey Trot, and MG still has win over STA. There is also no way Holy Angels, which plays a soft schedule and has beaten absolutely nobody, should be ranked higher than Maple Grove. I don’t think Maple Grove is super strong and I agree they’ll have hurdles to jump over to win their section. But there’s no way Wayzata and Holy Angels should be ranked higher than them.

100% Accurate. The obsession with Holy Angels for the last 4-5 years is ridiculous much less just this year. They've had maybe 3 wins of consequence in the last 4 seasons, all which ended with a 2nd round drubbing in sections. Their high rankings year in year out shows clear bias and after this season, the cupboard goes bare.

I've been wondering if I was the only person who thought this. I never understood it. All hat and no cattle.