1a predictions

[easportsitsinthegame]

Must be a slight mix up between papers then because this was in today's Northfield News...

Team encouraged despite 2-0 loss

By Sam Gett

NORTHFIELD - Northfield boys hockey coach Bryce Barry could have been down after the Raiders' 2-0 loss to Red Wing on Tuesday night at Northfield Ice Arena.

Instead, he was encouraged.

"The scoreboard didn't really show it, but we felt good about the game tonight," Barry said. "We outplayed Red Wing in the second and third periods, but we just couldn't get the puck in the net."

In its Missota Conference opener, the Raiders (2-3) outshot the Wingers 26-22, but couldn't solve Red Wing goalie Nathaniel Foot.

Northfield started slowly, incurring a penalty less than a minute into the game and followed with two more before the period ended.

The Raiders killed all three penalties, only to fall behind when Dan Roschen's slapshot from the blue line deflected off Raider goalie Derrick Ellingson's glove for a goal at 10:28. Hayden Flack and Shane Fleming were credited with assists.

The Raiders picked up the pace late in the first period, but were outshot 12 -10.

The second period started much the same way, with Northfield sophomore forward Alex Pumper in the penalty box for tripping a minute into the action.

The Raiders' penalty killing kept them in the game and the pace picked up significantly toward the end of the second period.

Northfield looked strong during a furious rally at the three minute mark, but came up empty despite numerous opportunities. The Raiders took nine shots to Red Wing's seven and shots on goal were even at 19 going into the final period.

"You couldn't ask more of these kids than the way they played in the second period," Bryce said. "It just didn't go in for us."

Red Wing (3-2-1) had another power play early in the third period, but Northfield's defense again came up big. However, seconds after gaining full strength, Winger forward George Noesen scored a nifty top shelf goal on a pass from Ryan Kesti at 8:36 for the margin of victory.

With time running out, the Raiders seemed to turn it up another notch but couldn't find the net. Senior forward Nathan Freiermuth appeared to score for Northfield at 5:28 of the third, but the referee had blown the whistle just before.

The Raiders pulled Ellingson from the net with just over a minute remaining, but it didn't matter. Red Wing extended its lead in the third period despite taking just three shots.

"We feel good about playing this well against a Top 10 team like Red Wing," Barry said. "The important thing is to keep playing like this so we're prepared for the playoffs in February. It's a good start."

[shooter111]

I'm not sure where the Northfield paper gets its stats from, (probably the scoreboard count at the arena), but the RW paper gets stats and stuff called in by the team managers. So I guess its just who you trust more.

[davey]

who's the best player in the section this year?

Corey Leivermann nuff said

[TheCaptain]

I don't disagree but what would Leiverman be without Litchfield?

[whosthis4]

Corey Leivermann has 26 through 4 games and Ricky Litchfield has 24 they work very well with each other however due to Leivermanns leadership qualities i think i would name him the best player in section 1a.

[davey]

I don't disagree but what would Leiverman be without Litchfield?

Still the best player.

[hockeystar56784]

Leiverman has a hat trick in every game but one i don't think it is a question about best player. He is the best player in section 1a

[goldy313]

I'm not doubting he's the best player but be honest here, he's played about the easiest schedule possible with 4 of the 5 teams rated in the bottom 21 in the entire state. If you're going to talk about his numbers you have to put them in some sort of context.

[aspartame]

Well Corey did lead his team in goals for quite some time for his elite 1 team, and Litchfield was not on the team. So to me what is Litchfield without Leivermann.

[Where_is_the_bridge?]

Touche'

[ahsgrad]

West 11
Austin 0

West is a very solid team. They move the puck very well throughout all the lines and are quick with the feet and moving the puck. Haven't seen many other teams from the section but what I saw tonight was a team that should definately be one of the, if not the top team in the section. Their goalie also played well. Austin had numerous chances to score but the goalie played very well making solid saves and showed a good glove.

West showed very little class though during the win. They can go a long way but they may also hurt themselves as well. They are undisiplined, a player was ejected after a vicious two handed slash to an Austin players head in retaliation to a prior minor slash. Easily could have caused a serious injury as he nearly hit him in the neck. The worst part was he was greeted with cheers, chants, and a standing ovation by his crowd both as he left the ice and as he came out of the locker room. West also was playing their top line all game despite the score. They are obviously more talented then the Austin team yet they ran up the score. There comes a point where there is no need to rub it in like that. Lievermann and Litchfield are great players with exceptional speed and minds, but Lievermann needs to be more humble. After scoring his third goal in a game that was in hand he took the celebration a bit to far, with this many points already he needs to show he has been there before. Lots of talent. He also took a bad penalty with a two handed cross check to the high chest neck area of an austin player.

Austin is in for a long year. They try hard and work as much as they can but they are not there skill wise. They have only 3-4 players that are able to help this team compete. Many young players that just arent quick enough physically or mentally for the varsity level. Austin has to play there top line so often that they are worn down and tired in the third which why games have been getting ugly in the third period/

[aspartame]

by the way #6 got kicked out for slamming the penalty box door. I was right there and thats when the ref kicked him out. Just to straighten things up a bit. I agree that slash was bad though and should not have been done. So i agree with you a 100% on what you think...and for some reason the austin player got a penalty on that play too and he didnt do a thing...he just took the blow to the head.

[stud-lee]

ahsgrad,
Just wondering if you've ever heard of something called a killer instinct? Well in my opinion West was kind of lacking this component last year, but they somehow found it this year. I understand about not running up the score, but when a team has two players that are on pace to break the state scoring record, doesn't a coach owe it to those players to give them the best possible chance he can?

[ChroniCwarrior]

New Prague is dirt they dont have a chance its Lourdes, Albert Lea and Red Wing.

[davey]

West 11
Austin 0

West is a very solid team. They move the puck very well throughout all the lines and are quick with the feet and moving the puck. Haven't seen many other teams from the section but what I saw tonight was a team that should definately be one of the, if not the top team in the section. Their goalie also played well. Austin had numerous chances to score but the goalie played very well making solid saves and showed a good glove.

West showed very little class though during the win. They can go a long way but they may also hurt themselves as well. They are undisiplined, a player was ejected after a vicious two handed slash to an Austin players head in retaliation to a prior minor slash. Easily could have caused a serious injury as he nearly hit him in the neck. The worst part was he was greeted with cheers, chants, and a standing ovation by his crowd both as he left the ice and as he came out of the locker room. West also was playing their top line all game despite the score. They are obviously more talented then the Austin team yet they ran up the score. There comes a point where there is no need to rub it in like that. Lievermann and Litchfield are great players with exceptional speed and minds, but Lievermann needs to be more humble. After scoring his third goal in a game that was in hand he took the celebration a bit to far, with this many points already he needs to show he has been there before. Lots of talent. He also took a bad penalty with a two handed cross check to the high chest neck area of an austin player.

Austin is in for a long year. They try hard and work as much as they can but they are not there skill wise. They have only 3-4 players that are able to help this team compete. Many young players that just arent quick enough physically or mentally for the varsity level. Austin has to play there top line so often that they are worn down and tired in the third which why games have been getting ugly in the third period/

grad, I think you touched on the one thing that may come back to haunt West is that they have a penchant for taking some bad penalties. Once again tonight as they did in the NP game, they had to kill off a lengthy 5 on 3 when the score was only 3-0. That just comes down to not using your head. The refs called the game very tight and you need to figure out really early in the game what is and is not going to be called. Any night is a crapshoot with the refs, some are really enforcing the new standard, but some really let the teams play. Not saying which is right or wrong, but the kids have to adapt or else.

[The Pitboss]

I also was in attendance for this one sided affair. My feelings are pretty simple! West isn't that good it just goes to show how horrible of team Austin really is.

[davey]

I also was in attendance for this one sided affair. My feelings are pretty simple! West isn't that good it just goes to show how horrible of team Austin really is.

Pitboss, Austin is horrible, they have been the worst team I have seen. West played really sloppy last night especially in the first period. Something about going up 2-0 1 minute into the game gets the kids thinking about "point night" and assignments tend to be forgotten.

[goaler]

West is on a mission. I saw them lose to Albert Lea and New Ulm last year and those games were bitter pills to swallow.

It's true they've played agaisnt some weaker teams so far. Austin and Waseca are short on talent this year, but they hate West's guts (believe me)and fought to the bitter end against them. And I'm sure East did too. Still the top line was able to what it wanted, when it wanted to. That doesn't happen very often in high school games. This team is a rare talent.

The Tuesday game against Owatonna will be a good test. The Huskies are a hard-working, talented and well-coached team. Many of their players were in the Bantam A state tourney twice, when Mankato was watching in the stands.

Albert Lea is down a bit, but they still have a hard-core, disciplined group of solid varsity players, and, as we all know, they are extremely well-coached. I can guarantee West that they will be ready they play, and they will play the body. I hope I can attend these games.

But, my best guess is that this is West's year. The stars are aligned.

[LZ94]

Albert Lea is down a bit? Really?

They are 5-1, with the one loss to Owatonna in which they outshot them and arguably outplayed them.

I believe this section will be a battle to the end with West, Red Wing, Lourdes, and Albert Lea all capable of going to state. New Prague should probably be in this discussion as well.

West has a nice first line, I'm interested to see what happens when they have to play in their own end of the rink against some higher quality teams.

[goaler]

Remember, I said `a bit'. That's means I don't think they are quite as good as last year's team or the Jonny Breuer team a couple of years ago. But it doesn't mean I don't think they're good. They are very good, and I have my doubts that West can beat them.

I saw the game in Albert Lea last year, and West lost its cool and then the game. Albert Lea did neither. A lot of those same guys are back and I expect that it will be a battle royal when they meet. Should be some intense, intense hockey. Good stuff. I have the utmost, grudging respect for Albert Lea. Year after year they come up with a solid team. Nystrom has spent years there building the tradition and they take their reputation very seriously. You can feel the intensity on their bench.

Whoever wants to beat West should get a tape of New Ulm's victory in the semis, if one exists. They shut West down pretty well. I think they only had 35 or so shots. Of course, Buegler played well, but they contained the top line to an extent that nobody has done so far this year and gave him a chance on most shots.

Albert Lea is picking up steam like every year and I expect that they will defend their section title fiercely.

[davey]

Albert Lea is down a bit? Really?

They are 5-1, with the one loss to Owatonna in which they outshot them and arguably outplayed them.

I believe this section will be a battle to the end with West, Red Wing, Lourdes, and Albert Lea all capable of going to state. New Prague should probably be in this discussion as well.

West has a nice first line, I'm interested to see what happens when they have to play in their own end of the rink against some higher quality teams.

Ask NP who I believe is a top end team in the section what happens. They threw 39 shots on net with 23 coming in the 3rd when they they had 5 straight minutes of 5 on 3. Result 1 goal for the game, 0 in the 3rd period

[goaler]

Waseca 5, East 3

East had 54 shots on goal.
(Actually 56. They undercounted a couple in the first period)
The Waseca goalie, sophomore Tom Eaton, made 51 saves.

[davey]

Waseca 5, East 3

East had 54 shots on goal.
(Actually 56. They undercounted a couple in the first period)
The Waseca goalie, sophomore Tom Eaton, made 51 saves.

WOW

[merritt29]

West 11
Austin 0

West is a very solid team. They move the puck very well throughout all the lines and are quick with the feet and moving the puck. Haven't seen many other teams from the section but what I saw tonight was a team that should definately be one of the, if not the top team in the section. Their goalie also played well. Austin had numerous chances to score but the goalie played very well making solid saves and showed a good glove.

West showed very little class though during the win. They can go a long way but they may also hurt themselves as well. They are undisiplined, a player was ejected after a vicious two handed slash to an Austin players head in retaliation to a prior minor slash. Easily could have caused a serious injury as he nearly hit him in the neck. The worst part was he was greeted with cheers, chants, and a standing ovation by his crowd both as he left the ice and as he came out of the locker room. West also was playing their top line all game despite the score. They are obviously more talented then the Austin team yet they ran up the score. There comes a point where there is no need to rub it in like that. Lievermann and Litchfield are great players with exceptional speed and minds, but Lievermann needs to be more humble. After scoring his third goal in a game that was in hand he took the celebration a bit to far, with this many points already he needs to show he has been there before. Lots of talent. He also took a bad penalty with a two handed cross check to the high chest neck area of an austin player.

Austin is in for a long year. They try hard and work as much as they can but they are not there skill wise. They have only 3-4 players that are able to help this team compete. Many young players that just arent quick enough physically or mentally for the varsity level. Austin has to play there top line so often that they are worn down and tired in the third which why games have been getting ugly in the third period/

grad, I think you touched on the one thing that may come back to haunt West is that they have a penchant for taking some bad penalties. Once again tonight as they did in the NP game, they had to kill off a lengthy 5 on 3 when the score was only 3-0. That just comes down to not using your head. The refs called the game very tight and you need to figure out really early in the game what is and is not going to be called. Any night is a crapshoot with the refs, some are really enforcing the new standard, but some really let the teams play. Not saying which is right or wrong, but the kids have to adapt or else.

hey davey your pretty high on your west team. All west is, is a bunch of goonies that take cheap penalties and like to rack up their points. i think there is only about 5 kids on that team that have points, maybe some other kids with an assist here or there. Their coach needs to learn to play his third line once in awhile instead of making his first line seem like their the best in state. I would say west is the most hated team out there.

[davey]

West 11
Austin 0

West is a very solid team. They move the puck very well throughout all the lines and are quick with the feet and moving the puck. Haven't seen many other teams from the section but what I saw tonight was a team that should definately be one of the, if not the top team in the section. Their goalie also played well. Austin had numerous chances to score but the goalie played very well making solid saves and showed a good glove.

West showed very little class though during the win. They can go a long way but they may also hurt themselves as well. They are undisiplined, a player was ejected after a vicious two handed slash to an Austin players head in retaliation to a prior minor slash. Easily could have caused a serious injury as he nearly hit him in the neck. The worst part was he was greeted with cheers, chants, and a standing ovation by his crowd both as he left the ice and as he came out of the locker room. West also was playing their top line all game despite the score. They are obviously more talented then the Austin team yet they ran up the score. There comes a point where there is no need to rub it in like that. Lievermann and Litchfield are great players with exceptional speed and minds, but Lievermann needs to be more humble. After scoring his third goal in a game that was in hand he took the celebration a bit to far, with this many points already he needs to show he has been there before. Lots of talent. He also took a bad penalty with a two handed cross check to the high chest neck area of an austin player.

Austin is in for a long year. They try hard and work as much as they can but they are not there skill wise. They have only 3-4 players that are able to help this team compete. Many young players that just arent quick enough physically or mentally for the varsity level. Austin has to play there top line so often that they are worn down and tired in the third which why games have been getting ugly in the third period/

grad, I think you touched on the one thing that may come back to haunt West is that they have a penchant for taking some bad penalties. Once again tonight as they did in the NP game, they had to kill off a lengthy 5 on 3 when the score was only 3-0. That just comes down to not using your head. The refs called the game very tight and you need to figure out really early in the game what is and is not going to be called. Any night is a crapshoot with the refs, some are really enforcing the new standard, but some really let the teams play. Not saying which is right or wrong, but the kids have to adapt or else.

hey davey your pretty high on your west team. All west is, is a bunch of goonies that take cheap penalties and like to rack up their points. i think there is only about 5 kids on that team that have points, maybe some other kids with an assist here or there. Their coach needs to learn to play his third line once in awhile instead of making his first line seem like their the best in state. I would say west is the most hated team out there.

Actually Merritt I am pretty high on this team this year. Did I not say that the one thing that they have a penchant for is taking unnecessry penalties. That needs to be corrected if they are to make some noise in the Section this year. Also, if you look at the stats, they have 13 players who have scored a point with 10 of those players with enough points to be your teams LEADING scorer.