7AA 2014-15

[karl(east)]

Tonight in 7AA:

Elk River 5, Anoka 0
-Convincing win over a reasonably good opponent for the Elks.

Grand Rapids 3, Hibbing 3
-Not pretty. Not really enough to threaten their position here, but it does reduce their margin for error.

Duluth East 3, Apple Valley 2
-Got a little interesting toward the end, but the Hounds were mostly in control. Back in the win column, but not exactly in convincing fashion.

STMA 8, St. Francis 2
-The Knights could yet play their way into a top-3 seed if East and Rapids don't take care of business. The record is great, but with so few quality opponents, it's hard to justify anything more than #4 unless they get some help.

Denfeld 5, Cloquet 0
-The Jacks' win over Rapids is looking more and more like a fluke. Could still wind up anywhere between #3 and #7, depending on which team shows up.

Cretin-Derham Hall 3, Forest Lake 2
-Decent effort by the Flakes, but nothing that will tip the scales here.

Maple Grove 5, Andover 4 (OT)
-Not a bad showing for the Huskies, though they're still down at the bottom of the pack here.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Tonights results only further bring into question the validity of a two class system. Rapids did play their back up goalie tonight in an unimportant game and their real problem is taking penalies. The 5 min major was so unnecessary, up by 1 and at neutral ice near the bench. Why? Karl is right the tie probably won't affect them, yet had they lost, it could have hurt them big time.

I'm surprised at Cloquet's result vs Denfeld, I thought they had turned a corner. Interesting thing to watch is the potential of an East vs Cloquet quarterfinal in the 3 v 6 game. It seems there are a lot of teams in 7AA that play up or down to their competition. Rapids plays up for 7AA games. East plays up vs Lakeville North, but then blown out by Rapids and not an impressive win over and Apple Valley team that is ranked lower than Hibbing in Mitch's rankings. It feels like these teams just kinda check out mentally if it isn't a 7AA game or a top 10 team. Forest Lake is playing well enough that Rapids needs to hang on to that 2 seed and home game vs Andover. Forest Lake is probably the team East would prefer to face in the quarterfinals over CEC (rival) and STMA (narrowly escaped in OT 4-3).

[kniven]

Tonights results only further bring into question the validity of a two class system. Rapids did play their back up goalie tonight in an unimportant game and their real problem is taking penalies. The 5 min major was so unnecessary, up by 1 and at neutral ice near the bench. Why? Karl is right the tie probably won't affect them, yet had they lost, it could have hurt them big time.

I'm surprised at Cloquet's result vs Denfeld, I thought they had turned a corner. Interesting thing to watch is the potential of an East vs Cloquet quarterfinal in the 3 v 6 game. It seems there are a lot of teams in 7AA that play up or down to their competition. Rapids plays up for 7AA games. East plays up vs Lakeville North, but then blown out by Rapids and not an impressive win over and Apple Valley team that is ranked lower than Hibbing in Mitch's rankings. It feels like these teams just kinda check out mentally if it isn't a 7AA game or a top 10 team. Forest Lake is playing well enough that Rapids needs to hang on to that 2 seed and home game vs Andover. Forest Lake is probably the team East would prefer to face in the quarterfinals over CEC (rival) and STMA (narrowly escaped in OT 4-3).

Hold on here. CEC was without 2 forwards from the first line, a forward from the second line, and 2 from the third. I don't know why, but these players weren't even in the building. Shots on goal 25-20 Denfeld.

[karl(east)]

Thanks for the update on the Jacks, kniven...that result makes a lot more sense now.

I don't think East has any sort of issue in how they get up for opponents. Maybe they took the foot off the gas in the 3rd tonight (I wasn't there), but the better explanation is that they play a style of hockey that is designed to keep the score down. That can help make games against teams like North interesting, but it can also let teams like Apple Valley hang around for a while. It can be a double-edged sword.

I was a bit surprised to see Meierhoff was back in net tonight after Howg's great performance against Lakeville North. The rotation continues, apparently.

[sanryam]

Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

[elliott70]

Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

I guess it all depends on what tint the glass is in your spectacles.

[elliott70]

Now we know.

[elliott70]

Now we know.

And the one team could not get the puck out of their own zone.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Tonight in 7AA:

Elk River 5, Anoka 0
-Convincing win over a reasonably good opponent for the Elks.

Grand Rapids 3, Hibbing 3
-Not pretty. Not really enough to threaten their position here, but it does reduce their margin for error.

Duluth East 3, Apple Valley 2
-Got a little interesting toward the end, but the Hounds were mostly in control. Back in the win column, but not exactly in convincing fashion.

STMA 8, St. Francis 2
-The Knights could yet play their way into a top-3 seed if East and Rapids don't take care of business. The record is great, but with so few quality opponents, it's hard to justify anything more than #4 unless they get some help.

Denfeld 5, Cloquet 0
-The Jacks' win over Rapids is looking more and more like a fluke. Could still wind up anywhere between #3 and #7, depending on which team shows up.

Cretin-Derham Hall 3, Forest Lake 2
-Decent effort by the Flakes, but nothing that will tip the scales here.

Maple Grove 5, Andover 4 (OT)
-Not a bad showing for the Huskies, though they're still down at the bottom of the pack here.

Tough road games with Wayzata, WBL and Moorhead. Rapids takes too many penalties, has too many team defensive breakdowns and goaltending has had low save percentage to be a reliable road team. Unfortunately this favors STMA and East down the stretch run for section rankings.

Hey elliot70 I have been up to Bemidji, you got your share of whack jobs in the stand too. Wisely they don't post to this forums

[TheHockeyDJ]

Tonight in 7AA:

Elk River 5, Anoka 0
-Convincing win over a reasonably good opponent for the Elks.

Grand Rapids 3, Hibbing 3
-Not pretty. Not really enough to threaten their position here, but it does reduce their margin for error.

Duluth East 3, Apple Valley 2
-Got a little interesting toward the end, but the Hounds were mostly in control. Back in the win column, but not exactly in convincing fashion.

STMA 8, St. Francis 2
-The Knights could yet play their way into a top-3 seed if East and Rapids don't take care of business. The record is great, but with so few quality opponents, it's hard to justify anything more than #4 unless they get some help.

Denfeld 5, Cloquet 0
-The Jacks' win over Rapids is looking more and more like a fluke. Could still wind up anywhere between #3 and #7, depending on which team shows up.

Cretin-Derham Hall 3, Forest Lake 2
-Decent effort by the Flakes, but nothing that will tip the scales here.

Maple Grove 5, Andover 4 (OT)
-Not a bad showing for the Huskies, though they're still down at the bottom of the pack here.

Tough road games with Wayzata, WBL and Moorhead. Rapids takes too many penalties, has too many team defensive breakdowns and goaltending has had low save percentage to be a reliable road team. Unfortunately this favors STMA and East down the stretch run for section rankings.

Hey elliot70 I have been up to Bemidji, you got your share of whack jobs in the stand too. Wisely they don't post to this forums

I would argue Gerth has played much better recently vs East and CEC. Can't blame last night on him given Burt was in goal.

East has a dicey schedule ahead, at Roseau tomorrow afternoon, home vs Forest Lake on Tuesday.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Tonight in 7AA:

Elk River 5, Anoka 0
-Convincing win over a reasonably good opponent for the Elks.

Grand Rapids 3, Hibbing 3
-Not pretty. Not really enough to threaten their position here, but it does reduce their margin for error.

Duluth East 3, Apple Valley 2
-Got a little interesting toward the end, but the Hounds were mostly in control. Back in the win column, but not exactly in convincing fashion.

STMA 8, St. Francis 2
-The Knights could yet play their way into a top-3 seed if East and Rapids don't take care of business. The record is great, but with so few quality opponents, it's hard to justify anything more than #4 unless they get some help.

Denfeld 5, Cloquet 0
-The Jacks' win over Rapids is looking more and more like a fluke. Could still wind up anywhere between #3 and #7, depending on which team shows up.

Cretin-Derham Hall 3, Forest Lake 2
-Decent effort by the Flakes, but nothing that will tip the scales here.

Maple Grove 5, Andover 4 (OT)
-Not a bad showing for the Huskies, though they're still down at the bottom of the pack here.

Tough road games with Wayzata, WBL and Moorhead. Rapids takes too many penalties, has too many team defensive breakdowns and goaltending has had low save percentage to be a reliable road team. Unfortunately this favors STMA and East down the stretch run for section rankings.

Hey elliot70 I have been up to Bemidji, you got your share of whack jobs in the stand too. Wisely they don't post to this forums

I would argue Gerth has played much better recently vs East and CEC. Can't blame last night on him given Burt was in goal.

East has a dicey schedule ahead, at Roseau tomorrow afternoon, home vs Forest Lake on Tuesday.

Wouldn't get too excited about Rapids fate DJ. They just are not that good. You are talking performing well as a team against sub .500 teams (East 7-8-1, CEC 709). I like East chances against Roseau and Forest Lake. You certainly could have picked tougher teams still on the East schedule to make your point. Elk River, Blaine, Minnetonka for example.

[elliott70]

Hey elliot70 I have been up to Bemidji, you got your share of whack jobs in the stand too. Wisely they don't post to this forums

But they do lurk.
I get a comment or two on a regular basis.

[elliott70]

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

sanryam wrote:
Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

And DJ:
You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

Then someone posted the video...
and then it was gone....
???

[greenway1969]

Rapids is still in control of the 2nd seed. Lucky for them, they're not in 7A. They'd most likely be a 4 seed. This season is playing out exactly like last season. Lot of excuses, a good win in January (last year it was Hermantown, this year East) and then they limp into the playoffs and squeak out a quarterfinal win and then lose to East in the semis. They have some of the same shortcomings as last year. Better forwards this year but lesser goaltending. They also seem to be taking more bad penalties this year. The coaching staff was not able to correct their weaknesses last year and have not been able to correct them this year. Next weekend (White Bear and Wayzata) are crucial for Rapids to prove they have the ability to reach the finals and give Elk River a game.

[crw]

Here you go for what it's worth all 7AA games by teams vs 7AA teams and remaining 7AA games and Overall. Keep in mind that not all teams play the same schedule vs each other... This was all on the Internet so it must be true..

ELK RIVER (3-0) (13-3 Overall GF 95 GA48
At Andover won 4-1
Vs Grand Rapids won 5-4
At Forest Lake won 7-4
Vs Anodover
Vs Duluth East

ST. FRANCIS (0-6) (0-15 Overall GF 25 GA 81)
Vs STMA lost 1-8
Vs Grand Rapids lost 0-5
At Cloquet lost 1-10
At Forest Lake lost 2-5
Vs Andover lost 2-3
At STMA lost 2-8
At Cambridge

STMA (4-1) (12-3 Overall GF 67 GA 29)
Vs Forest Lake win 2-1 OT
At St. Francis win 8-1
At Duluth East lost 3-4 OT
Vs Andover won 4-2
Vs St. Francis won 8-2
At Cambridge
Vs Cloquet

CAMBRIDGE (0-3) (7-8 Overall GF 53 GA 66)
Vs Forest Lake lost 2-7
At Cloquet lost 0-8
At Duluth East lost 0-4
Vs STMA
Vs St. Francis

DULUTH EAST (3-1-1) (7-8-1 Overall GF 38 GA 50)
At Andover 2-2 Tie
Vs Cloquet won 3-1
Vs STMA won 4-3 OT
Vs Cambridge won 4-0
Vs Grand Rapids lost 1-5
Vs Forest Lake
At Elk River
At Cloquet

CLOQUET (3-3) (7-9 Overall GF 52 GA 55)
Vs Cambridge won 8-0
At Duluth East lost 1-3
At Forest Lake lost 2-3 OT
Vs Grand Rapids won 4-2
Vs St. Francis won 10-1
At Grand Rapids lost 0-6
Vs Andover
Vs Duluth East
At STMA

FOREST LAKE (3-3) (5-8-2 Overall GF 45 GA 49)
At Cambridge won 7-2
At STMA lost 1-2 OT
Vs Grand Rapids lost 3-6
Vs Cloquet won 3-2 OT
Vs Elk River lost 4-7
Vs St. Francis won 5-2
At Duluth East
At Andover

GRAND RAPIDS (5-2) (9-9-2 Overall GF 80 GA 67
At Forest Lake won 6-3
Vs Elk River lost 4-5
At Cloquet lost 2-4
Vs St. Francis won 5-0
At Andover won 4-1
At Duluth East won 5-1
Vs Cloquet won 6-0

ANDOVER (1-3-1) (4-9-1 Overall GF 39 GA 53)
Vs Dultuh East 2-2 Tie
Vs Elr River lost 1-4
Vs Grand Rapids lost 1-4
At St. Francis won 3-2
At STMA lost 2-4
At Cloquet
At Elk River
Vs Forest Lake

I think I got them all...

STILL ALOT TO BE DECIDED

[Mouse in the corner]

Rapids is still in control of the 2nd seed. Lucky for them, they're not in 7A. They'd most likely be a 4 seed. This season is playing out exactly like last season. Lot of excuses, a good win in January (last year it was Hermantown, this year East) and then they limp into the playoffs and squeak out a quarterfinal win and then lose to East in the semis. They have some of the same shortcomings as last year. Better forwards this year but lesser goaltending. They also seem to be taking more bad penalties this year. The coaching staff was not able to correct their weaknesses last year and have not been able to correct them this year. Next weekend (White Bear and Wayzata) are crucial for Rapids to prove they have the ability to reach the finals and give Elk River a game.

Looking at how Rapids has played this year I don't think they would be a 4 seed in 7A. 2 seed probalby given that the current 32 time runners up in class A are in 7A. They played their back up goalie(s) in all but the Hermantown game against 7A and quite frankly did not even look like they cared about that game. I suspect that they were looking past what was a pretty meaningless game against an A opponent and thinking about winning the game that mattered against East.

You say that they have lesser goaltending than last year and are right from a couple of points. This is their current starter's first year playing varsity. He sat behing Shepard last year who had been playing full time for 2 solid years. Not a surprise there. However, I think that the kid has grown into the job and is doing very well. He played ER tough right up to the head lock (and you are right the kid was pushed into him but then serious took his time getting off of him) which resulted in the goal. I agree about their forwards. Much better on average than what they had last year.

Totally and 100% agree on the penalties. They are killing that team.

Next weekend's game are going to matter a bunch which is why I hope they play their starting goalie and not one of the back ups and that the team shows up to play. Assuiming both of those I think they will win both games next weekend and ER is in trouble if they are thinking they are heading to state this year.

[Mouse in the corner]

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

sanryam wrote:
Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

And DJ:
You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

Then someone posted the video...
and then it was gone....
???

The nice thing about that whole deal from the stand point of Rapids is that ER gave them all they had and barely beat them. Rapids was in the middle of a slide that set a record for them, had way way way too many penalties and had their goalie ran and held down for the loss. If we assume that the Rapids team is going to come into that game with some swagger and not their heads hanging, that the penalties will get reduced and that the refs who call the game will make that call (most refs would I think) because they are interested in calling it fairly and not in getting out of the building as quick as they can, Rapids should win. ER was playing great in peak form when they played Rapids the last time. Rapids was skidding out of control at that point in their season. Not good for ER going forward as the upside for Rapids has way more room to move up than what ER has/had.

[hockey59]

IMO...as I said to several ER parents after they drubbed an Anoka team that has never performed at their best against this ER group going all the way back to PeeWee's...if ER doesn't make it to State coming out of 7AA this year...they NEVER will! When they are "ON" they are top 3 or 4 in the State...the best ER team I have seen in the past 10 years. Doesn't guarantee a trip to Xcel, but they will have to underperform at Amzoil to lose IMO.

[northwoods oldtimer]

IMO...as I said to several ER parents after they drubbed an Anoka team that has never performed at their best against this ER group going all the way back to PeeWee's...if ER doesn't make it to State coming out of 7AA this year...they NEVER will! When they are "ON" they are top 3 or 4 in the State...the best ER team I have seen in the past 10 years. Doesn't guarantee a trip to Xcel, but they will have to underperform at Amzoil to lose IMO.

some of us northerners would agree with that statement. Elks are tops in the section 7aa

[karl(east)]

I don't buy the argument that Elky was "in peak form" in December. Their GA numbers against quality teams were awful the entire month. They had just as many new players to work into their lineup as Rapids and East at the start of the year. Like Rapids, they had to replace a very experienced senior goalie, and they are also working a bunch of very talented sophomores into their lineup. They've had growing pains just like anyone, and their ceiling is higher than anyone in 7AA.

Lately, it seems like they've really started to clamp down defensively. The sophomore goalie seems to be settling in, and the sophomore skaters are scoring in bunches. They have a very good injured defenseman waiting in the wings to return. Frankly, there is far greater evidence that they've improved over the course of this season than Rapids (who look like they've fixed it all up in one game, then regress back to square one the next) or East (who might be getting there defensively, but still needs to find some scoring punch and resolve the unexpected goalie battle) or STMA (whose lousy schedule makes it hard to show genuine improvement).

I still think Rapids or East could beat the Elks--Rapids has the talent, and East has the formula--but neither one has consistently gotten to that point yet this season.

[Mouse in the corner]

IMO...as I said to several ER parents after they drubbed an Anoka team that has never performed at their best against this ER group going all the way back to PeeWee's...if ER doesn't make it to State coming out of 7AA this year...they NEVER will! When they are "ON" they are top 3 or 4 in the State...the best ER team I have seen in the past 10 years. Doesn't guarantee a trip to Xcel, but they will have to underperform at Amzoil to lose IMO.

some of us northerners would agree with that statement. Elks are tops in the section 7aa

And other of us northerns would think that you are onto something for now but might be whistling past a graveyard a little bit too.

[alcloseshaver]

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

sanryam wrote:
Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

And DJ:
You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

Then someone posted the video...
and then it was gone....
???

The nice thing about that whole deal from the stand point of Rapids is that ER gave them all they had and barely beat them. Rapids was in the middle of a slide that set a record for them, had way way way too many penalties and had their goalie ran and held down for the loss. If we assume that the Rapids team is going to come into that game with some swagger and not their heads hanging, that the penalties will get reduced and that the refs who call the game will make that call (most refs would I think) because they are interested in calling it fairly and not in getting out of the building as quick as they can, Rapids should win. ER was playing great in peak form when they played Rapids the last time. Rapids was skidding out of control at that point in their season. Not good for ER going forward as the upside for Rapids has way more room to move up than what ER has/had.

Peak form? It was their 4th game in 5 days and they played very poorly against EP and only had 2 respectable periods against Edina. Playing more soundly in the defensive zone and the Soph goalie will be OK currently. Also should see the return of their top 2 man soon after a broken ankle. Peak Form TBD.

[Mouse in the corner]

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
Elks won 5-4 and one of the goals they were allowed to headlock/bodyslam Gerth to the ice while they shot it in. Worst non-call of the year.

sanryam wrote:
Nice spin. The Elks player was pushed into the goalie by a Rapids forward who came barreling in from the circle. Hence the brilliant non-call.

And DJ:
You are insane, the elks forward made zero effort to avoid Gerth, and decided since he was there he would put Gerth in a headlock while slamming him to the ice.

Then someone posted the video...
and then it was gone....
???

The nice thing about that whole deal from the stand point of Rapids is that ER gave them all they had and barely beat them. Rapids was in the middle of a slide that set a record for them, had way way way too many penalties and had their goalie ran and held down for the loss. If we assume that the Rapids team is going to come into that game with some swagger and not their heads hanging, that the penalties will get reduced and that the refs who call the game will make that call (most refs would I think) because they are interested in calling it fairly and not in getting out of the building as quick as they can, Rapids should win. ER was playing great in peak form when they played Rapids the last time. Rapids was skidding out of control at that point in their season. Not good for ER going forward as the upside for Rapids has way more room to move up than what ER has/had.

Peak form? It was their 4th game in 5 days and they played very poorly against EP and only had 2 respectable periods against Edina. Playing more soundly in the defensive zone and the Soph goalie will be OK currently. Also should see the return of their top 2 man soon after a broken ankle. Peak Form TBD.

The game they played against Rapids was very very good. Peak form. The fact that they are missing a guy now and played poorly for parts of other games points to them being human but does not take away from the game they played against Rapids.

[gitter]

This is getting ridiculous. Bottom line:

Elk River is hands down the best team in 7AA. Does that mean they will get to state? No.

If ER outshoots GR 50-10 in the section final and Rapids wins 2-1, does that mean the best team in 7AA is at the state tournament? No.

But that is what happens in 1 and done formats.

Please carry on.