Peewee Tournaments
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frederick style
frederick - I am enjoying your writing "style" and the interesting info you provide in your posts/stories. I look forward to checking this thread out all season long. Please keep up the great work!!
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
The Friday after Thanksgiving was always a god sent for me. My wife is an avid shopper and “Black Friday” was always her day to play. That always meant I could play also. So while she shopped from dawn to dusk, I watched from dawn to dusk. This “Black Friday” (where did they get that term, it’s new to me), I had a quandary. A lot of the peewee tournament games overlapped. In the end, I just couldn’t pass the Burnsville and Eden Prairie tourney games. They were too good.
The Burnsville tourney had games around the noon hour, Eden Prairie in the afternoon and Burnsville in the evening. So I went. The first two games at noon at Burnsville (roughly 11:00 to 1:30) matched Anoka/Hastings and Eastview/Cambridge-Isanti. The second two games matched Lakeville South/Minnetonka and Roseville/Champlin Park. I started with Anoka and Hastings. The game surprised me. Anoka had some quality wins and Hastings was an unknown. I knew Hastings had some strong defensive talent, but was not prepared for them to beat Anoka 5-3. I was equally surprised that Eastview breezed through Cambridge-Isanti (a team with some nice wins also). These two outcomes I had not anticipated. Eastview played a solid game and C-I seemed listless. As the second round of games started, I thought the D10 teams would be better.
The second round of midday games paired Lakeville South/Minnetonka and Roseville/Champlin Park. I reluctantly chose to focus on the Lakeville game and for two periods, I was not disappointed. The score starting the third was tied in part because the Tonka goalie played an excellent game. I was anticipating a barnburner in the third period. But the refs stepped in. Near the end of the second, a Minnetonka player hit the boards and ended up on the ice for a few minutes. Initially, I felt the ref would call a minor on Lakeville South. But as time passed with the kid on the ice, it became a major. For the first 4+ minutes in the third, Minnetonka bottled up the Lakeville team in their zone, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Lakeville skated it off and the score remained tied.
Later in the third period, the ref made a strange call that defined the game. Being pressured in their own zone, I saw a Lakeville player check a Tonka player hard into the boards, knocking the puck loose. The ref’s arm went up, I thought as did those around me did, that a 10 and 2 was coming to Lakeville. But as the Lakeville skated the puck into Tonka’s zone, with fans next to me yelling blow the whistle, no whistle blew. Not until a Tonka player touched the puck. Now, I was in a neutral crowd, no Tonka fans around, just experienced hockey people. They jeered the ref as he gave the penalty to a Tonka player. The player who got the penalty may have been the one hit. That broke what was left of the game flow. Tonka hung in but the game ended quietly when it should have been a barnburner. When I saw Roseville knocked off Champlin Park 3-2 and knowing now how this game ended, I thought I had chosen the wrong game.
The afternoon was spent at the Eden Prairie tourney, held at Minnesota Made. The games were excellent, the tourney flat. Edina beat Eagan 4-1 in a well skated game. Edina continues to play very well as a team. They have no real outstanding player, but they have a number of very good players. The first period was ragged. Edina became the stronger as it progressed and started to dominate the play. Unlike Burnsville (with 12 minute stop time periods), this tourney had 14 minute stop time periods. By mid-third period, Eagan was a beaten team.
The second game was the one I really wanted to see, Cloquet versus a tough Blaine team. I knew Cloquet had chosen their team just two weeks ago. They had played 3 or 4 games and had very little practice time. But some people I knew respected them. On the other hand, their competition in this tournament has had at least 6 to 8 weeks of practice and games to Cloquet’s two weeks. Their competition should have the edge. I wondered how they would fair against a good Blaine team. They came out storming and were up 4-1 at one time before Blaine closed the score to 4-3. But at the start of the third, I felt Cloquet would be lucky to hold on to the lead. They did by ralling late in the period and putting the game away 6-3. They have excellent forwards. Their defense needs work. It will be interesting to see how they fare in this tourney against Edina and Eagan.
Both of these games were refereed by the same two refs. They did an excellent job in both games by letting the game flow. This contrasted with the games at Burnsville where the refs tended to put their stamp on the games. These Eden Prairie refs called penalties when necessary and controlled the game. Both of these Eden Prairie games were refereed by women.
Scores from games at Eden Prairie that I did not see are: Maple Grove-5 Jefferson-2; Centennial-3 Eden Prairie-2; Chaska-4 Wayzata-3; White Bear Lake-2 Rochester-1. I also heard that Eden Prairie may have beat Jefferson 6-5 in its second game of the day, but I am uncertain.
This evening, I returned to Burnsville and watched the second round of peewee games for the day. Cambridge-Isanti/Burnsville and Apple Valley/Hastings were paired in the early games and Lakeville North/Anoka and Eastview/Rosemount were paired in the late games. I started with the Apple Valley game. Hastings beating Anoka earlier made the game interesting. It was up and down at first, but Apple Valley began to dominate. They won 6-3. But I had switched to the Burnsville game by ice cleaning time. It was becoming a barnburner. That game was tied well into the third period when C-I scored to take the lead late and then added an empty netter to beat Burnsville 3-1.
Two more games followed and I stayed into the third period for the late games. As I left, Lakeville North was beating Anoka 4-1 and Rosemount beating Eastview 4-2.
If these scores hold then the Pool 1 play is a wide open donnybrook on Saturday with each team at 1-1. Apple Valley should take Pool 2 play, they would have to lose badly to Anoka for either Lakeville North or Hastings to have a chance. Pool 3 teams have two games each tomorrow with Lakeville South and Roseville having the edge. Both Lakeville South and Minnetonka play Roseville and Champlin Park.
The D10 teams have not had much impact on the tourney. Anoka is the only team of the 12 teams entered that is out of the championship round with two loses. Champlin Park would have to beat Lakeville South and Minnetonka to have a chance to make the championship round. Cambridge-Isanti, with their win over the host, is the D10 team with the best chance of advancing.
Of the D6 teams, Apple Valley seems to have a lock on Pool 2, the winner of Burnsville/Eastview game has a chance to advance depending on how many “silver stick” points the winner gets. Minnetonka has to beat Roseville and Champlin Park and gain enough “silver stick” points to get in. A Lakeville South loss would help.
Of the D8 teams, Lakeville South needs to win both their games to be certain of advancing, Hastings and Lakeville North play each other and depending on “silver stick” points, one could still advance. There is a runner-up spot for the fourth seed. Rosemount has a good chance if they can beat C-I.
Then there is the lone D2 team, Roseville. Like Lakeville South, they need to win their two games to be certain of advancing. Two days of play, and only one team of the 12 entered has been eliminated.
The Burnsville tourney had games around the noon hour, Eden Prairie in the afternoon and Burnsville in the evening. So I went. The first two games at noon at Burnsville (roughly 11:00 to 1:30) matched Anoka/Hastings and Eastview/Cambridge-Isanti. The second two games matched Lakeville South/Minnetonka and Roseville/Champlin Park. I started with Anoka and Hastings. The game surprised me. Anoka had some quality wins and Hastings was an unknown. I knew Hastings had some strong defensive talent, but was not prepared for them to beat Anoka 5-3. I was equally surprised that Eastview breezed through Cambridge-Isanti (a team with some nice wins also). These two outcomes I had not anticipated. Eastview played a solid game and C-I seemed listless. As the second round of games started, I thought the D10 teams would be better.
The second round of midday games paired Lakeville South/Minnetonka and Roseville/Champlin Park. I reluctantly chose to focus on the Lakeville game and for two periods, I was not disappointed. The score starting the third was tied in part because the Tonka goalie played an excellent game. I was anticipating a barnburner in the third period. But the refs stepped in. Near the end of the second, a Minnetonka player hit the boards and ended up on the ice for a few minutes. Initially, I felt the ref would call a minor on Lakeville South. But as time passed with the kid on the ice, it became a major. For the first 4+ minutes in the third, Minnetonka bottled up the Lakeville team in their zone, but couldn’t pull the trigger. Lakeville skated it off and the score remained tied.
Later in the third period, the ref made a strange call that defined the game. Being pressured in their own zone, I saw a Lakeville player check a Tonka player hard into the boards, knocking the puck loose. The ref’s arm went up, I thought as did those around me did, that a 10 and 2 was coming to Lakeville. But as the Lakeville skated the puck into Tonka’s zone, with fans next to me yelling blow the whistle, no whistle blew. Not until a Tonka player touched the puck. Now, I was in a neutral crowd, no Tonka fans around, just experienced hockey people. They jeered the ref as he gave the penalty to a Tonka player. The player who got the penalty may have been the one hit. That broke what was left of the game flow. Tonka hung in but the game ended quietly when it should have been a barnburner. When I saw Roseville knocked off Champlin Park 3-2 and knowing now how this game ended, I thought I had chosen the wrong game.
The afternoon was spent at the Eden Prairie tourney, held at Minnesota Made. The games were excellent, the tourney flat. Edina beat Eagan 4-1 in a well skated game. Edina continues to play very well as a team. They have no real outstanding player, but they have a number of very good players. The first period was ragged. Edina became the stronger as it progressed and started to dominate the play. Unlike Burnsville (with 12 minute stop time periods), this tourney had 14 minute stop time periods. By mid-third period, Eagan was a beaten team.
The second game was the one I really wanted to see, Cloquet versus a tough Blaine team. I knew Cloquet had chosen their team just two weeks ago. They had played 3 or 4 games and had very little practice time. But some people I knew respected them. On the other hand, their competition in this tournament has had at least 6 to 8 weeks of practice and games to Cloquet’s two weeks. Their competition should have the edge. I wondered how they would fair against a good Blaine team. They came out storming and were up 4-1 at one time before Blaine closed the score to 4-3. But at the start of the third, I felt Cloquet would be lucky to hold on to the lead. They did by ralling late in the period and putting the game away 6-3. They have excellent forwards. Their defense needs work. It will be interesting to see how they fare in this tourney against Edina and Eagan.
Both of these games were refereed by the same two refs. They did an excellent job in both games by letting the game flow. This contrasted with the games at Burnsville where the refs tended to put their stamp on the games. These Eden Prairie refs called penalties when necessary and controlled the game. Both of these Eden Prairie games were refereed by women.
Scores from games at Eden Prairie that I did not see are: Maple Grove-5 Jefferson-2; Centennial-3 Eden Prairie-2; Chaska-4 Wayzata-3; White Bear Lake-2 Rochester-1. I also heard that Eden Prairie may have beat Jefferson 6-5 in its second game of the day, but I am uncertain.
This evening, I returned to Burnsville and watched the second round of peewee games for the day. Cambridge-Isanti/Burnsville and Apple Valley/Hastings were paired in the early games and Lakeville North/Anoka and Eastview/Rosemount were paired in the late games. I started with the Apple Valley game. Hastings beating Anoka earlier made the game interesting. It was up and down at first, but Apple Valley began to dominate. They won 6-3. But I had switched to the Burnsville game by ice cleaning time. It was becoming a barnburner. That game was tied well into the third period when C-I scored to take the lead late and then added an empty netter to beat Burnsville 3-1.
Two more games followed and I stayed into the third period for the late games. As I left, Lakeville North was beating Anoka 4-1 and Rosemount beating Eastview 4-2.
If these scores hold then the Pool 1 play is a wide open donnybrook on Saturday with each team at 1-1. Apple Valley should take Pool 2 play, they would have to lose badly to Anoka for either Lakeville North or Hastings to have a chance. Pool 3 teams have two games each tomorrow with Lakeville South and Roseville having the edge. Both Lakeville South and Minnetonka play Roseville and Champlin Park.
The D10 teams have not had much impact on the tourney. Anoka is the only team of the 12 teams entered that is out of the championship round with two loses. Champlin Park would have to beat Lakeville South and Minnetonka to have a chance to make the championship round. Cambridge-Isanti, with their win over the host, is the D10 team with the best chance of advancing.
Of the D6 teams, Apple Valley seems to have a lock on Pool 2, the winner of Burnsville/Eastview game has a chance to advance depending on how many “silver stick” points the winner gets. Minnetonka has to beat Roseville and Champlin Park and gain enough “silver stick” points to get in. A Lakeville South loss would help.
Of the D8 teams, Lakeville South needs to win both their games to be certain of advancing, Hastings and Lakeville North play each other and depending on “silver stick” points, one could still advance. There is a runner-up spot for the fourth seed. Rosemount has a good chance if they can beat C-I.
Then there is the lone D2 team, Roseville. Like Lakeville South, they need to win their two games to be certain of advancing. Two days of play, and only one team of the 12 entered has been eliminated.
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oldtimer64
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:15 am
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
I saw Saturday's first round of games. Minnetonka beat Roseville 3-0, but more importantly took all 13 silver stick points. That puts them in a good position to be either the #1 seed from Pool 3 or the wild card #4 seed. They have to beat Champlin Park to do so. Lakeville South beat Champlin Park 5-2 but picked up only 10 points. If they falter against Roseville, they could miss the Championship round or end up as the #4 seed. Roseville needs to beat Lakeville South to advance. Champlin Park is out with two losses.
Burnsville won Pool 1 with a 4-1 win over Eastview (claiming 12 siliver stick points). Cambridge-Isanti beat Rosemount in an exciting game 4-3, but failed to earn enough silver stick points. They have only a marginal outside chance of advancing. Pool 2 with Apple Valley open play at 4:30.
To answer your question, I think the sleeper in this tourney is Minnetonka. They have the good goal tending. But as of this afternoon, only Burnsville is in, Apple Valley has the next best position to be in. I think Lakeville South and Tonka will also make it. But who knows, its peewees. Thats why I like to go.
Burnsville won Pool 1 with a 4-1 win over Eastview (claiming 12 siliver stick points). Cambridge-Isanti beat Rosemount in an exciting game 4-3, but failed to earn enough silver stick points. They have only a marginal outside chance of advancing. Pool 2 with Apple Valley open play at 4:30.
To answer your question, I think the sleeper in this tourney is Minnetonka. They have the good goal tending. But as of this afternoon, only Burnsville is in, Apple Valley has the next best position to be in. I think Lakeville South and Tonka will also make it. But who knows, its peewees. Thats why I like to go.
SuperRink Spectacular PWA Tournament
Quarters
Moundsview 2 - Andover 2 (Moundsview Wins in Shootout 2-1)
Superior 2 - Des Moines 1
No. St. Paul 4 - Irondale 1
Little Falls 2 - Tartan 0
Consolation Semi's
Andover 2 - Des Moines 1
Irondale 1 - Tartan 0
Semi-Finals
Moundsview 5 - Superior 0
No St. Paul 2 - Little Falls 1
Quarters
Moundsview 2 - Andover 2 (Moundsview Wins in Shootout 2-1)
Superior 2 - Des Moines 1
No. St. Paul 4 - Irondale 1
Little Falls 2 - Tartan 0
Consolation Semi's
Andover 2 - Des Moines 1
Irondale 1 - Tartan 0
Semi-Finals
Moundsview 5 - Superior 0
No St. Paul 2 - Little Falls 1
Last edited by MaxPower on Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
It's already around noon on Sunday. At this point the tournaments have moved fast in the sense that teams are eliminated, championship rounds set and semifinals played.
First the Burnsville tourney ended on an exciting note. The last game played to the last period to determine the seedings with Lakeville North pulling the upset and eliminating Apple Valley in Pool 2 play by beating Hastings and capturing all 13 silver stick points for the game. They needed them to edge Apple Valley who scored only one point in a 3-1 lost to Anoka. Minnetonka continued their quest and gained the wild card seed by playing with enough intensity to score 25 of 26 possible silver stick points in the their final two games, beating Roseville and Champlin Park. Lakeville South beat Roseville and entered the semi's with the number 1 seed playing Minnetonka with the wild card. Lakeville North and Burnsville, with the 2 and 3 seeds, played each other.
The one thing I don't like about the peewee tourneys between Burnsville and Eden Prairie is that the semi's overlap. The organizers are thinking about the 4 hour rule between games and it results in fans having to chose which tourney. I chose the Eden Prairie with a plan to see the tail end of the Burnsville games. I was not disappointed.
Edina was matched with Wayzata in one semi and Chaska played Eden Prairie in the other semi. As I said before, I wanted to see Edina and Wayzata play on a neutral ice with different refs. And there it was. Edina came out firing on all cylinders and quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. They kept the pressure on and scored 2 more near the end of the first to go up 4-0.
I felt Wayzata was too good a team to fade, but the second period started with Edina still pressuring them, but the game slowed. It went from a good hockey game to a "moshe pit". When Wayzata drew a penalty, I thought this was it; Wayzata would be on running time. But #6 for Wayzata made a play that fired the team up. Picking up a loose puck in the center zone, she charged the goalie, fired the puck and crash into the goalie fumbling the puck driving both the goalie and the puck into the net. After some discussion, the refs ruled goal. Wayzata now found it's stride and came back to add two more to bring the score to 4-3. But the Edina team became physical with their wings delivering strong checks on the Wayzata defense that eventually coughed up the puck and the fifth Edina goal, 5-3.
After cleaning the ice, the third period started. Wayzata came out trying to be physical, but they used their stick more drew penalties. That resulted in a sequence of penalty, Edina power play goal, penalty, Edina power play goal. With half the period gone, Edina had a 7-3 lead and the game was over. It ended 7-4 with the 4th goal an Edina gift from on the Edina defense as it mistakenly put a puck past their own goalie. These two teams will play again. But for now, Edina has bragging rights.
Chaska and Eden Prairie were playing next door in the other final. I saw the end of that game with Eden Prairie beating Chaska 3-2. The game seemed slow after watching the Edina game. But this was peewee hockey as I found out at Burnsville a few minutes later.
I walked into two 3-2 semifinal games, Burnsville was leading Lakeville North and Lakeville South was leading Minnetonka. I watched the end of the Burnsville game as they held on to win the game as Lakeville North pulled their goalie and applied pressure in the last minute and half. If I had to pick the game winner before I saw the result, I would have picked North; but a gutsy Burnsville team playing to get to the finals of their own tourney won out. Switching to next door, I could instantly see Minnetonka was gassed. They had made a strong run to get to the semi's Saturday, but were out of steam and lost 3-2.
The finals of these two tourneys have the hosts playing strong competition, Edina and Lakeville South. Because it will be their second game of the day, the hosts face a tough game.
An interesting note on the different scoring systems. If the Eden Prairie approach was used to score the Burnsville Tourney, then Apple Valley and Cambridge-Isanti would have played one semifinal game. But I like the "silver stick" approach. A large crowd watched the last period of the last peewee game of the Burnsville tourney last night because points were at stake that would determine tourney seeds. When I paid for my ticket at the Eden Prairie tourney, the woman commented, "I wish there were more of you. They could use the business." Behind her were the boards to the rink. The best game of the weekend was played there and she wanted more business.
First the Burnsville tourney ended on an exciting note. The last game played to the last period to determine the seedings with Lakeville North pulling the upset and eliminating Apple Valley in Pool 2 play by beating Hastings and capturing all 13 silver stick points for the game. They needed them to edge Apple Valley who scored only one point in a 3-1 lost to Anoka. Minnetonka continued their quest and gained the wild card seed by playing with enough intensity to score 25 of 26 possible silver stick points in the their final two games, beating Roseville and Champlin Park. Lakeville South beat Roseville and entered the semi's with the number 1 seed playing Minnetonka with the wild card. Lakeville North and Burnsville, with the 2 and 3 seeds, played each other.
The one thing I don't like about the peewee tourneys between Burnsville and Eden Prairie is that the semi's overlap. The organizers are thinking about the 4 hour rule between games and it results in fans having to chose which tourney. I chose the Eden Prairie with a plan to see the tail end of the Burnsville games. I was not disappointed.
Edina was matched with Wayzata in one semi and Chaska played Eden Prairie in the other semi. As I said before, I wanted to see Edina and Wayzata play on a neutral ice with different refs. And there it was. Edina came out firing on all cylinders and quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. They kept the pressure on and scored 2 more near the end of the first to go up 4-0.
I felt Wayzata was too good a team to fade, but the second period started with Edina still pressuring them, but the game slowed. It went from a good hockey game to a "moshe pit". When Wayzata drew a penalty, I thought this was it; Wayzata would be on running time. But #6 for Wayzata made a play that fired the team up. Picking up a loose puck in the center zone, she charged the goalie, fired the puck and crash into the goalie fumbling the puck driving both the goalie and the puck into the net. After some discussion, the refs ruled goal. Wayzata now found it's stride and came back to add two more to bring the score to 4-3. But the Edina team became physical with their wings delivering strong checks on the Wayzata defense that eventually coughed up the puck and the fifth Edina goal, 5-3.
After cleaning the ice, the third period started. Wayzata came out trying to be physical, but they used their stick more drew penalties. That resulted in a sequence of penalty, Edina power play goal, penalty, Edina power play goal. With half the period gone, Edina had a 7-3 lead and the game was over. It ended 7-4 with the 4th goal an Edina gift from on the Edina defense as it mistakenly put a puck past their own goalie. These two teams will play again. But for now, Edina has bragging rights.
Chaska and Eden Prairie were playing next door in the other final. I saw the end of that game with Eden Prairie beating Chaska 3-2. The game seemed slow after watching the Edina game. But this was peewee hockey as I found out at Burnsville a few minutes later.
I walked into two 3-2 semifinal games, Burnsville was leading Lakeville North and Lakeville South was leading Minnetonka. I watched the end of the Burnsville game as they held on to win the game as Lakeville North pulled their goalie and applied pressure in the last minute and half. If I had to pick the game winner before I saw the result, I would have picked North; but a gutsy Burnsville team playing to get to the finals of their own tourney won out. Switching to next door, I could instantly see Minnetonka was gassed. They had made a strong run to get to the semi's Saturday, but were out of steam and lost 3-2.
The finals of these two tourneys have the hosts playing strong competition, Edina and Lakeville South. Because it will be their second game of the day, the hosts face a tough game.
An interesting note on the different scoring systems. If the Eden Prairie approach was used to score the Burnsville Tourney, then Apple Valley and Cambridge-Isanti would have played one semifinal game. But I like the "silver stick" approach. A large crowd watched the last period of the last peewee game of the Burnsville tourney last night because points were at stake that would determine tourney seeds. When I paid for my ticket at the Eden Prairie tourney, the woman commented, "I wish there were more of you. They could use the business." Behind her were the boards to the rink. The best game of the weekend was played there and she wanted more business.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
This is a recap to the Burnsville tourney and what I saw of the Eden Prairie Tourney. First, congratulations to the Burnsville team. They played in a tough pool and came out a winner and represented District 6 well. Lakeville South is also to be congratulated on winning the runner-up.
To summarize the Burnsville Tourney games by district, D10 played 9 games in the tourney against non-D10 competition and won 3 losing 6. Anoka’s win over Apple Valley (knocking them out of the tourney) and Cambridge-Isanti pushing Burnsville by almost winning Pool 1 were the highlights. District 8 teams had a winning record against non-D8 competition (7-5-1 in thirteen games and with teams placing second and third). District 6 played 12 games against non-D6 competition and won seven. They also placed two in the finals and took First and Fourth. District 6 in my estimation had edge in the tourney because the host won the tourney, but it was close call with D8.
Congratulations also to Edina on winning the Eden Prairie tourney and on Eden Prairie in placing second. The Eden Prairie tourney drew from a broader number of districts, but with Edina (D6) beating Eden Prairie (D6) in the finals plus Chaska (D6) gaining the semifinals, D6 has to be given congratulations.
The surprise teams in the Burnsville tourney to me were Burnsville (won it), Cambridge-Isanti (almost won their pool) and Hastings. To me the biggest disappoint in the Burnsville tourney was Anoka. They can play better.
I did not see many of the Eden Prairie games, so I won’t comment on surprise teams except I liked Cloquet, especially since they had only formed their team two weeks ago. They should do well.
As a final note before I move on, I listed below my choices for best players. To me (operative words in this assessment are “to me”) these players this weekend played the best of the best. I haven’t listed a top ten, just the number of players who have made an exceptional impression among a lot of good players. I will only reference them by team and jersey number.
Eagan’s #19 is a big forward with exceptional ability. He made the gate but needs to work harder.
Hasting’s #11 is a big defenseman that needs help of teammates to really shine. Hastings has other players (beat Anoka) to give him that help, but need time to develop as a team.
Lakeville South’s #7 is a smooth skating center that will score points. He needs to discipline himself more on the ice.
Cloquet’s #11 is a smart savvy hockey player who is mature. He just needs to keep going. His teammate, #10 is almost there. If #10 brings his game up, Cloquet could go far.
Apple Valley’s #24 is a big forward that is the largest, fastest peewee A playing this week end period. He shows maturity on the ice and plays as team player. And he is a first year peewee. Bet the coaches want him back.
Minnetonka’s #1 is the only goalie I picked because she plays smart and is consistent. With her in the nets and with Tonka’s big forwards, they will be a threat in D6.
Finally, Wayzata’s #6 has to be on this list. Her goal, where she put the goalie and the puck in the net, in the Edina game to start a Wayzata rally made my day.
To summarize the Burnsville Tourney games by district, D10 played 9 games in the tourney against non-D10 competition and won 3 losing 6. Anoka’s win over Apple Valley (knocking them out of the tourney) and Cambridge-Isanti pushing Burnsville by almost winning Pool 1 were the highlights. District 8 teams had a winning record against non-D8 competition (7-5-1 in thirteen games and with teams placing second and third). District 6 played 12 games against non-D6 competition and won seven. They also placed two in the finals and took First and Fourth. District 6 in my estimation had edge in the tourney because the host won the tourney, but it was close call with D8.
Congratulations also to Edina on winning the Eden Prairie tourney and on Eden Prairie in placing second. The Eden Prairie tourney drew from a broader number of districts, but with Edina (D6) beating Eden Prairie (D6) in the finals plus Chaska (D6) gaining the semifinals, D6 has to be given congratulations.
The surprise teams in the Burnsville tourney to me were Burnsville (won it), Cambridge-Isanti (almost won their pool) and Hastings. To me the biggest disappoint in the Burnsville tourney was Anoka. They can play better.
I did not see many of the Eden Prairie games, so I won’t comment on surprise teams except I liked Cloquet, especially since they had only formed their team two weeks ago. They should do well.
As a final note before I move on, I listed below my choices for best players. To me (operative words in this assessment are “to me”) these players this weekend played the best of the best. I haven’t listed a top ten, just the number of players who have made an exceptional impression among a lot of good players. I will only reference them by team and jersey number.
Eagan’s #19 is a big forward with exceptional ability. He made the gate but needs to work harder.
Hasting’s #11 is a big defenseman that needs help of teammates to really shine. Hastings has other players (beat Anoka) to give him that help, but need time to develop as a team.
Lakeville South’s #7 is a smooth skating center that will score points. He needs to discipline himself more on the ice.
Cloquet’s #11 is a smart savvy hockey player who is mature. He just needs to keep going. His teammate, #10 is almost there. If #10 brings his game up, Cloquet could go far.
Apple Valley’s #24 is a big forward that is the largest, fastest peewee A playing this week end period. He shows maturity on the ice and plays as team player. And he is a first year peewee. Bet the coaches want him back.
Minnetonka’s #1 is the only goalie I picked because she plays smart and is consistent. With her in the nets and with Tonka’s big forwards, they will be a threat in D6.
Finally, Wayzata’s #6 has to be on this list. Her goal, where she put the goalie and the puck in the net, in the Edina game to start a Wayzata rally made my day.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Congratulations to Forest Lake, Bloomington Kennedy and Moundsview. All these teams won tourneys this weekend. Forest Lake beat Rogers in the final of the Hopkins tourney 7-0. Forest Lake beat Hopkins 3-0 in one semi; Rogers beat Thunder Bay 4-2 in the other. Hopkins took third beating Thunder Bay 3-2. The Mankato tourney was won by Bloomington Kennedy over Luverne 9-2. Kennedy beat Rochester Black 4-1 in one semi, Luverne beat the host, Mankato, 7-6 in overtime in the other semi. There was no third place game. As reported by MaxPower, Moundsview won the SuperRink Spectacular beating No. St. Paul 6-3. That is only No. St. Paul’s second loss of the season (Eagan beat them 3-0 in a scrimmage). Moundsview’ season has been up and down, winning this tourney may change that.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
I have a tough decision on the weekend of Dec 7-9. There are three good tourneys being played; Moorhead, Shakopee and Owatonna. To some, it would seem far fetched for someone to drive to Moorhead for a peewee tourney. But I did shot my deer (more then one) and part of the deer is being processed not far from Moorhead. I need to go and get it. I most likely can go that weekend or not. The real dilemma is that the Owatonna Tourney has a good field.
But first, the Moorhead Tourney. This one always has a very different draw. The organizers always try to have 16 teams entered and they all play on Friday, December 7. The winners of the first game are grouped into one eight team tourney and the losers are grouped into a second eight team tourney. The organizers do not distinguish between the winners of either eight team tourney. For those who are interested the first day draw has the following teams playing.
Elk River (D10) versus Alexandria (D15)
Moorhead (D15) versus Lakeville North (D8)
Roseau (D16) versus Maple Grove (D3)
Grand Rapids (D12) versus Anoka (D10)
Brainerd (D15) versus Rogers (D10)
Grand Forks (North Dakota) versus Fergus Falls (D15)
East Grand Forks (D16) versus Champlin Park (D10)
Fargo Flyers (North Dakota) versus Stillwater (D2)
As an added note, the games are paired on this list so that the winners and losers play each other in the quarter finals. That means winners of the Elk River/Alexandria and Moorhead/Lakeville North games play each other in the quarter finals of their respective 8 team tourney. The losers meet in their tourney also.
What I like about this tourney is that the organizers have set up the first day draw along the old “north versus south” of the Minnesota High Schools resulting in “North” peewee teams playing “South” peewee teams. Note also that last year’s North Regional grouped D12, D15 and D16. There are 7 teams from these districts entered so the North Regional is also well represented along with 4 D10 teams. The furthest south that Roseau travels is to Moorhead this year, unless their schedule changes. To catch a game with them playing Maple Grove would be a real treat. Maple Grove (D3) has lost 6 games this year, but to all tough competition (Edina, Chaska-twice, Eden Prairie-twice, and Lakeville South). The Friday game between the two should be a good one.
However, the Owatonna Tourney has a good field also with eight teams entered; Owatonna (D4) plays Cambridge-Isanti (D10), Armstrong (D3) plays No. St. Paul (D2), Rochester (D8) plays Des Moines and Omaha plays Burnsville (D6) in the first round. If you add the Shakopee Saber Paw Classic (I like that tourney name) field of Sibley (D8)/St. Paul Johnson (D1), Crow River (D5)/Mankato (D4), Shakopee (D6)/Como (D1) and Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake (D5)/Albert Lea (D4), you have two interesting more local tourneys. The Owatonna Tourney offers a number of things, a repeat look at Cambridge-Isanti; Burnsville following up winning their tourney by trying to add this one to their trophy case; and a first chance for me to see teams from North St. Paul, Rochester, Iowa and Nebraska.
I need to call the Deer Processor. He may decide for me.
But first, the Moorhead Tourney. This one always has a very different draw. The organizers always try to have 16 teams entered and they all play on Friday, December 7. The winners of the first game are grouped into one eight team tourney and the losers are grouped into a second eight team tourney. The organizers do not distinguish between the winners of either eight team tourney. For those who are interested the first day draw has the following teams playing.
Elk River (D10) versus Alexandria (D15)
Moorhead (D15) versus Lakeville North (D8)
Roseau (D16) versus Maple Grove (D3)
Grand Rapids (D12) versus Anoka (D10)
Brainerd (D15) versus Rogers (D10)
Grand Forks (North Dakota) versus Fergus Falls (D15)
East Grand Forks (D16) versus Champlin Park (D10)
Fargo Flyers (North Dakota) versus Stillwater (D2)
As an added note, the games are paired on this list so that the winners and losers play each other in the quarter finals. That means winners of the Elk River/Alexandria and Moorhead/Lakeville North games play each other in the quarter finals of their respective 8 team tourney. The losers meet in their tourney also.
What I like about this tourney is that the organizers have set up the first day draw along the old “north versus south” of the Minnesota High Schools resulting in “North” peewee teams playing “South” peewee teams. Note also that last year’s North Regional grouped D12, D15 and D16. There are 7 teams from these districts entered so the North Regional is also well represented along with 4 D10 teams. The furthest south that Roseau travels is to Moorhead this year, unless their schedule changes. To catch a game with them playing Maple Grove would be a real treat. Maple Grove (D3) has lost 6 games this year, but to all tough competition (Edina, Chaska-twice, Eden Prairie-twice, and Lakeville South). The Friday game between the two should be a good one.
However, the Owatonna Tourney has a good field also with eight teams entered; Owatonna (D4) plays Cambridge-Isanti (D10), Armstrong (D3) plays No. St. Paul (D2), Rochester (D8) plays Des Moines and Omaha plays Burnsville (D6) in the first round. If you add the Shakopee Saber Paw Classic (I like that tourney name) field of Sibley (D8)/St. Paul Johnson (D1), Crow River (D5)/Mankato (D4), Shakopee (D6)/Como (D1) and Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake (D5)/Albert Lea (D4), you have two interesting more local tourneys. The Owatonna Tourney offers a number of things, a repeat look at Cambridge-Isanti; Burnsville following up winning their tourney by trying to add this one to their trophy case; and a first chance for me to see teams from North St. Paul, Rochester, Iowa and Nebraska.
I need to call the Deer Processor. He may decide for me.
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skatehardordie
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 3:09 pm
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hockeyparent11
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:38 am
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
I have been to the Spirit of Duluth tourney a couple of times in the past. At one point, I believe it was considered one of the best in the state. But I never enjoyed the tourney because it was played at sites scattered all over Duluth (drive distance from Protor arena to Fryberger on the East Side is about 14 miles). With action at seven separate arenas this year, it lacks that tourney feel. Other arena activities still go on. I could at anytime, work out a weekend schedule of games at the seven and attend. To me the result would be the same.
The second thing that bothers me is the grouping at the peewee level tends to repeat Eden Prairie Tourney. Edina and Blaine are grouped again. Centennial, Chaska, Rochester and White Bear Lake were also in the Eden Prairie Tourney. Minnetonka will be new and adds a new dimension.
However the organizers have done one interesting thing. They have separated the team from the area and from districts into different groups. The Duluth Lakers, Duluth East, Hermantown (Duluth NW suburb) and Superior (just across the bridge), have their own group playing three teams from outside of Duluth. That covers the peewee A teams in the Duluth area and will give a good indication of the Duluth Area hockey this year. The organizers carried that approach out with the other districts, D6 and D10 each have 3 teams entered, each separated into a different group. D2 has two teams each in a separate group. There is one lone D8 team, Rochester and three out of state teams. The out of state teams are also separated.
The second thing that bothers me is the grouping at the peewee level tends to repeat Eden Prairie Tourney. Edina and Blaine are grouped again. Centennial, Chaska, Rochester and White Bear Lake were also in the Eden Prairie Tourney. Minnetonka will be new and adds a new dimension.
However the organizers have done one interesting thing. They have separated the team from the area and from districts into different groups. The Duluth Lakers, Duluth East, Hermantown (Duluth NW suburb) and Superior (just across the bridge), have their own group playing three teams from outside of Duluth. That covers the peewee A teams in the Duluth area and will give a good indication of the Duluth Area hockey this year. The organizers carried that approach out with the other districts, D6 and D10 each have 3 teams entered, each separated into a different group. D2 has two teams each in a separate group. There is one lone D8 team, Rochester and three out of state teams. The out of state teams are also separated.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
The four finalists were Burnsville/Lakeville South and Edina/Chaska. I just think Burnsville played a gutsy two games against the two Lakeville teams and showed the desire to win. Their team was a surprise and not driven by one player. I picked #7 on the Lakeville South to be on my best list. Edina, as I have said, has a number of good players. Some would point to #12, but to me Edina is just an outstanding team. One player I am watching with interest on this team is #10. I saw him skate last year on the Edina B1 team and improve as the season progressed. I have seen Chaska play 3 games this season. They are solid, but playing in D6 will test them. They have eight of their remaining 12 league games against tough teams (Edina, Tonka, Eden Prairie, Burnsville and Apple Valley).hockeyparent11 wrote:F61
Thanks for your insights on the tournies last weekend. I noticed none of your "best players" were on any of the four finalist teams. Who did you like from those four squads?
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Apple Valley has two arenas each with one sheet of ice. Burnsville has two sheets of ice and one arena. The second Valley arena is across the street from the high school and down a couple of blocks. As arenas go, it is ordinary, a relative new design. The entrance is really a warming area with a trophy case proudly displaying last year’s runner-up peewee A state trophy. Step through the inside doors and a steel girded ceiling suspended over a rink with a concession stand on the left is revealed. A small stands with a single heater above that would seat about 300 people is on the left. Lake Conference banners hang along the wall behind the stands.
It is a typical youth hockey arena and I was there to watch Burnsville and Apple Valley play a D6 game. I had seen them play on the weekend, so why post something about it tonight? The answer keeps going through my head. It was a quote “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away”. Burnsville was coming off a tough, winning Sunday, to play on a Tuesday night a team that got bounced out of their tourney on Saturday. I knew that they had to be tired. Could they come out firing? They did, on all six cylinders. Unfortunately Apple Valley came out firing on all eight cylinders and beat them 2-0 in a very good up and down game.
Both goalies played tough. By that I mean they had to play physical to keep the other team from scoring. It was that kind of game and the D6 refs let the game flow. It was 0-0 when an Apple Valley player caught Burnsville coming off the bench on a shift change, skated through four scrambling Blaze players and scored from behind the end line by bouncing the puck off the back of the downed goalie’s calf. It was a deliberate shot. Shortly thereafter, Burnsville drew two penalties and played 2 players down for over a minute. I thought this might break open the game. But the Blaze held Apple Valley scoreless. They didn’t break.
The third period was up and down with both teams having chances to score until about halfway through the period a Valley player picked up the puck inside the blue. He was going to let fire from the top of the circle, but sensed a better opportunity. He pulled the puck back, skirted a lunging defenseman and perfectly centered a pass past the goalie to the opposite side of the net from the end line. The wing rapped it home over a lunging goalie. I had seen this kind of play many times, but I had never seen the player sense the opportunity so soon. That can’t be taught.
After the second goal, Burnsville sagged a little and the game ended. They wanted to win this league game, but didn’t. They won their tourney. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. But 10 years from, the Burnsville kids will remember all the highlights of their tourney, but not one thing about this game. That’s another gift from the Lord.
It is a typical youth hockey arena and I was there to watch Burnsville and Apple Valley play a D6 game. I had seen them play on the weekend, so why post something about it tonight? The answer keeps going through my head. It was a quote “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away”. Burnsville was coming off a tough, winning Sunday, to play on a Tuesday night a team that got bounced out of their tourney on Saturday. I knew that they had to be tired. Could they come out firing? They did, on all six cylinders. Unfortunately Apple Valley came out firing on all eight cylinders and beat them 2-0 in a very good up and down game.
Both goalies played tough. By that I mean they had to play physical to keep the other team from scoring. It was that kind of game and the D6 refs let the game flow. It was 0-0 when an Apple Valley player caught Burnsville coming off the bench on a shift change, skated through four scrambling Blaze players and scored from behind the end line by bouncing the puck off the back of the downed goalie’s calf. It was a deliberate shot. Shortly thereafter, Burnsville drew two penalties and played 2 players down for over a minute. I thought this might break open the game. But the Blaze held Apple Valley scoreless. They didn’t break.
The third period was up and down with both teams having chances to score until about halfway through the period a Valley player picked up the puck inside the blue. He was going to let fire from the top of the circle, but sensed a better opportunity. He pulled the puck back, skirted a lunging defenseman and perfectly centered a pass past the goalie to the opposite side of the net from the end line. The wing rapped it home over a lunging goalie. I had seen this kind of play many times, but I had never seen the player sense the opportunity so soon. That can’t be taught.
After the second goal, Burnsville sagged a little and the game ended. They wanted to win this league game, but didn’t. They won their tourney. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. But 10 years from, the Burnsville kids will remember all the highlights of their tourney, but not one thing about this game. That’s another gift from the Lord.
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Broke Goalie Dad
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 12:46 pm
Here is a link I found to the "Moorhead Invitational Tournament" Brackets.
This will download the "New" brackets in MS Excel format.
Click the tabs at the bottom of the Excel sheet to "move around."
http://andover.pucksystems2.com/files/d ... ourney.xls
Seems like recently - Andover has taken Alexandria's spot in the tournament.
This will download the "New" brackets in MS Excel format.
Click the tabs at the bottom of the Excel sheet to "move around."
http://andover.pucksystems2.com/files/d ... ourney.xls
Seems like recently - Andover has taken Alexandria's spot in the tournament.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
I had seen So St Paul play in the Hall Of Fame tourney. The Packers played like a team with potential. But I remembered the construction surrounded Woodbury arena, an arena that I had dubbed to myself, the “Isle of Beilenberg”. Reluctantly on Wednesday night, I decided to pass up going to see them play Woodbury in a D8 game there. I had convinced myself that it “just wasn’t worth going”. I found out Thursday, that the Packers had tied Woodbury 1-1, a team that has been playing the best peewee hockey in the state. I kicked myself. That meant I couldn’t past up the chance to see So St Paul play Rosemount tonight at Rosemount. So I changed my other plans and went.
The Rosemount arena is a different arena then others in this area. It is a newer one and most people first visiting the arena, find the parking easy, especially for youth hockey. There are usually just a few cars in the lot outside the main door. That’s because the arena is a gigantic “walkout” building with the spectators entering the main doors on the upside while the coaches, teams and others use the lower entrance with its own lobby.
The result is on most nights, the main lobby of the arena is quiet. Even the concession stand is quiet since most of the parents and kids are picking up siblings in the lower lobby. There are no kids walking through the main lobby pulling equipment bags in and out of the main doors.
The rink itself is a nice one. It is bright and the lighting very good. It has one large stand on one side, the players benches and official box on the other side. It seats more then Burnsville, and has nicer sight lines then Lakeville. For those who feel the seats inside the rink are too cold, an informal set of seats exist behind glass in the lobby above the east goal. But the heaters are usually on and the inside seating is comfortable.
As far as D8 standings go, Rosemount has played only one game losing to Lakeville North. So St Paul has played 4 games losing to Woodbury and Sibley, beating Hudson besides their tie with Woodbury. But as the Brits say, “it’s early innings”.
The Packers dominated the game for the first eight minutes leading 2-0 after a Packer wing put the goalie down and tucked the puck into a wide open net. Then the Packers drew two successive penalties that they skated off as the first period ended tied with each goalie having about a half dozen saves. But penalty problems continued for the Packers as they drew successive penalties in the second period until 4 minutes were left. They did not skate full until then. But by then Rosemount had tied the score, 2-2. The tying goal came on a power play when the puck bounced off the defense and into the net.
By the start of the third period, So St Paul was gassed and Rosemount was too good a team to not capitalize. They did. In the first minute of the third period, they scored to move ahead 3-2. A minute later a Rosemount forward backhanded a fourth goal in sliding it along the ice off the far pipe.
The fifth goal came when the Packer defense coughed up the puck to a Rosemount forward breaking to the net. He buried the puck and the Packers. Rosemount won 5-2. I came to see So St Paul team that I knew had challenged one of the best teams in the state, Woodbury. I came away thinking I didn’t know what I saw. I did see a plucky Rosemount team beat the Packers. But this is peewee hockey. Things change. And sometimes things change during the season on a dime.
The Rosemount arena is a different arena then others in this area. It is a newer one and most people first visiting the arena, find the parking easy, especially for youth hockey. There are usually just a few cars in the lot outside the main door. That’s because the arena is a gigantic “walkout” building with the spectators entering the main doors on the upside while the coaches, teams and others use the lower entrance with its own lobby.
The result is on most nights, the main lobby of the arena is quiet. Even the concession stand is quiet since most of the parents and kids are picking up siblings in the lower lobby. There are no kids walking through the main lobby pulling equipment bags in and out of the main doors.
The rink itself is a nice one. It is bright and the lighting very good. It has one large stand on one side, the players benches and official box on the other side. It seats more then Burnsville, and has nicer sight lines then Lakeville. For those who feel the seats inside the rink are too cold, an informal set of seats exist behind glass in the lobby above the east goal. But the heaters are usually on and the inside seating is comfortable.
As far as D8 standings go, Rosemount has played only one game losing to Lakeville North. So St Paul has played 4 games losing to Woodbury and Sibley, beating Hudson besides their tie with Woodbury. But as the Brits say, “it’s early innings”.
The Packers dominated the game for the first eight minutes leading 2-0 after a Packer wing put the goalie down and tucked the puck into a wide open net. Then the Packers drew two successive penalties that they skated off as the first period ended tied with each goalie having about a half dozen saves. But penalty problems continued for the Packers as they drew successive penalties in the second period until 4 minutes were left. They did not skate full until then. But by then Rosemount had tied the score, 2-2. The tying goal came on a power play when the puck bounced off the defense and into the net.
By the start of the third period, So St Paul was gassed and Rosemount was too good a team to not capitalize. They did. In the first minute of the third period, they scored to move ahead 3-2. A minute later a Rosemount forward backhanded a fourth goal in sliding it along the ice off the far pipe.
The fifth goal came when the Packer defense coughed up the puck to a Rosemount forward breaking to the net. He buried the puck and the Packers. Rosemount won 5-2. I came to see So St Paul team that I knew had challenged one of the best teams in the state, Woodbury. I came away thinking I didn’t know what I saw. I did see a plucky Rosemount team beat the Packers. But this is peewee hockey. Things change. And sometimes things change during the season on a dime.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
This is part one.
It is always a problem to travel around the first tier suburbs in Minneapolis at rush hour. Friday was no different. I had to travel from St. Louis Park east through Minneapolis and be at a tourney by 5:00 on Friday. It was 4:30. I never use the freeways at that time of day, I found it was always a pleasant drive certain city streets and faster. This evening, I used 44th Street to Lake Harriet ending up on Minnehaha. The drive was always nice. On this early December evening, I drove in the grey sundown with the houses decorated for Christmas on my right side and Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek on the left. I arrived at the arena in 20 minutes, in time to watch the first period of the first game of the tourney.
The original hockey association that used the arena used to be a power in District 6. Now they have moved to District 1. Not because of the competition, but because of numbers. I saw them at their prime before their program drifted. The remnants of that time are on display, colored maroon and white banners hanging from the rink proudly attesting to D6 and state championships youth hockey championships.
I understand the aging of a suburb and what it can do to a viable youth hockey program. But the strange part of this story is that while the local public high school sank in the Minnesota hockey world, the private high school ten blocks west and one block south of the arena rose to become the dominant power in Minnesota High School. To the right of maroon and white banners hung their rewards, powder blue banners attesting to State High School championships the private school had won. The Spartan Ice Arena is not only home to Richfield, but to Holy Angels Academy.
The Spartans have always held a good peewee tourney on the first weekend of December. It too has suffered. It was, again, different this year from prior years. The peewee tourney they held last year was peewee A and B. I attended and one could see the once proud tourney was struggling to attract teams. This year’s tourney was a peewee B and C tourney. I always thought that if I was choosing tourneys for an out of town team, I would come to this tourney. It is an ideally located tourney.
The arena is located less 5 minutes from the Mall of America with shopping galore for the those disposed especially this time of the year; and an indoor amusement park for the kids ($16 discount tickets can be bought that lets them ride all day on any ride for kids 5 to 50). On top of that, there is a water park hotel across the street from the Mall. A pre-Christmas tourney should be an ideal one for out-of-town teams if the tourney could improve itself. You might even catch a Holy Angels game on a Saturday evening at the same arena.
With all these possibilities, this tournament barely makes a ripple among in Minnesota Youth Hockey. Instead the organizers have their tourney two weeks after their two peewee teams are formed. Their peewee teams held their first practice on Nov 10th. They are full 6 weeks behind other local teams and they have ice, two sheets.
Rink 1 at Richfield is a totally different arena. It is large, but cozy. It could be lighted better for the fans, but I like sitting in the end behind the net for youth games. The stands go three quarters around and for high school games I like to sit behind one of the benches. The seating is so close to the bench, you can become part of it. It is one of the few arenas that actually have a sporting goods store on the premise. I have bought many a stick from Hat Trick hockey when it was a small store in a converted house two blocks from the arena. Now it is in the arena.
My focus was on the peewee B tourney. It was an eight team, typical draw (some call it bracket play), format. Of the eight teams, I wondered how many were B1, B or B2. All these teams would be eligible. The best I could come up with is that Richfield, Bemidji, Des Moines, Crow River, and Hastings are B; Prior Lake and Centennial are B1. The Burnsville entry is a B2 team. That meant all teams should be equal, placing their next best players on the B after selecting their A team, except Centennial and Burnsville. Centennial has two B1 teams, that means they could have held a draft by the B1 coaches and split their next best pool of players between two teams. Burnsville has a B1 team that was picked ahead of the B2 team entered.
Friday night action had eight games going on in two rinks. The C tourney started early. I have always found the crowd at the B and C games to be among the most energetic and this crowd was no different. The Bloomington Bears played the host team even through three 13 minute stop time periods and scored the winning goal with 16 seconds left. By that time, I had a difficult time finding a place to stand to watch after I had come back from Rink 1.
I had moved over to see the Spartans playing a tough Burnsville team on Rink 1. Richfield started strong and had overall speed edge on the Blaze, but the Blaze had size and strength. After withstanding Richfield pressure at the start of the game, three successive rushes resulted in Burnsville goals. The period ended 3-0. In the second, the Spartans again came out with pressure, but Burnsville broke the game open by scoring twice near the end of the second. That put the third period on running time (or as the organizers called it, mercy time). The game ended 6-0. The Spartans lost but were not dominated. The saves at the end of the game were 14-10.
The second game was just starting on the C side. The White team from Sioux Falls played Mahtomedi. It had a big team that was strong, but lacked skating and passing skills. The game though was an even match, with Sioux Falls White dominating around the offensive net, and Mahtomedi in transition plays. Mahtomedi caught Sioux Falls on a shift change and scored in the last minute of the first period. It ended 1-0 and I moved over to the Hastings playing Centennial. When I returned the game the score stood 3-2, Mahtomedi leading. That’s how it ended.
The Hastings/Centennial game was a crowd pleaser and they were into this game, especially the Centennial fans. The first period had ended 0-0, but the second period became a “barnburner” with fast paced action. Hastings jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the second, but Centennial had survived a string of penalties without giving up a power play goal including two 5 on 3’s. I switched to the C side. When I returned to Rink 1, the score was 3-2, Hastings. It became even more exciting when Centennial tied the score with seven minutes left and each team had a number of opportunities to break the game open. It ended with Hastings winning in overtime 4-3.
I did not see the other games. But here are those scores. From the B games, Prior Lake beat Crow River 3-0 and Des Moines beat Bemidji 3-0. Highland Park beat Farmington 5-4 and Sioux Falls Orange beat Crow River 7-2 in the other two quarter final C games. I really enjoyed the cheering of the Centennial fans in their game. They have my vote for the fans I would most enjoy being with at an out of town tourney. They were having fun.
It is always a problem to travel around the first tier suburbs in Minneapolis at rush hour. Friday was no different. I had to travel from St. Louis Park east through Minneapolis and be at a tourney by 5:00 on Friday. It was 4:30. I never use the freeways at that time of day, I found it was always a pleasant drive certain city streets and faster. This evening, I used 44th Street to Lake Harriet ending up on Minnehaha. The drive was always nice. On this early December evening, I drove in the grey sundown with the houses decorated for Christmas on my right side and Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek on the left. I arrived at the arena in 20 minutes, in time to watch the first period of the first game of the tourney.
The original hockey association that used the arena used to be a power in District 6. Now they have moved to District 1. Not because of the competition, but because of numbers. I saw them at their prime before their program drifted. The remnants of that time are on display, colored maroon and white banners hanging from the rink proudly attesting to D6 and state championships youth hockey championships.
I understand the aging of a suburb and what it can do to a viable youth hockey program. But the strange part of this story is that while the local public high school sank in the Minnesota hockey world, the private high school ten blocks west and one block south of the arena rose to become the dominant power in Minnesota High School. To the right of maroon and white banners hung their rewards, powder blue banners attesting to State High School championships the private school had won. The Spartan Ice Arena is not only home to Richfield, but to Holy Angels Academy.
The Spartans have always held a good peewee tourney on the first weekend of December. It too has suffered. It was, again, different this year from prior years. The peewee tourney they held last year was peewee A and B. I attended and one could see the once proud tourney was struggling to attract teams. This year’s tourney was a peewee B and C tourney. I always thought that if I was choosing tourneys for an out of town team, I would come to this tourney. It is an ideally located tourney.
The arena is located less 5 minutes from the Mall of America with shopping galore for the those disposed especially this time of the year; and an indoor amusement park for the kids ($16 discount tickets can be bought that lets them ride all day on any ride for kids 5 to 50). On top of that, there is a water park hotel across the street from the Mall. A pre-Christmas tourney should be an ideal one for out-of-town teams if the tourney could improve itself. You might even catch a Holy Angels game on a Saturday evening at the same arena.
With all these possibilities, this tournament barely makes a ripple among in Minnesota Youth Hockey. Instead the organizers have their tourney two weeks after their two peewee teams are formed. Their peewee teams held their first practice on Nov 10th. They are full 6 weeks behind other local teams and they have ice, two sheets.
Rink 1 at Richfield is a totally different arena. It is large, but cozy. It could be lighted better for the fans, but I like sitting in the end behind the net for youth games. The stands go three quarters around and for high school games I like to sit behind one of the benches. The seating is so close to the bench, you can become part of it. It is one of the few arenas that actually have a sporting goods store on the premise. I have bought many a stick from Hat Trick hockey when it was a small store in a converted house two blocks from the arena. Now it is in the arena.
My focus was on the peewee B tourney. It was an eight team, typical draw (some call it bracket play), format. Of the eight teams, I wondered how many were B1, B or B2. All these teams would be eligible. The best I could come up with is that Richfield, Bemidji, Des Moines, Crow River, and Hastings are B; Prior Lake and Centennial are B1. The Burnsville entry is a B2 team. That meant all teams should be equal, placing their next best players on the B after selecting their A team, except Centennial and Burnsville. Centennial has two B1 teams, that means they could have held a draft by the B1 coaches and split their next best pool of players between two teams. Burnsville has a B1 team that was picked ahead of the B2 team entered.
Friday night action had eight games going on in two rinks. The C tourney started early. I have always found the crowd at the B and C games to be among the most energetic and this crowd was no different. The Bloomington Bears played the host team even through three 13 minute stop time periods and scored the winning goal with 16 seconds left. By that time, I had a difficult time finding a place to stand to watch after I had come back from Rink 1.
I had moved over to see the Spartans playing a tough Burnsville team on Rink 1. Richfield started strong and had overall speed edge on the Blaze, but the Blaze had size and strength. After withstanding Richfield pressure at the start of the game, three successive rushes resulted in Burnsville goals. The period ended 3-0. In the second, the Spartans again came out with pressure, but Burnsville broke the game open by scoring twice near the end of the second. That put the third period on running time (or as the organizers called it, mercy time). The game ended 6-0. The Spartans lost but were not dominated. The saves at the end of the game were 14-10.
The second game was just starting on the C side. The White team from Sioux Falls played Mahtomedi. It had a big team that was strong, but lacked skating and passing skills. The game though was an even match, with Sioux Falls White dominating around the offensive net, and Mahtomedi in transition plays. Mahtomedi caught Sioux Falls on a shift change and scored in the last minute of the first period. It ended 1-0 and I moved over to the Hastings playing Centennial. When I returned the game the score stood 3-2, Mahtomedi leading. That’s how it ended.
The Hastings/Centennial game was a crowd pleaser and they were into this game, especially the Centennial fans. The first period had ended 0-0, but the second period became a “barnburner” with fast paced action. Hastings jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the second, but Centennial had survived a string of penalties without giving up a power play goal including two 5 on 3’s. I switched to the C side. When I returned to Rink 1, the score was 3-2, Hastings. It became even more exciting when Centennial tied the score with seven minutes left and each team had a number of opportunities to break the game open. It ended with Hastings winning in overtime 4-3.
I did not see the other games. But here are those scores. From the B games, Prior Lake beat Crow River 3-0 and Des Moines beat Bemidji 3-0. Highland Park beat Farmington 5-4 and Sioux Falls Orange beat Crow River 7-2 in the other two quarter final C games. I really enjoyed the cheering of the Centennial fans in their game. They have my vote for the fans I would most enjoy being with at an out of town tourney. They were having fun.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Part two of three
I had made a bet with my son-in-law that CCO had made a conservative weather forecast for Saturday. I really hoped that the snow would stay away until mid-afternoon. It didn’t and not wanting to fight slippery roads, I called it quits and left the Richfield tourney early, wondering if my son-in-law would really collect. Yes, he would.
I did manage to see the Burnsville team beat Hasting 3-2 and noted that the Burnsville forwards were sharp. As I left, I hoped that Prior Lake would beat Des Moines in the other semifinal. They did. When I arrived at the arena Sunday about noon, Des Moines and Hastings were battling it out for third place. Halfway through the second period, a Des Moines forward backhanded a rebound by the Hastings goalie to give them a 2-1 lead. That lead held up until they added an empty netter with 10 seconds to go. Final score was Des Moines 3, Hastings 1.
Both Burnsville and Prior Lake play in D6; but in different leagues. Only in a tournament like this could they meet. The Blaze are 2-3 in the B2 league and the Lakers are 0-4 in the B1 league; but neither team has been a pushover. The Lakers have lost 3 of their games by one goal.
This championship game turned out to be a great game with the Lakers wining in a shootout after regulation and overtime ended in a 3-3 tie. Along the way, it was aided in its ups and downs by the referees who at times seemed confused.
The game opened with Prior Lake putting on pressure in the Burnsville zone. The Blaze have a counterpunch capability and they demonstrated that by rushing the puck, creating 3 on 2 situations and tying up the Laker defense. But in the last half of the period, Burnsville went into penalty mode, drawing 4 penalties, and skated short handed. Prior Lake scored twice. The first came when a Prior Lake wing split the Blaze defense and put the puck on net. It climbed the downed goalie’s leg pad and went in. The other goal came with 15 seconds left on a rebound banged in from the front of the net.
The second period opened choppy until a Burnsville line put together a series of passes that ended up with one of them jamming the puck past the Laker goalie. The score stood 2-1. After that goal, both teams went into “penalty mode” resulting in a series of power plays and 4 on 4 skating. Prior Lake teams always seem to play consistent and tough. This team was no different; but they drew a break as the period ended. One penalty was called on the Lakers just under the 2 minute mark. With one minute left in the period, Prior Lake drew a second penalty. It was Prior Lake’s second penalty that cause the time to mistakenly clear the scoreboard, resulting in the scoreboard being re-set with 5 seconds remaining in the second period. During the period break, the refs and the time keepers spent some time figuring out how to start the third and ended up posting second penalty as 2 minutes and the first as 5 seconds left (it should have been 1 minute).
Confusion over, the third period really rolled between these two teams. The temple was up and by now the game had attracted a large crowd. People were standing 4 and 5 deep along the glass and the stands in Rink 2 were nearly full. Near the end of their power play at the opening of the third period, the Blaze scored from the top circle tying the game at 2-2. The goalie was screened. Then penalty mode kicked in again for both teams. Prior Lake picked up two penalties and skated two down for 10 seconds until Burnsville drew a penalty. Skating 4 on 3, Burnsville scored from the wing with a shot that stayed on the ice and slid past the goalie with 9 minutes left. Burnsville led 3-2. And the game was just getting started.
At this point, a Prior Lake player should have come out of the box, but something was said by somebody to the ref and what resulted was a 5 minute major being posted and the ejection of a Prior Lake player. I still don’t know why. The Lakers were now down in the score, minus one player and skating 3 against 5 with one of the penalties a major. They skated it off with some thrills both ways as both teams had scoring opportunities. More importantly, a Prior Lake forward picked up a loose puck a minute into the penalty kill, slipped through the defense and scored to tie the game, 3-3. In the last 4 minutes of the third period, Burnsville drew successive penalties and skated them off. Regulation ended 3-3.
The 5 minute overtime was running time and Burnsville skated off what remained of their regulation penalty. At one point in OT the Lakers stormed the Burnsville with three quick shots from close-in only to have the puck knocked away, picked up by the Blaze as they stormed the Laker net with 3 quick shots of the own. What stopped the Blaze pressure was a whistle and another Laker penalty at 1:23. With the clocked stopped the Laker players along the far boards turned to their rooters and urged their cheering on. It got loud. The Lakers skated off the penalty as overtime ended.
A 5 player shootout followed. Each ref briefed the five shooters and the goalie from each team, warning the goalies to stay in the net until the puck is touched. The first two shooters for each team failed to score, the third for Prior Lake scored. Now one up in the shootout, the fourth Laker player failed in his first attempt; but he was given a second because one ref ruled the goalie left the net too soon. He scored. Then bedlam broke. Thinking that the shootout was a four player shootout, the Refs awarded the game to the Lakers and their bench and fans were cheering like crazy and the Burnsville bench was slamming equipment and wondering what was going on.
Realizing their mistake the Refs restored ordered and the fourth Burnsville player scored set off a loud set of cheers as the Burnsville player skated by doing fist pumps in the air. But the fifth Laker ended the game by scoring on a high hard shot from fifteen feet that froze the goalie and caught the upper right corner. The three period (13 minute stop time) game with a 5 minute overtime and shootout game ender was over. It took two hours to play. And no players (except one) or fans left the rink. Not for one minute. That’s Minnesota Youth Hockey at its best. Both teams are to be congratulated. Well done. So should the the refs be congratulated. Though confused at times, they survived and made the game entertaining.
I had made a bet with my son-in-law that CCO had made a conservative weather forecast for Saturday. I really hoped that the snow would stay away until mid-afternoon. It didn’t and not wanting to fight slippery roads, I called it quits and left the Richfield tourney early, wondering if my son-in-law would really collect. Yes, he would.
I did manage to see the Burnsville team beat Hasting 3-2 and noted that the Burnsville forwards were sharp. As I left, I hoped that Prior Lake would beat Des Moines in the other semifinal. They did. When I arrived at the arena Sunday about noon, Des Moines and Hastings were battling it out for third place. Halfway through the second period, a Des Moines forward backhanded a rebound by the Hastings goalie to give them a 2-1 lead. That lead held up until they added an empty netter with 10 seconds to go. Final score was Des Moines 3, Hastings 1.
Both Burnsville and Prior Lake play in D6; but in different leagues. Only in a tournament like this could they meet. The Blaze are 2-3 in the B2 league and the Lakers are 0-4 in the B1 league; but neither team has been a pushover. The Lakers have lost 3 of their games by one goal.
This championship game turned out to be a great game with the Lakers wining in a shootout after regulation and overtime ended in a 3-3 tie. Along the way, it was aided in its ups and downs by the referees who at times seemed confused.
The game opened with Prior Lake putting on pressure in the Burnsville zone. The Blaze have a counterpunch capability and they demonstrated that by rushing the puck, creating 3 on 2 situations and tying up the Laker defense. But in the last half of the period, Burnsville went into penalty mode, drawing 4 penalties, and skated short handed. Prior Lake scored twice. The first came when a Prior Lake wing split the Blaze defense and put the puck on net. It climbed the downed goalie’s leg pad and went in. The other goal came with 15 seconds left on a rebound banged in from the front of the net.
The second period opened choppy until a Burnsville line put together a series of passes that ended up with one of them jamming the puck past the Laker goalie. The score stood 2-1. After that goal, both teams went into “penalty mode” resulting in a series of power plays and 4 on 4 skating. Prior Lake teams always seem to play consistent and tough. This team was no different; but they drew a break as the period ended. One penalty was called on the Lakers just under the 2 minute mark. With one minute left in the period, Prior Lake drew a second penalty. It was Prior Lake’s second penalty that cause the time to mistakenly clear the scoreboard, resulting in the scoreboard being re-set with 5 seconds remaining in the second period. During the period break, the refs and the time keepers spent some time figuring out how to start the third and ended up posting second penalty as 2 minutes and the first as 5 seconds left (it should have been 1 minute).
Confusion over, the third period really rolled between these two teams. The temple was up and by now the game had attracted a large crowd. People were standing 4 and 5 deep along the glass and the stands in Rink 2 were nearly full. Near the end of their power play at the opening of the third period, the Blaze scored from the top circle tying the game at 2-2. The goalie was screened. Then penalty mode kicked in again for both teams. Prior Lake picked up two penalties and skated two down for 10 seconds until Burnsville drew a penalty. Skating 4 on 3, Burnsville scored from the wing with a shot that stayed on the ice and slid past the goalie with 9 minutes left. Burnsville led 3-2. And the game was just getting started.
At this point, a Prior Lake player should have come out of the box, but something was said by somebody to the ref and what resulted was a 5 minute major being posted and the ejection of a Prior Lake player. I still don’t know why. The Lakers were now down in the score, minus one player and skating 3 against 5 with one of the penalties a major. They skated it off with some thrills both ways as both teams had scoring opportunities. More importantly, a Prior Lake forward picked up a loose puck a minute into the penalty kill, slipped through the defense and scored to tie the game, 3-3. In the last 4 minutes of the third period, Burnsville drew successive penalties and skated them off. Regulation ended 3-3.
The 5 minute overtime was running time and Burnsville skated off what remained of their regulation penalty. At one point in OT the Lakers stormed the Burnsville with three quick shots from close-in only to have the puck knocked away, picked up by the Blaze as they stormed the Laker net with 3 quick shots of the own. What stopped the Blaze pressure was a whistle and another Laker penalty at 1:23. With the clocked stopped the Laker players along the far boards turned to their rooters and urged their cheering on. It got loud. The Lakers skated off the penalty as overtime ended.
A 5 player shootout followed. Each ref briefed the five shooters and the goalie from each team, warning the goalies to stay in the net until the puck is touched. The first two shooters for each team failed to score, the third for Prior Lake scored. Now one up in the shootout, the fourth Laker player failed in his first attempt; but he was given a second because one ref ruled the goalie left the net too soon. He scored. Then bedlam broke. Thinking that the shootout was a four player shootout, the Refs awarded the game to the Lakers and their bench and fans were cheering like crazy and the Burnsville bench was slamming equipment and wondering what was going on.
Realizing their mistake the Refs restored ordered and the fourth Burnsville player scored set off a loud set of cheers as the Burnsville player skated by doing fist pumps in the air. But the fifth Laker ended the game by scoring on a high hard shot from fifteen feet that froze the goalie and caught the upper right corner. The three period (13 minute stop time) game with a 5 minute overtime and shootout game ender was over. It took two hours to play. And no players (except one) or fans left the rink. Not for one minute. That’s Minnesota Youth Hockey at its best. Both teams are to be congratulated. Well done. So should the the refs be congratulated. Though confused at times, they survived and made the game entertaining.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Part Three of Three
As exciting as the final game of the Richfield B tourney was, it raises an interesting question. This will be only the fourth year that Minnesota Hockey has sponsored a Peewee B State tourney. But what is Peewee B?
Before the 2004/2005 season, Minnesota Hockey had only regional B tourneys. Larger associations have had B1 and B2 teams going back 20 years. I believe that the B (and C) teams are becoming more and more the core of a local association’s success. The B (and C) players provide the numbers for those associations whose program results in A level player development getting skewed and players lost.
Every season there are many B teams selected at different B levels as each association judge talent and consider numbers at the start of the season. The placement of these teams is done with the best judgment of the association based on a lot of factors including available ice. They know best.
But the association can not predict the development of players and team over the season such that they can predict a B team’s level of play (B1, B or B2) at the end of the season. The differences can be slim. For example, coaching can make a difference in a team’s development during the season. While Peewee B1, B and B2 may make sense in large associations to allow districts to organize the players initially to compete against similarly graded opponents, I believe that distinction can not be sustained through the season and a way should be found to mitigate the grading for those B2 teams and players that have improved.
The Richfield B tourney results demonstrate that distinction can not be sustained even though the season is only about a third over. One solution is for Minnesota Hockey to step in.
Most districts that have B2 teams have B2 District playoffs. But the winner has no place to go and as a result the season ends. Shouldn’t Minnesota Hockey step in at the state level and find a way to reward B2 teams for improving during the season and help the associations? A potential solution is to not have a separate B2 tourney, but perhaps to have a set up such as a regional that could feed the B state tourney or the B regional tourneys. Wouldn’t this make the B tourneys far more interesting to all participants? To allow this to happen, couldn’t Minnesota Hockey move the B tourneys back a few weeks? After all what is so great about having the B’s play the same weekend as the A’s.
For those that are interested in other Richfield Tourney B games, Prior Lake beat Des Moines 4-1 in the other semifinal. Consolation B game winners were Centennial over Richfield 9-0 and Crow River over Bemidji 3-1. The consolation championship went to Centennial, 4-1 over Crow River. Richfield beat Bemidji 10-5 in the other consolation game. Sioux Falls White took the consolation Peewee C trophy with a 4-3 victory over Famington. Highland Park won third by beating Bloomington Bears. Mahtomedi was leading Sioux Falls Orange early in the third period 1-0 in the Peewee C championship game when I had to leave.
Besides the champions, I want to congratulate both Richfield teams and Sioux Falls teams. They entered the tourney with their teams barely selected and played with distinction. My best of the best players were few because the snow and personal things limited my viewing of all teams.
#9 Burnsville is a smart forward and extremely fast. More importantly he wants to play and be a part of the game and does a good fist pump after scoring.
#00 Des Moines goalie made a number of crucial saves against Hastings to give his team third place.
#9 Hastings is a big defenseman with physical talent. If he applies himself as he matures, he will be a good player for Hastings in the future.
#30 Burnsville goalie with a lot of talent and quickness, but he has to learn his position.
As the part of the best of the best, I liked the Prior Lake team attitude with a minute left in OT when the players encouraged their fans to cheer. But as much as I enjoyed the Burnsville and Prior Lake fans, my hat is off to the Centennial fans during Friday’s game as the best of the best.
As exciting as the final game of the Richfield B tourney was, it raises an interesting question. This will be only the fourth year that Minnesota Hockey has sponsored a Peewee B State tourney. But what is Peewee B?
Before the 2004/2005 season, Minnesota Hockey had only regional B tourneys. Larger associations have had B1 and B2 teams going back 20 years. I believe that the B (and C) teams are becoming more and more the core of a local association’s success. The B (and C) players provide the numbers for those associations whose program results in A level player development getting skewed and players lost.
Every season there are many B teams selected at different B levels as each association judge talent and consider numbers at the start of the season. The placement of these teams is done with the best judgment of the association based on a lot of factors including available ice. They know best.
But the association can not predict the development of players and team over the season such that they can predict a B team’s level of play (B1, B or B2) at the end of the season. The differences can be slim. For example, coaching can make a difference in a team’s development during the season. While Peewee B1, B and B2 may make sense in large associations to allow districts to organize the players initially to compete against similarly graded opponents, I believe that distinction can not be sustained through the season and a way should be found to mitigate the grading for those B2 teams and players that have improved.
The Richfield B tourney results demonstrate that distinction can not be sustained even though the season is only about a third over. One solution is for Minnesota Hockey to step in.
Most districts that have B2 teams have B2 District playoffs. But the winner has no place to go and as a result the season ends. Shouldn’t Minnesota Hockey step in at the state level and find a way to reward B2 teams for improving during the season and help the associations? A potential solution is to not have a separate B2 tourney, but perhaps to have a set up such as a regional that could feed the B state tourney or the B regional tourneys. Wouldn’t this make the B tourneys far more interesting to all participants? To allow this to happen, couldn’t Minnesota Hockey move the B tourneys back a few weeks? After all what is so great about having the B’s play the same weekend as the A’s.
For those that are interested in other Richfield Tourney B games, Prior Lake beat Des Moines 4-1 in the other semifinal. Consolation B game winners were Centennial over Richfield 9-0 and Crow River over Bemidji 3-1. The consolation championship went to Centennial, 4-1 over Crow River. Richfield beat Bemidji 10-5 in the other consolation game. Sioux Falls White took the consolation Peewee C trophy with a 4-3 victory over Famington. Highland Park won third by beating Bloomington Bears. Mahtomedi was leading Sioux Falls Orange early in the third period 1-0 in the Peewee C championship game when I had to leave.
Besides the champions, I want to congratulate both Richfield teams and Sioux Falls teams. They entered the tourney with their teams barely selected and played with distinction. My best of the best players were few because the snow and personal things limited my viewing of all teams.
#9 Burnsville is a smart forward and extremely fast. More importantly he wants to play and be a part of the game and does a good fist pump after scoring.
#00 Des Moines goalie made a number of crucial saves against Hastings to give his team third place.
#9 Hastings is a big defenseman with physical talent. If he applies himself as he matures, he will be a good player for Hastings in the future.
#30 Burnsville goalie with a lot of talent and quickness, but he has to learn his position.
As the part of the best of the best, I liked the Prior Lake team attitude with a minute left in OT when the players encouraged their fans to cheer. But as much as I enjoyed the Burnsville and Prior Lake fans, my hat is off to the Centennial fans during Friday’s game as the best of the best.
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
One of the “holy grails” of youth hockey metro teams is to always play one those northern teams that have all that history in the state tourney. The metro youth teams that do play northern teams are always from the larger programs. But most of the larger programs high school teams do not play those northern teams in the state tourney. Tonight, I saw a peewee team whose high school has played in six state tourneys in the last seven years against northern teams like Warroad, Thief River Falls, East Grand Forks, and Hibbing. Tonight those peewees got buried by their large school neighbor 8-0.
The 394 freeway ends in a bottleneck that is under construction until 2008. Beyond the construction is the old Highway 12 bottleneck of two lane blacktop that passes under an old bridge. That bridge has been then forever, but Highway 12 has been widen beyond that as it rolls through Long Lake. On the edge of Long Lake, one turns north on Old Crystal Bay Road, a street name so long that its street sign is a square. Less then a mile north is the Orono Arena on the left.
It is a new arena as arenas go. One can see game in the rink before they enter the front doors. There was a girls youth game being played. The rink lighting was very good and the seating comfortable. The seating was fairly close to the ice surface and the sight lines were great. It was a cold night, but the seating area was not cold even with the overhead heating lamps turned off. As the teams warmed up, I found myself sitting alone. People trickled in as game time approached, but throughout the game, it was quiet. After the noise and din of the Richfield championship game; it was too quiet.
It was a District 3 game between Orono and their neighbor (5 minutes down the road) Wayzata. District 3 games at peewee A are 12 minute stop time periods with running time in the third based on score. Wayzata dominated from the start as the Orono defense had difficulty in clearing the puck and the Orono forwards failing to convert breakaways into pressure in the offensive zone.
A minute into the game, a Wayzata forward made a solo rush and put the puck away. Before Orono could recover, a scrum in the front of the Orono net resulted in an easy goal when the goalie lost sight of the puck, 2-0. The next six minutes settled into a reasonable game until another Wayzata forward worked the puck down low and snapped a high hard one past the goalie into the far side of the net. Three plus minutes left in the period, Orono was down 3-0. A minute later a Wayzata forward knocked the puck in by driving an Orono’s defenseman’s stick with puck into the net. The period ended 4-0.
With one minute gone in the second period, Orono got its first shot on net. Their second wouldn’t come until about the six minute mark of the third. By then Orono was down 7-0 and the clock was on running time. The game ended 8-0.
Wayzata has one of the best peewee A teams in the state. Definitely top 10 or higher. There are only 6 peewee A teams in District 3 and if they have 3 teams chosen from their district to go the West Region again, Wayzata will be there as a number 1. Based on tonight there seems to be only one D3 challenger, Maple Grove, in the D3 playoffs.
As I drove back to toward the cities, I drove past that “construction over in 2008” sign. On the other hand, Orono may never make it to the Peewee Regional Tourney this year I thought. I don’t know that. The season is young. But Orono has to be rated one of the best programs in the state if one rates by state tourney appearances. They have played in 5 of the last 6 State Tourneys (A) where Wayzata has played in 1 of the last 6 State Tourneys (AA). If these forms hold true, the Orono peewees I saw play tonight should be playing in the state tourney in 2010, the Wayzata peewees won’t be playing. Orono’s got a good thing going. Wayzata, I don’t know?
What I do know is what I saw in the rink. Unlike other rinks, the youth hockey banners attesting to Orono's few past championships were hung prominently over the players benches opposite the stands. They hung in plain view of the fans while tucked to the left at one end of the rink were the state tourney banners.
The youth banners were at least twice as large as the state banners. Something you don’t see very often. Now that could be for a lot of reasons, but I would like to believe somebody in Orono knows they have a good thing going. Good luck to the Orono peewees. Hope to see you at the Xcel in 2010 beating up Warroad.
The 394 freeway ends in a bottleneck that is under construction until 2008. Beyond the construction is the old Highway 12 bottleneck of two lane blacktop that passes under an old bridge. That bridge has been then forever, but Highway 12 has been widen beyond that as it rolls through Long Lake. On the edge of Long Lake, one turns north on Old Crystal Bay Road, a street name so long that its street sign is a square. Less then a mile north is the Orono Arena on the left.
It is a new arena as arenas go. One can see game in the rink before they enter the front doors. There was a girls youth game being played. The rink lighting was very good and the seating comfortable. The seating was fairly close to the ice surface and the sight lines were great. It was a cold night, but the seating area was not cold even with the overhead heating lamps turned off. As the teams warmed up, I found myself sitting alone. People trickled in as game time approached, but throughout the game, it was quiet. After the noise and din of the Richfield championship game; it was too quiet.
It was a District 3 game between Orono and their neighbor (5 minutes down the road) Wayzata. District 3 games at peewee A are 12 minute stop time periods with running time in the third based on score. Wayzata dominated from the start as the Orono defense had difficulty in clearing the puck and the Orono forwards failing to convert breakaways into pressure in the offensive zone.
A minute into the game, a Wayzata forward made a solo rush and put the puck away. Before Orono could recover, a scrum in the front of the Orono net resulted in an easy goal when the goalie lost sight of the puck, 2-0. The next six minutes settled into a reasonable game until another Wayzata forward worked the puck down low and snapped a high hard one past the goalie into the far side of the net. Three plus minutes left in the period, Orono was down 3-0. A minute later a Wayzata forward knocked the puck in by driving an Orono’s defenseman’s stick with puck into the net. The period ended 4-0.
With one minute gone in the second period, Orono got its first shot on net. Their second wouldn’t come until about the six minute mark of the third. By then Orono was down 7-0 and the clock was on running time. The game ended 8-0.
Wayzata has one of the best peewee A teams in the state. Definitely top 10 or higher. There are only 6 peewee A teams in District 3 and if they have 3 teams chosen from their district to go the West Region again, Wayzata will be there as a number 1. Based on tonight there seems to be only one D3 challenger, Maple Grove, in the D3 playoffs.
As I drove back to toward the cities, I drove past that “construction over in 2008” sign. On the other hand, Orono may never make it to the Peewee Regional Tourney this year I thought. I don’t know that. The season is young. But Orono has to be rated one of the best programs in the state if one rates by state tourney appearances. They have played in 5 of the last 6 State Tourneys (A) where Wayzata has played in 1 of the last 6 State Tourneys (AA). If these forms hold true, the Orono peewees I saw play tonight should be playing in the state tourney in 2010, the Wayzata peewees won’t be playing. Orono’s got a good thing going. Wayzata, I don’t know?
What I do know is what I saw in the rink. Unlike other rinks, the youth hockey banners attesting to Orono's few past championships were hung prominently over the players benches opposite the stands. They hung in plain view of the fans while tucked to the left at one end of the rink were the state tourney banners.
The youth banners were at least twice as large as the state banners. Something you don’t see very often. Now that could be for a lot of reasons, but I would like to believe somebody in Orono knows they have a good thing going. Good luck to the Orono peewees. Hope to see you at the Xcel in 2010 beating up Warroad.
Have you seen hopkins play?
[quote="frederick61"]One of the “holy grails” of youth hockey metro teams is to always play one those northern teams that have all that history in the state tourney. The metro youth teams that do play northern teams are always from the larger programs. But most of the larger programs high school teams do not play those northern teams in the state tourney. Tonight, I saw a peewee team whose high school has played in six state tourneys in the last seven years against northern teams like Warroad, Thief River Falls, East Grand Forks, and Hibbing. Tonight those peewees got buried by their large school neighbor 8-0.
The 394 freeway ends in a bottleneck that is under construction until 2008. Beyond the construction is the old Highway 12 bottleneck of two lane blacktop that passes under an old bridge. That bridge has been then forever, but Highway 12 has been widen beyond that as it rolls through Long Lake. On the edge of Long Lake, one turns north on Old Crystal Bay Road, a street name so long that its street sign is a square. Less then a mile north is the Orono Arena on the left.
It is a new arena as arenas go. One can see game in the rink before they enter the front doors. There was a girls youth game being played. The rink lighting was very good and the seating comfortable. The seating was fairly close to the ice surface and the sight lines were great. It was a cold night, but the seating area was not cold even with the overhead heating lamps turned off. As the teams warmed up, I found myself sitting alone. People trickled in as game time approached, but throughout the game, it was quiet. After the noise and din of the Richfield championship game; it was too quiet.
It was a District 3 game between Orono and their neighbor (5 minutes down the road) Wayzata. District 3 games at peewee A are 12 minute stop time periods with running time in the third based on score. Wayzata dominated from the start as the Orono defense had difficulty in clearing the puck and the Orono forwards failing to convert breakaways into pressure in the offensive zone.
A minute into the game, a Wayzata forward made a solo rush and put the puck away. Before Orono could recover, a scrum in the front of the Orono net resulted in an easy goal when the goalie lost sight of the puck, 2-0. The next six minutes settled into a reasonable game until another Wayzata forward worked the puck down low and snapped a high hard one past the goalie into the far side of the net. Three plus minutes left in the period, Orono was down 3-0. A minute later a Wayzata forward knocked the puck in by driving an Orono’s defenseman’s stick with puck into the net. The period ended 4-0.
With one minute gone in the second period, Orono got its first shot on net. Their second wouldn’t come until about the six minute mark of the third. By then Orono was down 7-0 and the clock was on running time. The game ended 8-0.
Wayzata has one of the best peewee A teams in the state. Definitely top 10 or higher. There are only 6 peewee A teams in District 3 and if they have 3 teams chosen from their district to go the West Region again, Wayzata will be there as a number 1. Based on tonight there seems to be only one D3 challenger, Maple Grove, in the D3 playoffs.
As I drove back to toward the cities, I drove past that “construction over in 2008” sign. On the other hand, Orono may never make it to the Peewee Regional Tourney this year I thought. I don’t know that. The season is young. But Orono has to be rated one of the best programs in the state if one rates by state tourney appearances. They have played in 5 of the last 6 State Tourneys (A) where Wayzata has played in 1 of the last 6 State Tourneys (AA). If these forms hold true, the Orono peewees I saw play tonight should be playing in the state tourney in 2010, the Wayzata peewees won’t be playing. Orono’s got a good thing going. Wayzata, I don’t know?
What I do know is what I saw in the rink. Unlike other rinks, the youth hockey banners attesting to Orono's few past championships were hung prominently over the players benches opposite the stands. They hung in plain view of the fans while tucked to the left at one end of the rink were the state tourney banners.
The youth banners were at least twice as large as the state banners. Something you don’t see very often. Now that could be for a lot of reasons, but I would like to believe somebody in Orono knows they have a good thing going. Good luck to the Orono peewees. Hope to see you at the Xcel in 2010 beating up Warroad.[/b][/quote][quote]Maple Grove and Wayzata have very good teams but Hopkins may be a sleeper in this district. They gave Wayzata a scare earlier in November 4-4 tie that Wayzata eaked out in the final 3 seconds on a contoversial goal- They have solid D and have probably the best goaltending in the district. I would not write them off just yet Frederick61. [/quote]
The 394 freeway ends in a bottleneck that is under construction until 2008. Beyond the construction is the old Highway 12 bottleneck of two lane blacktop that passes under an old bridge. That bridge has been then forever, but Highway 12 has been widen beyond that as it rolls through Long Lake. On the edge of Long Lake, one turns north on Old Crystal Bay Road, a street name so long that its street sign is a square. Less then a mile north is the Orono Arena on the left.
It is a new arena as arenas go. One can see game in the rink before they enter the front doors. There was a girls youth game being played. The rink lighting was very good and the seating comfortable. The seating was fairly close to the ice surface and the sight lines were great. It was a cold night, but the seating area was not cold even with the overhead heating lamps turned off. As the teams warmed up, I found myself sitting alone. People trickled in as game time approached, but throughout the game, it was quiet. After the noise and din of the Richfield championship game; it was too quiet.
It was a District 3 game between Orono and their neighbor (5 minutes down the road) Wayzata. District 3 games at peewee A are 12 minute stop time periods with running time in the third based on score. Wayzata dominated from the start as the Orono defense had difficulty in clearing the puck and the Orono forwards failing to convert breakaways into pressure in the offensive zone.
A minute into the game, a Wayzata forward made a solo rush and put the puck away. Before Orono could recover, a scrum in the front of the Orono net resulted in an easy goal when the goalie lost sight of the puck, 2-0. The next six minutes settled into a reasonable game until another Wayzata forward worked the puck down low and snapped a high hard one past the goalie into the far side of the net. Three plus minutes left in the period, Orono was down 3-0. A minute later a Wayzata forward knocked the puck in by driving an Orono’s defenseman’s stick with puck into the net. The period ended 4-0.
With one minute gone in the second period, Orono got its first shot on net. Their second wouldn’t come until about the six minute mark of the third. By then Orono was down 7-0 and the clock was on running time. The game ended 8-0.
Wayzata has one of the best peewee A teams in the state. Definitely top 10 or higher. There are only 6 peewee A teams in District 3 and if they have 3 teams chosen from their district to go the West Region again, Wayzata will be there as a number 1. Based on tonight there seems to be only one D3 challenger, Maple Grove, in the D3 playoffs.
As I drove back to toward the cities, I drove past that “construction over in 2008” sign. On the other hand, Orono may never make it to the Peewee Regional Tourney this year I thought. I don’t know that. The season is young. But Orono has to be rated one of the best programs in the state if one rates by state tourney appearances. They have played in 5 of the last 6 State Tourneys (A) where Wayzata has played in 1 of the last 6 State Tourneys (AA). If these forms hold true, the Orono peewees I saw play tonight should be playing in the state tourney in 2010, the Wayzata peewees won’t be playing. Orono’s got a good thing going. Wayzata, I don’t know?
What I do know is what I saw in the rink. Unlike other rinks, the youth hockey banners attesting to Orono's few past championships were hung prominently over the players benches opposite the stands. They hung in plain view of the fans while tucked to the left at one end of the rink were the state tourney banners.
The youth banners were at least twice as large as the state banners. Something you don’t see very often. Now that could be for a lot of reasons, but I would like to believe somebody in Orono knows they have a good thing going. Good luck to the Orono peewees. Hope to see you at the Xcel in 2010 beating up Warroad.[/b][/quote][quote]Maple Grove and Wayzata have very good teams but Hopkins may be a sleeper in this district. They gave Wayzata a scare earlier in November 4-4 tie that Wayzata eaked out in the final 3 seconds on a contoversial goal- They have solid D and have probably the best goaltending in the district. I would not write them off just yet Frederick61. [/quote]
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frederick61
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- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Tanner asked if I had seen Hopkins play. I have not. I haven’t seen Hopkins play. But I plan to. They haven’t many games scheduled since they placed third in their Thanksgiving tourney (lost to Forest Lake 3-0). I hope to get to the Pavilion for their game with Maple Grove on the 11th.
I do know that Hopkins tied Wayzata 4-4 in mid-November, about a week after losing 1-0 to Orono. It is that Orono loss that caused me to draw the conclusion that Wayzata is going to dominate. If Orono had played Wayzata close, then I would have a different view. However, I am aware that Hopkins, not Wayzata swept D3 peewee regular season and playoffs last year. Wayzata had to sneak into the regions with the #3 seed. So anything can happen.
I do know that Hopkins tied Wayzata 4-4 in mid-November, about a week after losing 1-0 to Orono. It is that Orono loss that caused me to draw the conclusion that Wayzata is going to dominate. If Orono had played Wayzata close, then I would have a different view. However, I am aware that Hopkins, not Wayzata swept D3 peewee regular season and playoffs last year. Wayzata had to sneak into the regions with the #3 seed. So anything can happen.