Schwan's Blues Invitational

[OntheEdge]

I wasn't able to attend any of the tournament games this weekend but I understand that this team played very shorthanded for most of their games. Several players were sick or had other commitments which left them with just 9-11 players on some days and they ran out of gas against other full rosters.

Overall it sounds like there was some good hockey played with many close games - nice to see such balance spread across so many teams.

I think your understanding is correct. This All-Star team was usually shorthanded and there were a couple of girls that were returning for the first time from some serious injuries (Domass and Gilbert). However, as seems to be typical in girls hockey, the younger girls were not intimidated by the older players. In the 3rd place game the younger (primarily sophomore) Icecats beat the older Icecat team (primarily Seniors) and in the Championship Game, the Jr. Whitecaps - Silver won (which is mostly a Junior team) but the Blades (in general a freshman/sophomore team) gave them all they could handle. The quality of play in girls hockey gets better every year.

All they could handle. I thought the Blades controlled as much or more of the game and had the greater scoring chances. The extra line the White Caps had may have been the difference down the stretch were I felt that, and being the more experienced team, helped them prevailed at the end. They have to feel very fortunate to have won…but it’s the eye of the beholder I guess

I think of hockey like I think about my golf game. In hockey everyone has an opinion justified by scoring opportunities, skating, shots on goal but the bottom line is who won the game. In my golf game I shoot 81 and think "if I only didn't miss those 2 putts under 5 feet I could have broken 80" however I tend to forget about the 40 foot putt that somehow finds the bottom of the cup or the ball that hit a sprinkler head and didn't go into the water.

In other words, analyzing and explaning why something didn't turn out in your favor is human nature but its the score on the card that counts.

[hockeyheaven]

I could not agree more with your assessment, and by all means congrats all around to the Whitecaps for their well deserved Championship. My comments were made only in an attempt to see that the incredible effort put on by those young Blades, was not overlooked.

[Melvin44]

All they could handle. I thought the Blades controlled as much or more of the game and had the greater scoring chances. The extra line the White Caps had may have been the difference down the stretch were I felt that, and being the more experienced team, helped them prevailed at the end. They have to feel very fortunate to have won…but it’s the eye of the beholder I guess [/quote]


I do love ya HH but I'll have to dissagree with you on the Blades controlling the play. and yes it's the eye of the beholder.

This is how my eyes saw it.

Your Blades are a very talented group and can play with anyone! but other than the 2 shorthanded goals and power plays. The Jr. Whitecaps in my opinion controlled play and had more scoring chances. 1 post and at least 6 scrambles in front of the net while the Blades chances were Ramsey taking 10 slapshots from the point on the power play and not much in close. Yes, We'll have to agree to disagree. I'll give you the Jr. Whitecaps were fortunate to have won.

It will be fun to watch them play again. Great hockey.

[iceage]

while the Blades chances were Ramsey taking 10 slapshots from the point on the power play .

I would (and have) gone to Minnetonka games just to watch Ramsey take slap shots from the point. There is more to hockey than just the final score.

[Melvin44]

while the Blades chances were Ramsey taking 10 slapshots from the point on the power play .

I would (and have) gone to Minnetonka games just to watch Ramsey take slap shots from the point. There is more to hockey than just the final score.

Just wanted to say. I do like watching Ramsey and I feel she has one of the hardest shots around and a special player. My point was that they were the Blades best scoring chances and on the power play. I was pointing out to HH that a team doesn't dominate play with only those scoring chances.

There is more to hockey and I would rather watch teams keep attacking and controlling play by cyclling, making passes and never giving up. Which I felt the Jr Whitecaps did.