Duluth East at Lakeville North 1/13

[Slammer]

East falls 2-1. Watch out for the Hounds.

[karl(east)]

North wins 2-1, holding off a pretty good late push from the Hounds. No shame in this one at all for East. The defense has locked down very nicely since the Rapids game despite the losses, and Howg probably won his job back tonight. Now, if they can start cashing in on some of these chances...

[WestMetro]

Yes, congrats to Mike Randolph and Gunnar Howg for keeping it close. LVN just beat last likely impediment to an undefeated season. Make your plans for Shakopee Arena on February 14th, for the 25th.

[northwoods oldtimer]

North wins 2-1, holding off a pretty good late push from the Hounds. No shame in this one at all for East. The defense has locked down very nicely since the Rapids game despite the losses, and Howg probably won his job back tonight. Now, if they can start cashing in on some of these chances...

geez Karl your starting to sound a bit like DJ taking moral victories in a loss. That ain't the East way.

[karl(east)]

North wins 2-1, holding off a pretty good late push from the Hounds. No shame in this one at all for East. The defense has locked down very nicely since the Rapids game despite the losses, and Howg probably won his job back tonight. Now, if they can start cashing in on some of these chances...

geez Karl your starting to sound a bit like DJ taking moral victories in a loss. That ain't the East way.

We East fans like to be level-headed and realistic, and build on recent results. Unlike the fans of a certain other 7AA program.

[Sats81]

Don't anyone let this scrappy and well coached Hounds team fool you!

I would NOT be surprised one bit if they are playing in St. Paul come March after dust settles in 7AA.

Thought they played a very good game last night. Sure, they aren't the usual talent filled Hounds we are all acustomed to, however, they are well coached as always and play very hard.

Thought the goalie was diff maker last night as he robbed LN more than once.

Good game.

[hockey59]

[quote="Sats81"]Don't anyone let this scrappy and well coached Hounds team fool you!

I would NOT be surprised one bit if they are playing in St. Paul come March after dust settles in 7AA.

Thought they played a very good game last night. Sure, they aren't the usual talent filled Hounds we are all acustomed to, however, they are well coached as always and play very hard.

Thought the goalie was diff maker last night as he robbed LN more than once.

Good game.[/quote]I think your DE alma mater factor is showing here, and I tend to agree with Northwoods on this...when did moral victory become in vogue regarding DE. I'd say GR right now is the biggest threat to ER in 7AA, but they are more than capable of trending the other way quickly. The team that keeps the score down and gets to ER's goalie in 7AA is ER's biggest threat...but it's ER's section to lose at this point.

[Sats81]

Don't anyone let this scrappy and well coached Hounds team fool you!

I would NOT be surprised one bit if they are playing in St. Paul come March after dust settles in 7AA.

Thought they played a very good game last night. Sure, they aren't the usual talent filled Hounds we are all acustomed to, however, they are well coached as always and play very hard.

Thought the goalie was diff maker last night as he robbed LN more than once.

Good game.

I think your DE alma mater factor is showing here, and I tend to agree with Northwoods on this...when did moral victory become in vogue regarding DE. I'd say GR right now is the biggest threat to ER in 7AA, but they are more than capable of trending the other way quickly. The team that keeps the score down and gets to ER's goalie in 7AA is ER's biggest threat...but it's ER's section to lose at this point.

I am not a DE alum. Was at the game and just sharing my observations

[hockey59]

My mistake Sats...had you confused with West Metro:) I think the Burnsville game at BN will be the most challenging remaining reg season game for LN

[Sats81]

My mistake Sats...had you confused with West Metro:) I think the Burnsville game at BN will be the most challenging remaining reg season game for LN

Hah, no worries. I think Farmington is the toughest remaining reg season game. Burnsville, PL and South won't be easy either.

Can't overlook anyone.

[nahc]

Was also at the game last night. Great game!! Duluth's goaltender stole the show with some huge saves! Game could have just as easily been 5-1. Duluth East will make some noise in the Sections. Coach Randolph will have this team ready........ Having said that, Coach Trent and his staff are doing a great job with the North kids. They have a bulls eye on the chest every game and their ranking brings out the best in the teams they play. The team has taken on all comers so far this season and has beaten some very good teams. I still don't think the Panthers will go undefeated since a bounce here, a deflection there, a 10 minute major call, flu virus hitting, etc all can lead to a loss. Anyone else a bit suprised by the lack of noise in the arena last night except for the band? I know that the North boys basketball team played a home game with Apple Valley last night just up the hill which am sure took away fans from the hockey game......... just saying....

[Sats81]

Was also at the game last night. Great game!! Duluth's goaltender stole the show with some huge saves! Game could have just as easily been 5-1. Duluth East will make some noise in the Sections. Coach Randolph will have this team ready........ Having said that, Coach Trent and his staff are doing a great job with the North kids. They have a bulls eye on the chest every game and their ranking brings out the best in the teams they play. The team has taken on all comers so far this season and has beaten some very good teams. I still don't think the Panthers will go undefeated since a bounce here, a deflection there, a 10 minute major call, flu virus hitting, etc all can lead to a loss. Anyone else a bit suprised by the lack of noise in the arena last night except for the band? I know that the North boys basketball team played a home game with Apple Valley last night just up the hill which am sure took away fans from the hockey game......... just saying....

Woody-

Glad you could make it last night big guy! Any predictions for rest of the season?

[nahc]

Sats:

Predictions?!! Edina, St. Thomas, Hill Murray, Bemidji, Duluth East, Benilde, Eden Prarie, Farmington, North......... all very good teams who if they get on a role with hot goaltending, could win it all. Teams are a lot differant in late February compared to December. Some teams get a lot better..... some don't. Sections always produce some upsets..... so am not going to jinx anyone.... :) Should be a shootout the rest of the season for Section seeding. Teams are playing within their conferences which can certainly clear things up a bit heading into the season ending stretch run. Goaltending will be the key....... one of the teams mentioned above could take a deep run in the playoffs with a hot goalie.....

Will leave the predicting up to Karl and Elliott!!!!! They are the experts!!

[elliott70]

Sats:

Predictions?!! Edina, St. Thomas, Hill Murray, Bemidji, Duluth East, Benilde, Eden Prarie, Farmington, North......... all very good teams who if they get on a role with hot goaltending, could win it all. Teams are a lot differant in late February compared to December. Some teams get a lot better..... some don't. Sections always produce some upsets..... so am not going to jinx anyone.... :) Should be a shootout the rest of the season for Section seeding. Teams are playing within their conferences which can certainly clear things up a bit heading into the season ending stretch run. Goaltending will be the key....... one of the teams mentioned above could take a deep run in the playoffs with a hot goalie.....

Will leave the predicting up to Karl and Elliott!!!!! They are the experts!!

I don't know if we are the experts, but I am certainly an expert.
At least in my mind.

[WestMetro]

Yes, no remaining games should be thought of as EASY for the Panthers with their pending place in history.

But since they just beat my alma mater Hounds Coach Randolph, they have now beaten the three most wily long experienced AA opponent coaches in the state who are each themselves worth a couple goals in big games (even if they dont win) due to their strategy planning, motivation, and execution . They have also beaten rising stars. So, they should be able to take care of the rest of the schedule, who they have seen once each already i think..

I too believe, as someone mentioned earlier in this post or another, their top two lines are both now performing better than Edinas or STAs, and frankly top two D pairs also. MAYBE, just maybe, their depth at line 3 and 4 is a little worse than Edina, which sometimes can be a factor in late Feb or March, especially if any injuries develop and to avoid people making mistakes when gassed. ( I have to give Giles credit for the amount of playing time he is giving everyone on his roster including his 99s, in anticipation of the long and difficult schedule through March. ) Goaltending favors LVN also, with Edquist deeper experience at SSM, but in fairness Boe doing very well in his first full time season. And Snow has been rising to occasion also.

I am anticipating parking problems in the South Metro for remaining LVN games regardless of arena. And I promised myself to get around to other team best pairings also. So, I will next see the Panther faithful at the Southwest Metro Shakopee Arena on Feb 14th for the 25th win. After that, at the X , since I wont get down to Rochester.

[elliott70]

Yes, no remaining games should be thought of as EASY for the Panthers with their pending place in history.

But since they just beat my alma mater Hounds Coach Randolph, they have now beaten the three most wily long experienced AA opponent coaches in the state who are each themselves worth a couple goals in big games (even if they dont win) due to their strategy planning, motivation, and execution . They have also beaten rising stars. So, they should be able to take care of the rest of the schedule, who they have seen once each already i think..

I too believe, as someone mentioned earlier in this post or another, their top two lines are both now performing better than Edinas or STAs, and frankly top two D pairs also. MAYBE, just maybe, their depth at line 3 and 4 is a little worse than Edina, which sometimes can be a factor in late Feb or March, especially if any injuries develop and to avoid people making mistakes when gassed. ( I have to give Giles credit for the amount of playing time he is giving everyone on his roster including his 99s, in anticipation of the long and difficult schedule through March. ) Goaltending favors LVN also, with Edquist deeper experience at SSM, but in fairness Boe doing very well in his first full time season. And Snow has been rising to occasion also.

I am anticipating parking problems in the South Metro for remaining LVN games regardless of arena. And I promised myself to get around to other team best pairings also. So, I will next see the Panther faithful at the Southwest Metro Shakopee Arena on Feb 14th for the 25th win. After that, at the X , since I wont get down to Rochester.

They are expected to be there and a surprise, nay shock, if not there; however, they still need to win to get there and Frmngtn and LS (others?) want to play at the X also.

[Sats81]

Yes, no remaining games should be thought of as EASY for the Panthers with their pending place in history.

But since they just beat my alma mater Hounds Coach Randolph, they have now beaten the three most wily long experienced AA opponent coaches in the state who are each themselves worth a couple goals in big games (even if they dont win) due to their strategy planning, motivation, and execution . They have also beaten rising stars. So, they should be able to take care of the rest of the schedule, who they have seen once each already i think..

I too believe, as someone mentioned earlier in this post or another, their top two lines are both now performing better than Edinas or STAs, and frankly top two D pairs also. MAYBE, just maybe, their depth at line 3 and 4 is a little worse than Edina, which sometimes can be a factor in late Feb or March, especially if any injuries develop and to avoid people making mistakes when gassed. ( I have to give Giles credit for the amount of playing time he is giving everyone on his roster including his 99s, in anticipation of the long and difficult schedule through March. ) Goaltending favors LVN also, with Edquist deeper experience at SSM, but in fairness Boe doing very well in his first full time season. And Snow has been rising to occasion also.

I am anticipating parking problems in the South Metro for remaining LVN games regardless of arena. And I promised myself to get around to other team best pairings also. So, I will next see the Panther faithful at the Southwest Metro Shakopee Arena on Feb 14th for the 25th win. After that, at the X , since I wont get down to Rochester.

They don't even have a 4th line...and their 3rd line is shaky at best. I would give Edina a huge advantage over LN's 3rd line. LN 2nd line has to be best in state though, as there is very little drop off from Poehling line....

[nahc]

Sats:

But as we found out when North won the Section when Justin Kloos was a Junior, ya can't count anyone out when the tourney starts!!! If I remember correctly, South beat North quite handly in both games during the season and were heavily favored in the Section final........ South chose to ride their big dog line as much as possible that evening...... didn't work out........ :) In the playoffs, a team very much needs 3 lines because of the long grind and number of games played in a short period of time, especially at State......

[thespellchecker]

One missing piece, Dodge County does not have a Charlie Lindgren to upset North. Held a junior Kloos class at bay.

[almostashappy]

They don't even have a 4th line...and their 3rd line is shaky at best. I would give Edina a huge advantage over LN's 3rd line. LN 2nd line has to be best in state though, as there is very little drop off from Poehling line....

Do you even need a fourth line at the Tourney with all of the television timeouts? You won't see much of the LN third line either, so having a deeper bench isn't going to be a huge advantage unless you're willing to see your third line matched against LN's top line.

Poehlings might log more ice time than Wolff and Muck did last year.

[Defensive Zone]

Sats:

But as we found out when North won the Section when Justin Kloos was a Junior, ya can't count anyone out when the tourney starts!!! If I remember correctly, South beat North quite handly in both games during the season and were heavily favored in the Section final........ South chose to ride their big dog line as much as possible that evening...... didn't work out........ :) In the playoffs, a team very much needs 3 lines because of the long grind and number of games played in a short period of time, especially at State......

Both coaches on the south side are still riding two lines big time. It must be in the drinking water. When the two teams (coaches) go head to head again (Jan.31), they could both never take their first line off the ice. This would be interesting to see. Just my thoughts.

[Defensive Zone]

Sats:

But as we found out when North won the Section when Justin Kloos was a Junior, ya can't count anyone out when the tourney starts!!! If I remember correctly, South beat North quite handly in both games during the season and were heavily favored in the Section final........ South chose to ride their big dog line as much as possible that evening...... didn't work out........ :) In the playoffs, a team very much needs 3 lines because of the long grind and number of games played in a short period of time, especially at State......

Both coaches on the south side are still riding two lines big time. It must be in the drinking water. When the two teams (coaches) go head to head again (Jan.31), they could both never take their first line off the ice. This would be interesting to see. Just my thoughts.

[Defensive Zone]

Sats:

But as we found out when North won the Section when Justin Kloos was a Junior, ya can't count anyone out when the tourney starts!!! If I remember correctly, South beat North quite handly in both games during the season and were heavily favored in the Section final........ South chose to ride their big dog line as much as possible that evening...... didn't work out........ :) In the playoffs, a team very much needs 3 lines because of the long grind and number of games played in a short period of time, especially at State......

Both coaches on the south side are still riding two lines big time. It must be in the drinking water. When the two teams (coaches) go head to head again (Jan.31), they could both never take their first lines off the ice. This would be interesting to see. Just my thoughts.

[northwoods oldtimer]

North wins 2-1, holding off a pretty good late push from the Hounds. No shame in this one at all for East. The defense has locked down very nicely since the Rapids game despite the losses, and Howg probably won his job back tonight. Now, if they can start cashing in on some of these chances...

geez Karl your starting to sound a bit like DJ taking moral victories in a loss. That ain't the East way.

We East fans like to be level-headed and realistic, and build on recent results. Unlike the fans of a certain other 7AA program.

Where is DJ?

[Sats81]

Sats:

But as we found out when North won the Section when Justin Kloos was a Junior, ya can't count anyone out when the tourney starts!!! If I remember correctly, South beat North quite handly in both games during the season and were heavily favored in the Section final........ South chose to ride their big dog line as much as possible that evening...... didn't work out........ :) In the playoffs, a team very much needs 3 lines because of the long grind and number of games played in a short period of time, especially at State......

Couple of things regarding your post and that LN LS section final in 2011 when Kloos was a Jr:

1) Not that it should be used as an excuse, but I know as a fact Kloos was so sick he could barely move before game time. You win as a team and lose as a team, but anyone who knows about LS and Weber the 3 years Kloos played there, knows that Kloos singlehandedly willed LS to a lot of Wins over the span and he logged probably more ice than any HS player in recent memory.

2) Lindgren had the game of his life and stole that game for LN.

3) That loss may have been the best thing for HS hockey in MN for the following season because that was likely the biggest reason Kloos chose to come back and play his SR year...to get to the X with his group. Pretty cool.