Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning Thread

[Media]

LIghtning 3
Benilde 2 Final

[MNHockeyFan]

BSM 4
GR 1

I would expect it to be closer than that.

Once again, boblee is the Master. GRG wins 3-2, just as he predicted!

After scoring the first goal, BSM ran into penalty problems and GRG capitalized, taking a 3-1 lead. BSM cut the lead to 3-2 late in the 3rd but could not get the equalizer. In the second half of the game they dominated in terms of puck possession, but GRG's defense was very effective in limiting BSM's close-in scoring chances. BSM did hit the post (with about 2 minutes remaining) on one of them.

[boblee]

Wow, right on. I am in midseason form. Great win Lightning, sounds like a great game.

[hockrun]

It was a good game, but I think that GRG got pretty lucky. They definitely didn't play their best, and looked pretty unskilled against a VERY skilled Benilde team. I was excited to see and Erickson vs Bacon matchup, but Bacon dominated everybody out there. From the games I've seen this year, Bacon is definitely the best player I've seen out there.


Interesting thing happened in the game: at 14:4x in the game, the scorekeeper didn't start the clock, and play went on for about 3 minutes without the time running. Nobody even said anything, and I think my dad and I were the only ones that noticed. If Benilde had scored in the last 3 minutes to tie things up, I would have been pretty mad.


Overall, it was a physical game with lots of penalties. Benilde looked really good, but just couldn't get the puck past Bessie. Bessie was like a brick wall last night- she definitely carried the team. There were a lot of things that GRG needs to work on, and have a lot of holes in their game that Benilde revealed. Lets hope Granley takes care of these.


Another interesting note: Granley is now the "head coach" of the GRG Lightning; rumor around the rink last night was that some parent said something about Rendle not being at the Cloquet game, so Rendle stepped down to part-time assistant coach. I'm guessing that that's not good new for the Lightning...

[boblee]

GRG has consistently won ugly this season, maybe that is the way this team has to win? To say they got lucky is not true. Just because it doesn't look pretty doesn't meant they didn't play well. And if they can get "lucky" and and win when they look "unskilled" just think about what happens when they put it all together.

[hockrun]

GRG has consistently won ugly this season, maybe that is the way this team has to win? To say they got lucky is not true. Just because it doesn't look pretty doesn't meant they didn't play well. And if they can get "lucky" and and win when they look "unskilled" just think about what happens when they put it all together.

They got some pretty lucky bounces their way (ie. the third goal)... I just noticed a lot of flaws in their game that were exposed when playing a higher caliber team. The GRG girls were doing a lot of things that were resulting in a lot of scoring oppourtunities for BSM. I think that whoever was there would attest to the fact that Benilde showed a lot more skillfulness than GRG. Not taking anything away from GRG, it was a HUGE win for them, but that game could have easily been 5-1 in favor of Benilde.

[MNHockeyFan]

They got some pretty lucky bounces their way (ie. the third goal)... I just noticed a lot of flaws in their game that were exposed when playing a higher caliber team. The GRG girls were doing a lot of things that were resulting in a lot of scoring oppourtunities for BSM. I think that whoever was there would attest to the fact that Benilde showed a lot more skillfulness than GRG. Not taking anything away from GRG, it was a HUGE win for them, but that game could have easily been 5-1 in favor of Benilde.

hockrun, I'm a BSM booster and I think you may be selling the Lightning a little short as far as this game was concerned. GRG's team defense was outstanding in my opinion, and they did a great job of keeping BSM's forwards to the outside and limiting good scoring chances. GRG had several excellent setups on power plays where they could have easily banged one home, but didn't capitalize. Even though the shots were a little lopsided at 29-17 BSM, I would say that GRG had just as many quality opportunities. What killed Benilde was the string of dumb behind-the-play penalties they took, allowing the Lightning to score two power play goals. When BSM was given their power play chances they couldn't convert, even though they ususally had good puck possession in the zone. BSM also missed the net a whole bunch of times when the chance was there, and normally they do shoot much better. They seemed a little off overall, especially compared to the previous game when they beat a good Wayzata team 5-0 - the passes were much crisper and they used their speed better. But again credit has to go to GRG's better team defense - everyone plays hard and contributes, and they did an excellent job of closing down the passing lanes.

Anyway it was a big win for the Lightning as well as great competition for both teams. Good luck the rest of the season!

[eastsidehockey]

Another interesting note: Granley is now the "head coach" of the GRG Lightning; rumor around the rink last night was that some parent said something about Rendle not being at the Cloquet game, so Rendle stepped down to part-time assistant coach. I'm guessing that that's not good new for the Lightning...

Interesting, never heard of a coach stepping down, nor did i really of a coach not attending, unless an emergency but i take it this was not one? Why did he not make it?

They got some pretty lucky bounces their way (ie. the third goal)... I just noticed a lot of flaws in their game that were exposed when playing a higher caliber team. The GRG girls were doing a lot of things that were resulting in a lot of scoring oppourtunities for BSM. I think that whoever was there would attest to the fact that Benilde showed a lot more skillfulness than GRG. Not taking anything away from GRG, it was a HUGE win for them, but that game could have easily been 5-1 in favor of Benilde.

I am sure there will be a game were GRG looked like it dominated but lost. The most important thing is that this doesnt become a trend, to go down and beat BSM is a great win, regardless of how "lucky" GRG was

[boblee]

Grand Rapids/Greenway is ranked #6 this week. That is the highest the co-op has ever been ranked and I am assuming the highest either school has ever been ranked for girls hockey. Congrats to the girls for that. They will host #20 Bemidji tonight. I look for the 5-1-1 Lightning to improve to 6-1-1. I see no reason for a let down.

Lightning 4
Bemidji 2

[State Champ 97]

Grand Rapids/Greenway is ranked #6 this week. That is the highest the co-op has ever been ranked and I am assuming the highest either school has ever been ranked for girls hockey. Congrats to the girls for that. They will host #20 Bemidji tonight. I look for the 5-1-1 Lightning to improve to 6-1-1. I see no reason for a let down.

Lightning 4
Bemidji 2

I'm thinking the score is right but the winner is wrong.
Lightning 2
Bemidji 4

[southern-cross-check]

My prediction:

There will be an extra set of red lines on the Bemidji side of the ice tonight...

"You drew first blood" - Rambo

[boblee]

Lightning 2
Bemidji 1

End of 1st

Arola and Gallop for Lightning
Erickson for Bemidji

[boblee]

Lightning 7
Bemidji 5

Final

Arola with the big night

[eastsidehockey]

My prediction:

There will be an extra set of red lines on the Bemidji side of the ice tonight...

"You drew first blood" - Rambo

LOL that is pretty funny, not really sure what it means, but funny...

Sounds like no D for either team? That is a score you get when you get a bunch of "old-timers" together

[State Champ 97]

GRG played three periods and Bemidji only played two. I was very impressed with Dana Gallop. A sophmore with talent and smarts especially for a kid her age. And as boblee said, Arola had a big night. Bemidji needs to find something to get a little production out of their other lines. Erickson and Christofferson have carried the team other than that it has been slim.

[boblee]

Your report sounds very good. Exactly what I have heard. Bemidji almost took the gmae over with a big second period, though.

[boblee]

I feel a huge game tomorrow afternoon...

Lightning 8
Silver Bay 1

[Valley Eggroll]

Lightning 6
Silver bay 1

GRG-Keep the ball rolling

[ice29]

Lightning 5
Silver Bay 3

I'll keep the score alittle closer, I think Silver Bay remembers how they Defeated GRG last year. Keep the puck low offensively, away from the high floating centers.

Good Luck to Both Teams. Should be a Good Game.

[ice29]

Lightning 5
Silver Bay 3

I'll keep the score alittle closer, I think Silver Bay remembers how they Defeated GRG last year. Keep the puck low offensively, away from the high floating centers.

Good Luck to Both Teams. Should be a Good Game.

GRG 4
Silver Bay 3 Final

Game winner scored with 13 seconds left. Congrats Lightning, but also to Mariners (Silver Bay)

BobLee....... should have done your homework this week (8-1) shame on you!!! Never look past a prodominant Hockey Program, even if it's the smallest participating school in the State.

[hockeyon]

I feel a huge game tomorrow afternoon...

Lightning 8
Silver Bay 1

You under estimate Silver Bay. They may be small bet they are strong. They have talented girls on the team. Glad they showed up ready to put up a good game.

[MNHockeyFan]

I feel a huge game tomorrow afternoon...

Lightning 8
Silver Bay 1

You under estimate Silver Bay. They may be small bet they are strong. They have talented girls on the team. Glad they showed up ready to put up a good game.

Congrats to Silver Bay for putting up an excellent fight. Even though boblee may have underestimated their team, he has been spot on in predicting the outcomes. I would have estimated about the same differential as he did in this one. Hockey can be a very strange (and unpredictable) game sometimes. GRG still won, which is all that counts.

[ice29]

I feel a huge game tomorrow afternoon...

Lightning 8
Silver Bay 1

You under estimate Silver Bay. They may be small bet they are strong. They have talented girls on the team. Glad they showed up ready to put up a good game.

Congrats to Silver Bay for putting up an excellent fight. Even though boblee may have underestimated their team, he has been spot on in predicting the outcomes. I would have estimated about the same differential as he did in this one. Hockey can be a very strange (and unpredictable) game sometimes. GRG still won, which is all that counts.

I would like to congratulate GRG for defeating Silver Bay for the first time and putting up an excelllent fight. They played a great 2nd period, scoring 3 times. One period of hockey won that game for them, Silver Bay scored in all 3 periods.
It would be great if the Lightning and Silver Bay would meet twice a year, maybe in 08-09. It could be a good rivalry, along with Hibbing.
____________________
A Section 7 Fan -- AA or A * Still waiting to hear from boblee

[boblee]

Congrats for Silver Bay to be the second team in two days to give 110% in that building while playing a far superior teams. Lightning outshot the Mariners greatly, and out chanced them also. But Silver Bay did fight very hard and that was great to see.

[ice29]

Congrats for Silver Bay to be the second team in two days to give 110% in that building while playing a far superior teams. Lightning outshot the Mariners greatly, and out chanced them also. But Silver Bay did fight very hard and that was great to see.

boblee - Thank you for your response??? I didn't know that GR/Greenway play different levels of hockey depending on which Arena they play in. I hope the Greeeway girls don't have the same opinion when they have to play in the "other" - "That Building"

Good Luck to the Lightning - I back all Girls Hockey Programs, especially Section 7 !!