Hill-Murray vs. Roseau Semifinal

[Pucknutz69]

Remember that check Ness took in the Blaine game. Where he went into the boards backwards and hit low on the boards with his back/neck area?

Rumor has it he was still feeling a little woozy, not confirmed but could explain why he wasn't at his best vs Hill. Still seeing cobwebs maybe? Too bad if that's the case hope no lasting effects if it was true.

[Zeke16]

Here is another Great BIAFP prediction:

After seeing both teams last night I would have to say Roseau 12 and Hill Murray 2.

DDDUUHHHHHHHHHHH

[O-townClown]

Here is another Great BIAFP prediction:

After seeing both teams last night I would have to say Roseau 12 and Hill Murray 2.

DDDUUHHHHHHHHHHH

Zeke, poor BIAFP really didn't want to believe that Roseau wasn't the current version of that great Jefferson team. I've seen enough sports to know everyone looks unbeatable until they get beat (see K-State taking it to an Oklahoma team considered to be as good as any CFB squad ever).

With how badly they got drilled in the 3rd game, I can't help but compare them to Mike Tyson. Utterly dominant, he destroyed many good fighters until Buster Douglas stole the belt. He never showed the dominance again and his career ended sadly with the memories of his sideshow finishes.

The Roseau Rams didn't bite anyone's ear, but their season ended with the immortals (Lee, Ness) looking like ordinary guys and the perception of superiority being exposed as a myth.

I don't think there's much for BIAFP to say. Edina may win their 10th title tonight and he'll still try to argue that. Sad for those in Roseau is that the MSHSL will recongnize member-school Edina High with 7 if they do, and that's as many as Roseau High. Still, the community is at 9 and counting.

Should be a great finale. Hill has played very well.

[61ache]

Here is another Great BIAFP prediction:

The Roseau Rams didn't bite anyone's ear, but their season ended with the immortals (Lee, Ness) looking like ordinary guys and the perception of superiority being exposed as a myth.

Should be a great finale. Hill has played very well.

Truely ordinary players that won 40 in a row and a state championship

[Roseauverrated]

It's about time Roseau finally gets put in their place. They didn't play anyone good the whole year and were very overrated. I was sick and tired of hearing everyone be like "25-0 and defending state champs". The fact is they didn't play anyone good the whole year and aren't the godly team they were built up to be. At best they're #5 in state.

[Warroad97]

It's about time Roseau finally gets put in their place. They didn't play anyone good the whole year and were very overrated. I was sick and tired of hearing everyone be like "25-0 and defending state champs". The fact is they didn't play anyone good the whole year and aren't the godly team they were built up to be. At best they're #5 in state.

Starting to wonder if they didnt roll over your team sometime this past season? If Hill wins tonight and at this point its 2-0, then I want it to be said Edina is overated too. Roseau lost today when it was crushed. Winning state last season was huge for the town but this was the season everyone pointed too as the year they figured it would. It didnt, they lost a rough tough game to Hill who looks tough against who many said was the best team in the state Edina. Todays game against BSM proves only that Roseau had lost its heart last night. Roseau didnt go to win 3rd they wanted the title and when it didnt happen last night I knew they wouldnt win today, on top of that they played alot of the seniors who hadnt seen much ice time at state. It was good to see. Was a really nice touch seeing Levi get alittle playing time too

[MNHockeyfan07]

The Roseau Rams didn't bite anyone's ear, but their season ended with the immortals (Lee, Ness) looking like ordinary guys and the perception of superiority being exposed as a myth.

Hmmm... Clown, using your rationale, it would appear that any "superiority" previously enjoyed by the Hornets has also been exposed as a myth.

Personally, I don't think so. I think Edina simply ran into the same thing Roseau did. A H-M team on a roll that peaked at precisely the right time, along with a WHITE HOT goalie.

At least the sheep got something past Phillippi. So I'm wondering if Edina looked as "ordinary" to you tonight as Roseau did last night?

[Ram_Fan_Forever]

Please excuse this long winded comment. As a former Ram it was hard to watch Roseau unravel in the end. But I'm confident they'll be back next year, as the Butsy Erickson coached Bantams are once again in the state tourney and will undoubtedly send a few strong players Oliver’s way for next year. As I read these threads, I have a few thoughts…

Kudos to Hill-Murray for what proved to be a brilliant strategy. I’d never have guessed their P-K could pull off what they did. That, more than any other factor is what won the title for H-M. It allowed them to be more physical, which slowed Roseau way down and completely took them off their game plan. I would have expected Roseau’s P-P to make them pay, but neither they nor Edina’s could make that happen.

There seems to be quite a bit of “piling on” to the theory that Roseau never was deserving of their pre-tournament reputation. I haven’t read all these threads, but if there were Roseau fans who acted like the Rams were invincible, they were obviously wrong and I apologize for that. After witnessing the H-M game, I’ve concluded hockey is probably a lot more like golf than I previously thought. Anyone who follows golf knows how fine the line can be between champ and chump. When the pivotal goal was waived off, it was the psychological equivalent to your faltering golf opponent snapping one OB, only to later discover that it hit a tree and actually bounced right onto the green. Huge psychological boost for Hill, and a huge deflator for Roseau, and to me it was unquestionably the turning point of the season for Roseau. Their momentum might have continued had that episode never occurred, but the fact is ended right then and there. The B-SM game only showed the extent to which the Rams were unable to regain their will to win. I consider Roseau’s recent teams to be the epitome of over-achievement, and they showed us all just how far they had to fall when the wheels started coming off. We’ll never know what might have happened had the gap been closed to 3-2, but I doubt most of the Pioneer faithful will ever appreciate how close the Rams were to an epic comeback in that 3rd period.

I’m also still uncertain what affect Roseau’s lopsided win over Blaine had on their psyche, but I’m convinced it played a role in the subsequent downfall. I suspect the FSN televised struggle H-M had with a much weaker Moorhead in their regular season final also may have contributed to a subconscious false sense of security for Roseau going into the semis. Blaine was considered by many the toughest unseeded team, and the supposedly weakest, Lakeville, gave H-M a fair test. One theory is the relatively easy win over Blaine created an uncharacteristic and ill-timed bubble of overconfidence that burst very quickly against H-M, and the Rams simply couldn’t recover from a 3-0 hole with Philippi as hot as he was. My other theory is that every team has a finite “tank” of emotion coming into the state tournament, and the Rams simply poured too much out against Blaine. In their exuberance to prove they still deserved to be on top, maybe they momentarily forgot they had two more games to go, and the tank ran prematurely dry against H-M. I was impressed how often Lechner always kept any celebrating in check throughout the tournament, and I think that paid off for H-M.

I'm very proud of the Rams, they had a great run in an environment that on paper they had no business even being in. At the end of the day, it’s all a learning experience for the seven teams who didn’t win, and the beginning of a marvelous and lifelong reason to celebrate for the one that did. I’m not a H-M fan, but they provided a great show for the fans in shutting down the two top seeds back to back. They are deserving champions. Congratulations to the Pioneers!

[Quietmale]

Please excuse this long winded comment. As a former Ram it was hard to watch Roseau unravel in the end. But I'm confident they'll be back next year, as the Butsy Erickson coached Bantams are once again in the state tourney and will undoubtedly send a few strong players Oliver’s way for next year. As I read these threads, I have a few thoughts…

Kudos to Hill-Murray for what proved to be a brilliant strategy. I’d never have guessed their P-K could pull off what they did. That, more than any other factor is what won the title for H-M. It allowed them to be more physical, which slowed Roseau way down and completely took them off their game plan. I would have expected Roseau’s P-P to make them pay, but neither they nor Edina’s could make that happen.

There seems to be quite a bit of “piling on” to the theory that Roseau never was deserving of their pre-tournament reputation. I haven’t read all these threads, but if there were Roseau fans who acted like the Rams were invincible, they were obviously wrong and I apologize for that. After witnessing the H-M game, I’ve concluded hockey is probably a lot more like golf than I previously thought. Anyone who follows golf knows how fine the line can be between champ and chump. When the pivotal goal was waived off, it was the psychological equivalent to your faltering golf opponent snapping one OB, only to later discover that it hit a tree and actually bounced right onto the green. Huge psychological boost for Hill, and a huge deflator for Roseau, and to me it was unquestionably the turning point of the season for Roseau. Their momentum might have continued had that episode never occurred, but the fact is ended right then and there. The B-SM game only showed the extent to which the Rams were unable to regain their will to win. I consider Roseau’s recent teams to be the epitome of over-achievement, and they showed us all just how far they had to fall when the wheels started coming off. We’ll never know what might have happened had the gap been closed to 3-2, but I doubt most of the Pioneer faithful will ever appreciate how close the Rams were to an epic comeback in that 3rd period.

I’m also still uncertain what affect Roseau’s lopsided win over Blaine had on their psyche, but I’m convinced it played a role in the subsequent downfall. I suspect the FSN televised struggle H-M had with a much weaker Moorhead in their regular season final also may have contributed to a subconscious false sense of security for Roseau going into the semis. Blaine was considered by many the toughest unseeded team, and the supposedly weakest, Lakeville, gave H-M a fair test. One theory is the relatively easy win over Blaine created an uncharacteristic and ill-timed bubble of overconfidence that burst very quickly against H-M, and the Rams simply couldn’t recover from a 3-0 hole with Philippi as hot as he was. My other theory is that every team has a finite “tank” of emotion coming into the state tournament, and the Rams simply poured too much out against Blaine. In their exuberance to prove they still deserved to be on top, maybe they momentarily forgot they had two more games to go, and the tank ran prematurely dry against H-M. I was impressed how often Lechner always kept any celebrating in check throughout the tournament, and I think that paid off for H-M.

I'm very proud of the Rams, they had a great run in an environment that on paper they had no business even being in. At the end of the day, it’s all a learning experience for the seven teams who didn’t win, and the beginning of a marvelous and lifelong reason to celebrate for the one that did. I’m not a H-M fan, but they provided a great show for the fans in shutting down the two top seeds back to back. They are deserving champions. Congratulations to the Pioneers!

Totally Agree!!

[2nd string]

Is anyone else wondering why the Rams skated two lines most of the game, In that tight situation they went to two lines and by the third period they looked shot! And did anyone pay attention did Ness leave the ice in the second, man he was just a non factor in the third he could not do a thing. just looking for everyone elses thoughts

[hockeyhockeyhockey]

that worked for them in the past and they stayed with it but yea. also they did not throw a check in the entire game, never backchecked and at times let Hill skate circles around them on breakaways and 2 on 1's

[2nd string]

Yes the odd man rushes, Ness was on the ice and he was so gassed that he couldn't get back. tuff to win when you give up that many odd man rushes with your top defense, and first line shot! I was wondering if I was the only one to see that

[Trashman]

Great post Ram_Fan_Forever. I agree the HM-Moorhead and HM-Lakeville telecasts did not show Hill at their best. As a matter of fact after watching the way they played against Lakeville I didn't give them much of a chance against Roseau, but they came out strong and surprised everyone. I was especially happy for Flip after all the abuse he's taken on these boards.
Roseau was extremely frustrated against BSM, and would have had a great chance of pulling that game out had they not gotten so many 3rd period penalties. Congrats to all the tournament teams and good luck to all the seniors in their future endeavors.

[Hockeyguy_27]

Please excuse this long winded comment. As a former Ram it was hard to watch Roseau unravel in the end. But I'm confident they'll be back next year, as the Butsy Erickson coached Bantams are once again in the state tourney and will undoubtedly send a few strong players Oliver’s way for next year. As I read these threads, I have a few thoughts…

Kudos to Hill-Murray for what proved to be a brilliant strategy. I’d never have guessed their P-K could pull off what they did. That, more than any other factor is what won the title for H-M. It allowed them to be more physical, which slowed Roseau way down and completely took them off their game plan. I would have expected Roseau’s P-P to make them pay, but neither they nor Edina’s could make that happen.

There seems to be quite a bit of “piling on” to the theory that Roseau never was deserving of their pre-tournament reputation. I haven’t read all these threads, but if there were Roseau fans who acted like the Rams were invincible, they were obviously wrong and I apologize for that. After witnessing the H-M game, I’ve concluded hockey is probably a lot more like golf than I previously thought. Anyone who follows golf knows how fine the line can be between champ and chump. When the pivotal goal was waived off, it was the psychological equivalent to your faltering golf opponent snapping one OB, only to later discover that it hit a tree and actually bounced right onto the green. Huge psychological boost for Hill, and a huge deflator for Roseau, and to me it was unquestionably the turning point of the season for Roseau. Their momentum might have continued had that episode never occurred, but the fact is ended right then and there. The B-SM game only showed the extent to which the Rams were unable to regain their will to win. I consider Roseau’s recent teams to be the epitome of over-achievement, and they showed us all just how far they had to fall when the wheels started coming off. We’ll never know what might have happened had the gap been closed to 3-2, but I doubt most of the Pioneer faithful will ever appreciate how close the Rams were to an epic comeback in that 3rd period.

I’m also still uncertain what affect Roseau’s lopsided win over Blaine had on their psyche, but I’m convinced it played a role in the subsequent downfall. I suspect the FSN televised struggle H-M had with a much weaker Moorhead in their regular season final also may have contributed to a subconscious false sense of security for Roseau going into the semis. Blaine was considered by many the toughest unseeded team, and the supposedly weakest, Lakeville, gave H-M a fair test. One theory is the relatively easy win over Blaine created an uncharacteristic and ill-timed bubble of overconfidence that burst very quickly against H-M, and the Rams simply couldn’t recover from a 3-0 hole with Philippi as hot as he was. My other theory is that every team has a finite “tank” of emotion coming into the state tournament, and the Rams simply poured too much out against Blaine. In their exuberance to prove they still deserved to be on top, maybe they momentarily forgot they had two more games to go, and the tank ran prematurely dry against H-M. I was impressed how often Lechner always kept any celebrating in check throughout the tournament, and I think that paid off for H-M.

I'm very proud of the Rams, they had a great run in an environment that on paper they had no business even being in. At the end of the day, it’s all a learning experience for the seven teams who didn’t win, and the beginning of a marvelous and lifelong reason to celebrate for the one that did. I’m not a H-M fan, but they provided a great show for the fans in shutting down the two top seeds back to back. They are deserving champions. Congratulations to the Pioneers!

Great post! (Clapping hands and cheering)

[slapshooter]

A picture says a thousand words.

Looks to me like the puck's in the corner and NOT the corner of the net! Another great save by Lee!!!


SS