Edina ABRA Invitational

[hockeywild7]

You don't have to apologize to me Joethehockeydad, I am just a passionate girls hockey fan like you. Enjoyed watching the GRG/Hopkins game before the stillwater/Blaine game. This tournament is going to make for alot of very tired girls when it is over.

[MNHockeyFan]

This tournament is going to make for alot of very tired girls when it is over.

And a lot of very tired dads too, it appears....

[joehockey]

Edina 2 Hill Murray 1

Edina has a top line and they recorded both goals in the third period to win. Hill Murray had a goal disallowed to go up 2-1 and then Edina was awarded a goal on what could have been a whistle and blown dead but ref didn't blow it dead.

[nothernewguy]

It's so. Awesome quote of Ms. Palin (you get it). I must have had the Royals fever and watching such a good game made me hear incorrectly as well. I really wasn't trying to deny facts, but ultimately that is what happened. I'll have to see my doctor about this fever thing (thanks for the diagnosis)

Yes Joe, the fever affects most hockey parents, you are certainly not alone I'm sure your doctor won't be able to cure it but then again would you really want to be cured?

[nothernewguy]

This tournament is going to make for alot of very tired girls when it is over.

And a lot of very tired dads too, it appears....

Amen to that

[brookyone]

Okay...I'll confess, as a Pony fan I was kind of hoping for another shot at HM. Not to be...yet anyway.

I'm pretty sure Edina feels the same about Stillwater. It should be an excellent title game in the ABRA Invitational.

[goalzilla]

Stillwater is also playing in the JV final, any word on who won the edina Duluth game? Is it going to be a Stillwater/Edina final for both JV and Varsity?

[MNHockeyFan]

This is really tough! But I'll go with:
Hopkins 4, GR/G 3
Stillwater 4, Blaine 1
Duluth 4, Irondale 2
Hill Murray 3, Edina 1

Actual scores:
Hopkins 5, GR/G 4 in 3OT (got the margin right)
Stillwater 5, Blaine 2 (ditto)
Duluth 2, Irondale 1 in 2OT? (winner correct, lower scoring than I thought it might be)
Edina 2, Hill Murray 1 (ooops, didn't see this one coming - congrats to Edina for beating a great HM team and making it to the final)

Editorial comment:
What a tournament! With such a great field, most of these games could have easily gone either way.

[nmnhockeydad]

Edina beat Duluth 5-1 with an empty net goal. SOG Edina 35 Duluth 30

[OntheEdge]

Edina 2 Hill Murray 1

Edina has a top line and they recorded both goals in the third period to win. Hill Murray had a goal disallowed to go up 2-1 and then Edina was awarded a goal on what could have been a whistle and blown dead but ref didn't blow it dead.

Joe,

Its always interesting to hear comments from the "other side". I feel compelled to respond to your post because I don't think anything should diminish the fact that Edina played a whale of a game.

Edina has been struggling lately and I thought that last night they started to look more like the team everyone expected at the beginning of the year. I hope that this game is a catalyst for a strong 2nd half of the season. I thought both teams played well especially Hill Murray's goalie, McKeever. Edina outshot HM in each period and I thought Edina had more scoring opportunities. McKeever made some outstanding saves. Edina has 3 good lines and rolled all of them in all 3 periods but I agree with you that the line that scored both goals is the stongest one.

As far as the two goals you mention I have a slightly different opinion which probably isn't surprising to you. For the first one, I can't give an eyewitness opinion since it was at the goal at the far end of the ice away from the crowd but from talking to some of the girls it was their opinion that: (1) there was a scrum in front of the net; (2) an Edina girl was knocked into the goal post which knocked the net off its pins; (3) the ref immediately blew the whistle; (4) the HM girls thought the puck went in and (4) in the opinion of the Edina girls the puck never crossed over the goal line. The referee never indicated it was a goal or it was in the net.

As for the game winning goal I had an excellent view of it since I was standing right behind the net. Sitek knocked the puck in through the 5 hole. The official didn't see it right away so he didn't blow the whistle for a second or two. Once he saw the puck in the net he immediately blew the whistle and indicated it was a goal. In other words it was clearly a goal and if the ref blew the whistle right away it wouldn't have mattered.

[Joethehockeydad]

Edina will find out how good their "3" lines are against a Stillwater team that truly has three strong lines in todays matchup. Having played both teams (Hopkins) this game will not be close. Home ice and any questionable calls won't be enough to put Edina ahead of Stillwater.

Edina 2 Hill Murray 1

Edina has a top line and they recorded both goals in the third period to win. Hill Murray had a goal disallowed to go up 2-1 and then Edina was awarded a goal on what could have been a whistle and blown dead but ref didn't blow it dead.

Joe,

Its always interesting to hear comments from the "other side". I feel compelled to respond to your post because I don't think anything should diminish the fact that Edina played a whale of a game.

Edina has 3 good lines and rolled all of them in all 3 periods but I agree with you that the line that scored both goals is the stongest one.

[joehockey]

Edina 2 Hill Murray 1

Edina has a top line and they recorded both goals in the third period to win. Hill Murray had a goal disallowed to go up 2-1 and then Edina was awarded a goal on what could have been a whistle and blown dead but ref didn't blow it dead.

Joe,

Its always interesting to hear comments from the "other side". I feel compelled to respond to your post because I don't think anything should diminish the fact that Edina played a whale of a game.

Edina has been struggling lately and I thought that last night they started to look more like the team everyone expected at the beginning of the year. I hope that this game is a catalyst for a strong 2nd half of the season. I thought both teams played well especially Hill Murray's goalie, McKeever. Edina outshot HM in each period and I thought Edina had more scoring opportunities. McKeever made some outstanding saves. Edina has 3 good lines and rolled all of them in all 3 periods but I agree with you that the line that scored both goals is the stongest one.

As far as the two goals you mention I have a slightly different opinion which probably isn't surprising to you. For the first one, I can't give an eyewitness opinion since it was at the goal at the far end of the ice away from the crowd but from talking to some of the girls it was their opinion that: (1) there was a scrum in front of the net; (2) an Edina girl was knocked into the goal post which knocked the net off its pins; (3) the ref immediately blew the whistle; (4) the HM girls thought the puck went in and (4) in the opinion of the Edina girls the puck never crossed over the goal line. The referee never indicated it was a goal or it was in the net.

As for the game winning goal I had an excellent view of it since I was standing right behind the net. Sitek knocked the puck in through the 5 hole. The official didn't see it right away so he didn't blow the whistle for a second or two. Once he saw the puck in the net he immediately blew the whistle and indicated it was a goal. In other words it was clearly a goal and if the ref blew the whistle right away it wouldn't have mattered.

Congratulation to Edina they made the final in their tournament and played a very good game and found a way to win everything is always perception so we will leave it at that.

Edina has a good team but only one great line with Buie and Reber the clear standouts - you do have some of the best D including your daughter I have seen but I was not impressed by the other lines compared to what I had heard - your younger players are only going to get better and my sense is next year may be your big year. Should be a fun rematch between the teams later in January.

On the disallowed goal three coaches watching from that end said it was a goal and a bad call......I had the same angle as you - credit to the Edina goalie or player who dislodged the net smart play on a goal. I was on the goal line on the Edina end same as you - we will agree to disagree as I know your opinion is strong and at this point it doesn't matter....reality though is Buie and Reber got it done in the third they are very good and will be the ones who have to carry Edina- Sitek kept jabbing at the puck she did her job despite the slow whistle. As good as McKeever is in net HM can't expect to win only scoring one goal hopefully it will be a wake up call on the go forward.

Good luck tonight, I really do hope you win tonight to avenge your earlier defeat in Stillwater. Talking to your parents it sounds like based on your weak section Edina will be at the Xcel in February and anything can happen in a three game tournament and you will be battled tested.

The Edina parents have done a great job and this is without doubt the best tournament field and your group has made it a great experience for all. Thanks for everyone's efforts.

[Oilers08]

Hopkins 1
Duluth 2

[nmnhockeydad]

Is that a final and correct score?

[dochockey]

I saw the game last night and I thought it was a good game with Hill's goaltending stealing the show. Edina appeared to be the much better team. Edina did cycle 3 lines all game while Hill Murray tended to go with 2 lines through most of the game and in the 3rd period kept the first line out for an extended periods of time. I must admit that I'm biased because I have a niece on the Edina team, but from my angle I seen the net get knocked off the pins after one of our girls was pushed into the post backwards and the puck never crossed the goal line. I didn't see it signaled a goal by anyone but the Hill Murray players. Edina's lines appeared to be evenly balanced with our first line having the edge with their aggresiveness, while Hill Murray's team seemed to drop off in skill after their top line and we really didn't see to much of their 3rd line. McKeever is by far the best player last night on the Hill Murray squad and she prevented it from being blowout for Edina.

Edina 2 Hill Murray 1

Edina has a top line and they recorded both goals in the third period to win. Hill Murray had a goal disallowed to go up 2-1 and then Edina was awarded a goal on what could have been a whistle and blown dead but ref didn't blow it dead.

Joe,

Its always interesting to hear comments from the "other side". I feel compelled to respond to your post because I don't think anything should diminish the fact that Edina played a whale of a game.

Edina has been struggling lately and I thought that last night they started to look more like the team everyone expected at the beginning of the year. I hope that this game is a catalyst for a strong 2nd half of the season. I thought both teams played well especially Hill Murray's goalie, McKeever. Edina outshot HM in each period and I thought Edina had more scoring opportunities. McKeever made some outstanding saves. Edina has 3 good lines and rolled all of them in all 3 periods but I agree with you that the line that scored both goals is the stongest one.

As far as the two goals you mention I have a slightly different opinion which probably isn't surprising to you. For the first one, I can't give an eyewitness opinion since it was at the goal at the far end of the ice away from the crowd but from talking to some of the girls it was their opinion that: (1) there was a scrum in front of the net; (2) an Edina girl was knocked into the goal post which knocked the net off its pins; (3) the ref immediately blew the whistle; (4) the HM girls thought the puck went in and (4) in the opinion of the Edina girls the puck never crossed over the goal line. The referee never indicated it was a goal or it was in the net.

As for the game winning goal I had an excellent view of it since I was standing right behind the net. Sitek knocked the puck in through the 5 hole. The official didn't see it right away so he didn't blow the whistle for a second or two. Once he saw the puck in the net he immediately blew the whistle and indicated it was a goal. In other words it was clearly a goal and if the ref blew the whistle right away it wouldn't have mattered.

Congratulation to Edina they made the final in their tournament and played a very good game and found a way to win everything is always perception so we will leave it at that.

Edina has a good team but only one great line with Buie and Reber the clear standouts - you do have some of the best D including your daughter I have seen but I was not impressed by the other lines compared to what I had heard - your younger players are only going to get better and my sense is next year may be your big year. Should be a fun rematch between the teams later at Aldrich.

On the disallowed goal three coaches watching from that end said it was a goal and a bad call......I had the same angle as you - credit to the Edina goalie or player who dislodged the net smart play on a goal. I was on the goal line on the Edina end same as you - we will agree to disagree as I know your opinion is strong and at this point it doesn't matter....reality though is Buie and Reber got it done in the third they are very good and will be the ones who have to carry Edina- Sitek kept jabbing at the puck she did her job despite the slow whistle. As good as McKeever is in net HM can't expect to win only scoring one goal hopefully it will be a wake up call on the go forward.

Good luck tonight, I really do hope you win tonight to avenge your earlier defeat in Stillwater. Talking to your parents it sounds like based on your weak section Edina will be at the Xcel in February and anything can happen in a three game tournament and you will be battled tested.

The Edina parents have done a great job and this is without doubt the best tournament field and your group has made it a great experience for all. Thanks for everyone's efforts.

[nmnhockeydad]

I had the pleasure of watching some of the best girls high school teams play that I have seen in a while. Edina should be commended for assembling arguably the best field of any holiday tournament. I personally think it is the best. Good luck to all of these teams the rest of the year.

[Melvin44]

I saw the game last night and I thought it was a good game with Hill's goaltending stealing the show. Edina appeared to be the much better team. Edina did cycle 3 lines all game while Hill Murray tended to go with 2 lines through most of the game and in the 3rd period kept the first line out for an extended periods of time. I must admit that I'm biased because I have a niece on the Edina team, but from my angle I seen the net get knocked off the pins after one of our girls was pushed into the post backwards and the puck never crossed the goal line. I didn't see it signaled a goal by anyone but the Hill Murray players. Edina's lines appeared to be evenly balanced with our first line having the edge with their aggresiveness, while Hill Murray's team seemed to drop off in skill after their top line and we really didn't see to much of their 3rd line. McKeever is by far the best player last night on the Hill Murray squad and she prevented it from being blowout for Edina.

Much better??

I'm sure Edina played a great game and deserved to win but to say much better in a 2-1 game is silly. I'm sure you're proud of your niece’s team and it's ok to get exited when they beat a very good team. Hill does skate 3 lines and I doubt that they played only 2. What were the shots? PP? scoring chances?

I will say both Edina and Hill were in my preseason top 5 teams and will be tough to beat down the stretch.

[nmnhockeydad]

Could someone post the scores of sat games, both Varsity and JV?

[OntheEdge]

Could someone post the scores of sat games, both Varsity and JV?

Sorry but I only remember a few of the games.

In the varsity games, Edina beat Stillwater 2-1 in the Championship game, HM beat Blaine 7-2 in the third place game, Duluth beat Hopkins 2-1 (I saw this game and both teams played outstanding), and GRG beat Irondale (4-2).

In JV, I know that Stillwater beat Edina 2-1. I know that Irondale lost their final game. Sorry but I don't remember the rest of the scores.

Corrected 1/4/09, corrections in bold type.

[brookyone]

Could someone post the scores of sat games, both Varsity and JV?

Sorry but I only remember a few of the games.

In the varsity games, Edina beat Stillwater 2-1 in the Championship game,

...and not a single vote in the poll.

[OnTheFly]

I had the pleasure of watching some of the best girls high school teams play that I have seen in a while. Edina should be commended for assembling arguably the best field of any holiday tournament. I personally think it is the best. Good luck to all of these teams the rest of the year.

Definately a great field. It should not have been held at the Minn Made rinks though with the limited seating and parking. JMO

[MNHockeyFan]

...and not a single vote in the poll.

I was going to say the same...looks like their amazingly tough schedule is starting to pay dividends. Going in they were just 7-5-2.

[joehockey]

Hill Murray 7 Blaine 2 3rd Place
This game was a good game and was 2-1 HM unitl 3 minutes left in the second when HM scored 3 quick goals and added 2 more in the third. Blaine is a very good team but appears to have two young goalies.

Edina 2 Stillwater 1 Championship
Edina was again powered by #10 and #12. Buie scored a beautiful shorty breakaway by making Sobczek go from her left to her right (maybe one of her few weaknesses) she came up short and Buie buried in the corner Other goal was a PP screen of Sobczek from the high slot both in first period. Stillwater scored with under a minute to paly in the second on a great 2-1 rebound goal. Saves were 27 to 22. This was a tremendous game that could have gone either way it was very exciting for all that were watching.

Could someone post the scores of sat games, both Varsity and JV?

Sorry but I only remember a few of the games.

In the varsity games, Edina beat Stillwater 2-1 in the Championship game, HM beat Blaine 7-1 in the third place game, Duluth beat Hopkins 2-1 (I saw this game and both teams played outstanding), and GRG beat Irondale (I think 4-1).

In JV, I know that Stillwater beat Edina 2-1. I know that Irondale lost their final game. Sorry but I don't remember the rest of the scores.

[nmnhockeydad]

the only information that I still need is the JV winner between Hill Murray and Hopkins in the Consolation Championship

[joehockey]

the only information that I still need is the JV winner between Hill Murray and Hopkins in the Consolation Championship

Hopkins won I think 3-1 over HM JV.