BANTAM A - End of Year Regional and State Pairings

[Apples2oranges]

Conditioning, first of all the lakeville score was 8-5 with an EN alot closer than 8-3 and secondly they have also been able to beat teams in the big games. They beat both Woodbury and Roseville 2 top 20 teams in VFW play came from behind with a 5 goal 3rd to beat a very strong Bemidji team beat Rochester, gave Wayzata a run for there money twice and in the game to decide the 4th District VFW #1 seed played a 3-2 game with Lakeville South and it easily could have gone the other way. Also remember the Moorhead loss was there 9th game in 7 days and with only 13 skaters legs obviously played a factor. I'm sure most of this team still has a bad taste in their mouth after getting upset by Como last year in districts and I know they will show up when it matters.

[conditioningsucks]

Apples2Oranges,

You have possibly misread my post. Here is what I said.

1 - Minneapolis Park is who I favor out of the South Region
2 - Minneapolis Park however may not make it out of Districts
3 - Minneapolis Park has performed poorly in tournaments (pressure situations) this year (Eagan 6-0, Woodbury 5-0, Moorhead 3-0, Duluth East 6-1 - outscored 20-1 in these games).
4 - Minneapolis Park has eeked out wins against two District 1 rivals, Johnson and Highland.
5 - Poor 'pressure performance' + barely beating District rivals in non-pressure games = disappointment in District playoff pressure games.

Playing Wayzata close twice means nothing. You didn't win. Wayzata may have had sick players, not been pumped up, or just didn't care those days. Beating Woodbury and Roseville are nice feathers in your cap, but they were not 'pressure games'. 9 games in 7 days is an excuse (Moorhead had 6 hard fought battles in 4 days and none of them were cakewalks like Como, Irondale, or Moundsview). 13 skaters? Half of the Bantam A teams out there are showing up with 13 skaters due to injuries, illness, suspensions, etc. Nice that you played Lakeville South close, but again, you didn't win.

You are my favorite for the South Region, but you definitely aren't a lock as whatastud and hockeyman were alluding to in their posts.

Contrast this with Bloomington Jefferson. Their record is similar to yours and they have dropped games to lesser teams - Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Bemidji, Armstrong/Cooper, etc. But when it came down to 'pressure games', they have performed quite well - winning the Burnsville Tourney, the Midwest Regional Tourney, 2nd Place in Bemidji tourney, 2nd in SSP tourney. District 6 is loaded this year, but this team is capable of taking a District spot at regionals because they have shown they can play under pressure + they have always played District opponents close.


District 6 only takes two regional spots this year. I have Apple Valley and Minnetonka, but easily could see Edina and Bloomington Jefferson take these spots. Don't count out Eden Prairie (recent wins over WBL, Edina, and AV show they could be the ultimate spoiler after a lackluster season), or Burnsville (a long shot as they just don't have the firepower). This is the best District in the state and it should be interesting to see who gets out of this 'cage match'.

[surehockey]

How many spots come out of D2? And who do you think will take those? Also, does the HEP points factor into anything past district pairings for district playoffs? (Sorry so many questions)

[FOXY IZ ILL]

Ive been to some Mankato games where they are in the same tournament as the team my son plays on and play quite good but in spurts and they are capable of being quite good the remainder of the year

[hockeyman84]

My post was not alluding to a lock I sat there and watched Mpls last year blow a 3 goal lead and lose to Como I would never give them a lock but I would be amazed if they didn't make it to regions just because of how the district bracket is lined up they will get a bye and with a win over Como/Irondale would get 3 games in a row with a chance to advance and I don't see a team of this calibar with only second years blowing 3 games in a row.

[nueagle09]

K Fozi you obviously havent seen mankato play very much. if you check where they are ranked in D4?? There good if they come to play, if not its a bad game for them!

[wannagototherink]

E70 - Any idea if Crookston is taking an automatic seed into the Bantam regional?

Yes they are.

That is kind of bush league isn't it? I thought there was no more automatic berths? That really is a shame, unless they were to win their way there through district playoffs. I would be upset if I was Roseau, Bemidji or EGF. One of those 3 teams is going to get screwed out of a chance to play for a state tournament.

Elliott, I agree with almost everything you say on this board with a few minor disagreements here and there, but this is a poor decision by you to allow this to happen. You should always have to earn your way into a next round when it comes to playoffs.


IMHO

[elliott70]

E70 - Any idea if Crookston is taking an automatic seed into the Bantam regional?

Yes they are.

That is kind of bush league isn't it? I thought there was no more automatic berths? That really is a shame, unless they were to win their way there through district playoffs. I would be upset if I was Roseau, Bemidji or EGF. One of those 3 teams is going to get screwed out of a chance to play for a state tournament.

Elliott, I agree with almost everything you say on this board with a few minor disagreements here and there, but this is a poor decision by you to allow this to happen. You should always have to earn your way into a next round when it comes to playoffs.


IMHO

Its a long standing district policy. It is discussed nearly every May in our rap up meeting with no one that strong for or against.
It does guarantee enough volunteer workers.

[dumbpuck]

When you get to this level of hockey getting an automatic bid into a regional tournament is poor. The revenue generated for the city should be the motivation not putting a below average team in a regional tournament so mom and dad will run the clock.

The city itself should step in-restaurants, hotels, gas stations etc. and help the tournament- they will all benefit from the tourney. It just doesnt have to be mom and dad.

Then the team can "man up" and qualify to make it and not knock out a team that deserves to be there.

If the team is not willing to do this ahead of time - move it to another location- let that town have a mite jamborie and then there team can get the autobid!

[elliott70]

When you get to this level of hockey getting an automatic bid into a regional tournament is poor. The revenue generated for the city should be the motivation not putting a below average team in a regional tournament so mom and dad will run the clock.

The city itself should step in-restaurants, hotels, gas stations etc. and help the tournament- they will all benefit from the tourney. It just doesnt have to be mom and dad.

Then the team can "man up" and qualify to make it and not knock out a team that deserves to be there.

If the team is not willing to do this ahead of time - move it to another location- let that town have a mite jamborie and then there team can get the autobid!

Thanks for the advice, but no.
Our associations decide how it will be handled.
Everyone gets the opportunity.
If you want to participate in regions you know we have two spots.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Roseau 12 - Crookston 3. If I was coaching that Crookston team I would simply say no to taking the 3 spot at regions. If I was the Eveleth coach I would be doing the same thing for VFW state. Just an opinion.
Great point on local businesses helping out.

[wannagototherink]

Roseau 12 - Crookston 3. If I was coaching that Crookston team I would simply say no to taking the 3 spot at regions. If I was the Eveleth coach I would be doing the same thing for VFW state. Just an opinion.
Great point on local businesses helping out.

Northwoods, I think you make a great point. Despite the opportunity I think it would be honorable for Crookston to step aside for a more deserving team. By deserving I mean any one of the top three teams at the end of the district playoffs. If Crookston finishes in the the top three than by all means move on. I just think there is so much time and effort put into it by these kids, they should be given all the chances they can get as long as they earn it.

Elliott, I respect your argument that everyone knows going into it that there are only 2 spots. I think that is valid. I still don't agree with it, but it's not my district, and I'm not in charge of running that region so it is what it is. I hope if Crookston has the class to step out you'd let them. But if not, well it's your region to run.

Hope you take the critizism as more of a topic of discussion and not an attack on you or D16, cause it is just my opinion.

[elliott70]

Roseau 12 - Crookston 3. If I was coaching that Crookston team I would simply say no to taking the 3 spot at regions. If I was the Eveleth coach I would be doing the same thing for VFW state. Just an opinion.
Great point on local businesses helping out.

Northwoods, I think you make a great point. Despite the opportunity I think it would be honorable for Crookston to step aside for a more deserving team. By deserving I mean any one of the top three teams at the end of the district playoffs. If Crookston finishes in the the top three than by all means move on. I just think there is so much time and effort put into it by these kids, they should be given all the chances they can get as long as they earn it.

Elliott, I respect your argument that everyone knows going into it that there are only 2 spots. I think that is valid. I still don't agree with it, but it's not my district, and I'm not in charge of running that region so it is what it is. I hope if Crookston has the class to step out you'd let them. But if not, well it's your region to run.

Hope you take the critizism as more of a topic of discussion and not an attack on you or D16, cause it is just my opinion.

I have had things thrown at me, punches thrown, name calling, and spit
on.
Listening (reading) people's opinions is easy. AND it si what we as district directors and MH board members should do.

If Crookston wre to back out any time between now and next Monday night that would be fine. After that it gets a little more complicated (not impossible but not as easy).

But it is their choice and I will not presssure them.

[wannagototherink]

Elliott,

I was looking on the MH website and noticed that the D16 sites are the only ones not to post the schedule for the Bantam A regions as well as the State Tournament. Are you going to be posting those schedules and matchups soon?

[elliott70]

Elliott,

I was looking on the MH website and noticed that the D16 sites are the only ones not to post the schedule for the Bantam A regions as well as the State Tournament. Are you going to be posting those schedules and matchups soon?

The gold VP, Dave Stigen,puts those out.
I receivec copies in the mail from him.
I assume Mike and Kathy at the MH office also have them and are inthe process of posting them to the web site.

I will check with them.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Purely discussion and opinion and hopefully that does not affect you elliot70 as you do a great job as District President.

[JoeBoy]

Roseau 12 - Crookston 3. If I was coaching that Crookston team I would simply say no to taking the 3 spot at regions. If I was the Eveleth coach I would be doing the same thing for VFW state. Just an opinion.
Great point on local businesses helping out.

Northwoods, I think you make a great point. Despite the opportunity I think it would be honorable for Crookston to step aside for a more deserving team. By deserving I mean any one of the top three teams at the end of the district playoffs. If Crookston finishes in the the top three than by all means move on. I just think there is so much time and effort put into it by these kids, they should be given all the chances they can get as long as they earn it.

Elliott, I respect your argument that everyone knows going into it that there are only 2 spots. I think that is valid. I still don't agree with it, but it's not my district, and I'm not in charge of running that region so it is what it is. I hope if Crookston has the class to step out you'd let them. But if not, well it's your region to run.

Hope you take the critizism as more of a topic of discussion and not an attack on you or D16, cause it is just my opinion.

I have had things thrown at me, punches thrown, name calling, and spit
on.
Listening (reading) people's opinions is easy. AND it si what we as district directors and MH board members should do.

If Crookston wre to back out any time between now and next Monday night that would be fine. After that it gets a little more complicated (not impossible but not as easy).

But it is their choice and I will not presssure them.

And for that people should be ashamed. Thanks for all you do ... and I dont even live in your district

[elliott70]

Northwoods, I think you make a great point. Despite the opportunity I think it would be honorable for Crookston to step aside for a more deserving team. By deserving I mean any one of the top three teams at the end of the district playoffs. If Crookston finishes in the the top three than by all means move on. I just think there is so much time and effort put into it by these kids, they should be given all the chances they can get as long as they earn it.

Elliott, I respect your argument that everyone knows going into it that there are only 2 spots. I think that is valid. I still don't agree with it, but it's not my district, and I'm not in charge of running that region so it is what it is. I hope if Crookston has the class to step out you'd let them. But if not, well it's your region to run.

Hope you take the critizism as more of a topic of discussion and not an attack on you or D16, cause it is just my opinion.

I have had things thrown at me, punches thrown, name calling, and spit
on.
Listening (reading) people's opinions is easy. AND it si what we as district directors and MH board members should do.

If Crookston wre to back out any time between now and next Monday night that would be fine. After that it gets a little more complicated (not impossible but not as easy).

But it is their choice and I will not presssure them.

And for that people should be ashamed. Thanks for all you do ... and I dont even live in your district

In my old job people would shoot at me, so this is not so bad.

[D6Rocks]

I think the bigger issue people have is that only 5 of the 8 teams that go to state this year will be from the top 10. And IF Mpls Park does not make it, the other 3 will come from 21st and above.

East has 6 teams in the top 10, 13 in the top 20.
West has 3 teams in the top 10, 5 in the top 20.
North has 1 team in the top 10, 1 in the top 20.
South has 0 teams in the top 10 1 in the top 20.

And then of course this year in the state Tourney N1 plays S2, and S1 plays N2, E1 plays W2 and W1 plays E2.

So there is a chance that 2 teams that are not in the top 20 could make the semi finals of the state tournament.

[starmvp]

I think the bigger issue people have is that only 5 of the 8 teams that go to state this year will be from the top 10. And IF Mpls Park does not make it, the other 3 will come from 21st and above.

East has 6 teams in the top 10, 13 in the top 20.
West has 3 teams in the top 10, 5 in the top 20.
North has 1 team in the top 10, 1 in the top 20.
South has 0 teams in the top 10 1 in the top 20.

And then of course this year in the state Tourney N1 plays S2, and S1 plays N2, E1 plays W2 and W1 plays E2.

So there is a chance that 2 teams that are not in the top 20 could make the semi finals of the state tournament.

Who are the 6 teams in the top 10 from the East region?

[blainehockeymom]

I think the bigger issue people have is that only 5 of the 8 teams that go to state this year will be from the top 10. And IF Mpls Park does not make it, the other 3 will come from 21st and above.

East has 6 teams in the top 10, 13 in the top 20.
West has 3 teams in the top 10, 5 in the top 20.
North has 1 team in the top 10, 1 in the top 20.
South has 0 teams in the top 10 1 in the top 20.

And then of course this year in the state Tourney N1 plays S2, and S1 plays N2, E1 plays W2 and W1 plays E2.

So there is a chance that 2 teams that are not in the top 20 could make the semi finals of the state tournament.

Who are the 6 teams in the top 10 from the East region?

As I remember last year there were only 5 teams from the top 10 in the state tournament and nobody was complaining then

[netminder.net]

Who are the 6 teams in the top 10 from the East region?

#3 Rochester Red
#5 Lakeville South
#7 Eagan
#8 Edina
#9 Apple Valley
#10 Minnetonka
also
#12 White Bear Lake
#14 Woodbury
#16 Jefferson
#17 Burnsville
#18 Roseville
#19 Chaska
#20 Eden Prarie

13 teams in the top 20, only 2 move on....let the games begin!!

[northwoods oldtimer]

Last time I checked Minnesota Hockey gave every team a shot at making the state tournament through regular season head to head district play, followed by district tournament, followed by regional tournament that is on a rotational schedule. Now all of the sudden some folks think rankings should play into the mix for Minnesota State Tournament. Who's rankings would you use? I don't see Mooread folks on here whining about heading south for Regional play and last season I did not recall anybody from Duluth East, Grand Rapids or Hermantown complaining about going south to play the regions. It is part of the rotational process put into play. Some regions were stacked last season as well that is just the way the process works under the new Tournament schedule. I think next season is the last for the rotation process and elliot70 can fill us in. I think the torunaments comes up for vote again in the spring or summer.

[RickO'Shea]

Last time I checked Minnesota Hockey gave every team a shot at making the state tournament through regular season head to head district play, followed by district tournament, followed by regional tournament that is on a rotational schedule. Now all of the sudden some folks think rankings should play into the mix for Minnesota State Tournament. Who's rankings would you use? I don't see Mooread folks on here whining about heading south for Regional play and last season I did not recall anybody from Duluth East, Grand Rapids or Hermantown complaining about going south to play the regions. It is part of the rotational process put into play. Some regions were stacked last season as well that is just the way the process works under the new Tournament schedule. I think next season is the last for the rotation process and elliot70 can fill us in. I think the torunaments comes up for vote again in the spring or summer.

You should know better oldtimer. The only teams that matter are metro teams.

[starmvp]

Wow! The east region should be a battle.