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Couldn't make it out last night, who looked the best?

ManBearPig wrote:I'd say Section 6 has the most depth at Forward, but other than that there isn't a whole lot there. Section 5 and Section 1 both have 2 or 3 great D-men, as well as Section 5 having arguably the best goalie in the tournament. With the 95's I see a pretty clear Top 10-15 skaters, with the rest sorted as you see fit.

I was able to catch most of the games this weekend and wanted to see the section 5 goalie(s) to see which one was the best as you described and I have to say I was disappointed. Miska posted a .872 SV% and Esko a .860 SV%. Gerdes (Eden Praire) clearly was the standout with 3 straight shutouts (31/31). The other goalie I liked was that Parker from Duluth East .912 SV%.

Dirty Coaches wrote:

ManBearPig wrote:I'd say Section 6 has the most depth at Forward, but other than that there isn't a whole lot there. Section 5 and Section 1 both have 2 or 3 great D-men, as well as Section 5 having arguably the best goalie in the tournament. With the 95's I see a pretty clear Top 10-15 skaters, with the rest sorted as you see fit.

I was able to catch most of the games this weekend and wanted to see the section 5 goalie(s) to see which one was the best as you described and I have to say I was disappointed. Miska posted a .872 SV% and Esko a .860 SV%. Gerdes (Eden Praire) clearly was the standout with 3 straight shutouts (31/31). The other goalie I liked was that Parker from Duluth East .912 SV%.

Well he was the only goalie in the nation to recieve an automatic invite to the National Development Program. He's a pretty darn good goalie I'd say. I will agree with you Gerdes and Parker put up impressive numbers.

Yeah, There was alot of good goalie action this weekend!. I assume they take 6 to the 54's..? If they decide by going off strictly numbers and If my numbers are correct:

Name GAA %

1. Gerdes 0.00 1.000
2. Parker 2.00 .912
3. Charles 4.67 .887
4. LaCombe 2.67 .882
5. Miska 3.33 .872
6. Kokesch 4.67 .868

SuperStar wrote:Yeah, There was alot of good goalie action this weekend!. I assume they take 6 to the 54's..? If they decide by going off strictly numbers and If my numbers are correct:

Name GAA %

1. Gerdes 0.00 1.000
2. Parker 2.00 .912
3. Charles 4.67 .887
4. LaCombe 2.67 .882
5. Miska 3.33 .872
6. Kokesch 4.67 .868

Superstar,

I don't have a horse in this fight, but don't you think - based on the format of the tournament - that if you were going to go fully on statistics that some kids - like Gerdes - have an overwhelming advantage based on the team they were placed on.

Section 6 was loaded. Gerdes saw 31 shots over the weekend. Schmitz, for example saw 68 shots. Charles took 62 shots. While I wasn't at the rink this weekend, my bet is Gerdes saw a lot of dump-ins and few penalty shots and Schmitz/Charles saw a lot of breakaways, odd mans, and penalty shots all weekend.

For not letting a goal in they can't not let him move on. But, they definitely do not move kids on to the 54s based on statistics. Figure about 25% statistics and 75% resume. Case in point - Dugas was not in your top statistical kids, but definitely will move forward (comes from Hill, went on the national trip last year, plays for Blades - these three things make him a lock).

Based on my take - three spots are already taken (Gerdes for his shutout, Dugas, and Miska). With all players, but especially goalies, you have to look at the goalies history of stopping pucks - not just a three game festival where teams are unequal and penalty shots are built into the program.

SuperStar wrote:If they decide by going off strictly numbers and If my numbers are correct:

??!!

Well hell, of course we know "they're all stupid", but they're not idiots!!!

Of course I agree with you.

Since the poster brought up save %, thought I would list them out. NOTHING more, nothing less.

Lots of great hockey this weekend! SHould be fun to see the final 54 list..

Dugas and Parker were both alternates to Nationals last year. Dugas did not go to New York. I believe Parker also played one year for the Blades, otherwise was goalie for the Lake Superior Stars. I agree resume speaks a lot for players but you still have to perform well at the tryouts or why have them. It's not all about stats I agree. It's how you play the position, your angles, how well you play the puck, etc. All the goalies on the list are undoubtedly good goalies and should be a fun weekend. Good luck to all the players.

ddd10 wrote:Dugas and Parker were both alternates to Nationals last year. Dugas did not go to New York. I believe Parker also played one year for the Blades, otherwise was goalie for the Lake Superior Stars. I agree resume speaks a lot for players but you still have to perform well at the tryouts or why have them. It's not all about stats I agree. It's how you play the position, your angles, how well you play the puck, etc. All the goalies on the list are undoubtedly good goalies and should be a fun weekend. Good luck to all the players.

Yes, but a goalie's history has a bigger impact. Again, look at Parker as he is not much different than Gerdes' situation: 34 shots over the weekend. Other kids saw twice as many. Does that mean he outperformed the kids that were on the weak teams because his statistics are better?

History shows that the kids with the best statistics in these festivals play on teams that have stronger rosters with strong defensemen and forwards. The kids that are seeing 50-70 shots over the weekend tend to get seriously tested and tend to have worse statistics; and the kids that see few shots see a lot of dump ins and perimeter shots and have better stats.

Parker is probably a solid goalie and because of his history probably can be added to the list of locks. But, again, my point is that these festivals do not provide a level playing field for goalies to be evaluated on statistics alone (and in many cases skaters) and their history is important. Disparity in team talent is one factor, the penalty shot is another huge factor. The statistics are totally skewed due to the penalty shot rule (which is a good rule for the festival as it assures all skaters get good looks and don't lose ice time). If Parker or Gerdes for instance saw one penalty shot all weekend and another goalie saw eight - ten, are statistics for goalies in the festival really a good measure?

I totally agree with rashreid20 - this was not a very "goalie friendly" tournament with such a huge disparity is team strength and factoring in the penalty shots. Just look at the stats - the winning team goalies faced less shots and hence, have the best stats. Not to take anything away from Gerdes, but Parker had a weaker team in front of him and still had a 91%. There are few others as well. If I remember a conversation from last year, this year's final 54 will have more than a 50% change from last years final 54, giving more skaters a chance. Of course they have to earn it, but this year's performance is definitely different from last year. Certain skaters and goalies that didn't make the cut last year did better and vice versa. Don't agree with any "locks" until the weekend is over! Good Luck to all!

I saw section six in two games, Gerdes made a total of 4 penalty shot saves and a good back door save in both. Not saying he was the best goalie in the tournament, because it definatley did help that he played for section 6.

http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/sho ... -16-and-17

final 54

No surprises really. Very surprised Adler didn't make it from Section 5A/AA.

I thought Cammarata [sp] would have made it.

Didn't play this weekend

This might provide some information on the future.

Here's a breakdown of the Final 54 by Teams / # of players represented:

8 PLAYERS:
Duluth East
5 PLAYERS:
Eden Prairie
4 PLAYERS:
Minnetonka
Roseau
3 PLAYERS:
Benilde
Blaine
Fergus Falls
Hill-Murray
Shattuck
2 PLAYERS:
Burnsville
East Grand Forks
Fergus Falls
1 PLAYER:
Breck
Buffalo
Cloquet
Grand Rapids
Holy Angels
Hopkins
Maple Grove
Moorhead
North Branch
Northfield
South St. Paul
St. Cloud Cathedral
Totino Grace

hockeyfan893 wrote:This might provide some information on the future.

Here's a breakdown of the Final 54 by Teams / # of players represented:

8 PLAYERS:
Duluth East
5 PLAYERS:
Eden Prairie
4 PLAYERS:
Minnetonka
Roseau
3 PLAYERS:
Benilde
Blaine
Hill-Murray
Shattuck
2 PLAYERS:
Burnsville
East Grand Forks
Fergus Falls
1 PLAYER:
Breck
Buffalo
Cloquet
Grand Rapids
Holy Angels
Hopkins
Little Falls
Maple Grove
Moorhead
North Branch
Northfield
South St. Paul
St. Cloud Cathedral
Totino Grace

At least 12 from the section 6 team?

That's what it looks like. Feel free to double check my list, I may have made a mistake, but it's pretty close I think.

Sections 4 and 5 got snubbed. Skaters only:

Section 1 - 2
Section 2 - 5
Section 3 - 0
Section 4 - 4
Section 5 - 5
Section 6 - 14
Section 7 - 8
Section 8 - 9

Section 6 dominated everyone they played - they deserve to send the most. Sections 4, 5, and 2 were all 2-1 over the weekend. Section 4 destroyed section 2 and yet they send more players?

Sections 1, 7, and 8 were 1-2 over the weekend. 7 and 8 send 8 and 9 players respectively? Section 4 destroyed 8. The only team section 7 beat was section 3, and they were just bad.

All good kids chosen, but sections 4 and 5 should have each sent more kids than sections 7 or 8. They've got that up-side-down.

Section 6 domintated, hard to believe 14 players but it is what it is.

Actually 3 players from Fergus Falls, as one player mistakenly listed as Little Falls, pretty impressive for Class A school.

54 should be a good weekend.

Thank's Deacon, the list has been updated accordingly.

I'd have to say that the white team looks the strongest, with the players and imo the best goalies from last weekend.

The blue team looks pretty strong. Is the object to have balanced teams?

I'd have to say I think red team looks strong too, especially on defense. Both national alternate goalies as well.

Pretty much balanced teams I'd have to say, interesting how it will play out.

Wasilla wrote:The blue team looks pretty strong. Is the object to have balanced teams?

Looks like Red and White have the stronger of the two squads to me.