Is St. Thomas Academy the best team in the State?

EliteHockeyMind · Post by **EliteHockeyMind** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:29 pm

Wow I am surprised how the simple word i used "COMMUNITY" sparked so much side conversation on High School HOCKEY forum.

Yes, STA does not have 1 specific small town to call their community, but all I was refering to was the community of every who support the same values. Regardless, the "weanie" or "title chasing" chirps are the ignorant chirps that are still used when all I was trying to get across is the headmaster was the one holding them back.

It may only take a simple call to the MSHSL (probably a little more paperwork), but they finally made the decision to move up. What I was trying to get across is everyone who supports the STA hockey team, have been waiting for this team to move up as well. I know the STA fans do not think this has anything to do with their academics, but that was the content that was shared as to why the headmaster did not approve STA to move up in class.

Now back to the discussion of hockey...as of right now I think STA should be #1 in state. They play Breck, Shattuck and Hill 1 more time, then they shouldn't have much more competition the remainder of the year. The only scare they might have is if Breck gets hot in State, which would make for the only entertaining game in the Class A tournament.

STA SOS has significantly increased in strenth this year, so in regards to this thread, as of right now, IMOO STA is #1. At the end of the year, I don't think they can claim that because they are not playing the best teams in state competition wise.

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:46 pm

Sorry for the weanie and trophy chasing comments.

Pioneerprideguy · Post by **Pioneerprideguy** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:16 pm

Since everyone is asking...yes, I think they are #1 in the state right now. For the purposes of my AA rankings, I've been considering them that since they won the Schwan Cup, and the Benilde win only strengthened their position. Giving up only one goal to this Benilde team is very impressive.

Didn't they lose the shootout?

Post by **karl(east)** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:36 pm

Pioneerprideguy wrote:Since everyone is asking...yes, I think they are #1 in the state right now. For the purposes of my AA rankings, I've been considering them that since they won the Schwan Cup, and the Benilde win only strengthened their position. Giving up only one goal to this Benilde team is very impressive.

Didn't they lose the shootout?

Alright, alright, "went undefeated in the Schwan Cup."

thestickler07 · Post by **thestickler07** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:48 pm

elliott70 wrote:I, and most everyone else on this 'bored', (that some private-schoolers like to bash), already know that.
But to try and claim what the normal definition of community is, is wrong.
You have a 'select community'. I live in a little town where I and many like me do as much volunteering and donating as people in your 'community'.

Karl and Zamman summed up pretty accurately how things are.

elliott70 wrote:(Maybe its autocorrect, but 'strawman"??)

Wasn't auto correct. Might be a good learning experience for you to investigate.

elliott70 wrote:And smile
because this is fun.

What's not to smile about? Team is playing well, AA hockey next year, people tossing around a mythical top ranking for the squad?

Life is good.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:43 pm

thestickler07 wrote:
elliott70 wrote:I, and most everyone else on this 'bored', (that some private-schoolers like to bash), already know that.
But to try and claim what the normal definition of community is, is wrong.
You have a 'select community'. I live in a little town where I and many like me do as much volunteering and donating as people in your 'community'.
Karl and Zamman summed up pretty accurately how things are.

elliott70 wrote:(Maybe its autocorrect, but 'strawman"??)
Wasn't auto correct. Might be a good learning experience for you to investigate.

elliott70 wrote:And smile
because this is fun.
What's not to smile about? Team is playing well, AA hockey next year, people tossing around a mythical top ranking for the squad?

Life is good.

Exactly!

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:45 pm

'attack a straw man'

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:15 pm

After tonight's win over Shattuck-St. Mary's I guess the answer to the thread's title has to be a "yes".

hockey4ever · Post by **hockey4ever** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:20 pm

I thought it would be a better game tonight but I think it is hard to argue that St Thomas is the best team this year.

thestickler07 · Post by **thestickler07** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:34 pm

Let's start calling them STAAA?

bemused · Post by **bemused** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:42 pm

MNHockeyFan wrote:After tonight's win over Shattuck-St. Mary's I guess the answer to the thread's title has to be a "yes".

+1

Bonehead · Post by **Bonehead** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:55 pm

Umm... this is the last year that we can say with complete confidence... NO.

Too bad, they're just gonna have to hope next years team can do.

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:36 am

BodyShots wrote:We will never know, because when it comes time to prove it, they will be playing in the JV tournament. Their choice !!!!!!!

Again......tweet

C-dad · Post by **C-dad** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:06 am

By beating the defending U18 national champion, are they best U18 team in the Country and not just the State?

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:43 am

Its tough to argue the point that STA has the best team in the state.

But I would like to see East Grand, Denfeld, Hermantown, Wayzata, Bemilde, Edina (through in a couple more) argue it on the ice.

Hopefully we will see half of that.

Roy01 · Post by **Roy01** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:50 am

With the Shattuck game though, was it really a dominating performance by the Cadets? The shots were about 28 -12 in favor of Shattuck. Obviously winning is winning, but were the Cadets dictating the play?

This isn't some rhetorical question either, I'm asking this in full seriousness haha..

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:56 am

By beating the defending u18 national champion, should they even be allowed to enter the post season this year in class A?

Should they have been allowed to play A the last couple years when they've scheduled Shattuck and other national prep powerhouses?

mnhockfan99 · Post by **mnhockfan99** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:01 am

As of today I'd say they are, but lots of things can change...they are deep and smart, talented hockey players...

Snap Happy · Post by **Snap Happy** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:27 am

Roy01 wrote:With the Shattuck game though, was it really a dominating performance by the Cadets? The shots were about 28 -12 in favor of Shattuck. Obviously winning is winning, but were the Cadets dictating the play?

This isn't some rhetorical question either, I'm asking this in full seriousness haha..

I'd like to hear a response to this from someone who watched the game. I looked at the game sheet on the HUB and couldn't believe that they only had 12 shots (0 in the first period, 0 in the second??). It's hard to believe that the best team in the state couldn't muster a shot on net the first 2 periods.

Shinbone_News · Post by **Shinbone_News** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:38 am

Sounds to me like they solved something about Shattuck in the third -- probably a trap system or some fancy, high-falutin' forecheck. Whatever they did, they turned it around and carried that momentum into OT for the win. (Novak scored. Best sophomore in the state, IMHO. By far the best second line in the state.)

Bear in mind that this SSM team is ranked first in the US again this year. I believe this is only their fourth loss in 40 games. The other losses were to Elite League teams.

If winning counts for anything, STA can legitimately be called the best u18 team in the country. Good for them. (But also... class 1A? Um, yeah. No.)

hockey4ever · Post by **hockey4ever** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:39 am

I watched the game and from my perspective it was a hard game to watch, unless you like hockey played between the blue lines. Lots of whistles and neither team had any flow. I expected it to be a great game, featuring 2 elite goalies and 2 very good teams. Neither goalie was really tested much, and the shot difference seems wider than I would have guessed.

I think St Thomas did what they needed to do to beat SSM last night.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:18 pm

Snap Happy wrote:I'd like to hear a response to this from someone who watched the game. I looked at the game sheet on the HUB and couldn't believe that they only had 12 shots (0 in the first period, 0 in the second??). It's hard to believe that the best team in the state couldn't muster a shot on net the first 2 periods.

I watched the whole game and I can tell you that although STA was outplayed and outshot in the first two periods, they DID get some shots on SSM's goaltender. If I had to guess I would say about 10 total in those first two periods, and maybe just two or three real good, close-in chances. They had a number of other very good scoring opportunities (like 2 on 1's, etc.) but would end up misfiring or not getting the shot off...

I disagree with some who have said that it was a boring game to watch. Yes, it was defensive, especially for a high school game, but that was obviously STA's game plan, and they executed it very well...In the 3rd period they opened things up a little and had better success on the forecheck. With the score being just 0-1, I think they gained confidence as the game went on and by the 3rd the two teams looked pretty even, with maybe STA having a slight edge.

I will say also that STA's goalie played very well, which you knew going in would be necessary if they were going to have a decent chance of beating them.

EliteHockeyMind · Post by **EliteHockeyMind** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:25 pm

MrBoDangles wrote:By beating the defending u18 national champion, should they even be allowed to enter the post season this year in class A?

Should they have been allowed to play A the last couple years when they've scheduled Shattuck and other national prep powerhouses?

This again is going back to my original post that the AD and Headmaster were the ones holding this program back from moving up to 2A. The coaches are the ones who are responsibles for scheduling games outside of their predetermined conference games. Clearly the coaches believe they can compete at the 2A level and have moved up to the Gold division in the Schwan cup as well.

Do you honestly think the MSHSL will ban a team from playing in the post-season in the class that they began the year in? They schedule these tough 2A teams to play in big games to get a feel for where they can compete and to prepare for the post season.

STA by their record vs top ranked 2A teams should have no problem in the 1A tournament. They still have to play against Breck, who they only beat 2-1, and no one knows how good the un-tested, undefeated EGF team really is.

STA plays Breck again on Saturday, then their grudgematch against Hill-Murray on Thursday (FSN). Both should be great games.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:28 pm

Roy01 wrote:With the Shattuck game though, was it really a dominating performance by the Cadets? The shots were about 28 -12 in favor of Shattuck. Obviously winning is winning, but were the Cadets dictating the play?

This isn't some rhetorical question either, I'm asking this in full seriousness haha..

I thought it was a very good game, although at times tough to watch as a St Thomas fan. Shattuck is very good; they seemed to have an extra skater on the ice at all times. They fore checked every possession, everyone was very fast, they worked very well together and they didn't commit one penalty the whole game. A very good team to watch play together.

As others have said, it was a very defensive game. St Thomas plays very good defense; while Shattuck did get more scoring chances and way more shots on net, they were definitely limited from the play of the defensemen. Zevnik had a handful of great saves as well.
It was really difficult for St Thomas to get anything going offensively for the majority of the game, and they had a couple of missed opportunities.

Once they scored the first goal late in the game it was like they turned it on and for 4 minutes in the third period they were very even with Shattuck. The second Shattuck goal wasn't the best goal in the world, but that's why happens when you keep putting it on net.

In OT Shattuck had a couple good chances to bury it, but they didn't and the defense/Zevnik played very well.

All in all, Shattuck controlled the majority of play and kept the puck in the Cadets' zone for most of the night. St Thomas played a great defense game to keep themselves in it and capitalized on a few opportunities. Best game I've seen all year in my opinion.

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:13 pm

EliteHockeyMind wrote:
MrBoDangles wrote:By beating the defending u18 national champion, should they even be allowed to enter the post season this year in class A?

Should they have been allowed to play A the last couple years when they've scheduled Shattuck and other national prep powerhouses?
This again is going back to my original post that the AD and Headmaster were the ones holding this program back from moving up to 2A. The coaches are the ones who are responsibles for scheduling games outside of their predetermined conference games. Clearly the coaches believe they can compete at the 2A level and have moved up to the Gold division in the Schwan cup as well.

Do you honestly think the MSHSL will ban a team from playing in the post-season in the class that they began the year in? They schedule these tough 2A teams to play in big games to get a feel for where they can compete and to prepare for the post season.

STA by their record vs top ranked 2A teams should have no problem in the 1A tournament. They still have to play against Breck, who they only beat 2-1, and no one knows how good the un-tested, undefeated EGF team really is.

STA plays Breck again on Saturday, then their grudgematch against Hill-Murray on Thursday (FSN). Both should be great games.

Elite Hockey Mind?

It doesn't matter who is responsible for the sandbagging that's been going on for the last few years. They've pillaged class A and it's all been about the lucky dollar.

I can just imagine a senior from a section rival hearing during THIS season that STA admits that they belong in AA, but it won't happen until NEXT year......... BS!!

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