4AA SEMIFINALS #3 STILLWATER VS #2 WHITE BEAR LAKE

[GreekChurch]

So now you are cheering for HM right?

As a Graduate of Hill Murray, who else is there?

[hockeymachine]

I have no idea how much Sager is to blame for this one since I was listening on radio rather than watching, but since Goldfishdude is gone,

FIRE SAGER!

But in reality, I think it was the team that let down last night, not coaching.
They were flat throughout, and didnt deserve it.

Friday night will be the first in a long long while in which I am rooting for a HM win. With my Bears out of contention, I now want to see the best state tournament field, which would include Hill. Seeing Stillwater at the X on Thursday may induce puking.

I know its not official, but I believe it is 99% certain, Wahlin is done at WBL.

I just wanted to say what a Heckuva career Wahlin had, and want to wish him the best in the USHL, and then at UMASS.

You were one of the best WBL players I have seen in my years following the program, and a rare pure goal scorer that the Bears never have seemed to have. Congrats on the season you had, and the 3 years on Varsity. Fun kid to watch play.

[hockeymachine]

And can we stop the Gorman bashing....
The game could have been 3 or 4-1 rather than a 2-1 OT loss.

He kept them close, while the rest of the team seemed to be looking forward to the Pioneers. Brutal outcome to a solid season.

[alcloseshaver]

I have no idea how much Sager is to blame for this one since I was listening on radio rather than watching, but since Goldfishdude is gone,

FIRE SAGER!

But in reality, I think it was the team that let down last night, not coaching.
They were flat throughout, and didnt deserve it.

Friday night will be the first in a long long while in which I am rooting for a HM win. With my Bears out of contention, I now want to see the best state tournament field, which would include Hill. Seeing Stillwater at the X on Thursday may induce puking.

I know its not official, but I believe it is 99% certain, Wahlin is done at WBL.

I just wanted to say what a Heckuva career Wahlin had, and want to wish him the best in the USHL, and then at UMASS.

You were one of the best WBL players I have seen in my years following the program, and a rare pure goal scorer that the Bears never have seemed to have. Congrats on the season you had, and the 3 years on Varsity. Fun kid to watch play.

Bonin before your time?

[ChrisK]

I know Wahlin is a talented player but I have to say I was disappointed in his performance last night. I didn't like the effort I saw, he didn't get many shots off--some credit of which must go to Stillwater--and taking a dumb, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the offensive zone with two and a half minutes left in the 3rd period of a tied section playoff game is just inexcusable, as a leader on his team he has to be more disciplined.

He is still a high school kid and this game offered him some good lessons that I hope he learns from.

Stillwater played a great game last night and deserved to win. I don't see them matching up well to Hill's speed and skill but if they can play as good a defensive game as last night they could give Hill fits. If Hill gets ahead early though, Stillwater will have a tough time coming back as they don't have a lot of offensive firepower.

[Pioneerprideguy]

Congrats to the Ponies for knocking off their archrival WBL. I'm sure these kids have been going at each other for years in their youth ranks and this group of seniors from Stillwater gets the last word.

I love the fact they are in the Finals with Housley no where in sight. It will be interesting to see where the players on Sillwater's Bantam AA team(which is having a great year) opt to play high school hockey at. May be a new chapter forming Stillwater High School.

As for Friday night, I think the Ponies may not have enough firepower to beat HM. It may be one thing to try and slow them down, but it is another thing to beat them. The coaches/players from Stillwater would never admit this (nor should they), but they may be happy with just being there, where as HM expects to be there & win.

For most, some of the luster of the Section final has been taken off since it won't be a HM/WB game. I also suspect the game may lack excitement if HM begins to pull away halfway thru. Stillwater had their moment last night & should be complimented for it, but I think HM has their moment Friday night.

[hockeymachine]

Alcloseshaver,

Yes, I did see Bonin play, but I was about 5 years old, so I couldnt truly appreciate how good he really was.

But post Bonin, I would put Wahlin over anyone else I have seen at WBL, for scoring ability.

Hambly was maybe the most dominant overall player I have seen play at WBL, but obviously he played D

[bkrrrrr]

I'm still a bit shocked over this. The way WBL was playing there was no doubt they would win tonight and have a great shot at making State. But then they went and played their worst game in 6 weeks. Stillwater outplayed them, period. But this was not the WBL team we've seen recently.

Team sports involve a lot of complex interactions between numerous players on both sides. so every matchup is different. Stillwater got the right matchups to disrupt WBL this time. Hopefully they find the right matchups to disrupt HM and make it count. I'd love to see a new uniform at State.

[The Gumper]

For White Bear...ouch. The talent was there, but so were the warning signs all along. This one is in a different category from a lot of their recent losses, but I'll defer to the White Bear Faithful on where this one falls in WBL history, and where this leaves the program.

How does this qualify as a loss that warrants "where does this loss fall in the team's history?" or "where does this leave the program?" sorts of questions? The team won the conference and finished 17-10-1 this year, which was an improvement over 2012-13 (14-11-1) when they finished second to CDH. Last year WBL lost 1-0 to H-M in the section final; this year they lost 2-1 in the section semi-final.

I'm not seeing how this loss, after the season they had, justifies any sort of serious navel-gazing.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

Only because they were the clear favorite with what most would argue clearly better players. But that's why we love this game! Never know what will happen for any team in three short periods.
I think previous poster has way more insight into the locker room and bench than you or I do? Looking for the drama behind what may be just a single off game not an endemic and systemic Bears problem/s.

[Wblhcky2424]

For White Bear...ouch. The talent was there, but so were the warning signs all along. This one is in a different category from a lot of their recent losses, but I'll defer to the White Bear Faithful on where this one falls in WBL history, and where this leaves the program.

How does this qualify as a loss that warrants "where does this loss fall in the team's history?" or "where does this leave the program?" sorts of questions? The team won the conference and finished 17-10-1 this year, which was an improvement over 2012-13 (14-11-1) when they finished second to CDH. Last year WBL lost 1-0 to H-M in the section final; this year they lost 2-1 in the section semi-final.

I'm not seeing how this loss, after the season they had, justifies any sort of serious navel-gazing.

They were 19-7-1 this year and 17-10-1 last year

[hockeymachine]

Looks like Jake Wahlin is going to go out the same way that Jake Hansen did.

Leaving after Jr. year to jump to juniors, all while being invisible in their last HS game.

At least Hansen jumped to USHL so he could play for the Maroon and Gold.

Why Wahlin is going to jump, all so he can play at big bad UMASS downright baffles me. Unless he is going to switch commitments, how UMASS has the pull to demand him playing in USHL next year is almost laughable. its UMASS!

[Sats81]

Looks like Jake Wahlin is going to go out the same way that Jake Hansen did.

Leaving after Jr. year to jump to juniors, all while being invisible in their last HS game.

At least Hansen jumped to USHL so he could play for the Maroon and Gold.

Why Wahlin is going to jump, all so he can play at big bad UMASS downright baffles me. Unless he is going to switch commitments, how UMASS has the pull to demand him playing in USHL next year is almost laughable. its UMASS!

Likely has a lot to do with the fact that his brother is going there as well.

[hockeymachine]

I understand his brother also plays there, but why must he play juniors before going to UMASS at all?

The knock on him was dissapearing in big games, why not shed that next year as a Sr?

Maybe he truly wants to go play USHL, and all the "being forced to go" is just hearsay.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

I believe the knock was A big game. And the rest of his team didn't show up either. And if the likelihood of his team getting to the x next year is just as weak, why wouldn't he move on? (Please note I said move on, not move up.) You can't think of any reasons he'd want to play in a different program before college after 3 years in his current system? And you guys scream for development??? Or wait today maybe you are in the mood for screaming about staying with your community.
IMHO as long as he doesn't leave mid season, it could be the right decision for everyone.

[bkrrrrr]

Why Wahlin is going to jump, all so he can play at big bad UMASS downright baffles me. Unless he is going to switch commitments, how UMASS has the pull to demand him playing in USHL next year is almost laughable. its UMASS!

Amherst and Hampshire County is Heaven on Earth - lucky guy. Does Wahlin play any lacrosse?

[hockeymachine]

It wasnt A game, it was many big games. This game, last year section final, and many other big games this year. He piled up points against the lower tier competition, but did not excel nearly as well against the top teams (with the exception of the HM game this year)

No one is saying he cannot move on. If that is what he wants, then he definately should be going.

I was just addressing 'meridian90' claims that there was outside pressure on him leaving, all while he wanted to graduate from WBL.

I'll never understand what go into each kid's individual decisions, so whatever the kid wants, I believe it should be their choice.

Hockey is not the entirety of HS life, and sometimes I think the USHL or bust type posters on here dont understand that. There is more to life than hockey, and he already has a D1 Scholly, he isnt NHL material, so what is the rush?

[BlueLineSpecial]

I believe the knock was A big game. And the rest of his team didn't show up either. And if the likelihood of his team getting to the x next year is just as weak, why wouldn't he move on? (Please note I said move on, not move up.) You can't think of any reasons he'd want to play in a different program before college after 3 years in his current system? And you guys scream for development??? Or wait today maybe you are in the mood for screaming about staying with your community.
IMHO as long as he doesn't leave mid season, it could be the right decision for everyone.

Well if it's development he is looking for, he should hop on County Rd 120 and come to quaint city of Hill Murray. He can join Joey A and be one of the most powerful scoring lines in MN hockey history. Just come to the dark side

Jake, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join HM, and we will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict between HM and WBL, and bring order to the East Side.

[stpaul]

Looks like Jake Wahlin is going to go out the same way that Jake Hansen did.

Leaving after Jr. year to jump to juniors, all while being invisible in their last HS game.

At least Hansen jumped to USHL so he could play for the Maroon and Gold.

Why Wahlin is going to jump, all so he can play at big bad UMASS downright baffles me. Unless he is going to switch commitments, how UMASS has the pull to demand him playing in USHL next year is almost laughable. its UMASS!

The Hockey East Conference is not small potatoes. It 's pretty likely he would get pressure from any D1 coach to play in the USHL instead of high school. Maybe even for 2 years before coming to UMass. From looking at stats it appears that as talented and grown as Brandon is he is struggling to score at that level. It's a big jump from HS to the USHL and a big jump from there to Division 1 College Hockey.

[Nevertoomuchhockey]

Hockeymachine I haven't seen him play as much as you, just that this thread was only talking about that one game. Can't speak to the rest you refer to here. It is sure nice of you to determine for him and all of us that USHL and UMASS won't get him into the NHL. I'm sure another weak finish in sections at WBL would up his chances.
And to the HM parent who wants to billet him or offer his dad a job, love it. Just please stop referring to HM as the dark side. That might attract too many looking for a home after Achiever.

[hockeymachine]

I am not determining anything. I made a simple comment about how he isnt NHL bound. If that is so outlandish, I guess I apologize.

And by the way, I would LOVE to eat crow on that comment. As a fan of his, Wahlin making it to the NHL would be awesome, and quite the achievement.
Just an opinion, that is all my friend.
If you think he is bound for "The Show", boy I hope you are right.

I dont think he "should" or shouldnt" come back. I was just expressing my opinion that I think it should be his choice.

All signs indicate he is gone, and with that, good luck in wherever he lands, and thanks for the 3 years of great hockey. Hell, I thought he was gone before the start of this year, so maybe WBL got a bonus year out of the deal already.

[Pioneerprideguy]

I believe the knock was A big game. And the rest of his team didn't show up either. And if the likelihood of his team getting to the x next year is just as weak, why wouldn't he move on? (Please note I said move on, not move up.) You can't think of any reasons he'd want to play in a different program before college after 3 years in his current system? And you guys scream for development??? Or wait today maybe you are in the mood for screaming about staying with your community.
IMHO as long as he doesn't leave mid season, it could be the right decision for everyone.

Well if it's development he is looking for, he should hop on County Rd 120 and come to quaint city of Hill Murray. He can join Joey A and be one of the most powerful scoring lines in MN hockey history. Just come to the dark side

Jake, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join HM, and we will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict between HM and WBL, and bring order to the East Side.

That shipped sailed a couple of years ago. Jake & his dad wanted to attend Hill. When dad found out the bottom line financially, they opted to attend WBL. Jake is a great kid & Lex would have loved to have him, but it just didn't work out. He'll be fine whatever he decides to do down the road.

[BlueLineSpecial]

I believe the knock was A big game. And the rest of his team didn't show up either. And if the likelihood of his team getting to the x next year is just as weak, why wouldn't he move on? (Please note I said move on, not move up.) You can't think of any reasons he'd want to play in a different program before college after 3 years in his current system? And you guys scream for development??? Or wait today maybe you are in the mood for screaming about staying with your community.
IMHO as long as he doesn't leave mid season, it could be the right decision for everyone.

Well if it's development he is looking for, he should hop on County Rd 120 and come to quaint city of Hill Murray. He can join Joey A and be one of the most powerful scoring lines in MN hockey history. Just come to the dark side

Jake, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join HM, and we will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict between HM and WBL, and bring order to the East Side.

That shipped sailed a couple of years ago. Jake & his dad wanted to attend Hill. When dad found out the bottom line financially, they opted to attend WBL. Jake is a great kid & Lex would have loved to have him, but it just didn't work out. He'll be fine whatever he decides to do down the road.

Yeah I recall that, but I was hearing it third party and didn't know how much truth there was to it. I know he's not coming to Hill. Mostly I just wanted to recreate the Star Wars quote.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Looks like Jake Wahlin is going to go out the same way that Jake Hansen did.

Leaving after Jr. year to jump to juniors, all while being invisible in their last HS game.

At least Hansen jumped to USHL so he could play for the Maroon and Gold.

Why Wahlin is going to jump, all so he can play at big bad UMASS downright baffles me. Unless he is going to switch commitments, how UMASS has the pull to demand him playing in USHL next year is almost laughable. its UMASS!

The Hockey East Conference is not small potatoes. It 's pretty likely he would get pressure from any D1 coach to play in the USHL instead of high school. Maybe even for 2 years before coming to UMass. From looking at stats it appears that as talented and grown as Brandon is he is struggling to score at that level. It's a big jump from HS to the USHL and a big jump from there to Division 1 College Hockey.

It's strange; I was looking at Brandon's numbers from his freshman year, and was really surprised. Almost no points for a really bad Umass team. And he was a stud the two years he was in juniors. My guess is that Jake will take the same path and possibly play two years before heading east. Nothing to back this up, just pondering I guess.

Any WBL people have any factual insight? Seems like a lot of speculation at this point.

[Wblhcky2424]

Everyone expected that "baby Jesus" as we like call him would most likely leave after his junior year so it's not really a surprise that he is leaving. I was surprised that he even came back for this year but props to him for sticking around one more year with the talented group of players we have right now.
Best of luck to him in the future and thanks for all the memories of watching him play the past 3 years. We all in White Bear Nation wish he would come back but know that's not gonna happen. We will see how we do next season without him