Great Teams that Fell Short

[Factsmatter1]

Last years team ran into HM in the semi-finals at State. That game went into 4OTs when they did win; however, they had to play a tough Edina team later that night for the title. If Tonka didn't play so late and had more time to recuperate; the 2010 Tonka team wouldn't be in this discussion (IMO).

Tonka has undershot the mark the last few years relative to their talent... last year was no exception.

So you're saying Tonka would have lost regardless if they were fatigued or not from that semi-final game? Not sure about that one...

not saying that at all... I am saying the fact that they had to play a 4OT game is an indication of the problem. With the talent they had they should have walked through the state tourney including HM but didn't and haven't.

[PuckU126]

Tonka has undershot the mark the last few years relative to their talent... last year was no exception.

So you're saying Tonka would have lost regardless if they were fatigued or not from that semi-final game? Not sure about that one...

not saying that at all... I am saying the fact that they had to play a 4OT game is an indication of the problem. With the talent they had they should have walked through the state tourney including HM but didn't and haven't.

I see, just wanted to clear things up.

[DanFromWoodbury]

So you're saying Tonka would have lost regardless if they were fatigued or not from that semi-final game? Not sure about that one...

8)

not saying that at all... I am saying the fact that they had to play a 4OT game is an indication of the problem. With the talent they had they should have walked through the state tourney including HM but didn't and haven't.

I see, just wanted to clear things up.

8)

My first post...

In 96 Apple Valley won the epic game against Duluth East in the semis, and they still had enough in the tank to win state. The following year, Edina beat Hill in a similar clash, and was able to knock off the undefeated Greyhounds in the championship. If Tonka was the best team last year, they would have found a way to win.

[DanFromWoodbury]

not saying that at all... I am saying the fact that they had to play a 4OT game is an indication of the problem. With the talent they had they should have walked through the state tourney including HM but didn't and haven't.

I see, just wanted to clear things up.

8)

My first post...

In 96 Apple Valley won the epic game against Duluth East in the semis, and they still had enough in the tank to win state. The following year, Edina beat Hill in a similar clash, and was able to knock off the undefeated Greyhounds in the championship. If Tonka was the best team last year, they would have found a way to win.

But back to the topic at hand, Tonka 2010 is a quintessential example of an amazing team that fell short.

[PuckU126]

I see, just wanted to clear things up.

My first post...

In 96 Apple Valley won the epic game against Duluth East in the semis, and they still had enough in the tank to win state. The following year, Edina beat Hill in a similar clash, and was able to knock off the undefeated Greyhounds in the championship. If Tonka was the best team last year, they would have found a way to win.

But back to the topic at hand, Tonka 2010 is a quintessential example of an amazing team that fell short.

Agreed. Good posts so far, Dan. Keep it up.

And welcome, newcomer.

[starmvp]

I see, just wanted to clear things up.

My first post...

In 96 Apple Valley won the epic game against Duluth East in the semis, and they still had enough in the tank to win state. The following year, Edina beat Hill in a similar clash, and was able to knock off the undefeated Greyhounds in the championship. If Tonka was the best team last year, they would have found a way to win.

But back to the topic at hand, Tonka 2010 is a quintessential example of an amazing team that fell short.

Welcome. We may never know if Tonka would have won if their late-night game wouldn't have gone on so long. But, they are definitely a good example of a great team that fell short.

[PuckU126]

My first post...

In 96 Apple Valley won the epic game against Duluth East in the semis, and they still had enough in the tank to win state. The following year, Edina beat Hill in a similar clash, and was able to knock off the undefeated Greyhounds in the championship. If Tonka was the best team last year, they would have found a way to win.

But back to the topic at hand, Tonka 2010 is a quintessential example of an amazing team that fell short.

Welcome. We may never know if Tonka would have won if their late-night game wouldn't have gone on so long. But, they are definitely a good example of a great team that fell short.

Thank you. Someone sees my point-of-view!

[starmvp]

But back to the topic at hand, Tonka 2010 is a quintessential example of an amazing team that fell short.

Welcome. We may never know if Tonka would have won if their late-night game wouldn't have gone on so long. But, they are definitely a good example of a great team that fell short.

Thank you. Someone sees my point-of-view!

I ended up staying for the whole game, and I was tired the next day.

[PuckU126]

Welcome. We may never know if Tonka would have won if their late-night game wouldn't have gone on so long. But, they are definitely a good example of a great team that fell short.

Thank you. Someone sees my point-of-view!

I ended up staying for the whole game, and I was tired the next day.

Same. I was up 7 bucks playing the time game.

But I mostly stayed for the game.

I was too tired the next day; unlike you star, I stay up past midnight..

[starmvp]

Thank you. Someone sees my point-of-view!

I ended up staying for the whole game, and I was tired the next day.

Same. I was up 7 bucks playing the time game.

But I mostly stayed for the game.

I was too tired the next day; unlike you star, I stay up past midnight..

I am struggling to keep my eyes open. I've played that game the past several years at the tourney. Brings back great memories.

[sn1per]

I'm surprised nobody has brought up Roseau from the mid 70's when they had the Broten's, Butsy Erickson, and some others(Maybe 1975?, I wasn't around back then, but my dad has told me stories about them)

[PuckU126]

I'm surprised nobody has brought up Roseau from the mid 70's when they had the Broten's, Butsy Erickson, and some others(Maybe 1975?, I wasn't around back then, but my dad has told me stories about them)

I assume you are talking about the 1977 (23-0 / 6th in state) AND 1978 (23-0 / 3rd in state) Roseau Rams.

Good ones.

[PeaceFrogs]

1977 Edina East hornets, only loss in state final.

Was at this game. Will have to say that the Rochester JM team of this era was the real deal and defeating Edina East was not an upset. 7 to 10 of the players went on to D1 hockey (Lecy, Lecy, Scheid, Letourneau, Butters, Taylor, Aikens...).

[PuckU126]

There have been a lot of great teams listed here.

Too bad they just couldn't finish...

[25 sheet power]

04 Warroad 26-2 out in 1st round.
Won it in 03 and 05

[paulsonj72]

The '82 Hibbing club was absolutely loaded with future D1 prospects - Micheletti, Hooper brothers, Krmpotich, Sandelin, et al, only to be upset by White Bear Mariner in the semis.

Also in 1982, had Cloquet not lost Cory Millen to a broken ankle in Regionals, they may have been hoisting the trophy at State. As it was Hibbing took 3rd and Cloquet the Consolation.

Thirty years later people still think that Edina team could have lost? First year that the schools were back together. Dodged one in the semi when they needed OT to get past Jefferson. If anything, your mention of Cloquet just indicates how strong the whole field was that year.

I think the other stars in the field were Craig Mack, Jim Johansson, and Dave Maley.

One of the TV stations (either WCCO or KSTP) used to have a half-hour show that gave highlights from the section finals. I remember being so disappointed that we didn't get to see the great Corey Millen at the state tournament. Eventually I had a class with him at the University. Funny story for another day.

1982 was the last year KSTP had the rights to the tourney so it was likely them.

[PuckU126]

[PuckU126]

04 Warroad 26-2 out in 1st round.
Won it in 03 and 05

And Warroad then said, thank you, TJ Oshie.

[Lumberjack]

The 1990-91 Virginia team was ranked #2 with 4 D1 players (Joe Tamminen-UMD, Garret Plotnick-UMD, Brent Lamppa-Notre Dame, Aaron Novak-UMD) and never saw the Civic Center.

They had split a pair of games with #9 Grand Rapids during the regular season both by 5-2 scores and ran up a record of 24-3 only to get shellacked in the finals by the Indians 9-2. They had beaten half of the teams that actually made it to St. Paul that year during the regular season.

Didn't Novak transfer to Cloquet the next year??

[Rich Clarke]

Of course, Edina could have lost. And this post is about great teams that did not finish - and the '82 Hibbing team, based on personnel, was great. And speaking of Cloquet, I believe they beat Hibbing in the regular season that year.[/quote]

That Hibbing team may have been great, but Edina beat them 4-1 during the season, and beat Mariner in the championship 6-0. Mariner beat Hibbing 4-1 in the semis, and beat Cloquet (sans Corey Millan) 7-2 in the quarters. No doubt that Corey was one of the greatest players in Minn HS history, but it's debatable whether he would have been enough to get Cloquet past Mariner, let alone the team who demolished Mariner in the finals. Hibbing and Cloquet were very good northern teams that year, but neither had a serious argument for being best in the state.

[bardown27]

The 1994-1995 Hutch Tigers. heading into state they were 24-0. Played Red Wing in the quarterfinals. They had beaten red wing twice in the regular season, only to lose to them 3-1. Hutch then went on and won the consolation championship. Hutch hasnt beaten red wing since...

[hipcheck]

1960 Rams! State runner up in '57, Champs in '58, Champs in '59, undefeated in '60 until meeting Warroad in section. Lost 1-0, 12 minute periods, Warroad lost to TRF in section finals. 1961 Rams State champs.

[mj79]

I would throw the 1988 Armstrong Falcons in there. 18 seniors, ranked #1 most of the year but fell short to Edina in the section finals 2-1. Bruces best chance for a state title.

That's a nice one. I still remember being at that Thursday night game at Met Center. Edina got two in the 1st and held on for dear life to a furious 3rd period push by Armstrong. Edina was the #4 seed in '88 and ended up winning the whole thing. Shows you what can happen in February & March when a team starts to click.

A few others:
-1986 Edina: Quite a few D-I players on that one, highly ranked all year, upset by Damian Rhodes & Richfield in the VI semis.
-1995 Jefferson: So much talent, but had no goaltending. Still remember when East was up 1-0 on them and Josh DeWolf took it the length of the ice, completely removed Cade Ledingham's jock, and his backhand hit the post with the wide open net. My buddy instantly said when that happened, "It ain't Jefferson's night." The wheels came off shotly after in the 4-0 loss.
-2000 Eden Prairie: The consensus #2 after Elk River all season long. Got shocked by Edina in 4 OT's. Often called the "Seasons' Over" game after the EP students started chanting "Season's Over" in the last minute only to give up the tying goal with under 5 seconds left. Ironic that the consensus #1 & #2 teams all season long didn't even make it out of sections. Shows anything can happen come one & done time.

I'm sure u mean 5-0

[PuckU126]

1960 Rams! State runner up in '57, Champs in '58, Champs in '59, undefeated in '60 until meeting Warroad in section. Lost 1-0, 12 minute periods, Warroad lost to TRF in section finals. 1961 Rams State champs.

That is quite the run from '57 to '61!!

[paulsonj72]

1960 Rams! State runner up in '57, Champs in '58, Champs in '59, undefeated in '60 until meeting Warroad in section. Lost 1-0, 12 minute periods, Warroad lost to TRF in section finals. 1961 Rams State champs.

Question then is when did periods become 15 minutes and overtime increase to 8 minutes and then at the state tournament go 8 then full period back & forth