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1A and 1AA are both adminstered by Region 1AA and managed by Red Wing's AD (Red Wing has run the 1AA hockey tournament for many years even though Red Wing wasn't in 1AA) For the 2008 playoffs the semi-finals and finals will all take place at the Rec Center in Rochester.

On Saturday the 23rd both 1A and 1AA will play their semifinals, in years past they played an A game followed by an AA game in the afternoon, cleared the building and did the same thing in the evening. 12 & 2 for the potential #1 vs. #4 game and 6 & 8 for the potential #2 vs. #3 game.

On Thursday the 28th 1AA will play their secion final and on Friday the 29th 1A will play their final.

With the new section alignment, wouldn't Owatonna's Four Season's Centre be a PERFECT venue for the semi-finals & finals??? It is centrally located and the capacity is perfect for games of these nature. Since the Southern MN Express have taken up residency there, the city has made some nice upgrades to the entire facility.

Rochester Rec Center really doesn't offer a good atmoshpere or location.

Am I the only one that sees it this way??

It's a toss up. The REC is not a great place but they are making improvement. Owatonna really needs to update the 1930 bleachers.

The Rochester Rec Center Holds a lot more people then Owatonna though

The Rochester Rec Center Holds a lot more people then Owatonna though

Precisely. If it doesn't fill up, it doesn't provide a good atmosphere for high school hockey. Having played in both arenas (each at capacity or better as well as nearly empty), I can say without hesitation that the Rec Center loses dramatically.

Yes if it doesnt fill up your right, but its sections more fans will come to watch

I would like to see both A and AA play at the same venue. I think that GAC has been good for class A and provides a great atmosphere to play in as it fills to capacity. The only problem may be the size of the AA schools where it would be hard to get all of the fans in GAC. It still could present the best atmosphere of any arena.
The one knock I have on Owatonna is that the lighting is not the greatest which could also kill the atmosphere that typically comes with Section semis and finals.

gabT wrote:I would like to see both A and AA play at the same venue. I think that GAC has been good for class A and provides a great atmosphere to play in as it fills to capacity. The only problem may be the size of the AA schools where it would be hard to get all of the fans in GAC. It still could present the best atmosphere of any arena.
The one knock I have on Owatonna is that the lighting is not the greatest which could also kill the atmosphere that typically comes with Section semis and finals.

I think Owatonna would be great for both. Much improved in the last couple of years, centrally located and a good size

Owatonna wouldnt be able to hold all the fans in that arena so it wouldnt be that nice.

i think they should have a 1 on 1 tourny to see who will be nick johnsons d partner this year.... he needs someone who can keep up with him or he wont be as effective!!

I think the Rec is the best spot for the Sections. It filled up last years simi when CHS played Mayo (cross town) but the reason it doesnt fill up at Finals is it has been CHS Lakville for the past 7 years?? not sure exsactly but besides that one year when it was JM Century and that was the most packed game i have seen at the Rec. Also since i have played at all the rinks mentioned. Owatonna's rink isn't a great place to play as a player. Lighting is bad, lockerooms are crowded...and it seems too "Barn like" All i know is when i walk into the Rec and hear the bands, I think there is no better atmospher other than the X

As far as location...3 teams in the tournment live in Rochester. That can be beaten for location

There are also three teams that are North (Farmington and Lakevilles). The Rec center is not centrally located and it is a hassle to go down to.

I have played and watched MANY hockey games in both arenas, and I hate the Rec Center! Theres only one way to get onto the ice from the locker rooms... not to mention actually getting to the locker rooms. And the seats are hard as hell, dingy and dark.

Unlike the 4 seasons arena, its WAY more accesible, better ice, better stands, BRIGHTER, just cooler haha, o and the sweet SMN express train dealy, thats tight! I would rather have sections in O-town.

But hey, the Rec Centers better than that PLEASE BAN ME hole that Mayo plays at!!!

There are issues with Graham, but Graham West has by far the best ice - hard and fast. The Rec Center ice is slow and soft.

With that said, the Rec Center is a much better atmosphere than Four Seasons and it has tradition.

How come they don't have the section final at Mariucci like they used to?

Because when they used to have it at Mariucci years ago, there were still teams like Apple Valley, Burnsville etc., and even before that, Jefferson, that were in Section 1.

I've never been in either building for a tournament game, but have been for regular season high school games and bantam and pee wee games, and I do like Owatonna's rink better than the Rec Center.

When people come to Rochester to watch or play hockey this season they will not recognize Graham Arena. A fourth rink was added and its all tied into one central lobby area. All of the buildings were remodeled with new ceilings and lighting. The Rec got new lighting too. The new rink has some huge lockerrooms (think of 6 times the size of Northfield or Prior Lake). The seating and viewing is very nice but would not hold enough bodies for a section championship game.

there really is nothing like the atmosphere of a section championship game at the rec center

Rec Center was pretty unreal for the JM-Century game a few years ago.

Still think that O- town wouldve made a much better arena to have sections in though, but hey, im not in charge, i just play. why dont we just play on some random lake ( sarcasim of course ) Ya i dont care, actually where itl be, itl be fun none the less

Because when they used to have it at Mariucci years ago, there were still teams like Apple Valley, Burnsville etc., and even before that, Jefferson, that were in Section 1.

That is not true....the last 1AA section final at Mariucci was in 1999....the score was Mayo 5 JM 4 in 2OTs.