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Which teams are underestimated in this conference??

Winona; don't get me wrong they'll still be bottom half, but their bantam teams have been improving and teams like Austin, East, and JM haven't got much this year. Nadeau is a good player so is Swanson and Donlin has some experiance in nets.

Century and AL are probably top of the class with West, Faribault, Owatonna, and Mayo a step below. I guess no one in that group is underestimated, so of anyone I guess Winona could move up into that middle group point wise with a couple of wins.

goldy313 wrote:Winona; don't get me wrong they'll still be bottom half, but their bantam teams have been improving and teams like Austin, East, and JM haven't got much this year. Nadeau is a good player so is Swanson and Donlin has some experiance in nets.

Century and AL are probably top of the class with West, Faribault, Owatonna, and Mayo a step below. I guess no one in that group is underestimated, so of anyone I guess Winona could move up into that middle group point wise with a couple of wins.

Why is Century the top of the class. They lost quite alot and do not return much.

davey wrote:

goldy313 wrote:Winona; don't get me wrong they'll still be bottom half, but their bantam teams have been improving and teams like Austin, East, and JM haven't got much this year. Nadeau is a good player so is Swanson and Donlin has some experiance in nets.

Century and AL are probably top of the class with West, Faribault, Owatonna, and Mayo a step below. I guess no one in that group is underestimated, so of anyone I guess Winona could move up into that middle group point wise with a couple of wins.

Why is Century the top of the class. They lost quite alot and do not return much.

I think I'd lean towards Mayo being the best AA team in Rochester.

Also, is Century going to get really embarassed on TV Thursday? Or will they be able to hold their own.

LZ94 wrote:

davey wrote:

goldy313 wrote:Winona; don't get me wrong they'll still be bottom half, but their bantam teams have been improving and teams like Austin, East, and JM haven't got much this year. Nadeau is a good player so is Swanson and Donlin has some experiance in nets.

Century and AL are probably top of the class with West, Faribault, Owatonna, and Mayo a step below. I guess no one in that group is underestimated, so of anyone I guess Winona could move up into that middle group point wise with a couple of wins.

Why is Century the top of the class. They lost quite alot and do not return much.

I think I'd lean towards Mayo being the best AA team in Rochester.

Also, is Century going to get really embarassed on TV Thursday? Or will they be able to hold their own.

I think they will get really embarassed Thursday. I also would agree about Mayo the best AA team in Rochester.

Mankato West will win the Big 9

Lucia4President wrote:Mankato West will win the Big 9

Mankato West will not win the Big Nine. I think it will be Mayo, AL or Century possibly? I think Mankato West is good but will likely finish 3rd in the conference.

If Century wins the Big 9 I will give you all the money in my bank account.

Ill take that bet. Write up a contract and send it to me Why are you so down about Century this year?

I will send the contract in the mail sir. Century was great last year, don't forget that. But, when talking about them this year, you should. They lost so much, both O and D, I just cannot see them winning the Big 9, when teams like Albert Lea, West, maybe even Mayo, are better. If Arens and Knutson were playing for Century this year, things might be different. But if you were to go line by line with the other top 4-5 teams in the Big 9, how would Century match up? Ewing better stand on his head all year.

I hope they prove me wrong. Tomorrow night will be a huge test for them. They do play a tough schedule, and that might make them better in the long run. I just don't see how this team can be much better than .500. But, once again, I hope they prove me wrong.

yeah I can see AL and West being up there, but after seeing and hearing about the Mayo game. I doubt Mayo will be better.

Southernhockey44 -
What did you see and hear about Mayo? Goaltending a big issue for the Spartans in the 1st game?

I still think Mayo will contend for the Big Nine title with AL, Century, and West, maybe even Faribault in that mix.

I agree with Goldy, Winona will be a spoiler once or twice this year for someone if they are not careful, but they will still finish 8-10 in the conference.

Yes, Goaltending was one of the issues I herd. Also the D. Seems that they were just getting walked and such by Muller and company when they played. I haven't had a chance to see them at home, but they should have a decient O, but defense wins championships( or Big 9), exsp. with not the best goalie. Also I have seen JM, (last night) and boy they have some work ahead of them. Good thing they have the coach they do. I wish them the best.

All in all my gut feeling for the Rochester Schools will be Lourder, Century, Mayo, JM in that order on being the "best." Hopefully all 3 public schools can make intresting and exciting games towards the end of the season, I notice Mayo plays CHS last game befor sections, could have some excitment if they are in top of Big 9. Who knows, season is still young and i will get a better look at CHS tom night.

Owatonna is on top so far.......Mayo has been doing pretty good........Century and JM both arent doing to well....theres your update

West will win the Big 9. Just finished watching them demolish Owatonna. They have the best line in the conference hands down. Have yet to see AL play but I think that not only will West win the Big 9 they will also contend for the 1A trip to state with Lourdes and Red Wing.

West beat Owatonna 7-0 tonight. West has beaten up on the weak Big 9 teams, (Austin, East, Winona) and Owatonna has beaten the rest (AL, Faribault, and all 3 Rochesters). They were both undefeated and West dominated them... i agree with MnHockey96

GinosAreGood wrote:West beat Owatonna 7-0 tonight. West has beaten up on the weak Big 9 teams, (Austin, East, Winona) and Owatonna has beaten the rest (AL, Faribault, and all 3 Rochesters). They were both undefeated and West dominated them... i agree with MnHockey96

For what it's worth, West also outperformed and outscored AL in their pre-season scrimmage.

Like I've said all along, West will win the Big 9.

Unless some good coach can find some checkers to sit on West's top line, the Big 9 and section are decided.

If you try to run and gun with West you will lose. What is this, the MSHSL equivalent of the NBA from the 70s? All offense, no D?

West's top line is releasing early, getting a jump on the defense and making great plays off the rush. They come flying through the neutral zone, and play tick-tack-toe. If you give them odd man rushes, forget it. And power plays, forget it.

Can Mayo stop them? I doubt it. Mayo's got good forwards, but they don't like to play D. Haven't seen Red Wing or Lourdes, but I doubt whether they have the defensive mindset to stop L & L. They will suffer the same fate as New Prague.

Does anybody teach forwards how to backcheck? West's top line is toying with teams because they have speed, they can make plays off the rush and nobody plays the body. It's brutal, but lots of fun for L & L.

goaler wrote:Unless some good coach can find some checkers to sit on West's top line, the Big 9 and section are decided.

If you try to run and gun with West you will lose. What is this, the MSHSL equivalent of the NBA from the 70s? All offense, no D?

West's top line is releasing early, getting a jump on the defense and making great plays off the rush. They come flying through the neutral zone, and play tick-tack-toe. If you give them odd man rushes, forget it. And power plays, forget it.

Can Mayo stop them? I doubt it. Mayo's got good forwards, but they don't like to play D. Haven't seen Red Wing or Lourdes, but I doubt whether they have the defensive mindset to stop L & L. They will suffer the same fate as New Prague.

Does anybody teach forwards how to backcheck? West's top line is toying with teams because they have speed, they can make plays off the rush and nobody plays the body. It's brutal, but lots of fun for L & L.

Goaler, I would have to say West backchecks very well and transitions as good as anybody. That is one of the ways they set up so many odd man rushes. If you look at the shots they have allowed in their games against NP and Owatonna, it has all been third period shots on 5-3 man disadvantages, when the game has been pretty much decided. I think we have to give some credit to the West D. No one flashy, but they get the puck to the forwards and let them do what they are supposed to do. The tic tac toe is pretty fun to watch. Many a goalie throwing up their hands in exasperation

yeah davey you are probably right. I haven't seen that much of West this year, just the scores, but they really get that fast break started, catch the other teams up ice, and they are absolutely deadly at finishing.

They made Owatonna look pretty weak last night. I don't think the Huskies have much offense, but they only had 8 shots through two periods.

The tic-tac-toe might be fun for West's fans, but not for the goalies in the rest of the section. But that's our problem, not West's.

By the way, I recorded St. Thomas on TV last night. I almost hate to say it, but I think West matches up pretty well against them, too.

Should the rest of southern Minnesota be happy about West possibly winning state? Is it too early to contemplate that?

I think West is too much like a Little Falls of last year. They roll over people in their section, but then can't compete with the tougher school at Xcel.

I also think it is too early to give West this section. Lourdes, Red Wing, Albert Lea, they are all solid teams. We can talk about this in February when things are clear.

goaler wrote:yeah davey you are probably right. I haven't seen that much of West this year, just the scores, but they really get that fast break started, catch the other teams up ice, and they are absolutely deadly at finishing.

They made Owatonna look pretty weak last night. I don't think the Huskies have much offense, but they only had 8 shots through two periods.

The tic-tac-toe might be fun for West's fans, but not for the goalies in the rest of the section. But that's our problem, not West's.

By the way, I recorded St. Thomas on TV last night. I almost hate to say it, but I think West matches up pretty well against them, too.

Should the rest of southern Minnesota be happy about West possibly winning state? Is it too early to contemplate that?

I think it is much too early to contemplate that. They are at least 4 other teams in this Section that match up well with West. In another month or so we can probably see if any team separates themselves from the rest. Plus once sectionals hit, anything can happen. I have seen all the top teams play except AL and I know what they can bring to the table. Each team has their strengths. Right now the team that is flying under the radar a little is NP. A very young team with some top end talent. If they can get improved play from their D, I see them as very dangerous.
RW and Lourdes, obviously very good teams but I think a team with speed may expose some D issues for both teams. Once again two teams with difference makers at the forward position. AL, they are what they are in that they probably play harder and smarter than any team in the Section. Excellent coach who seems to get the team to peak at the right time.

Davey, I agree with you about New Prague. Unfortunately, I had the opportunity to see them Saturday and Tuesday. They destroyed Austin and Waseca. I am a puzzled by the score against West, but it was early, and I think they might have been a little blindsided.

They have two really, really good lines. And 3 and four aren't bad either. D is pretty good and I think the goalie is ok too. I think a rematch is in order. But this is the Big 9 thread and New Prague's not in the Big 9.

By the way, I've seen AL, and I saw Game 2 against West last year. If there is a team in the Big 9 that knows how to beat West it is AL. But I don't think they've got quite enough horsepower this year. That first game against AL should be a barnburner. If it's in AL, leave the fans at home. They didn't make any friends in AL last year.

goaler wrote:Davey, I agree with you about New Prague. Unfortunately, I had the opportunity to see them Saturday and Tuesday. They destroyed Austin and Waseca. I am a puzzled by the score against West, but it was early, and I think they might have been a little blindsided.

They have two really, really good lines. And 3 and four aren't bad either. D is pretty good and I think the goalie is ok too. I think a rematch is in order. But this is the Big 9 thread and New Prague's not in the Big 9.

By the way, I've seen AL, and I saw Game 2 against West last year. If there is a team in the Big 9 that knows how to beat West it is AL. But I don't think they've got quite enough horsepower this year. That first game against AL should be a barnburner. If it's in AL, leave the fans at home. They didn't make any friends in AL last year.

Its in AL and the West fans will be out in full force. Not sure if they care if they made any friends last year. I agree it will be a great game, but I thought last nights would be also. Oh thats right, it was a great game...if you are a West fan