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Hibbing plays Virginia. Who wins?

Day: March 4, 2009
Place: Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC)
Time: 7:30

My Preview:

Hibbing (16-9-1) came into the season in many eyes as the second seed behind DM. A 7-1 win over I-Falls looked good. But a 6-2 explosion over the Toppers led by Aaron Jamnick (30-24-54) in December put Hibbing in the inside track for the 1 seed. A late December win over Greenway 9-0, and a 4-2 win over Virginia on January 17 seemed to affirm this. But Hibbing began a struggle in late January, which seemed to begin with a loss to section opponent International Falls 4-3 (after the early 7-1 win over I-Falls), and a lousy win over Greenway 1-0. But Hibbing still seemed in track for the 1 seed barring a loss to Virginia. But lose they did. 7-1 in Virginia. And with that, Virginia took the 1 seed. The Bluejackets season seemed in doubt after losing to I-Falls and Virginia, after beating them earlier in the season. It seemed as if everybody was getting better, while they sunk into an inevitable colapse. But Hibbing kept going, beating Two Harbors 6-0, and a huge win over I-Falls 4-2, showing that they were still afloat. Now Hibbing charges forward to the DECC, and another section final game. For them, they hope for a finish other then second in the always tough section 7A.

Virginia (22-5-0) came into the season a third or fourth seed at best in people's eyes. This seemed affirmed following their early 6-4 loss to I-Falls, and a 4-2 loss to Hibbing. But the rather young Bluedevils led by Chris Westin (30-41-71), and Garrett Hendrickson (22-37-59) kept improving. They beat Greenway 3-2, but only 10 days later beat them 5-0. Virginia still seemed to be on the outside looking in for a top 1-2 seed. Virginia showed they deserved a higher seed with a 4 goal first period in rout to a 4-3 victory over Duluth Marshall. This threw Marshall out of the mix as a legitimate top 1-2 seed, and threw Virginia into the mix as a team hot at the right time. It became clear that the game between the struggling Bluejackets and the surging Bluedevils would most likely determine the 1st seed. Virginia not only won, they won in a decisive fashion over Hibbing 7-1. And with that, the season came full circle for Virginia. And the Bluedevils ran into the playoffs with the 1st seed. A 5-0 win over Silver Bay was followed by a tight 4-3 win over Duluth Marshall which ended Marshall's 4 consecutive state appearances. Virginia was down 2-1 entering the third, but they showed their inability to die, scoring 3 third period goals to advance to the section championship.

Previous Meetings in 2009:
January 17, 2009 (Hibbing Memorial Arena):
Hibbing: 4
Virginia: 2

February 17, 2009 (Miners Memorial Arena):
Virginia: 7
Hibbing: 1

My Prediction:
Virginia: 4
Hibbing: 3
OT

Scoring Leaders (Hibbing): Goals Assists Total Points
20 Jamnick, Aaron Senior Forward 30 24 54
26 Hanegmon, Ryan Senior Forward 13 13 26
3 Peratelo, Spencer Junior Forward 9 16 25
9 Johnson, Ryan Junior Forward 9 11 20
6 DeCenzo, Nick Sophomore Defense 7 11 18

Scoring Leaders (Virginia): Goals Assists Total Points
15 Westin, Chris Senior Forward 30 41 71
7 Hendrickson, Garrett Sophomore Forward 22 37 59
9 Krebsbach, Jordan Junior Defense 16 22 38
3 Judnick, Andrew Junior Forward 13 23 36
25 Eddy, Travis Sophomore Forward 9 10 19

points courtesy of Prep Hockey North
Should be a packed house for a classic range rivalry.

Hibbing is the 2nd seed not 3

Hibbing rolled 3 lines and looked good for pretty much the entire game. Virginia at times was shaky but Lustig was good as Marshall wasn't going away lightly. Should be a fun game at the DECC and like all the games goaltending will be key. I'm not making opinion because I'm biased and I don't want to curse it.

DECC will be absolutely nuts!

Place will Be Freaken Insane!!!!!! Should be a Fantastic Game...Couldnt ask for a Better Rivalry Game to Decide who won the season series and who goes to state.

Virginia 5
Hibbing 2

Hibbing's 2 1/2 lines can't match Virginia's 4 lines. Virginia's senior goaltender will shine, while the young Hibbing goaltender will be shell shocked.

Virginia 6-3

Cant Make a prediction about this game...should be a barn burner.

should be a good game

3 hibbing
2 virginia

jaminick 2 goals, Hanegmon 1 goal

Westin 1 goal, Hendrickson 1 goal

What is the time of this game?

goldenbear85 wrote:Virginia 5
Hibbing 2

Hibbing's 2 1/2 lines can't match Virginia's 4 lines. Virginia's senior goaltender will shine, while the young Hibbing goaltender will be shell shocked.

Well Hibbing rolled 3 lines all game against falls and had no problem and Tromp made the saves he needed to make. 5-2 is definately a stretch. Its going to be extremely close.

And for "The Vet" Gametime is at 7:30

This game won't get out of control, at least not on the score board. These two schools have no love for each other, probably will see a penalty riddled game.Hopefully the refs don't let it get out of hand.A classic match between two rivals, giving Virginia the edge.

DEVILS-4
JACKETS-3

EMPTY NET GOAL!!!!

Good luck to both squads the eventual winner will represent the North at the X !

You have to go with Virginia based on the last game of the regualr season.

Virginia 5
Hibbing 3

gophers101 wrote:

goldenbear85 wrote:Virginia 5
Hibbing 2

Hibbing's 2 1/2 lines can't match Virginia's 4 lines. Virginia's senior goaltender will shine, while the young Hibbing goaltender will be shell shocked.

Well Hibbing rolled 3 lines all game against falls and had no problem and Tromp made the saves he needed to make. 5-2 is definately a stretch. Its going to be extremely close.

And for "The Vet" Gametime is at 7:30

Jamnick's line was out there every other shift, so I wouldn't say they "rolled three lines." How many saves did Tromp make??? If half of the Falls shots that went way wide of the net had actually been on goal, the game would have been closer. They didn't and Hibbing played well, and they won - good for them.

You never know. Who would have guessed that Virginia would have Hibbing in running time in the crucial game for the IRC championship and the #1 seed.

That's why they play the games...you just never know what will happen.

goldenbear85 wrote:

gophers101 wrote:

goldenbear85 wrote:Virginia 5
Hibbing 2

Hibbing's 2 1/2 lines can't match Virginia's 4 lines. Virginia's senior goaltender will shine, while the young Hibbing goaltender will be shell shocked.

Well Hibbing rolled 3 lines all game against falls and had no problem and Tromp made the saves he needed to make. 5-2 is definately a stretch. Its going to be extremely close.

And for "The Vet" Gametime is at 7:30

Jamnick's line was out there every other shift, so I wouldn't say they "rolled three lines." How many saves did Tromp make??? If half of the Falls shots that went way wide of the net had actually been on goal, the game would have been closer. They didn't and Hibbing played well, and they won - good for them.

You never know. Who would have guessed that Virginia would have Hibbing in running time in the crucial game for the IRC championship and the #1 seed.

That's why they play the games...you just never know what will happen.

Tromp made the saves he needed to, but I don't think he was tested. He only had like 14 saves and IFalls could never sustain pressure in the Hibbing zone it seemed, even on PP. It's going to be interesting to see how he fares at the DECC. I guess I'm hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

This is going to be one great game to attend, where I don't have any rooting interest. Looking to see some great hockey in an electric atmosphere. Good luck to both teams!

Lee

goldenbear85 wrote:

gophers101 wrote:

goldenbear85 wrote:Virginia 5
Hibbing 2

Hibbing's 2 1/2 lines can't match Virginia's 4 lines. Virginia's senior goaltender will shine, while the young Hibbing goaltender will be shell shocked.

Well Hibbing rolled 3 lines all game against falls and had no problem and Tromp made the saves he needed to make. 5-2 is definately a stretch. Its going to be extremely close.

And for "The Vet" Gametime is at 7:30

Jamnick's line was out there every other shift, so I wouldn't say they "rolled three lines." How many saves did Tromp make??? If half of the Falls shots that went way wide of the net had actually been on goal, the game would have been closer. They didn't and Hibbing played well, and they won - good for them.

You never know. Who would have guessed that Virginia would have Hibbing in running time in the crucial game for the IRC championship and the #1 seed.

That's why they play the games...you just never know what will happen.

Now we have the un-hibernating Eveleth fans defending falls. Hibbing played 3 lines the entire game. The second and third line did fine holding there own and really make few mistakes. Its play like that which will bring them to the big show. They played well and Jamnick led the charge.

Heres the Other Key Aspect for this game...

Not One Single Player on this Virginia Squad knows what its like to Play in the Section finals...Everybody except for 1st year Kids on Hibbing Know what its like to play in the section finals...so Hibbing has the Edge in the Experience Department.

pacman wrote:Heres the Other Key Aspect for this game...

Not One Single Player on this Virginia Squad knows what its like to Play in the Section finals...Everybody except for 1st year Kids on Hibbing Know what its like to play in the section finals...so Hibbing has the Edge in the Experience Department.

yeah but also keep in mind that hibbing has lost the last 3 final games in a row. should be a better game then at the miners and hopefully there is less penalties in this one. i am absolutely stoked for this game!

pacman wrote:Heres the Other Key Aspect for this game...

Not One Single Player on this Virginia Squad knows what its like to Play in the Section finals...Everybody except for 1st year Kids on Hibbing Know what its like to play in the section finals...so Hibbing has the Edge in the Experience Department.

yeah but also keep in mind that hibbing has lost the last 3 final games in a row. should be a better game then at the miners and hopefully there is less penalties in this one. i am absolutely stoked for this game!

sid_the_kid wrote:

pacman wrote:Heres the Other Key Aspect for this game...

Not One Single Player on this Virginia Squad knows what its like to Play in the Section finals...Everybody except for 1st year Kids on Hibbing Know what its like to play in the section finals...so Hibbing has the Edge in the Experience Department.

yeah but also keep in mind that hibbing has lost the last 3 final games in a row. should be a better game then at the miners and hopefully there is less penalties in this one. i am absolutely stoked for this game!

Agreed Man...The Place will be Electric...Probably the Biggest Rivalry on the Iron Range Decides who goes to state...couldnt get much better than that...well you could if it decided the state Championship...But for now this will have to do

pacman wrote:Heres the Other Key Aspect for this game...

Not One Single Player on this Virginia Squad knows what its like to Play in the Section finals...Everybody except for 1st year Kids on Hibbing Know what its like to play in the section finals...so Hibbing has the Edge in the Experience Department.

Yup, Hibbing will certainly have the experience edge. Just like Marshall had the edge after playing in the state tournament 3 years in a row. If the young guns for Virginia come out strong, Hibbing will be in tough shape. If they come out wide-eyed and scared, it will be close.

Virginia- 4
Hibbing- 2

Virginia-4
Hibbing-2

elliott70 wrote:You have to go with Virginia based on the last game of the regualr season.

Virginia 5
Hibbing 3

dont feel bad thursday morning. they all fell for it HookLineAndSinker. Only the loyalest have kept the faith and know the retribution will be swift and painfull. we gave them plenty of rope. vhs 7 goals better than hibbing Not.

on to the Promised Land