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Now that we're around a month and a half from section tournaments, what have been the biggest surprises (teams, coaches, players, etc.) this year?

Positive comments only please, as threads like this in previous seasons have had unnecessary criticism directed at disappointing players and/or teams.

My pick: Eagan

[quote="brandy38"]Now that we're around a month and a half from section tournaments, what have been the biggest surprises (teams, coaches, players, etc.) this year?

Positive comments only please, as threads like this in previous seasons have had unnecessary criticism directed disappointing players and/or teams.

My pick: Eagan[/quote]

i agree with Eagan, i thought they were a year away.

I have been impressed with Northfield and what they have accomplished relative to whom they have played. Keep it up Northfield.

Biggest surprises (in no particular order):

Edina - strong consistent play without the fab 5
EP - not scoring as many goals as last year. Leddy was way better than everyone thought (expept the Wild)
AHA - inconsistent team. Overranked.
Tonka - remaining undefeated at this point with a really tough schedule
Eagan - who saw this coming?

I think both the Lakeville teams have been surprising in the Lake conference, both coming up with some nice wins. I am also surprised and Woodbury's slow start to the season.

Brainerd is 9-2, won the Rochester tournament and allowed only 1 goal in the process. They have some big games coming up starting with 8AA rival Bemidji tommorrow.

Winona is also 9-2, in line to get a top 4 seed in 1AA for the first time ever.

Redwood Valley is 8-2 and beat Marshall and Sibley. I don't think the Cardinals will be good eough to overcome Hutch or Litchfield come sections but they seem to be improving year after year. It's not a great accomplishment if you're Hill Murray but it's really nice if you're Redwood Valley and trying to build a program.

Eagan of course.

Eagan-Good stuff!
Edina-using four lines?
Andover-upset capability
Maple Grove-could be a factor in sections

Hill-Murray at 11-1-1. Lost to Blaine. Tied BSM. Wins over WBL twice, Burnsville, Duluth Marshall, Mahtomedi, Duluth East, STA & Tartan.

I was not sure what to expect this year. Last year HM won a weak section 4AA with OT wins over WBL & Stillwater. They went to state where they gave EP a tough OT game, beat Century & lost to Edina. But they had 11 losses. They were not very good after the 4 seniors were dismissed on Jan. 7th. There were no goal scorers & a young & shakey goalie returning.

They are now a very strong team. Some of the young kids have really shined. 9th grader Zach Lavalle is starting to score goals & looks like he will be a great player. They have 3 very good lines. Forwards Faust, Walsh, Becker, Bahe, Sampair & Holler can all score. They have 3 of the best d-men in the state in Casto, Johnson & Cotroneo. Goalie Tim Shaughnessy has looked very good against good teams. He was outstanding this past week against STA & Tartan. He was not so good against Blaine at the Excel. He is 10-1-1 and has a save pct. of .92 which is one of the best in the state.

Minnetonka is clearly the best team in the state. Hill-Murray should be included in the group right behind them along with Edina, Blaine, Jefferson, Eagan, Wayzata, BSM, Roseau & STA. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Their next big game is Jan. 21 vs. Holy Angels. They have rematches with Mahtomedi, STA & Tartan to come in Feb. They finish at Moorhead. Coach Lechner is one of the best and will have this team ready to play their best hockey come March.

blueblood wrote:Biggest surprises (in no particular order):

Edina - strong consistent play without the fab 5
EP - not scoring as many goals as last year. Leddy was way better than everyone thought (expept the Wild)
AHA - inconsistent team. Overranked.
Tonka - remaining undefeated at this point with a really tough schedule
Eagan - who saw this coming?

Agree with you blueblood on Edina, AHA and Eagan. However, with all the hype that Tonka has received, it will be a shock if they ever lose a game.

Something to chew on as far as EP is concerned...last year through 10 games EP won 8 lost 2, scored 47 goals and gave up 19 goals. This year through 10 games EP won 8 lost 2, scored 47 goals and gave up 19 goals...EXACTLY THE SAME as last year. Maybe the Leddy references and "what's wrong with EP?" banter should be put on the shelf for a while.

shakey wrote:

blueblood wrote:Biggest surprises (in no particular order):

Edina - strong consistent play without the fab 5
EP - not scoring as many goals as last year. Leddy was way better than everyone thought (expept the Wild)
AHA - inconsistent team. Overranked.
Tonka - remaining undefeated at this point with a really tough schedule
Eagan - who saw this coming?

Agree with you blueblood on Edina, AHA and Eagan. However, with all the hype that Tonka has received, it will be a shock if they ever lose a game.

Something to chew on as far as EP is concerned...last year through 10 games EP won 8 lost 2, scored 47 goals and gave up 19 goals. This year through 10 games EP won 8 lost 2, scored 47 goals and have gave up 19 goals...EXACTLY THE SAME as last year. Maybe the Leddy references and "what's wrong with EP?" banter should be put on the shelf for a while.

Nothing against Tonka, but I can all but guarantee they drop one in the classic lake schedule this year but they are definitely the team to beat this year.

blueblood wrote:Edina

I thought this thread was supposed to be about pleasant surprises.

brandy38 wrote:Now that we're around a month and a half from section tournaments, what have been the biggest surprises (teams, coaches, players, etc.) this year?

Positive comments only please, as threads like this in previous seasons have had unnecessary criticism directed at disappointing players and/or teams.

My pick: Eagan

Sartell stepping up to finally looking like a conteder to go to state. Balance is always good and its about time this program grew up. Brainerd surprises the heck outa me, after a few years chasing their neighbors to the south, they appear to be back in the hunt for a conference title......possibly break the Moorhead, Roseau streak from 8aa.

stpaul wrote:Minnetonka is clearly the best team in the state. Hill-Murray should be included in the group right behind them along with Edina, Blaine, Jefferson, Eagan, Wayzata, BSM, Roseau & STA.

Did you purposefully leave EP out of this mix? ...and I'm not sure there are that many teams directly behind Tonka... I would personally put Edina, Blaine, and EP directly behind Tonka and all those above behind this 2nd group. ...STA - really?

Edina
Eagan
Hill-Murray
Faribault

Didn't expect this from some of these teams. Especially Eagan didn't see them coming at all