Top teams to beat in Minnesota

[ponyboy30]

What are everybodys thoughts on who to beat? The Grand Rapids/Greenway girls are a very solid team with lots of talent. They have their ups and downs, but when playoffs come, i think they will be the team to beat for sure.

[hockeyfan21]

Roseville (if their goalies get more consistent) is almost unbeatable.

I know, I know, Stillwater beat them. But look at what I put in the brackets above.

[ron123]

Hard to see how roseville goalies are inconsistent when their combined goals against average is 1.38 goals per game

[hockeyheaven]

The way this season is going it’s tough to select any team as the one to beat, however for me it’s still Roseville and Edina…could be you Warroad…if only.

[Melvin44]

I like Roseville, Edina, Irondale and I've heard Mtka has a great team. Darkhorses Rosseau, Hill, Stillwater, Hopkins, BSM and of course my WBL Bears.

[hockeywild7]

I am probably way off but I feel there are only a few teams that have all the parts to go on a 6 game win streak against top teams. They have goaltending, solid Defense, decent depth up front and at least one or two premier players. My favorites are Minnetonka, Roseville, Edina, Benilde and Stillwater. Dark horses for me would be Hill-Murray and Irondale.

[Hansonbrother]

I am probably way off but I feel there are only a few teams that have all the parts to go on a 6 game win streak against top teams. They have goaltending, solid Defense, decent depth up front and at least one or two premier players. My favorites are Minnetonka, Roseville, Edina, Benilde and Stillwater. Dark horses for me would be Hill-Murray and Irondale.

the unfortunate part of your statement is this, of the 7 teams you just selected, 3 of them are in one section and only one gets to get out.

[Melvin44]

Here's the problem with your statement. Any team can be beat on any given night. Did anyone see CDH doing what they did a couple of years ago.

Yes, you have to have the right mix. Hopkins went to the big game last year and had 1 great line and a goalie. CDH had 2 great D's. It's all about how teams match up. A team might match up well against one team but not another. The only team's I've seen or heard are close to complete are RV, Edina, and Mtka.

Anything can happen.

[hockeyfan21]

Hard to see how Roseville goalies are inconsistent when their combined goals against average is 1.38 goals per game

If you go by the official stats they face an average of 15 shots against. I think we all know that shots on goal numbers are exagerated. I was at one Roseville game where the legit shots were around 17 but the rink person credited them with 28.

On top of that how often does Roseville allow a second shot? They all skate so well that the majority of the shots are from the outside and Roseville wins the races to the puck for rebounds.

Look at the Stillwater-Roseville game on tv. SOG were almost 2 to 1 for Roseville, but their goalie left a ton of rebounds and stillwater skates well enough to get there. How many other teams can actually capitalize on those chances. Plus I've seen the goalies completely melt down during games. Taking off equipment etc.

Put Morse (so) from Park on Roseville they don't lose a game. Might not give a goal during the regular season except for against Stillwater and a fluke here and there.

[hockeywild7]

No problem with my statement it is just my opinion. You are correct anything can happen I am saying if I was to pick favorites at this time that is who I would choose. And yes anything can happen and upsets always occur. I like how those teams are playing right now, thats all. Wouldn't surprise me too much if a team that I did not mention won it this year.

[OntheEdge]

I think that this year is a year of parity. There are lots of good teams out there but not one or two dominant teams like years past. The ultimate winner at the State Tourney will depend on who is hot at the right time. That being said my favorites (at AA) are: Irondale, Minnetonka, Roseville, Edina and Roseau. Teams that I think have a good shot are Bemidji, Stillwater, Hill Murray, White Bear Lake and Benilde. I don't have Hopkins in the second group because I don't think they are playing very good hockey right now. I think the only thing keeping Hopkins from being blown out by the top teams is their outstanding goalie.

[Melvin44]

No problem with my statement it is just my opinion. You are correct anything can happen I am saying if I was to pick favorites at this time that is who I would choose. And yes anything can happen and upsets always occur. I like how those teams are playing right now, thats all. Wouldn't surprise me too much if a team that I did not mention won it this year.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to question you and next Friday SW will probably give us a little payback. Maybe not.

Love ya.

[hockeywild7]

Yes, that should be a great game looking forward to watching those two go at it again.

[Melvin44]

Hard to see how Roseville goalies are inconsistent when their combined goals against average is 1.38 goals per game

If you go by the official stats they face an average of 15 shots against. I think we all know that shots on goal numbers are exagerated. I was at one Roseville game where the legit shots were around 17 but the rink person credited them with 28.

On top of that how often does Roseville allow a second shot? They all skate so well that the majority of the shots are from the outside and Roseville wins the races to the puck for rebounds.

Look at the Stillwater-Roseville game on tv. SOG were almost 2 to 1 for Roseville, but their goalie left a ton of rebounds and stillwater skates well enough to get there. How many other teams can actually capitalize on those chances. Plus I've seen the goalies completely melt down during games. Taking off equipment etc.

Put Morse (so) from Park on Roseville they don't lose a game. Might not give a goal during the regular season except for against Stillwater and a fluke here and there.

I feel the RV goalies are great players and doubt that if Morse was there goalie they wouldn't lose. I do love Morse and feel she's awesome. I just think when you face less shots. Maybe sometimes go 7 minutes without one and then all of a sudden face 2 or 3 it's difficult to stay focused.

I would love to have Allen, Boss or Morse as my goalies. All hard working determined players.

[Melvin44]

Yes, that should be a great game looking forward to watching those two go at it again.

To bad we'll have to face the home cookin refs. Kidding of course or am I.

[hockeywild7]

Nothing less that what Stillwater had to deal with on your home rink! Only kidding, or am I?

[Bensonmum]

If you go by the official stats they face an average of 15 shots against. I think we all know that shots on goal numbers are exagerated. I was at one Roseville game where the legit shots were around 17 but the rink person credited them with 28.

On top of that how often does Roseville allow a second shot? They all skate so well that the majority of the shots are from the outside and Roseville wins the races to the puck for rebounds.

Look at the Stillwater-Roseville game on tv. SOG were almost 2 to 1 for Roseville, but their goalie left a ton of rebounds and stillwater skates well enough to get there. How many other teams can actually capitalize on those chances. Plus I've seen the goalies completely melt down during games. Taking off equipment etc.

Put Morse (so) from Park on Roseville they don't lose a game. Might not give a goal during the regular season except for against Stillwater and a fluke here and there.

What an absolute bunch of crap.

SCORING SUMMARY: Roseville 7 Park 1
First: R-Flug (Brodt, Witwicke), :33. Second: R-Logan (Brodt), 16:03. Third: P-Madison (Turitto), 2:47; R-Brodt, 2:59; R-Capistrant, 12:24; R-Logan (Brodt) 12:39; R-Capristrant (Barnett), 14:33; R-Dittrich (Pauletti), 16:19. Saves: R-Boss 7-10-7--24; P-Morse 15-10-19--44.

[donomuch]

I'm with Bensonmum on this one.

At first I wondered why hockeyfan21 was trying to bash Roseville's goalies as inconsistent. I figured must not know anything about goaltending in general so blames everything on goalies. Now was thinking that trying to make Morse look good, by bashing other goalies.
But I'm back to the first. Knows little. I've seen Allen and Boss. Both are good. Never seen Morse, but from her stats she looks like a good goalie but human rather than superhuman.

[hockeyfan21]

Yeah since stats are the determining factor on a goalie and are never fudged.

Look at the types of shots they face. Didn't say Allen or Boss were brutal, just that they are the only thing holding Roseville back in the big games. I agree that going 7 or 8 min without shots makes it tough mentally. On the other hand, going 7 to 8 minutes without facing shots on a regular basis helps you hold a 1.38 gaa. Facing 15 shots a game from outside the dots helps keep the save percentage above 93%.

Morse isn't superhuman, but she's definitely the cream of the crop in the SEC. Hard to imagine her not going D1.

I figured must not know anything about goaltending in general so blames everything on goalies

I know what I know and that's enough for me. All of us have opinions and that's all they are. If we were half as smart as we all think we are we would be coaching, not wasting time talking about it on a forum.

[donomuch]

While I agree its much easier to assess a goalie who is pummeled with many scoring chances, sometimes there are good goalies on good teams.

I've seen these goalies play separate from Roseville team, and they are both good.

It may be your opinion, and I agree that's what this forum is about, but when you say the 2 goalies are the only thing holding back Roseville, I'm calling it the same thing Bensonmum did.

[hockeywild7]

I think Morse is good but she is not the cream of the crop in the SEC. I do think Roseville has two good goalies but I give the edge to Allen. I also like Sobczak at Stillwater and Wical at Hastings who was having a great season until her injury.

[mn miracle man]

The way this season is going it’s tough to select any team as the one to beat, however for me it’s still Roseville and Edina…could be you Warroad…if only.

Sorry to say despite the Class A label, Warroad should clearly be given recognition in this top team in the state debate. Currently on an 8 game shutout streak, 12 of 19 games total (might I add, more shutouts recorded this season compared to total goals allowed, 10). Outscoring opponents 153-10, and even though they have a "soft" section schedule they do play Crookston twice (#4 A), Roseau twice (#10 AA), and Bemidji twice (#12 AA). Their non-section schedule is rather impressive too playing games with Minnetonka twice (#2 AA), Edina (#3 AA), South St. Paul (#6 A), and Hill Murray (#9 AA). Just saying they need to be towards the top of the conversation regardless of class.

[OntheEdge]

The way this season is going it’s tough to select any team as the one to beat, however for me it’s still Roseville and Edina…could be you Warroad…if only.

Sorry to say despite the Class A label, Warroad should clearly be given recognition in this top team in the state debate. Currently on an 8 game shutout streak, 12 of 19 games total (might I add, more shutouts recorded this season compared to total goals allowed, 10). Outscoring opponents 153-10, and even though they have a "soft" section schedule they do play Crookston twice (#4 A), Roseau twice (#10 AA), and Bemidji twice (#12 AA). Their non-section schedule is rather impressive too playing games with Minnetonka twice (#2 AA), Edina (#3 AA), South St. Paul (#6 A), and Hill Murray (#9 AA). Just saying they need to be towards the top of the conversation regardless of class.

I agree that Warroad is a very good team and is a top team to beat in Class A but you can't discuss them with the top 2A teams since the topic is the top teams to beat in the playoffs. Playoffs is where a very good team gets to claim the right to be the best team. If you ain't in the dance ya can't win that contest.

[hockeyheaven]

The way this season is going it’s tough to select any team as the one to beat, however for me it’s still Roseville and Edina…could be you Warroad…if only.

Sorry to say despite the Class A label, Warroad should clearly be given recognition in this top team in the state debate. Currently on an 8 game shutout streak, 12 of 19 games total (might I add, more shutouts recorded this season compared to total goals allowed, 10). Outscoring opponents 153-10, and even though they have a "soft" section schedule they do play Crookston twice (#4 A), Roseau twice (#10 AA), and Bemidji twice (#12 AA). Their non-section schedule is rather impressive too playing games with Minnetonka twice (#2 AA), Edina (#3 AA), South St. Paul (#6 A), and Hill Murray (#9 AA). Just saying they need to be towards the top of the conversation regardless of class.

I agree that Warroad is a very good team and is a top team to beat in Class A but you can't discuss them with the top 2A teams since the topic is the top teams to beat in the playoffs. Playoffs is where a very good team gets to claim the right to be the best team. If you ain't in the dance ya can't win that contest.

Thanks, could not have said it better myself

[mn miracle man]

Sorry to say despite the Class A label, Warroad should clearly be given recognition in this top team in the state debate. Currently on an 8 game shutout streak, 12 of 19 games total (might I add, more shutouts recorded this season compared to total goals allowed, 10). Outscoring opponents 153-10, and even though they have a "soft" section schedule they do play Crookston twice (#4 A), Roseau twice (#10 AA), and Bemidji twice (#12 AA). Their non-section schedule is rather impressive too playing games with Minnetonka twice (#2 AA), Edina (#3 AA), South St. Paul (#6 A), and Hill Murray (#9 AA). Just saying they need to be towards the top of the conversation regardless of class.

I agree that Warroad is a very good team and is a top team to beat in Class A but you can't discuss them with the top 2A teams since the topic is the top teams to beat in the playoffs. Playoffs is where a very good team gets to claim the right to be the best team. If you ain't in the dance ya can't win that contest.

Thanks, could not have said it better myself

Oh I'm sorry I didn't break the code, how could I not know that "Top teams to beat in Minnesota" meant "this discussion is for all the city folk to talk about how good the city teams are and how thankful we are that Warroad is A so we don't have to face them come playoff time," my mistake. Feel free to continue bashing their class A label as well by all means, not because they deserve no respect, but because they are a "JV" squad.