Apple Valley over #1 Duluth East 6-3
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:09 pm
Wow this is a year to remember!
The Largest Prep Hockey Message Board Community on the Web
https://www.ushsho.com/forums/
There is just simply no team that has emerged as the best this year. I thought it was EP for a couple weeks and then they drop one in Duluth who just lost to AV who EP manhandled in their first game...Who knows anymore.hockeyfan893 wrote:Makes you wonder why we even bother with rankings anymore
It's just not safe to have an off night anymore!!!!HockeyMN1 wrote:There is just simply no team that has emerged as the best this year. I thought it was EP for a couple weeks and then they drop one in Duluth who just lost to AV who EP manhandled in their first game...Who knows anymore.hockeyfan893 wrote:Makes you wonder why we even bother with rankings anymore
We've known all along that AV has the top-end talent to play with anyone. They haven't always shown that, but tonight they sure did. Congrats to AV, but they still have a lot of work to do...karl(east) wrote:Reaction to East's 6-3 loss to Apple Valley.
The first two periods were ugly. East looked flat and uncreative. AV took control with a very strong forecheck and good breakouts of their own. East simply did not sustain the pressure. If I can offer another critique of East, it's that they let other teams determine the flow of the game for a little too much time, and that was certainly the case tonight.
However, they did respond well in the 3rd period. Plenty of teams would fold up like a house of cards when down 4-0 after 2, but East came out and fought. They scored two in the first 6 minutes of the period and were pressuring for more; the referees missed what appeared to be a pretty blatant interference call right in front of the AV net, and Hudson Fasching then took the puck and flew down the ice through the East D to net the 5th goal. East still didn't give up, but that goal was the backbreaker. (Not that I'm making excuses on the missed penalty--championship teams overcome that, and don't let the other team's star walk through them to score a goal immediately afterwards.)
AV's stars shined tonight. The defensive pairing of Smith and Pedrie is right up there with EP's Molenaar-Seeler among the best in the state. Michaelson and Fasching had great games, and Gretz made some big saves, including stopping Trevor Olson on a SH breakaway in the 3rd that would've made it a 1-goal game. And by taking control early, they protected themselves from their weakness (lack of depth). This is exactly the sort of game AV needs to play if they want to get back into the statewide picture. This is how they need to win, and if they play the perfect game--as they did tonight--they can beat anyone.
Obviously this is a setback for East, but it's better to get this out of their system now. I was encouraged to see them fight back and maintain their composure, and Conner Valesano deserves a shoutout for twice scoring goals when it looked bleak. Sometimes it's okay to be a little selfish, as he was on the first one. East also needs to work on their slow starts to games. I believe they've given up the first goal in just about every game they've had against an upper-end opponent. Hopefully they can learn from this one and get back on track. It's disappointing, but a mid-January loss to a good team that played a great game is no cause for serious concern.
As does East.karl(east) wrote:My thoughts on this one from another thread:
We've known all along that AV has the top-end talent to play with anyone. They haven't always shown that, but tonight they sure did. Congrats to AV, but they still have a lot of work to do...karl(east) wrote:Reaction to East's 6-3 loss to Apple Valley.
The first two periods were ugly. East looked flat and uncreative. AV took control with a very strong forecheck and good breakouts of their own. East simply did not sustain the pressure. If I can offer another critique of East, it's that they let other teams determine the flow of the game for a little too much time, and that was certainly the case tonight.
However, they did respond well in the 3rd period. Plenty of teams would fold up like a house of cards when down 4-0 after 2, but East came out and fought. They scored two in the first 6 minutes of the period and were pressuring for more; the referees missed what appeared to be a pretty blatant interference call right in front of the AV net, and Hudson Fasching then took the puck and flew down the ice through the East D to net the 5th goal. East still didn't give up, but that goal was the backbreaker. (Not that I'm making excuses on the missed penalty--championship teams overcome that, and don't let the other team's star walk through them to score a goal immediately afterwards.)
AV's stars shined tonight. The defensive pairing of Smith and Pedrie is right up there with EP's Molenaar-Seeler among the best in the state. Michaelson and Fasching had great games, and Gretz made some big saves, including stopping Trevor Olson on a SH breakaway in the 3rd that would've made it a 1-goal game. And by taking control early, they protected themselves from their weakness (lack of depth). This is exactly the sort of game AV needs to play if they want to get back into the statewide picture. This is how they need to win, and if they play the perfect game--as they did tonight--they can beat anyone.
Obviously this is a setback for East, but it's better to get this out of their system now. I was encouraged to see them fight back and maintain their composure, and Conner Valesano deserves a shoutout for twice scoring goals when it looked bleak. Sometimes it's okay to be a little selfish, as he was on the first one. East also needs to work on their slow starts to games. I believe they've given up the first goal in just about every game they've had against an upper-end opponent. Hopefully they can learn from this one and get back on track. It's disappointing, but a mid-January loss to a good team that played a great game is no cause for serious concern.
There is a difference between East beating the #1 while being ranked #3 (or close) and people saying they should be #1, and them losing a game and people saying they are a run of the mill team like Central.
Hopefully not with Holy Water!
With all the parity we're seeing this year, you probably don't want to bet the farm on predictions of this sort. I agree East is very much a favorite to win their section, but even that's not a sure thing - Grand Rapids might have something to say about it. But assuming the Hounds do end up winning their section, is it a given they'll win their quarterfinal game at State? Much depends on seeding - if they happen to be seeded 5th who knows who they might they play? Apple Valley, Eagan, Hill Murray, Edina, EP, BSM, Minnetonka, Wayzata - any of these matchups would be tough.Pioneerprideguy wrote:The Hounds are a top 5 team, will win their section, and will be playing in the State Semis Friday night.
It was a trap game. I talked to one of the defensmen today, and they had a 6 hour practice after school. Mike was pretty mad.dulutheastfan wrote:![]()
Really ha
Randolph will whip em in shape w/e not the typical east team guess it happens sometimes
Yes, he was upset, and who wouldn't be with how they played. Having said that, they were coming off some emotional wins throughout the week. One game doesn't make the team or season (a great win over EP or a loss to AV). Other than that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Your "defenseman" is a pretty bad source and making you look badDEHS Dan Green wrote:It was a trap game. I talked to one of the defensmen today, and they had a 6 hour practice after school. Mike was pretty mad.dulutheastfan wrote:![]()
Really ha
Randolph will whip em in shape w/e not the typical east team guess it happens sometimes