SEC Saturday Preview and Breakdown 1/27

[WHAFightingSaints]

A mixtue of afternoon and evening games.

White Bear Lake at East Ridge 3:00 PM
The Bears have not lost since Dec 31st; they are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. They are not blowing anyone out but are finding ways to win even if the top line has an off night. They lead the SEC in goals scored per game, shots on goal and have the #1 power play in the conference; scoring at a rate of 31.53%, oh by the way they allow the fewest goals also. No one seems to talk about their goaltending but it is one of this teams strengths. One potential problem could be their penalty killing units; they are second from the bottom in that category, however they are helping themselves by staying out of the box. East Ridge is heading the wrong way, and playing White Bear probably won’t stop the bleeding. The Raptors are falling apart defensively giving up 20 goals in their last 3 outings, all losses. I’ll take White Bear in a rare SEC blowout.

Forest Lake at Stillwater 7:30 PM
The Ponies are playing a very steady and sound game of hockey at the moment; they are giving their opponents very few scoring opportunities as they are only giving up 2.19 goals a game. They are currently on a six game winning streak as they try to keep pace with White Bear. Not exactly an offensive juggernaut, (they currently do not have anyone in the Top 20 of the SEC in scoring) however they are finding some timely scoring to pull out victories. Stillwater is riding a bit of a thin line though as they do take a few too many penalties which could end up costing them in the future. Forest Lake must be a little road weary as they travelled to Duluth on Tuesday, to Hastings on Thursday, both trips resulted in losses. Now they must head to Stillwater for their third road game of the week. The Rangers defense is starting to leak giving up 16 goals in their last three contests; however it seems their top line is starting to put it together after a slow start to the season. Stillwater’s defensive game and the Rangers third road game of the week will result in a Pony victory.

Cretin at Woodbury 7:30 PM
Cretin got a wakeup call with its last second tie with Park last week and has answered with two straight wins, one of which was Edina; they then destroyed East Ridge on Thursday. The Raiders lay claim to 3 of the top 5 scorers in the SEC and they have carried the bulk of the load recently. They still are last in the conference in giving up 3.89 goals a game and lack another line that can score with any consistency, but they are on a little roll right now. They picked a good time to be playing their best hockey because they need a win over Woodbury to move up in Section 3. Woodbury won the previous meeting which probably puts them ahead of the Raider’s in the section. The Royals defense and goaltending has improved as the year progresses but they are struggling to find the net on offense. I think they catch the Raider’s at the wrong time and lose at home.

Hastings at Mounds View 3:00 PM
Hastings boasts the overall points leader in the SEC and another in the Top 10, scoring is not Hastings problem as they average the third most goals in the league while getting the second fewest shots on net, they certainly make their shots count. The problem is they have lost 7 one goal games; they need to find a way to win those to be any kind of threat in the post season. The defense has been brutal the last 6 games as well, giving up just under 6 goals a game in that stretch. They also find themselves in the box to often which they can’t do if they want to have any success in sectional play. Mounds View is in the lower half of almost every stat in the SEC and they find themselves in the same spot in the standings. However this team finds a way to be in almost every game and continued some late game magic in a Thursday tie against Roseville. The Mustangs won a one goal game last meeting, but I’m taking the Raiders to win one on the road.

Park Cottage Grove at Roseville 7:30 PM
The Roseville Raiders score the least amount of goals in the SEC averaging fewer than 3 goals a game, yet they find themselves sitting in 3rd place. A testament to the team defense concept, the Raiders play it to a T, from the forwards, to the defensemen, to the goalie, it’s not always pretty but it’s effective. Another team without a scorer in the Top 20, they need to rely on defense and hope to turn an opponent’s mistake into a goal. Amazingly they record the 2nd most shots on goal in the league; they must find a way to convert. They have tied an amazing 5 times this year; no ties come sectional time so with a little more scoring touch they could be a threat in the post season. Park might be the exact opposite of Roseville, scoring goals but giving up too many. The Wolfpack’s task just got harder as they unfortunately lost their leading scorer to injury. Roseville won the last meeting 5 -1, I’m expecting a similar result.

Standings SEC Points Overall Record
1 White Bear Lake 21 12-4-1
2 Stillwater 19 11-4-1
3 Roseville 14 8-5-5
4 Forest Lake 13 7-7-3
5 Hastings 12 8-9-1
5 Cretin 12 9-7-3
7 Woodbury 10 10-9-0
7 Mounds View 10 6-8-4
9 East Ridge 6 7-11-0
10 Park 1 5-11-2

[Big Daddy]

[quote="WHAFightingSaints"]A mixtue of afternoon and evening games.

White Bear Lake at East Ridge 3:00 PM
The Bears have not lost since Dec 31st; they are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. They are not blowing anyone out but are finding ways to win even if the top line has an off night. They lead the SEC in goals scored per game, shots on goal and have the #1 power play in the conference; scoring at a rate of 31.53%, oh by the way they allow the fewest goals also. No one seems to talk about their goaltending but it is one of this teams strengths. One potential problem could be their penalty killing units; they are second from the bottom in that category, however they are helping themselves by staying out of the box. East Ridge is heading the wrong way, and playing White Bear probably won’t stop the bleeding. The Raptors are falling apart defensively giving up 20 goals in their last 3 outings, all losses. I’ll take White Bear in a rare SEC blowout.

WBL 3 ER 2 in OT...not quite the blowout predicted. WBL is really chippy and their fans are among the worst I've seen.

[wblhcky24]

@big daddy how was the game?

[WHAFightingSaints]

Swing and a miss on my blowout prediction. I've seen WBL play several times this seaon and don't believe they play dirty or even chippy. East Ridge on the other hand plays on the chippy side, which tends to bring that style out of their opponents.

[Big Daddy]

@big daddy how was the game?

WBL was CLEARLY the better team BUT when they didn't blow it wide open early started playing sloppy and seemed to be more concerned with big hits than big scores. Wahlin and Birkinbine seem to try and lure other skaters into fights. I've watched them do the same thing against Park and Stillwater. All in all, it was a good game to watch. Especially after the Raptors were destroyed by CDH.

[formerlybackofnet]

@big daddy how was the game?

WBL was CLEARLY the better team BUT when they didn't blow it wide open early started playing sloppy and seemed to be more concerned with big hits than big scores. Wahlin and Birkinbine seem to try and lure other skaters into fights. I've watched them do the same thing against Park and Stillwater. All in all, it was a good game to watch. Especially after the Raptors were destroyed by CDH.

White Bear played chippy?, East Redge cheapest team I've seen play all year. They seemed to be out to hurt someome.

[WHAFightingSaints]

After 1
Roseville 3
Park 0

[WHAFightingSaints]

After 2
Roseville 3
Park 0

[wblhockeyfan8]

A mixtue of afternoon and evening games.

White Bear Lake at East Ridge 3:00 PM
The Bears have not lost since Dec 31st; they are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. They are not blowing anyone out but are finding ways to win even if the top line has an off night. They lead the SEC in goals scored per game, shots on goal and have the #1 power play in the conference; scoring at a rate of 31.53%, oh by the way they allow the fewest goals also. No one seems to talk about their goaltending but it is one of this teams strengths. One potential problem could be their penalty killing units; they are second from the bottom in that category, however they are helping themselves by staying out of the box. East Ridge is heading the wrong way, and playing White Bear probably won’t stop the bleeding. The Raptors are falling apart defensively giving up 20 goals in their last 3 outings, all losses. I’ll take White Bear in a rare SEC blowout.

WBL 3 ER 2 in OT...not quite the blowout predicted. WBL is really chippy and their fans are among the worst I've seen.

You don't get out much do you?

I'd like to add that East Ridge has been one of the dirtier and chipper teams I've seen, especially when trailing.

[WHAFightingSaints]

Final
Roseville 4
Park 0

[WBLHockeyfan04]

A mixtue of afternoon and evening games.

White Bear Lake at East Ridge 3:00 PM
The Bears have not lost since Dec 31st; they are 7-0-1 in their last eight games. They are not blowing anyone out but are finding ways to win even if the top line has an off night. They lead the SEC in goals scored per game, shots on goal and have the #1 power play in the conference; scoring at a rate of 31.53%, oh by the way they allow the fewest goals also. No one seems to talk about their goaltending but it is one of this teams strengths. One potential problem could be their penalty killing units; they are second from the bottom in that category, however they are helping themselves by staying out of the box. East Ridge is heading the wrong way, and playing White Bear probably won’t stop the bleeding. The Raptors are falling apart defensively giving up 20 goals in their last 3 outings, all losses. I’ll take White Bear in a rare SEC blowout.

WBL 3 ER 2 in OT...not quite the blowout predicted. WBL is really chippy and their fans are among the worst I've seen.

You don't get out much do you?

I'd like to add that East Ridge has been one of the dirtier and chipper teams I've seen, especially when trailing.

WBL has arguably the best fan base in highschool hockey. We travel well, and usually have good student turnouts throughout the year. Especially come sections time when two whole sections are full of student bodies at the coliseum.

I'm guessing you're relating to some parents getting upset with officiating when you say "worst fans you've seen". Granted I wasn't at the game today, but what parents or hockey fans don't get mad at officiating from time to time?

[old goalie85]

FL 3 -- Stillwater 3

[Big Daddy]

@big daddy how was the game?

WBL was CLEARLY the better team BUT when they didn't blow it wide open early started playing sloppy and seemed to be more concerned with big hits than big scores. Wahlin and Birkinbine seem to try and lure other skaters into fights. I've watched them do the same thing against Park and Stillwater. All in all, it was a good game to watch. Especially after the Raptors were destroyed by CDH.

White Bear played chippy?, East Redge cheapest team I've seen play all year. They seemed to be out to hurt someome.

You say tomayto and I say tomahto.....you see things one way, I see them another. IMHO, there was always some WBL skater instigating some extra curricular activity after the whistle. Was it provoked or was it undisciplined players? Only The Shadow knows...

[sportsguy29]

WBL was CLEARLY the better team BUT when they didn't blow it wide open early started playing sloppy and seemed to be more concerned with big hits than big scores. Wahlin and Birkinbine seem to try and lure other skaters into fights. I've watched them do the same thing against Park and Stillwater. All in all, it was a good game to watch. Especially after the Raptors were destroyed by CDH.

White Bear played chippy?, East Redge cheapest team I've seen play all year. They seemed to be out to hurt someome.

You say tomayto and I say tomahto.....you see things one way, I see them another. IMHO, there was always some WBL skater instigating some extra curricular activity after the whistle. Was it provoked or was it undisciplined players? Only The Shadow knows...

BOTH teams are chippy. And that may be an understatement.

[WHAFightingSaints]

Finals

Roseville 4
Park Cottage Grove 0
The Raiders again play a tight defensive game recording the shutout victory over what seemed like a disinterested Wolfpack squad.

Woodbury 3
Cretin 2
Woodbury scores a late power play goal to defeat Cretin and sweep the season series, and most likely secure a higher seed in Section 3AA. The week ends on a sour note for the Raiders after defeating Edina and East Ridge. Woodbury’s goaltending continues to improve with a 43 save performance.

White Bear Lake 3
East Ridge 2 OT
The Bears again win unimpressively but that seems to be the norm for this squad. East Ridge continues its swoon. The forum reports that this was a chippy game, most East Ridge games are. Coincidence?

Stillwater 3
Forest Lake 3 OT
A setback for the Ponies who lose ground to White Bear, they still are undefeated in their last 7 games but this result cerainly hampers their chances of chasing down the Bears. The Rangers rebound nicely after a long week on the road. The Rangers top line is really starting to find a groove, which should make future opponents a little nervous.

Hastings at Mounds View.
A 3:00 start and no reports. Tough getting any finals from Mounds View home games!

[PuckU126]

Hastings at Mounds View.
A 3:00 start and no reports. Tough getting any finals from Mounds View home games!

They're usually not good news...

[wblhockeyfan8]

White Bear played chippy?, East Redge cheapest team I've seen play all year. They seemed to be out to hurt someome.

You say tomayto and I say tomahto.....you see things one way, I see them another. IMHO, there was always some WBL skater instigating some extra curricular activity after the whistle. Was it provoked or was it undisciplined players? Only The Shadow knows...

BOTH teams are chippy. And that may be an understatement.

If this is a reference to the Hastings game, then here's a tissue.

[WHAFightingSaints]

Better late than never.
Final
Hastings 2
Mounds View 1
OT
Hastings finally comes out on top of a one goal game with an overtime win and climbs to the .500 mark and into a 4th place tie in the SEC. Mounds View continues to keep most games close but can't find a way to win them and remain near the bottom.

[Goldfishdude]

Hey WHA??? Thanx for your efforts in the previews/reviews of these SEC games...

I would have, but after I burned bridges, bombed the hospitals, and pushed over a kid in a wheel chair that just looked like my favorite SEC coach, I have been banned from all arenas involving WBL...

[PuckU126]

Hey WHA??? Thanx for your efforts in the previews/reviews of these SEC games...

I would have, but after I burned bridges, bombed the hospitals, and pushed over a kid in a wheel chair that just looked like my favorite SEC coach, I have been banned from all arenas involving WBL...

[wblhcky24]

Hey WHA??? Thanx for your efforts in the previews/reviews of these SEC games...

I would have, but after I burned bridges, bombed the hospitals, and pushed over a kid in a wheel chair that just looked like my favorite SEC coach, I have been banned from all arenas involving WBL...

IALTO

[WHAFightingSaints]

Hey WHA??? Thanx for your efforts in the previews/reviews of these SEC games...

I would have, but after I burned bridges, bombed the hospitals, and pushed over a kid in a wheel chair that just looked like my favorite SEC coach, I have been banned from all arenas involving WBL...

I don't know how good I am at it, but it's a fun conference to watch.

Maybe this youtube clip can put a perspective on what today's coaches have to go through with this generation of kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iymXdRQDISg