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Anyone know what different programs will be represented at the Brick this year on the Blades team? OG - any NATS make the Brick team? I don't think any Machine kids made it. Legacy?

I know there is one player from the 01 Icemen last season playing for the 01 Blades this year to go to the Brick, if that counts.

No- My 01 went to the open tryout- he got smoked- Nice team, not sure where they found those kids. Nice group of players.

I guess I will just have to go to one of the games and look for helmet stickers.

Hopefully they will win the whole thing, but if they have another poor showing, would they be in jeopardy of not getting invited back for next year? I don't know how it works.

HD, it doesn`t seem to be an isuue on how the Blades perform at the Brick. If you look at past tourneys the Blades have usually been placed in Alberta Bricks bracket.

What birth year was the last Blades group to "do well" at the Brick? I know the 00s struggled mightily last year and the 99s didn't do much better before that, but what did some of the older groups do when they went up there?

Pucksahater wrote:HD, it doesn`t seem to be an isuue on how the Blades perform at the Brick. If you look at past tourneys the Blades have usually been placed in Alberta Bricks bracket.

Forgive me, but I don't understand what it means to be placed in Alberta Bricks bracket. Is that significant?

Lets put on our thinking cap HD, its Alberta Bricks home tourney. They make the brackets up, obviously they want to make it to the semi`s . Enuf said.

The 97 Blades (finalists) and the 99 Blades (missed playoffs by one point) could both be called "doing well". The thing to understand is how close all the teams are in this tournament, because all are very strong.

For example, the Toronto Bulldogs were in the 09 playoffs, but then winless in 10. Saskatchewan was winless in 09 but made playoffs in 10. In 2010, eight of 12 teams had either 2 or 3 wins (of five games). In the last two years, only one team has made it through pool play undefeated.

The depth of the competition, the unique venue and all the extras make the Brick a truly exceptional experience.

Has the 01 Blades team played any other Brick teams yet, how have they done in the tourneys they entered?

01's are squirts and the 97's are still bantams, to me , that is very recent success @ a event like that. [Not that I've ever been there, but from what I've heard]

I think the Blades have done about as well as anyone could expect them to with the handicap placed on them.

What Hadicap ??

old goalie85 wrote:What Handicap ??

Let's just call it the "rivalry" that keeps the best kids from getting together to represent the state.

You mean Bernie. Sure ,but that being said we [Mn] still have plenty of kids to fill out a nice team. It's just that other teams up there must have top kids as well. Good luck to the MN Blades !!!!

old goalie85 wrote:You mean Bernie. Sure ,but that being said we [Mn] still have plenty of kids to fill out a nice team. It's just that other teams up there must have top kids as well. Good luck to the MN Blades !!!!

I think you incorrectly inferred from my post that it was Bernies fault. Seems to me that neither side is willing to compromise enough to make it happen. Blades don't want to lose their control over the bid and the Machine doesn't want to interrupt their summer program unless certain concessions are met. I can understand both perspectives.

Just taking a jab. I get it as well. Have fun up north. [Canada]

While I don't have anyone on either of these two teams I do know a dad of a Chicago Brick Player and a dad of a MN Brick Player and they did play in Chicago with the jr. Blackhawks winning 2-1.

Seems Chicago dominated the "territorial play" but MN had it's chances. Both said it could have gone either way. Interesting both thought the skill was pretty even but Chicago system worked well and their defense made a big difference and drove the play. They also said the MN goaltender was great in the game. Both said MN will need to get better at the blue line. I am sure LP is working on that!

The Chicago dad mentioned they have beaten the Machine 3 times all pretty handily, however if the MN contingencies could every get over our differences he thought MN would be the team to beat in Edmonton! Just an opinion of course but interesting none the less.

It will be interesting to see if the MN team has improved, they will be tested big time this weekend in the local 00 invite tourney. Looking at the scheduel on line they play the Mn Edge tonight who are a very good team.

00 Edge 5 - 1 w/3mins left. 01 Blades looked good. Edge just overpowering.

Got the text 6 to 2 final.

Word I heard was first 2 periods very good, Blades just couldn't bury the puck, the score very easily after 2 could have been the other way. Last period Edge size wore the 01 kids down.

Wasn't there ... was that your take OG?

Very talented 01 group!!!! Blades had chances in the 1st, from about 1/2 way through the 2nd on, the Edge took control. Keep in mind that that Edge team is a Good 00 team. I would think that they can play with most 00's. Fun game The Blades Brick team played hard. I'm not sure , But I thought I herd that The Blades added A goalie and one more skater. They should represent us well.

old goalie85 wrote:Very talented 01 group!!!! Blades had chances in the 1st, from about 1/2 way through the 2nd on, the Edge took control. Keep in mind that that Edge team is a Good 00 team. I would think that they can play with most 00's. Fun game The Blades Brick team played hard. I'm not sure , But I thought I herd that The Blades added A goalie and one more skater. They should represent us well.

Agreed. They really suprised me with how good they were.

Nice to see the 01s move up a rung and play in the 00 level to help get ready for Edmonton. Remember last yr the 00s played in the 00 level of the International Cup to prep for the Brick, chewed up a bunch of really weak teams and then got shown the door 3 weeks later in Alberta. Smart move by the 01 coaches to play in the 00 level this weekend.

Good to hear. It would be nice to have a good showing in Edmonton for Minnesota!

Anti Orange wrote:

old goalie85 wrote:Very talented 01 group!!!! Blades had chances in the 1st, from about 1/2 way through the 2nd on, the Edge took control. Keep in mind that that Edge team is a Good 00 team. I would think that they can play with most 00's. Fun game The Blades Brick team played hard. I'm not sure , But I thought I herd that The Blades added A goalie and one more skater. They should represent us well.

Agreed. They really suprised me with how good they were.

2001 Blades played up in the MN Meltdown Open tourney as well under a different name and won the tourney beating a pretty good 2000 Ice Edge Elite Orange team 4-0 in the finals. They were a good and well coached team from what I could see in that tourney.