Grand Rapids at Duluth East 12/10

[TheHockeyDJ]

Given the direction both teams have been going recently this looks like a 5-1 type win for the Hounds. Rapids just hasn't clicked all year with talent they have. Their top line has been legit, but the lack of production from lines 2 and 3 has been a bit surprising. In terms of seedings, which I know this topic gets beat to death and I'm as guilty as any but it has to be mentioned in a section game like this. If East wins it changes nothing, we know East is currently the top seed and even if they lose here they will likely get it. If Rapids loses I don't think it changes their standing, however if they win it will likely cement them into the top 4 given Forest Lake and Andover haven't won any statement game in over a month. For GR to win, Jake Bischoff will need to dominate as will Hunter Shepard and the they need to get some offense from the second line. Should be a great game to watch on the mnhockeycenter.com.

[kniven]

Given the direction both teams have been going recently this looks like a 5-1 type win for the Hounds. Rapids just hasn't clicked all year with talent they have. Their top line has been legit, but the lack of production from lines 2 and 3 has been a bit surprising. In terms of seedings, which I know this topic gets beat to death and I'm as guilty as any but it has to be mentioned in a section game like this. If East wins it changes nothing, we know East is currently the top seed and even if they lose here they will likely get it. If Rapids loses I don't think it changes their standing, however if they win it will likely cement them into the top 4 given Forest Lake and Andover haven't won any statement game in over a month. For GR to win, Jake Bischoff will need to dominate as will Hunter Shepard and the they need to get some offense from the second line. Should be a great game to watch on the mnhockeycenter.com.

Aren't we looking ahead a bit. Grand Rapids has a tough opponent to nite in Hermantown. If the players are looking ahead like this poster, they will get clobbered by the Hawks of Hermantown in Hermantown.

[rainier]

Whether it's East or Hermantown, Rapids needs to break through and beat one of these teams. They are 0-9 against them the last 4 years and Hermantown in particular has owned them, outscoring them 21-10 the last four meetings. Hopefully they can get a win and some momentum.

[TheHockeyDJ]

You are over analyzing it. I hope Rapids beats Hermantown, and I'm not a player so I can look ahead all I want.

[MTStringer]

Could be an interesting game given the results last night.

[karl(east)]

Tuesday's results certainly made this one a touch more interesting. Storylines to watch:

-How does East respond to the Denfeld loss--do they come out tentative or over-aggressive? Does Randolph try shaking things up? Or do they just go back to work?
-Rapids fans have criticized the team for being too passive at times this season, but East's opponents have had success this season by sitting around in defensive shells and springing the occasional breakaway. Rapids has the personnel to make that strategy work, so is that the game plan?

If East wins, they'd have to have a pretty poor end to the season to not be the #1 seed. If Rapids wins, all hell breaks loose in 7AA seeding.

Fun fact: though East has won all six meetings with Rapids since the 2007 playoffs, the last four games have all been decided by one goal.

[iwatchalotofhockey]

The Hockey DJ stated this should be a good one broadcast tonight live on our site: Click below link to go to game and also on our from page we have highlights I will be clipping for you.

Stream Link: http://www.prep45.com/

Pointstreak Live Stats/highlights Link:

http://pointstreak.com/flashapp/index_h ... id=2091722

[Bigcat99]

End of 1... no score, but SOG are 16-2 East. That is not a typo!

What else can one say?

[clutterbuck22]

End of 1... no score, but SOG are 16-2 East. That is not a typo!

What else can one say?

Shots now 19-3 Duluth East, but GR has the first goal.

[Bigcat99]

1-1 after two... SOG stands @ 25-5 East.

[Bigcat99]

East with a 2-1 Final. Getting out shot 33-11...

[mulefarm]

Looks like GR will be a 4-5 seed in 7AA. Very disappointing for a team as that was picked to be a top 5 team!

[northwoods oldtimer]

9 shots is horrible result but serious a roughing call on an icing......?!

My Hill Murray friend says East is a cheap team.

[east hockey]

9 shots is horrible result but serious a roughing call on an icing......?!

My Hill Murray friend says East is a cheap team.

Is he a dealer?

Lee

[karl(east)]

Fun fact: though East has won all six meetings with Rapids since the 2007 playoffs, the last four games have all been decided by one goal.

Make that five one-goal East wins in a row. Both teams were as advertised, really. East did a good job of cleaning up the over-active defense we saw against Denfeld and really locked down, especially after they took the lead. Rapids' chances were by in large limited to a few strong individual efforts by Avery Peterson.

All in all, it was a very strong effort by the Hounds. Obviously, one would like to see some scoring in a period where the team outshoots its opponent 16-1, but it wasn't for lack of effort. They're not a team with great finishing, so this is going to happen from time to time, and they just have to keep plugging away and not get frustrated or anxious, as seemed to happen against Denfeld. They're probably going to have to win a few games like this if they want to go far in the playoffs.

Hunter Shepard also made some brilliant saves for Rapids. He sure has a bright future. The game was a bit chippy in both directions (the GWG came on a PP after a Rapids defenseman hit an East player hard after a whistle), but never out of hand, and there were a lot of big hits, too.

It was an important step for East in 7AA seeding; just winning one of the two against Forest Lake and Cloquet should lock it up. For Rapids, I'd guess the second Cloquet game will decide if they wind up 3rd or 4th.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Not sure what mulefarm is smoking, but Karl has it right on, Rapids should be at #3 maybe #2 if they beat Cloquet. They haven't lived up to expectations so far, but that doesn't mean Forest Lake is 14-0 just because Rapids lost a couple head scratchers. GR has lost a few tight games. Forest Lake has had their ass handed to them on a silver platter a handful of games this season.

[north_bear]

Good game by both squads. From what I saw it was basically everything I expected, although I would have preffered a few more shots on goal and a couple more in the East net Lots of hits in the 1st. East's D does a good job of clogging shooting and passing lanes, they are rarely out of position. Rapids did a good job of keeping East's shots from the outside where they were mostly easy saves but Sheppard did stand on his head a few times again. Looking forward to a rematch to hopefully break the stranglehold East has on us...

Also, first time at the Heritage Center. I thought it was a nice, modern arena with lots of good viewing places. However, I was a little puzzled by the lack of the National Anthem? East's band was present, would have liked to have heard them play it.

[mulefarm]

Don't smoke. What is GR record against 7AA teams? They play section games to help determine seating, if they don't count more, then why even play them. GR shot themselves in the foot with loses to FL and SF.

[pipersniper12]

Don't smoke. What is GR record against 7AA teams? They play section games to help determine seating, if they don't count more, then why even play them. GR shot themselves in the foot with loses to FL and SF.

Which seat should they sit in then? 6? 7? 8? 9? When it comes to judgement day, the coaches might way the section games a bit more but it all comes down to how they view the teems as a hole.

Section standings to date:
1. Dalooth East (4-0)
2. Clokay (2-1-1)
3. Forest Lake (3-1)
4. St. Fransis (2-1)
5. Gran Rapids (1-3-1)
6. Elk River (1-1)
7. Andover (0-2)
8. St. Michale Albertsvill (1-2)
9. Camebrige Isantee (0-3)

[northwoods oldtimer]

9 shots is horrible result but serious a roughing call on an icing......?!

My Hill Murray friend says East is a cheap team.

Is he a dealer?

Lee

A forum guru 'hiself' Lee

[SimplyPut]

Section 7AA is a difficult one this year. I would have to say East has to be the clear favorite so far, unless they have an unexpected slide, after that. no one has really stepped up and tried to make a claim for the next 5 - 6 positions. to bad Elk River and Andover don't play a few more section games ot get a better cage. Cloquet, Elk River and Maybe Andover are all mixed in for the 2 - 4 spots. and I know rapids fans won't agree, but I currently would have to give Forest Lake the edge for the 5 spot and Rapids the 6 spot. hard to put rapids ahead of Forest Lake with a head to head loss and the loss to St Francis, when most the other Section & teams have handled St Francis with some ease.
This is going to be a fun race to the end. know matter how the seeding goes Section play should be wide open and no gimme games.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Don't smoke. What is GR record against 7AA teams? They play section games to help determine seating, if they don't count more, then why even play them. GR shot themselves in the foot with loses to FL and SF.

Rapids has lost 4 games, 2 of them being to East and Edina. Forest Lake has 7 losses all to unranked teams and most are complete thrashings! Moundsview 11-6, Roseville 5-2, Cretin Durham Hall 5-2, Cloquet 7-1, Moundsview 5-2, White Bear Lake 2-0, Hastings 3-2. That is brutal and those losses are consistent throughout their season. Andover also has been piling on the losses and St. Francis even with their win over GR plays such a soft schedule they will never be higher than 7. You can't give section games all the importance when 7AA teams don't play an even number of section games. Therefore it is a complete season result that is looked at. Every game on the schedule will be analyzed. Rapids has wins over Roseau, Warroad, Duluth Marshall, and Hermantown. Hermantown was previously 3-0-1 vs. top 20 Class AA teams most recently tying Eagan.

As of now:
1. East
2. Rapids By virtue of their 3-2 win over Elk River
3. Elk River More quality wins than CEC
4. Cloquet Due to their tie with GR and 7-1 trouncing of FL
5. Andover Win over Eden Prairie keeps them over FL
6. Forest Lake 7 brutal losses. SEVEN.
7. St. Francis Too inconsistent
8,9 STMA & Cambridge

[BodyShots]

Don't smoke. What is GR record against 7AA teams? They play section games to help determine seating, if they don't count more, then why even play them. GR shot themselves in the foot with loses to FL and SF.

Which seat should they sit in then? 6? 7? 8? 9? When it comes to judgement day, the coaches might way the section games a bit more but it all comes down to how they view the teems as a hole.

Section standings to date:
1. Dalooth East (4-0)
2. Clokay (2-1-1)
3. Forest Lake (3-1)
4. St. Fransis (2-1)
5. Gran Rapids (1-3-1)
6. Elk River (1-1)
7. Andover (0-2)
8. St. Michale Albertsvill (1-2)
9. Camebrige Isantee (0-3)

Now that's "hill-air-e-us".

[Scout716]

I was surprised to see that Grand Rapids Plays so many Single A teams. I am guessing thats due to their up North location/conference, but got me thinking how does that play into the rankings? those teams that DJ Mentioned there's nothing to compare them to with most the Section 7AA teams. I haven't looked but I would be curious if Andover, Elk River, or Forest Lake all put togather play 4 - 5 A opponents? I don;t know but just a thought.

[TheHockeyDJ]

I was surprised to see that Grand Rapids Plays so many Single A teams. I am guessing thats due to their up North location/conference, but got me thinking how does that play into the rankings? those teams that DJ Mentioned there's nothing to compare them to with most the Section 7AA teams. I haven't looked but I would be curious if Andover, Elk River, or Forest Lake all put togather play 4 - 5 A opponents? I don;t know but just a thought.

It's who you play in single A and obviously Rapids would love to play a full AA schedule vs. twin cities competition but that's not realistic being 180 miles from the TC. It's not difficult to research, there's mnhockeyhub.com and followthepuck.com and you can compare results. The St. Francis loss for GR doesn't look as bad now since East lost to Denfeld which lost to St. Francis. Similar shot results. Just goes to show a team that is vastly superior in talent can run into a hot goalie.