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I hope everyone has recovered from The Tourney last week. I'll be sure to bring some extra tissues for Karl when Randolph cheats his way to the X again next year.

Anyway, I wrote this piece on one of my blogs. Give it a read and let me know what you think.

http://zachhalverson.kinja.com/zach-hal ... 6055211608

If ESPN can package the qualifiers to reach the LLWS, the State of Hockey can certainly do the same for the road to the Class AA hockey tournament.

I like it.

O-townClown wrote:If ESPN can package the qualifiers to reach the LLWS, the State of Hockey can certainly do the same for the road to the Class AA hockey tournament.

I like it.

hey cool man thanks.

No comment on the location of the 7AA final (we've beaten that to death), but I do think they can do a better job of coordinating the Metro-area finals. Why have a 2AA/6AA doubleheader one night, but then have 3AA and 5AA at separate venues right next to each other the next night? Have back-to-back doubleheaders, at the very least. It would help the gate for both of those finals.

I like it, with the exception of 7AA. Most often Elk River is the only southern team that counts, the others rarely or never (St. Francis/Cambridge) make it to Duluth anyways. So 7AA is a northern dominant section if we are talking teams that don't suck.

TheHockeyDJ wrote:I like it, with the exception of 7AA. Most often Elk River is the only southern team that counts, the others rarely or never (St. Francis/Cambridge) make it to Duluth anyways. So 7AA is a northern dominant section if we are talking teams that don't suck.

Like I said, the way things stand now AMSOIL is the place for the 7AA final. However, I think the opportunity to play at a big venue on a Friday night in Minneapolis on statewide TV (assuming KSTC decides to broadcast it) might outweigh the benefits of a Duluth located final. The attendance would be greater in Minneapolis than Duluth as well, and if the deal is done right 7AA might even make more money.

I get the appeal of AMSOIL, especially from northern fans but looking at the possible benefits, including a double-header with another section, I really think it would be worth the trip.

ZachHalverson wrote:

TheHockeyDJ wrote:I like it, with the exception of 7AA. Most often Elk River is the only southern team that counts, the others rarely or never (St. Francis/Cambridge) make it to Duluth anyways. So 7AA is a northern dominant section if we are talking teams that don't suck.

Like I said, the way things stand now AMSOIL is the place for the 7AA final. However, I think the opportunity to play at a big venue on a Friday night in Minneapolis on statewide TV (assuming KSTC decides to broadcast it) might outweigh the benefits of a Duluth located final. The attendance would be greater in Minneapolis than Duluth as well, and if the deal is done right 7AA might even make more money.

I get the appeal of AMSOIL, especially from northern fans but looking at the possible benefits, including a double-header with another section, I really think it would be worth the trip.

Why not let 7AA do their own thing in Duluth and have 1AA match up with 4AA for the double header?
I'm sure if you ask the Lakevilles and Farmington they would rather play in Minneapolis than driving down to Rochester.
Both 1AA and 7AA are about half metro and half not, so it seems more logical to have the section with better metro teams playing in Minneapolis.

ZachHalverson wrote:

TheHockeyDJ wrote:I like it, with the exception of 7AA. Most often Elk River is the only southern team that counts, the others rarely or never (St. Francis/Cambridge) make it to Duluth anyways. So 7AA is a northern dominant section if we are talking teams that don't suck.

Like I said, the way things stand now AMSOIL is the place for the 7AA final. However, I think the opportunity to play at a big venue on a Friday night in Minneapolis on statewide TV (assuming KSTC decides to broadcast it) might outweigh the benefits of a Duluth located final. The attendance would be greater in Minneapolis than Duluth as well, and if the deal is done right 7AA might even make more money.

I get the appeal of AMSOIL, especially from northern fans but looking at the possible benefits, including a double-header with another section, I really think it would be worth the trip.

If on a Friday night, like you said, then maybe.

I will defend the olympic sheet here.

Probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference as Minnesota is looking at narrowing Mariucci in the next year or two, but I've always liked that a section final is on the 200 x 100. In fact, I'd advocate that ALL section finals need to be on a 200 x 100, whether it be at St. Cloud, Mankato or Mariucci. It shows that you're the type of team that can play a little bit different game. I've likened it to the decathlon; sure, you can throw the disc, javelin & pole vault....but let's see if you can run! It finds an all-around team.

But just my opinion & it won't really be a factor much in the future. The olympic ice sheet is so 1995!