Semifinal Saturday at Amsoil Arena 2/20

[TheHockeyDJ]

This is the best hockey event in MN besides State. Awesome venue and 4 games in one day. I would think with more 7A teams higher up in the rankings there should be an even better turnout this year. 7AA games are at Noon/2:00. Gates open at 11:00am. 7A IS 6:00/8:00, gates open at 5:00.
Someday I'd like to see 7AA in the evening session.

If all the high seeds win you'll have this setup:
12:00 Duluth East vs Elk River
2:00 Grand Rapids vs Cloquet
6:00 Hermantown vs Greenway
8:00 Hibbing vs Duluth Denfeld

[rainier]

This is the best hockey event in MN besides State. Awesome venue and 4 games in one day. I would think with more 7A teams higher up in the rankings there should be an even better turnout this year. 7AA games are at Noon/2:00. Gates open at 11:00am. 7A IS 6:00/8:00, gates open at 5:00.
Someday I'd like to see 7AA in the evening session.

If all the high seeds win you'll have this setup:
12:00 Duluth East vs Elk River
2:00 Grand Rapids vs Cloquet
6:00 Hermantown vs Greenway
8:00 Hibbing vs Duluth Denfeld

If those end up being the matchups it will be fantastic.

[north_bear]

Why is 7AA never the evening session? This year it's because Gordie has to make it to the alumni game. Atmosphere would be way better with an evening slate.

[greenwayraider]

Only see one good matchup, East and Elk River. The other three games look like yawners. The Hibbing/Denfeld might be a good one. Hermantown will take Greenway a lot more seriously this time around and it will be a bigger rink. Greenway will have a very difficult time keeping this game close. Coach Clafton needs to come up with a brilliant game plan that will then be executed to keep this out of running time plus LaDoux (Mike) will need to replicate his 61 save performance he had with Marshall last year.

[Joe2015]

Don't think I'll be able to attend as I live a few hours away. Does anyone know what radio stations will be covering these games?

Or better yet, any chance these games will be live streamed on some website?

[elliott70]

If all the high seeds win you'll have this setup:
12:00 Duluth East vs Elk River
ER by 3 or more
2:00 Grand Rapids vs Cloquet
GR by 3 or more
6:00 Hermantown vs Greenway
HT by 4 or more
8:00 Hibbing vs Duluth Denfeld
Hibbing by 1 or less

[kniven]

If all the high seeds win you'll have this setup:
12:00 Duluth East vs Elk River
ER by 3 or more
2:00 Grand Rapids vs Cloquet
GR by 3 or more
6:00 Hermantown vs Greenway
HT by 4 or more
8:00 Hibbing vs Duluth Denfeld
Hibbing by 1 or less

Sigh

[elliott70]

From where I sit (which is a few miles away) there will be one close game.

Just my perspective. I am sure the players may feel different.

[rainier]

This is the best hockey event in MN besides State. Awesome venue and 4 games in one day. I would think with more 7A teams higher up in the rankings there should be an even better turnout this year. 7AA games are at Noon/2:00. Gates open at 11:00am. 7A IS 6:00/8:00, gates open at 5:00.
Someday I'd like to see 7AA in the evening session.

If all the high seeds win you'll have this setup:
12:00 Duluth East vs Elk River
2:00 Grand Rapids vs Cloquet
6:00 Hermantown vs Greenway
8:00 Hibbing vs Duluth Denfeld

All the high seeds won in 7A, so yep, that will be Saturday's lineup at Amsoil. Should be great!

[greenwayraider]

Sorry DJ as much of a fan of Section 7A and 7AA as I am, semifinal Saturday is not the next best hockey event after State. Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey. Even Section 4AA and Section 5AA semifinals that used to be at the Coliseum were better. Any semifinal or final at Aldrich has a great atmosphere. I've been to two semifinals at Amsoil. The arena seems to suck out all the atmosphere. Blaring music doesn't give the cheering sections much of chance to be heard. The place has never been close to being filled, further adding to a poor atmosphere. Now if Section 7A were held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, you'd have a great event.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Sorry DJ as much of a fan of Section 7A and 7AA as I am, semifinal Saturday is not the next best hockey event after State. Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey. Even Section 4AA and Section 5AA semifinals that used to be at the Coliseum were better. Any semifinal or final at Aldrich has a great atmosphere. I've been to two semifinals at Amsoil. The arena seems to suck out all the atmosphere. Blaring music doesn't give the cheering sections much of chance to be heard. The place has never been close to being filled, further adding to a poor atmosphere. Now if Section 7A were held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, you'd have a great event.

The entire gameday experience is better at Amsoil. I like the loud and modern music! Also Amsoil is like a minature Xcel. Not only is the building state of the art, you're in Duluth on Lake Superior. I'll take that over some regular season building in a suburb ANY DAY!

[rainier]

Sorry DJ as much of a fan of Section 7A and 7AA as I am, semifinal Saturday is not the next best hockey event after State. Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey. Even Section 4AA and Section 5AA semifinals that used to be at the Coliseum were better. Any semifinal or final at Aldrich has a great atmosphere. I've been to two semifinals at Amsoil. The arena seems to suck out all the atmosphere. Blaring music doesn't give the cheering sections much of chance to be heard. The place has never been close to being filled, further adding to a poor atmosphere. Now if Section 7A were held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, you'd have a great event.

The entire gameday experience is better at Amsoil. I like the loud and modern music! Also Amsoil is like a minature Xcel. Not only is the building state of the art, you're in Duluth on Lake Superior. I'll take that over some regular season building in a suburb ANY DAY!

You're both right.

I agree with DJ that having it in Duluth makes it more of a mini-state tourney type atmosphere as there are a ton of restaurants and other things to do if a family wants to make a weekend out of it.

However, Greenie is dead-on when it comes to the atmosphere in Amsoil: There is none. Yes, it is a cool-looking, modern arena, but it is cavernous and attendance for sections never comes close to its 6,600 capacity. Student section cheers just evaporate into the air it isn't really exciting when a goal is scored because it sounds like only 15 people are making noise.

The Memorial Building in Hibbing has a 4000+ capacity and this year when it was full for the Greenway and GR games, it was insane in there. Tons of noise and energy. Yes, Hibbing does not have Red Lobster or Famous Dave's, but between Hibbing, Chisholm, and Virginia there are plenty of eating options that can be easily accessed during the intermission between the AA and A sessions. Anyways, the section tournament should be about how fun the games were and not how many Chedday Bay biscuits you can stuff in your face.

Rotating Hibbing one year and Amsoil the next would be a great way to do it.

[@hockeytweet]

Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey

I absolutely love Amsoil Arena, it is truly a modern venue and the setting is wonderful near Canal Park. That being said, a packed Braemar for 2 semi-final games is AWESOME. That section has matchups that feel State Tournament-like.

Back to Amsoil, I really want to see Grand Rapids pull if off. Seeing those orange jerseys whistling around the X would be fantastic.
But what if CEC pulls off the upset? That would be something too!

[Doc Holliday]

I think Braemar is awesome. It's almost the perfect size for a semifinal game. Almost packed, but enough room to squeeze you in.

BIG, on the other hand, can sometimes be a nightmare. It's a cool atmosphere when there, and there's more people standing around the glass & stuff. But parking there is a nightmare, and logistically, it's just tougher.

Wayzata & Edina should be an awesome atmosphere tomorrow night, though.

[elliott70]

Hibbing is the best sectional arena (at least north of 494).

East Grand and The Huck (in thief river) are/were close seconds.

[edgeless2]

This question may be redundant but any online video/radio for this event. East v. ER is the second best matchup of the day, if East can hang around for the whole 3 periods.

[mnmouth]

Sorry DJ as much of a fan of Section 7A and 7AA as I am, semifinal Saturday is not the next best hockey event after State. Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey. Even Section 4AA and Section 5AA semifinals that used to be at the Coliseum were better. Any semifinal or final at Aldrich has a great atmosphere. I've been to two semifinals at Amsoil. The arena seems to suck out all the atmosphere. Blaring music doesn't give the cheering sections much of chance to be heard. The place has never been close to being filled, further adding to a poor atmosphere. Now if Section 7A were held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, you'd have a great event.

Two things bring down the atmosphere at Amsoil: first, the event always seems to be scheduled when Duluth schools are on break. That will also be the case this year. Second, why can't they get some high school bands to participate?? Bands bring energy to any event, and it surely seems lacking when they skip these games. Otherwise, the venue and surrounding area are awesome, especially when the weather allows for parking and walking to Canal Park and to Amsoil.

[FREDFLINTSTONE]

East doesn't lose at home. I'll take East.

[grindiangrad-80]

I think Amsoil is a great place to watch hockey. I was at the semi final last year and was very impressed with it. I was a bit surprised at how many open seats there were but you can't fault the arena for that. More people should get out of the house and take in these games. When you look back at this tournament and think of all the great players who have participated in it, it is really a good chance to watch some fantastic hockey.
As a GR fan I can tell you that, regardless of outcome, there have been some epic games.
I agree with DJ. It is close to State when it comes to excitement. Not sure if I will make the trip but I hope I can.

It does remind me of the old days when it was in Hibbing. Those games were as good, or sometimes better, than the State Tournament.

[elliott70]

"I like the loud and modern music!"


That's like saying I went to the Janis Joplin concert because they had a good selection of beer.

[greenwayraider]

"I like loud and modern music!"

So do I. but I just pop in my 8-track and play Saturday Night Fever when I want to listen to it. Loud music adds nothing to a hockey game but white noise.

[MWS coach]

Sorry DJ as much of a fan of Section 7A and 7AA as I am, semifinal Saturday is not the next best hockey event after State. Semifinal Saturday at Braemer is better. Never been to semifinal Saturday at BIG but I would expect that it is better as well. Packed arenas with great hockey. Even Section 4AA and Section 5AA semifinals that used to be at the Coliseum were better. Any semifinal or final at Aldrich has a great atmosphere. I've been to two semifinals at Amsoil. The arena seems to suck out all the atmosphere. Blaring music doesn't give the cheering sections much of chance to be heard. The place has never been close to being filled, further adding to a poor atmosphere. Now if Section 7A were held at the Hibbing Memorial Building, you'd have a great event.

The entire gameday experience is better at Amsoil. I like the loud and modern music! Also Amsoil is like a minature Xcel. Not only is the building state of the art, you're in Duluth on Lake Superior. I'll take that over some regular season building in a suburb ANY DAY!

You're both right.

I agree with DJ that having it in Duluth makes it more of a mini-state tourney type atmosphere as there are a ton of restaurants and other things to do if a family wants to make a weekend out of it.

However, Greenie is dead-on when it comes to the atmosphere in Amsoil: There is none. Yes, it is a cool-looking, modern arena, but it is cavernous and attendance for sections never comes close to its 6,600 capacity. Student section cheers just evaporate into the air it isn't really exciting when a goal is scored because it sounds like only 15 people are making noise.

The Memorial Building in Hibbing has a 4000+ capacity and this year when it was full for the Greenway and GR games, it was insane in there. Tons of noise and energy. Yes, Hibbing does not have Red Lobster or Famous Dave's, but between Hibbing, Chisholm, and Virginia there are plenty of eating options that can be easily accessed during the intermission between the AA and A sessions. Anyways, the section tournament should be about how fun the games were and not how many Chedday Bay biscuits you can stuff in your face.

Rotating Hibbing one year and Amsoil the next would be a great way to do it.

But Duluth does not have Fraboni Sausage, Sunrise Bakery, or Cobb Cook Chicken!

[north_bear]

The building is awesome, one of the best around. Unfortunately like others have stated it is just too big and spacious unless it is at full capacity. I would like them to explore the idea of trying Hibbing Memorial. Not quite the capacity but that wouldn't be a problem based on the last few years of semifinal attendance at Amsoil. The atmosphere would be booming. It is kind of hard to understand the announcers at the memorial, sound is kind of echoy.

[east hockey]

The building is awesome, one of the best around. Unfortunately like others have stated it is just too big and spacious unless it is at full capacity. I would like them to explore the idea of trying Hibbing Memorial. Not quite the capacity but that wouldn't be a problem based on the last few years of semifinal attendance at Amsoil. The atmosphere would be booming. It is kind of hard to understand the announcers at the memorial, sound is kind of echoy.

For awhile, 7AA alternated between Hibbing and the DECC. Semis would be in Hibbing, finals in Duluth one year. Next year, they'd switch.

I always liked that. Especially when the semis were in Hibbing, we'd watch East win and then celebrate at our favorite Sammy's Pizza on Howard Street.

Lee

[elliott70]

The building is awesome, one of the best around. Unfortunately like others have stated it is just too big and spacious unless it is at full capacity. I would like them to explore the idea of trying Hibbing Memorial. Not quite the capacity but that wouldn't be a problem based on the last few years of semifinal attendance at Amsoil. The atmosphere would be booming. It is kind of hard to understand the announcers at the memorial, sound is kind of echoy.

For awhile, 7AA alternated between Hibbing and the DECC. Semis would be in Hibbing, finals in Duluth one year. Next year, they'd switch.

I always liked that. Especially when the semis were in Hibbing, we'd watch East win and then celebrate at our favorite Sammy's Pizza on Howard Street.

Lee

Speaking of Howardst, where is he?