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I didn't see a thread for 4AA so thought I'd add it.

2/25/26 5pm Aldrich

#1 Hill Murray vs #5 Gentry

8pm Aldrich

#2 Stillwater vs #3 White Bear

I prefer using the forum to track section results. I find it easy and convenient having it all in one spot.
Hopefully others can chime in with scoring updates for these games tomorrow.

Why is Gentry still in AA?

Oh right, the Zephs. Never mind.

Games will be streamed only. nspn.tv/MSHSL. The White Bear game will be uploaded to YouTube tomorrow.

Early 2nd period- Gentry up 3-1 on Hill. At the game, and can tell you that Gentry is thoroughly outplaying Hill so far. More aggressive, harder to the puck. Better goaltending. Hill looks overmatched so far. Gentry looks great.

4-1 Gentry. I turned it off. This game looks over.

In a rare move, I'm pulling for the Pios in this one (it's Gentry Academy they're playing I had to!). So of course......

Lee

Bye bye HM.

Pretty average season ends in a whimper. Gentry sure deserved the win.

Cue the meltdown….

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 7:14 am Why is Gentry still in AA?

Oh right, the Zephs. Never mind.

Anybody do a welfare check on ESPG?

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 7:14 am Why is Gentry still in AA?

Oh right, the Zephs. Never mind.

Need some crow to eat?

0-0 after first. Bears look stronger, but they have scored one goal in two games vs the Ponies.

1-0 Stillwater in 2nd.

east hockey wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 6:10 pm In a rare move, I'm pulling for the Pios in this one (it's Gentry Academy they're playing I had to!). So of course......

Lee

Why? Give me the public schools all day. And I have mad respect for Hill-Murray going back over 40 years.

bardown27 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 8:10 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 7:14 am Why is Gentry still in AA?

Oh right, the Zephs. Never mind.

Need some crow to eat?

Not at all. Did you read my analysis of the game? DId I not give Gentry credit?

Overall it's a down year for this section, amiright? Bears around 500, Stillwater sputtering at the end just like East Ridge, and an average Hill team. It's entirely possible Gentry will be playing next week. I personally don't care which of the survivors wins on Friday, they're all about the same, and Hill was just a nose better (on the season) than the others. No one expected this Hill team to dominate this section this year.

I stand by my supposition, Gentry belongs in A, but I guess if you can get lucky once in a while, you might as well do it in AA than in A, given the Zeph's lock on their section.

WBL beats Stillwater in OT. Seems like another year of upsets.

Gentry is always a bit of an enigma due to scheduling. They seemed to be coming together and playing well to end the year. They beat the pants off Hill last night. They were faster to pucks, won almost every contested puck, were far bigger hitters, and were way more aggressive - especially on penalty kills. As others have noted, this was not a strong Hill team. That said, I was surprised by last night. Gentry was better in every single category.

Going into the 3rd period, Lechner came out 5 minutes before the period when not one ref, player or coach on either team was out of their respective locker rooms. He just say on the bench by himself with his head down. Read into that what you will.....

BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 9:44 am Gentry is always a bit of an enigma due to scheduling. They seemed to be coming together and playing well to end the year. They beat the pants off Hill last night. They were faster to pucks, won almost every contested puck, were far bigger hitters, and were way more aggressive - especially on penalty kills. As others have noted, this was not a strong Hill team. That said, I was surprised by last night. Gentry was better in every single category.

Going into the 3rd period, Lechner came out 5 minutes before the period when not one ref, player or coach on either team was out of their respective locker rooms. He just say on the bench by himself with his head down. Read into that what you will.....

I wouldn't read too much into Lex leaving the locker room early like that. I have noticed he often does that in section and state tournament games. I don't watch for that as much during regular season games, but I believe he does that then, also. What I did notice last night was before the 2nd and 3rd, Hill was out of the locker room early, and that is rare. Usually they are the later team out. Maybe they were literally butt hurt over using those crummy changing rooms on the east end.

Hill just looked sluggish and flat footed, although they stepped it up later in the second, enough so they dominated for stretches. Gentry made the most of their chances, Hill couldn't find enough twine. In the last minutes of the game, most of Hill's shots made a loud BOOM as they hit the dasher boards, wide of the goal.

Historically, teams like Gentry come out flying against Hill, and by the 3rd they're back to earth. That didn't happen to Gentry last night.

I saw Gentry beat East Ridge on Saturday night. Gentry doesn't have a lot a size but can skate and have several high-end skill guys. White Bear better pack their lunch Friday.
Hill not going to state for 3rd straight year. Trouble in Paradise?

north_bear wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 7:11 am WBL beats Stillwater in OT. Seems like another year of upsets.

That stretches the definition of 'upset', to put it mildly. It's a near even money game in most years, and even more so this year. No one who paid attention to Stillwater down the stretch was surprised by this in the least.

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 11:10 amThat stretches the definition of 'upset', to put it mildly.

Yes. PS2 shows #16 Stillwater & #17 White Bear Lake separated by 0.03 rating points! A dead-heat that predictably went to overtime.

SEC Scotty wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 11:08 am I saw Gentry beat East Ridge on Saturday night. Gentry doesn't have a lot a size but can skate and have several high-end skill guys. White Bear better pack their lunch Friday.
Hill not going to state for 3rd straight year. Trouble in Paradise?

Not really. Every team goes through down seasons. Last year hurt more, being #1 and losing (although Stillwater was equally as good). This year, Hill wasn't going on any post-season runs. It is what it is. I'm content with the girls winning. School has 3 winter season state titles already and girls b-ball is top 5 in state. So a good run for the school either way.

SEC Scotty wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 11:08 am I saw Gentry beat East Ridge on Saturday night. Gentry doesn't have a lot a size but can skate and have several high-end skill guys. White Bear better pack their lunch Friday.
Hill not going to state for 3rd straight year. Trouble in Paradise?

It's not the first time Hill has gone three years in a row without an appearance at State.

2:40, and tickets are still available. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. We always hear this, "I'd like too see some new teams!" Novelty doesn't sell tickets, hatred does. Or if you prefer, passion.