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It ALL starts with the goalies. You can talk about the "unstoppable offense of Centennial" and the speed of Wayzata, but in the state tournament everything is different. In close games, which happen more often then not the fans need the littlest thing to get back into the game, and when the kids are already pysched to be playing in front of 18,000 (AA), 8,000 (A <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ), a BIG save makes a team come out flying. Look at Jefferson 2 years ago against Elk River, the fans for both sides were pretyt into it, it was 0-0 and Jeremy Earl decided to turn into a brick wall, fans go crazy, defensman gets a big hit, energy flying, Brad Peterson scores a few moments later. Last year, Anoka had amazing team speed and leadership and when they gave up a shot on goal and he came up huge they had a burst of energy and no team could match it. The point? It isn't always the best team that wins any given game, especially in this setting, the greatest sporting event in HS sports. Sure, Wayzata won 6-0, I guarntee you if Tartan would have hung on a minute longer (with a nice save) they would have been in it all game. <br><br>This is why the games are played, Lakeville's goalie is always amazing and holds there team together, they are going ride him tonight, and if they make it through tonight watch out. I am not a Lakeville fan persay but I don't really care who wins these games so I might as well pick someone, and why not the "PLEASE BAN ME team from section 1 who rides that GOALIE, 'whats his name?' year in and year out" <p></p><i></i>

O'Brian is his name and he could definitly steal a game. <p></p><i></i>

so what does everyone think of derek hittles play. you cant tell me thats the best goalie moorehead has got..they are darn lucky that they have a huge deffinsive team to support him... <p></p><i></i>

O'Brien has one major weakness, he doesn't play the puck, if your going to play at the next level, you better be able to play the puck. I did not see him play the puck more than a couple times all game. Unfortunately that set up the first goal <p></p><i></i>

ya i'm form alexandria and hittle use to live here until he moved to go play for moorhead, hes a good goalie but he had a HORIBLE game last night only saving 6 or 7 shots. i wouldn't be suprised if they don't start him against DE. <p></p><i></i>

I agree I have seen Hittle play a lot better this year. For the past month Moorhead has just been alternating goalies it will be Deutz tonight just following a pattern. <p></p><i></i>

Alex Stalock. Best goalie performance I've ever seen in a state tourney game. Right up there with Reggie Miracle and Kyle Gohring. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <p></p><i></i>

I've never seen anything like Stalock's performance today. I have it on tape and will watch it again! <p></p><i></i>

I agree. We watched history in the making today. That was a once-in-a-lifetime performance. I just wish they would have won it, to make it even sweeter. <p>Scheids<br>(A legend in his girlfriend's mind.)</p><i></i>

Now that's a classic State Tourny Name !!!!<br><br>What happen to Columbia Heights!! <p></p><i></i>

I hope the consolation game is televised. I want to see him again. I'm from SSP and had heard that he was unconventional but never saw him play in person. I think I'll be attending games next year to watch him. <p></p><i></i>

Alex is a good goaltender. Can obviously play the puck. But I really question if it helps or hurts the team. Playing the puck up the ice high off the glass everytime seems to me your doing nothing but giving up control of the puck and feeding the opposition just across the blue line starting a rush back at you. There is definately times when to play the puck up the ice, bad line change etc. but normally control the puck, possibly start the breakout if the conditions are right. What do you think? <p></p><i></i>

Alex will always be a great player to watch, but as to next year its hard to speculate. They have a few really talented juniors, like Pilot, Crowe, and of course Alex, but the team is really senior heavy. Their JV didn't have a good year, and their JV goalie is fairly good too. They will have to do a lot of summer work if they want another chance to break the SSP jinx next year. Don't get me wrong, if Stalock can play the way he did today, and has at times, they will usually be in the games, but they need to re-establish the strong breakout system, and the defense needs to get better. <p>Puckster<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.wildpuck.com" target="top">www.wildpuck.com</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

Has anyone forgot about Troy Davenports performence last year?(from simley) He was unreal, better then stalocks this year + he led his team too the championship and lost 2 warroad 3-1 i think with a empty net. He had as many shots as stalock did and no 1 has said anything about his great performence. I mean comeon it was one of the best. That was one of the top performences in the state. Better then stalock's!!! <p></p><i></i>

Stutz, Stutz, Stutz<br><br>What else do I need to say. When you shut out the #2, #3, and #4 team in the State you need hype him up. <p></p><i></i>

If you hop in your time machine and go back to this time last year.... EVERYONE talked about Troy Davenport carrying Simley to the championship game, he was great. THIS YEAR Alex Stalock stole the show and outdid even Davenport. <br><br>Stutz was also great for Centennial, yeah they had great defense but especially against Holy Angels he was the reason they won.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>