7AA pre-season

[hockeyislife19]

GR19, you are absolutely right. Baker, Sneep, and Peltoma aren't in the same league as White, Smith, and Skejskal. They are in a league below Baker, Sneep, and Peltoma!!!!!! Nobody has ever even heard Smith and Skejskal. I can't wait until you come to Brainerd this year, because you may be crying the whole way home.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[kranky]

I know Elk River's been to the big show and came home with all the marbles before, but it seems to me that they have previously been in sections 7 & 8 before and have a hard time making it to the big show (remember Roseau & Hibbing?). So if this city team thinks they will waltz through section 7AA, they may be in for a surprise come tourny time. <p></p><i></i>

[Hockeyfanatic23]

I like GR19 that you can not even live in the same state yet you still know that those kids from GR are a "whole level" above the Brainerd kids....maybe you should take advice from people that actually live here...now your probeble gonna shoot back with you got some inside info or sumthin, but yea you really dont know so stop making assumtions. <p></p><i></i>

[gr19]

Aren't you a Cambridge fan? I watched all of those players last year and the year before. Both playoff games. I was unimpressed except for the ice time logged by Sneep. He's a hard worker and maybe he'd be better if he had a higher level of talent around him. Also, I'd take East's top 3 players, Cloquets, and most likely Elk Rivers. Thing is, Brainerd will be seeded 5 or 6 and get booted in the first round. <br><br>Don't act like I don't know what's going on because I'm in Anchorage, I am very informed about the Grand Rapids squad. I cannot disclose any of the insider info I have. I come here and express my opinion based on that knowledge. I have more insight this season than any of the 15 years I lived in Grand Rapids. There is this thing called email. You can send messages instantly even between long distances like Anchorage and Grand Rapids. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[Hockeyfanatic23]

Yea someone from North Branch emailed me....said their goin to state this year. Im just saying you don't have a strong arguement and your just being biased due to the fact that you are from Grand Rapids. Yes, I'm a Cambridge fan whats your point? I moved here when I was 8. Is it my fault I like my home team? I've barely even said anything about them doing anything this year. Oh but since were on the subject, id take Chummley and Goldsmith over any 2 of your GR players anyday(including white). <p></p><i></i>

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>So if this city team thinks they will waltz through section 7AA<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>We prefer to tango <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/grin.gif ALT=" >D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>Who has said that ER is walking through Sections? Yes, I think they will win it, but there is no way its gonna be easy. They will face stiff competition in the semi's and final's.<br><br>Yes, we were part of 7AA & 8AA before. It wasn't Roseau or Hibbing at all, I have no clue what you are talking about. Moorhead and East were the teams that prevented trips to State. But yes, we did win all the marbles and that's what matters. We are the only 7AA team to win State this century <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p>Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls</p><i></i>

[gr19]

I am not being biased. Okay, forget Grand Rapids for a moment. I'll take the same stance for Cloquet or Duluth East over Brainerd. I do not think Peltoma, Baker and Sneep are bad players. I simply never saw anything that made me go "WOW!" On the other hand, players like Mitch Ryan or Rob Johnson impressed me a lot. Another thing is teams like Grand Rapids, CEC, and Duluth East seem to be a step ahead when it comes to passing and team speed. That's why those 3 teams have been in the last 4 section title games, and not Brainerd. Another thing, a person who coached at a level higher than HS told me when Brainerd starts out well and they have a fallout at the end of the year and no injuries, it's coaching. When I watch CEC, East, or Grand Rapids I see bang-bang choreographed breakouts, quick transitions on turnovers in the neutral zone. When I've watched Brainerd it's like they just bat the puck up ice, hope someone is there and then once they're in the zone just throw it at the net. That's why they outshoot teams 34-25 and lose 6-1. No dynamic plays. IF Brainerd can change that then they will be in the thick of things and probably get some wins against GR, CEC, East, and maybe Elk River. <p></p><i></i>

[gr19]

Also to show I'm not being biased, simply observant, is the fact that I think Elk River is most likely the favorite in 7AA. I'm sure their top 3 players are very scary. When a team is so consistently in the state tourney they have my utmost respect.<br><br>hockeyfanatic23, it's great you love hockey and I hope Cambridge will be a good team someday, it would be good for Minnesota. However, I simply feel there has never been any in-depth analysis in your responses. You just seem to me like someone that would confuse a dump and chase into the zone for a bad attempt to hit the net with a shot. <p></p><i></i>

[Ohfor32]

GR, you are very observant fellow. That is exactally Brainerds style, neutral zone to the T. I've seen many officials doing their best bob and weave to avoid incoming off the glass too. If Brainerd does't put it away on the initial attack, its a good chance they won't get anything at all except for the chance to practice their transition from Off to D. Could have to do with overall skills, don't you think? You may be correct about the big 3 this year and their big 3 in all years. Rapids may not be the power they once was, but their top guns are still legit D1 talent.The only difference, now as compared to then, is that Rapids of old had D1 talent all the way down the roster. Anyway, THIS IS what Brainerd has been waiting for and hope they live up to alls expectations. My prediction is that they will beat who they should beat, maybe pick off one or two they shouldn't beat and in the end, get beat second round in playoffs. Then the gallows that were in the planning stages, lets say around January, will be constructed and waiting for its first customer. Another way of putting it, "Same o Same OH". <p></p><i></i>

[gr19]

Thank you Ohfor32. I appreciate chatting with fans that observe the game and know what they see. <p></p><i></i>