Section Predictions

[PhunnsieMcHockeyDad]

Are we close enough to the end that it's time for some Section Predictions?

1AA - Northfield - Nice win over BSM as they occasionally ventured outside the comforts of the SE Metro (unlike their Section 1 counterparts)
2AA - Minnetonka - Holy Family starts lobbying for placement in Section 3 this summer...speaking of...
3AA - Ugh - I guess Apple Valley but if Rosemount or CDH figure out how to stop 18 and 15 there could be a surprise. Regardless, whoever comes out of this section is a lamb to the slaughter at State
4AA - Hill Murray - Gentry has firepower but Hill has some strong credentials(and the better goaltending) based on their schedule. Stillwater owns this section next season
5AA - Maple Grove - Strong performances against top teams and have handled Section rivals all season
6AA - Edina - they're not overpowering but goaltending and a lifetime of learning the Edina Way get them past BSM or Blake's top line
7AA - AndoverAndoverAndoverAndover
8AA - Moorehead has handled their section foes, only losing to the big dogs. Best in a soft section

Seeds....
1 - Tonka
2 - Hill/Gentry
3 - Andover
4 - Edina
5 - Maple Grove

1A - Albert Lea
2A - Mankato East -has wins over Luverne and Owatonna
3A - Luverne - has handled New Ulm twice this season
4A - Simley -handled SSP Friday night and might be a top 10 team in either class
5A - Orono/Holy Angels toss up - both young teams, maybe Orono gets the edge with a little more experience in nets?
6A - Fergus Falls - has dipped their toes in the AA pool a couple of times and held their own. Otters swim to state
7A - Proctor/Hermantown but Duluth Marshall might give them a push
8A - WarroadWarroadWarroadWarroad - Northern MN/North Dakota All Stars will be tough to beat

Seeds...
1 - Warroad
2 - Proctor/Hermantown
3 - Simley
4 - Orono/Holy Angels
5 - Fergus Falls (guessing)

[Eagles93]

1AA - Northfield - Nice win over BSM as they occasionally ventured outside the comforts of the SE Metro (unlike their Section 1 counterparts)

SOG for the BSM game were 42-8 in favor of BSM. One of the Lakeville's (I predict North) will make it, no one from this section deserves to go to state.

3AA - Ugh - I guess Apple Valley but if Rosemount or CDH figure out how to stop 18 and 15 there could be a surprise. Regardless, whoever comes out of this section is a lamb to the slaughter at State

Worse than 1AA, it's a shame a team from this section will make it to state while Holy Family, Gentry/Hill, Stillwater, Centennial, BSM won't get to participate.

4AA - Hill Murray - Gentry has firepower but Hill has some strong credentials(and the better goaltending) based on their schedule. Stillwater owns this section next season

Stillwater will be good but Hill also returns a lot even though they lose Hause. Hill will have the best goalie in the state next year. (Arguably do this year.)

8AA - Moorehead has handled their section foes, only losing to the big dogs. Best in a soft section

Moorhead is deserving enough to not lump 8AA in with 1AA and 3AA as undeserving of a tournament berth.

[girlshockey4ever]

1AA - Lakeville South- South over North but in overtime
2AA - Minnetonka- Duh
3AA - AVHS- WIll lose 8-0 in game 1
4AA - Hill Murray- I like overtime for this one over gentry. Stillwater doesn't have the goalie tending to get out of semi finals.
5AA - Maple Grove- Shouldn't be close
6AA - Edina- Blake beating them was a fluke. BSM will crumble.
7AA - Andover- Duh
8AA - Moorehead- Awful section. Not as bad as 3AA but still bad.

On another note, Blake and Gentry should be irrelevant for a long long time after this year.

[InThePipes]

On another note, Blake and Gentry should be irrelevant for a long long time after this year.

They could reload quickly though, right?

[jg2112]

On another note, Blake and Gentry should be irrelevant for a long long time after this year.

They could reload quickly though, right?

One more likely than the other, given its institutional advantages (academic strength, location, etc.)

[InThePipes]

On another note, Blake and Gentry should be irrelevant for a long long time after this year.

They could reload quickly though, right?

One more likely than the other, given its institutional advantages (academic strength, location, etc.)

Agree completely, but I also concur that it seems a couple of the other SW metro privates have been winning that recruiting battle recently.

[bodyup88]

"One more likely than the other, given its institutional advantages (academic strength, location, etc.)"

I didn't realize Gentry's academic reputation was that strong.

[Lace'emUp]

1AA - Lakeville South (the most up-in-the-air section)
2AA - Minnetonka (as easy to predict as 7AA)
3AA - Apple Valley (AV is the front runner, but as noted, anything can happen)
4AA - Gentry (arguably the toughest section)
5AA - Maple Grove (MG is clearly the best team, Centennial is a distant 2nd)
6AA - Edina (I just can't see the hornets not making state)
7AA - Andover (see 2AA)
8AA - Roseau (just to be different)

[Timber545]

1AA - Northfield - Could be any of four teams (LS, LN, Owatonna)
2AA - Minnetonka - HF keeps it close, but talent prevails
3AA - Apple Valley - Best of the worst
4AA - Gentry – Most competitive section, but Gentry has more talent\experience
5AA - Maple Grove - Centennial keeps it close
6AA - Edina - Down year for Edina and section as a whole
7AA - Andover - Would be monumental upset if they get beat
8AA - Moorhead - Will be the most competitive of the non-seeded teams at State

State Seeding:
1 - Minnetonka
2 - Gentry
3 - Andover
4 - Edina
5 - Maple Grove

[Slap Shot]

If the Top 5 all make it to state it should make for a heck of a tournament with imho no clear cut favorite to win it all.

[Lace'emUp]

If the Top 5 all make it to state it should make for a heck of a tournament with imho no clear cut favorite to win it all.

If you are looking at the most recent coach's/hub pole, that's impossible. Hill or Gentry will be eliminated in section 4AA (both in top 5). Only 6 of the current top 10 can make it, which is still not bad.
(I think this opens the door to the annual "eliminate sections" conversation)

[MNHockeyFan]

(I think this opens the door to the annual "eliminate sections" conversation)

[Green and White Fan]

Moorhead scored with 1.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game up in Roseau and then won in OT, so I don't think it is a slam dunk that Moorhead moves on.