4AA Outlook
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
-
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Thanks for the report on the BSM game, Blue. I cant even find a game summary. Good D-men can certainly make a goalie look a lot better, but Erickson can certainly stand on his own merits. I like our opponents having multiple tough layers to get through to find some twine.
I like my Pioneers chances against a Crimson squad that's been competing in a bubble, same for Cretin.
And to repeat, there is no difference between being seeded #2 or #3, none at all.
I like my Pioneers chances against a Crimson squad that's been competing in a bubble, same for Cretin.
And to repeat, there is no difference between being seeded #2 or #3, none at all.
Hockey Is For Everyone
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Last line change?East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:33 am And to repeat, there is no difference between being seeded #2 or #3, none at all.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
-
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
You just proved my point, thanks.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:02 pmLast line change?East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:33 am And to repeat, there is no difference between being seeded #2 or #3, none at all.
Hockey Is For Everyone
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:34 pmYou just proved my point, thanks.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:02 pmLast line change?East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:33 am And to repeat, there is no difference between being seeded #2 or #3, none at all.
Of course anything can happen on any given night, whether it be the regular season, sections or State. I've seen Hill teams go in as the #1 team in the state and fail to make it out of sections. I've also seen the opposite, where Hill seemingly plays above what folks think they're capable of. Their last two titles - 2008 and 2020 - they were underdogs but won each game by 3 goals. Add in the pressure of a "lose and the season is over" situation of sections and State, and the pressure increases. Splash a little rivalry into the mix and you know you'll get your opponent's best. This is especially true when Hill plays WBL, and to some extent Stillwater.
That all said and at the risk of putting my foot in my mouth, this year feels a bit different. I've now watched Hill play 5-6 times this year, Stillwater twice and WBL parts of a couple of games. I don't see how anyone in the section is going to score enough goals to beat them. I haven't seen the speed and scoring touch from those two teams to convince me they can break through Hill's vaunted D and Erickson in goal. Add in Hill's depth and the fact that their scoring is coming around after some early season struggles, and I just can't see either Stillwater or WBL taking this section. I'll still be nervous, and I could see a low scoring 1-2 goal game. This Hill team's methodical, suffocating approach seems like it will be too much.
But, stranger things have happened....
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
Re: 4AA Outlook
They were big underdogs in 1991 too. They were the third seed in the section that year with both Park and WBL taking turns at #1 in state. But you are absolutely right. I never overlook WBL. The lower ranked of the two has one way too many times.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:25 am
Of course anything can happen on any given night, whether it be the regular season, sections or State. I've seen Hill teams go in as the #1 team in the state and fail to make it out of sections. I've also seen the opposite, where Hill seemingly plays above what folks think they're capable of. Their last two titles - 2008 and 2020 - they were underdogs but won each game by 3 goals. Add in the pressure of a "lose and the season is over" situation of sections and State, and the pressure increases. Splash a little rivalry into the mix and you know you'll get your opponent's best. This is especially true when Hill plays WBL, and to some extent Stillwater.
That all said and at the risk of putting my foot in my mouth, this year feels a bit different. I've now watched Hill play 5-6 times this year, Stillwater twice and WBL parts of a couple of games. I don't see how anyone in the section is going to score enough goals to beat them. I haven't seen the speed and scoring touch from those two teams to convince me they can break through Hill's vaunted D and Erickson in goal. Add in Hill's depth and the fact that their scoring is coming around after some early season struggles, and I just can't see either Stillwater or WBL taking this section. I'll still be nervous, and I could see a low scoring 1-2 goal game. This Hill team's methodical, suffocating approach seems like it will be too much.
But, stranger things have happened....
Re: 4AA Outlook
Just curious -- how do you think Hill would matchup against:
1. Maple Grove
2. Eden Prairie (w/healthy blake)
3. Lakeville South.
All 3 games would be interesting. Just love to hear the thoughts.
1. Maple Grove
2. Eden Prairie (w/healthy blake)
3. Lakeville South.
All 3 games would be interesting. Just love to hear the thoughts.
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Those are the 3 matchups I'd be most curious about for a few reasons. (1) Hill won't have played any of them during the regular season so no barometer (2) Maple Grove and LS have played a seemingly weak 'bubble' schedule due to Covid, so it's tough to say with certainty how they match up against other top teams and how they might respond when challenged, and (3) Their style of play is totally different from Hill's - great offense v great defense.
Being transparent, I haven't seen Maple Grove or Lakeville South play this year so I'm basing this on their record/scores/what others are saying/top end scoring talent on their teams. I've seen EP play and have some frame of reference since there's a number of common opponents.
I think Hill stacks up against all 3 really well. I think Hill is a top 5, maybe top 3 team this year. Maple Grove and EP with a healthy Blake scare the heck out of me. I do worry that both those teams can score enough goals to make it hard on Hill to keep up. That said, Hill's scoring has come around and I think other teams pressing in the offensive zone and Hill frustrating teams in the neutral zone can open things up for Hill in transition (see STA and Benilde games). Lakeville South is such an unknown for me that it's hard to say. Are they a paper tiger? Possibly.
I'm not sure Hill will want to get into a shootout with any of them - because we simply don't have the incredibly high-end scoring talent MG and EP have. Not many teams, if any, do. Keep them to 3 goals or under and I really like Hill's chances.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
-
- Posts: 458
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Anyone know if there is a livestream for tonights WBL/Woodbury game?
Re: 4AA Outlook
Not on PrepSpotlight. I do get the HM game tonight which should be good for 4 minutes...inthetwine wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:48 am Anyone know if there is a livestream for tonights WBL/Woodbury game?
-
- Posts: 106
- Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2020 3:41 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Looks like White Bear Lake is practically a lock for the 2 seed after their 5-0 win over the Ponies last night. Hill-Murray still has to be a lock for the top seed, no question there. Then comes the fun for seeds 4-7. Mounds View beating East Ridge on Tuesday night was big for them, that should give them the 4 seed behind Stillwater. I think the QRF currently hits the nail on the head:
1. Hill-Murray
2. White Bear Lake
3. Stillwater
4. Mounds View
5. East Ridge
6. Woodbury
7. Roseville
8. Irondale/St. Anthony
9. Minnehaha (Why are they in this section exactly?)
1. Hill-Murray
2. White Bear Lake
3. Stillwater
4. Mounds View
5. East Ridge
6. Woodbury
7. Roseville
8. Irondale/St. Anthony
9. Minnehaha (Why are they in this section exactly?)
Re: 4AA Outlook
Minnehaha Academy is probably in the section since North St. Paul was merged with Minnehaha recently.stateofhawkey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:45 am Looks like White Bear Lake is practically a lock for the 2 seed after their 5-0 win over the Ponies last night. Hill-Murray still has to be a lock for the top seed, no question there. Then comes the fun for seeds 4-7. Mounds View beating East Ridge on Tuesday night was big for them, that should give them the 4 seed behind Stillwater. I think the QRF currently hits the nail on the head:
1. Hill-Murray
2. White Bear Lake
3. Stillwater
4. Mounds View
5. East Ridge
6. Woodbury
7. Roseville
8. Irondale/St. Anthony
9. Minnehaha (Why are they in this section exactly?)
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Yeah they co-op with NSP and DeLaSalle if I recall correctly. But maybe that's changed
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
-
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
That's one weird co-op. I'd think NSP would be more likely to get with Tartan, or Johnson maybe.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:54 pm Yeah they co-op with NSP and DeLaSalle if I recall correctly. But maybe that's changed
Hockey Is For Everyone
-
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
This really feels odd. With the increasing sun light and warmer weather, on the evening I would typically be at the Section 4AA final I would normally be looking forward to all week, I'm chilling at home.
I've been very blessed that covid has not disrupted my work or home life much at all. So I'm not complaining, but sure feels weird.
I've been very blessed that covid has not disrupted my work or home life much at all. So I'm not complaining, but sure feels weird.
Hockey Is For Everyone
-
- Posts: 6462
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:03 pm
- Contact:
Re: 4AA Outlook
Even wackier when you consider that Minnehaha, which presumably supplies the majority of the players (and DeLaSalle, for that matter) are to the west of Cretin, yet this co-op is in 4AA while Cretin is in 6AA. Hopefully this next realignment fixes that...East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:01 pmThat's one weird co-op. I'd think NSP would be more likely to get with Tartan, or Johnson maybe.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:54 pm Yeah they co-op with NSP and DeLaSalle if I recall correctly. But maybe that's changed
-
- Posts: 458
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
There is no rhyme or reason to sections, look at 7AAkarl(east) wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:06 pmEven wackier when you consider that Minnehaha, which presumably supplies the majority of the players (and DeLaSalle, for that matter) are to the west of Cretin, yet this co-op is in 4AA while Cretin is in 6AA. Hopefully this next realignment fixes that...East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:01 pmThat's one weird co-op. I'd think NSP would be more likely to get with Tartan, or Johnson maybe.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:54 pm Yeah they co-op with NSP and DeLaSalle if I recall correctly. But maybe that's changed
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
The only reason I remembered that co-op was because of how odd it seemed. I don’t know why it was set up that way, but sure seemed like there were more convenient options for NSP.karl(east) wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:06 pmEven wackier when you consider that Minnehaha, which presumably supplies the majority of the players (and DeLaSalle, for that matter) are to the west of Cretin, yet this co-op is in 4AA while Cretin is in 6AA. Hopefully this next realignment fixes that...East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:01 pmThat's one weird co-op. I'd think NSP would be more likely to get with Tartan, or Johnson maybe.BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:54 pm Yeah they co-op with NSP and DeLaSalle if I recall correctly. But maybe that's changed
With Gentry opting up next year I just don’t know what they’ll do. Maybe drop the Minnehaha co-op into 6AA, add Gentry to 4AA and move Cretin to 3AA?
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
-
- Posts: 458
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Hill probably has the #! seed, but if WBL wins out, they will have an argument for #!. played and beat every team in the section(except for MInnehaha)
-
- Posts: 458
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Opps and Hill!inthetwine wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:51 pm Hill probably has the #! seed, but if WBL wins out, they will have an argument for #!. played and beat every team in the section(except for MInnehaha)
Re: 4AA Outlook
Problem is WBL's schedule. Which isn't their fault. But they lost to Stillwater, who looks really mediocre lately and they lost badly to Cretin. Hill lost to a very good Grand Rapids team and lost to STA. Both by 1 goal. I don't see anyway you give White Bear the #1 seed now. Now if Hill loses to STA again and White Bear wins out. Then you can make that argument.inthetwine wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 6:51 pm Hill probably has the #! seed, but if WBL wins out, they will have an argument for #!. played and beat every team in the section(except for MInnehaha)
But if White Bear loses to Cretin tomorrow, then it will cement them as #2 seed.
Re: 4AA Outlook
Hill Murray still controls their own fate, win and they are #1.
FWIW the MSHSL has put no forth any section recommendations.
FWIW the MSHSL has put no forth any section recommendations.
-
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
Nothing wrong with seeding speculation, but it doesn't matter if WBL is #1 & Hill is #2. If Hill were #2, it wouldn't matter if Hill drew Stillwater or East Something or Moundsview in the semi. Anyone they draw would be a serious underdog, and losing would be a horrific upset. If Hill can't get past this Stillwater squad, they don't deserve a trip to the X.
A Hill - WBL section game is a Hill- WBL section game. It matters not which is the higher seed, or if it's the semi or the final. It will be a tight game no matter what. It's White Bear's state tournament, the game they prepare for all season. We all know when they get past Hill, they don't even care if they win at the X. (Insert Shots fired! emoji here)
A Hill - WBL section game is a Hill- WBL section game. It matters not which is the higher seed, or if it's the semi or the final. It will be a tight game no matter what. It's White Bear's state tournament, the game they prepare for all season. We all know when they get past Hill, they don't even care if they win at the X. (Insert Shots fired! emoji here)
Hockey Is For Everyone
-
- Posts: 247
- Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:00 pm
Re: 4AA Outlook
A section final with only 2 or 4 spectators per player so, no student sections. That would be an interesting atmosphere.
Hopefully it happens and there's streaming.
Hopefully it happens and there's streaming.
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Well I hate to poke the Bear(s) since we may well be playing them in the section final, but it's hard to argue you're wrong. Cough, cough, 0-19 in the quarterfinals at State, cough cough.East Side Pioneer Guy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:53 am Nothing wrong with seeding speculation, but it doesn't matter if WBL is #1 & Hill is #2. If Hill were #2, it wouldn't matter if Hill drew Stillwater or East Something or Moundsview in the semi. Anyone they draw would be a serious underdog, and losing would be a horrific upset. If Hill can't get past this Stillwater squad, they don't deserve a trip to the X.
A Hill - WBL section game is a Hill- WBL section game. It matters not which is the higher seed, or if it's the semi or the final. It will be a tight game no matter what. It's White Bear's state tournament, the game they prepare for all season. We all know when they get past Hill, they don't even care if they win at the X. (Insert Shots fired! emoji here)
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
-
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:42 am
- Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!!
Re: 4AA Outlook
Safe to lock in:
1 seed - Hill Murray
2 seed - WBL
3 seed - Stillwater
Not only was last night a bit of a revenge game for Hill - avenging their last loss of the season in OT to the Cadets - but Hill also locked up the Tradition Rich Metro East conference title with the win. Congrats to the Pioneers!
Hill has given up 9 goals to STA this year [6 in the OT loss earlier this year and 3 in their rout last night]. In their other 15 games against teams not named the Cadets, they've given up 10 goals total. Including shutouts of Edina (twice), Holy Family, Moorhead, Benilde and a couple of others.
1 seed - Hill Murray
2 seed - WBL
3 seed - Stillwater
Not only was last night a bit of a revenge game for Hill - avenging their last loss of the season in OT to the Cadets - but Hill also locked up the Tradition Rich Metro East conference title with the win. Congrats to the Pioneers!
Hill has given up 9 goals to STA this year [6 in the OT loss earlier this year and 3 in their rout last night]. In their other 15 games against teams not named the Cadets, they've given up 10 goals total. Including shutouts of Edina (twice), Holy Family, Moorhead, Benilde and a couple of others.
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year