Benildes-Wayzata

[mnhockgal]

This could be a great game. I am going with the upset - Wayzata - just because they have the momentum of beating the best team in state, and they already figured out how to beat a team with superior speed, which Benildes definitely has. I look forward to it!!!

[ghshockeyfan]

This could be a great game. I am going with the upset - Wayzata - just because they have the momentum of beating the best team in state, and they already figured out how to beat a team with superior speed, which Benildes definitely has. I look forward to it!!!

I agree that this has all the makings of an outstanding match-up. Momentum is everything, and these two teams have to make certain that last game isn't what they allow to be the highlight of their season!

[MNHockeyFan]

This could be a great game. I am going with the upset - Wayzata - just because they have the momentum of beating the best team in state, and they already figured out how to beat a team with superior speed, which Benildes definitely has. I look forward to it!!!

I agree that this has all the makings of an outstanding match-up. Momentum is everything, and these two teams have to make certain that last game isn't what they allow to be the highlight of their season!

When these two teams played in early January BSM won 4-1 but the shots on goal actually favored Wayzata by a small margin. Overall though BSM did have more close-in scoring opportunities, and for the most part controlled the play. But Wayzata does seem to have made steady improvement during the year, and you would have to attribute this to either their very tough schedule or good coaching - or probably some combination of the two. Their positional play is excellent, they take good care of the puck, and seldom make the sort of dumb costly turnovers that you so often see in girls hockey. The end result is you have to make some very good plays to beat them.

But BSM is certainly very capable of making lots of these very good plays and scoring goals in bunches. When their offense is "on" they can literally overwhelm the other team in the offensive zone with their passing and speed, and generate one great scoring chance after another. Puck possession is emphasized, and they will move it around for long stretches of time, looking for the open player in scoring position. Their challenge is doing this more consistently by not turning the puck over and avoiding ill-advised penalties.

So overall I think it will come down to this: Can Wayzata stop BSM's high powered offense and be able to capitalize on their own opportunities? If BSM just plays smart by avoiding unnecessary turnovers and penalities, while still playing their normal aggressive game, then I think the answer is "no" - BSM will win and represent Section 6AA at state.

[keepitreal]

Wayzata must feel like a team of destiny after overtime wins over Hopkins and Eden Prairie. They endured what I feel was the toughest finishing schedule in girls hockey, and knocked off a team that was probably overdue to lose in EP. They are tight-knit and embracing the role of the underdog. However, what I saw last night tells me it's unlikely lightning will strike a third time. BSM is much more explosive than EP. I thought BSM played very poorly at times against Edina, as bad as I've seen them play, yet they were able to win convincingly despite this and dispatch a very hard working and physical Edina team. As MNHockeyFan says, they are capable of making the big plays more often than other teams. While Wayzata has endured and improved, BSM just might have too much to overcome. The respective goaltending will be a critical factor in this game.

On paper, this should be BSM's game to win by a two goal margin at least, but if Wayzata get some breaks and BSM has the kind of lapses they did last night, there could be another upset. Everybody loves a Cinderella story, but I believe BSM will previal.

[xwildfan]

If BSM would play as a team, they would rarely lose. But sometimes there aren't enough pucks to go around. If they pass, they win; if they don't, Wayzata will come out on top.

[hockeytime]

Wayzata must feel like a team of destiny after overtime wins over Hopkins and Eden Prairie. They endured what I feel was the toughest finishing schedule in girls hockey, and knocked off a team that was probably overdue to lose in EP. They are tight-knit and embracing the role of the underdog. However, what I saw last night tells me it's unlikely lightning will strike a third time. BSM is much more explosive than EP. I thought BSM played very poorly at times against Edina, as bad as I've seen them play, yet they were able to win convincingly despite this and dispatch a very hard working and physical Edina team. As MNHockeyFan says, they are capable of making the big plays more often than other teams. While Wayzata has endured and improved, BSM just might have too much to overcome. The respective goaltending will be a critical factor in this game.

On paper, this should be BSM's game to win by a two goal margin at least, but if Wayzata get some breaks and BSM has the kind of lapses they did last night, there could be another upset. Everybody loves a Cinderella story, but I believe BSM will previal.

Well said, 2 solid teams. Never can underestimate what Wayzata's current momentum can do to pull it out...going for the Cinderella story...