MNHockey75 wrote:Will be the best game of all 8 quarterfinal games I think.
Edina - 2
Grand Rapids - 3
The winner of this game in my mind will be playing in the championship.
Agreed with your call. The losing team will paly for the 5th place title.
Edina got the worst draw for being the #1 team left. If they are going to rank 1-4 with the last poll, then go 1-8 of everybody left with the last poll. Some one has to be #8. That would create the type of fairness that was intended with the seeding idea. The brackets would have been the same but the lower seeds would have switched in all four games.
i agree whats the point of only ranking the top 4? it doesnt do that much of a difference. why not do all 8 teams. its not like it will take them that much longer to do.
Definately the match up of the day. The Cake Eaters have a very good team and it is cool to see players who grew up in a program stay the course and play for their HS. That is the way it shold be. The ThunderHawks (Indians) have tournament experience over the Hornets. Not only experience but playing for a championship. I think this will make them a hungrier team. It will be intersting to see how the Hornet Sophmores respond to the bright lights. I pick the Halloween Machine by 2 with an empty netter.
Awesome matchup. There is no way anyone wanted to draw either of these two in the first round. Two of the most successful teams in state history. I like it. Drop the puck and let's go.
eastsidepride wrote:I think Grand Rapids is getting vastly overhyped right now. Edina is the much better team in this matchup, I'll say 5-1 Hornets.
They did play earlier in the year, in Edina, without Pat White and it was 4-3. Grand Rapids is playing much better now, as is Edina. I don't expect a blow out.
Was Morse missing for this game also? Either way, GR brings it every game and right now they're just plain tough. 3-1 Indians.
As someone who has been rooting for Edina since the 1960s, I admire your enthusiasm. However, if you had been watching Edina, and hockey in general, for nearly 40 years you'd be far more circumspect and allow Edina to actually win the games on the ice instead of arrogantly proclaiming sure victory before the puck drops. I suggest this both as a matter of having the class that people from Edina should both have and expect, but also as a pragmatist. Specifically, far better Edina teams than this excellent team have come up short in excruciating fashion. Dealing with such losses is hard enough, let alone facing the ridicule of those you've taunted before the game.
I haven't been so impressed with an Edina team since the 1986 team. I wonder if you have any idea who I'm talking about. I suspect not, because that team isn't listed as even a state participant anywhere despite having several division one players and ending the regular season as the undisputed no. 1 team. In many respects they were like this year's Holy Angels team, not only beating the top teams but rolling over them. But they entered the section semifinals against the fifth seed--Richfield--who played with nothing to lose and a hot goalie. I can tell you that Edina fans left the arena that night with the same disbelief as you saw yesterday from Holy Angels. If that power house can fall to a no. 5 section seed, this team can easily fall to Grand Rapids.
Edina West was no. 1 in 1981. They blew past Edina East 5-0 in the section final and were looking forward to a rematch in the final with Grand Rapids--the only team to beat them all year. Unfortunately, South St. Paul broke a 1-1 tie with 5 seconds left to stun the Edina faithful.
Edina was undefeated and no. 1 in 1970, but lost 1-0 in overtime to Minneapolis Southwest. They held the top spot in 1977 and 1989 as well--but lost both times to Rochester John Marshall.
In fact, no. 1 ranked Edina teams have come up short as often as they've won (the 1969, 1974, and 1982 teams came through). If you look at its history, six of Edina's nine titles have come in years when they were not the favorites. I assume you are old enough to remember the 1997 team with stars Dan Carlson and Ben Stafford. As good as that team was, no one gave them a chance to beat either Hill Murray or Duluth East. Their triumph was far more unexpected than a Grand Rapids win would be this year.
The fact is, the state tournament isn't about objectively analyzing teams and deciding who's going to win. The players decide that based on how much they play up to their potential on that given day, and also what their opponent does. They also have to play through unlucky bounces, potentially terrible calls, and even now and then a poor coaching decision.
When Edina played Grand Rapids earlier this year they had one of their worst games of the season and were lucky to win. And that was with Grand Rapids' best players recovering from injuries. I'd like to think that Edina will be much better prepared this time, but I suspect that Grand Rapids, playing a traditional rival, will be ready as well and will play the game of its season.
By the way, one other point you should take to heart as long as you're a fan of Edina hockey: Edina is 14-15 in first round games. Their glory is in the the semis where they're 12-2 and finals where they're 9-3. Ikola always said that winning the first is the hardest, and if they don't play their best game against Grand Rapids they'll be playing at Mariucci.
I love watching this team as much as you do and hope they play like they can and take home a state title. But there isn't a team in the tournament I'd overlook, nor would I lower myself or Edina with the type of overconfident boasting that characterizes most (but not all) of your posts.
I sincerely ask you to do yourself and Edina players and fans a favor: Respectfully cheer on your team, and if they happen to win, be gracious. Follow Ikola's example and recognize that every team is dangerous, especially when you fail to give them respect. With stars of the caliber of Patrick White and others on Grand Rapids, it's not only obnoxious to be overconfident, but foolish.
I voted with the northern heart and took the Orange Crush, would love to see a 1990 rematch...But I think Edina has the ability to be physical and/or fast...That big green #5 for Edina could end White's night in one fell swoop.
H-M 4 Life wrote:This is the game im looking forward to. Grand Rapids and Edina are both playing some good hockey but I think the difference maker in this game is Edina's sophmores. I think they come through with enough to get by Grand Rapids in a good game.
Edina 5 - Grand Rapids 4
don't think sophomores are going to
win state, grand rapids will beat them 4-2
[quote="black sheep"]I voted with the northern heart and took the Orange Crush, would love to see a 1990 rematch...But I think Edina has the ability to be physical and/or fast...That big green #5 for Edina could end White's night in one fell swoop.
I bet whoever plays the best wins.[/quote
Rapids has that big #18 that can end someones night also.
As someone who has been rooting for Edina since the 1960s, I admire your enthusiasm. However, if you had been watching Edina, and hockey in general, for nearly 40 years you'd be far more circumspect and allow Edina to actually win the games on the ice instead of arrogantly proclaiming sure victory before the puck drops. I suggest this both as a matter of having the class that people from Edina should both have and expect, but also as a pragmatist. Specifically, far better Edina teams than this excellent team have come up short in excruciating fashion. Dealing with such losses is hard enough, let alone facing the ridicule of those you've taunted before the game.
I haven't been so impressed with an Edina team since the 1986 team. I wonder if you have any idea who I'm talking about. I suspect not, because that team isn't listed as even a state participant anywhere despite having several division one players and ending the regular season as the undisputed no. 1 team. In many respects they were like this year's Holy Angels team, not only beating the top teams but rolling over them. But they entered the section semifinals against the fifth seed--Richfield--who played with nothing to lose and a hot goalie. I can tell you that Edina fans left the arena that night with the same disbelief as you saw yesterday from Holy Angels. If that power house can fall to a no. 5 section seed, this team can easily fall to Grand Rapids.
Edina West was no. 1 in 1981. They blew past Edina East 5-0 in the section final and were looking forward to a rematch in the final with Grand Rapids--the only team to beat them all year. Unfortunately, South St. Paul broke a 1-1 tie with 5 seconds left to stun the Edina faithful.
Edina was undefeated and no. 1 in 1970, but lost 1-0 in overtime to Minneapolis Southwest. They held the top spot in 1977 and 1989 as well--but lost both times to Rochester John Marshall.
In fact, no. 1 ranked Edina teams have come up short as often as they've won (the 1969, 1974, and 1982 teams came through). If you look at its history, six of Edina's nine titles have come in years when they were not the favorites. I assume you are old enough to remember the 1997 team with stars Dan Carlson and Ben Stafford. As good as that team was, no one gave them a chance to beat either Hill Murray or Duluth East. Their triumph was far more unexpected than a Grand Rapids win would be this year.
The fact is, the state tournament isn't about objectively analyzing teams and deciding who's going to win. The players decide that based on how much they play up to their potential on that given day, and also what their opponent does. They also have to play through unlucky bounces, potentially terrible calls, and even now and then a poor coaching decision.
When Edina played Grand Rapids earlier this year they had one of their worst games of the season and were lucky to win. And that was with Grand Rapids' best players recovering from injuries. I'd like to think that Edina will be much better prepared this time, but I suspect that Grand Rapids, playing a traditional rival, will be ready as well and will play the game of its season.
By the way, one other point you should take to heart as long as you're a fan of Edina hockey: Edina is 14-15 in first round games. Their glory is in the the semis where they're 12-2 and finals where they're 9-3. Ikola always said that winning the first is the hardest, and if they don't play their best game against Grand Rapids they'll be playing at Mariucci.
I love watching this team as much as you do and hope they play like they can and take home a state title. But there isn't a team in the tournament I'd overlook, nor would I lower myself or Edina with the type of overconfident boasting that characterizes most (but not all) of your posts.
I sincerely ask you to do yourself and Edina players and fans a favor: Respectfully cheer on your team, and if they happen to win, be gracious. Follow Ikola's example and recognize that every team is dangerous, especially when you fail to give them respect. With stars of the caliber of Patrick White and others on Grand Rapids, it's not only obnoxious to be overconfident, but foolish.
black sheep wrote:I voted with the northern heart and took the Orange Crush, would love to see a 1990 rematch...But I think Edina has the ability to be physical and/or fast...That big green #5 for Edina could end White's night in one fell swoop.
I bet whoever plays the best wins.[/quote
Rapids has that big #18 that can end someones night also.
Right now Grand Rapids is playing the best hockey they've played in 15 years. Amazing how good they were against East and Cloquet. Jensen was solid yesterday. Grand Rapids has too much depth and size. #5 for Edina will be humbled Thursday night.
rapidsrapids wrote:Right now Grand Rapids is playing the best hockey they've played in 15 years. Amazing how good they were against East and Cloquet. Jensen was solid yesterday. Grand Rapids has too much depth and size. #5 for Edina will be humbled Thursday night.
Grand Rapids 7
Edina 2
You are aggressive in your prediction. Don't underestimate Edina. I hope your lads work on your penalty kill a lot in the next couple of days. With Budish up front on the PP, they added some size on that unit since you played them last. Try Reber, Budish and Leer as their pp forwards. That's about 600lbs of beef up front.
rapidsrapids wrote:Right now Grand Rapids is playing the best hockey they've played in 15 years. Amazing how good they were against East and Cloquet. Jensen was solid yesterday. Grand Rapids has too much depth and size. #5 for Edina will be humbled Thursday night.
Grand Rapids 7
Edina 2
You are aggressive in your prediction. Don't underestimate Edina. I hope your lads work on your penalty kill a lot in the next couple of days. With Budish up front on the PP, they added some size on that unit since you played them last. Try Reber, Budish and Leer as their pp forwards. That's about 600lbs of beef up front.
sounds like the front line of a football team 7-2 is not even a smart prediction.If true I will eat my hat.
I hate to get over- aggressive in defending my team, but last time we played GR it looked like we were playing a pewee team. Maybe Ryder just wasn't on his game that night but we beet them pretty handily. Sure they are hot, but have you seen Cashetta play? the more shots on the better he plays. They might have good forwards but ours are better, faster, stronger and we have more depth to boot. our defenseman are solid, always in position and JG and Bakes are great shooters and fluid skaters
lets_go_hornets! wrote:They're a bad team, you get my drift. and plus, we're an exponentially better team since the holiday classic- just look at the EP game
Tell that to East and Cloquet.
Just because you play in a rock star tourny doesn't mean you're a rock star. Edina is good. GR will win.
lets_go_hornets! wrote:They're a bad team, you get my drift. and plus, we're an exponentially better team since the holiday classic- just look at the EP game
Indeed...I intend to see it in person.