Tournament Week Thoughts & Questions

[O-townClown]

* Judging from comments posted on the board, Edina will forever be hated by the masses just like the Yankees.

* Does the Pioneer Press still have way better tournament coverage than the Star & Tribune?

* For any youth players worried about playing higher level hockey in the name of development, take it from someone most certainly older and probably wiser and just play hockey someplace where the games matter. More people will see the Minnesota Bantam championship than virtually every regular season D3 college hockey game. Something like 6,000-8,000 folks saw Hill-WBL in the section final. Edina-Minnetonka was on TV and played to an SRO sellout of 4,000. Unless you are in the WCHA or CCHA the atmosphere won't match, so be leery of AAA programs or moving away. If you've seen "In the Crease" you know that the USA Hockey National Championship games are held for an 'MCI audience' - Friends and Family for sure...just nobody else. If you live in Minnesota, you probably can stay under mom's roof.

* College hockey isn't going anywhere, so unless NHL scouts are telling you to fast-track it I don't see a problem waiting to start as a freshman...which seems to be the standard today. When your playing days are over, employers won't care if you are 22 or 24 when you graduate.

* When Roseau fans caravan, do they leave the chips on their shoulder or do they take them off and pack them underneath the bus with their luggage? Seriously, the whole state respects the town immensely and seven state HS titles are no fluke. The woe-is-us-we-are-such-a-small-town card has been played to oblivion. Woe is everyone else who tries to compete with Roseau if you ask me. The city has hockey embedded in its culture, the civic leaders see that youth participation is high, and there's not much else to do up there. Best of luck in the tournament, but please spare me the little engine that could rhetoric. The Rams are the 800-lb. gorilla of the field.

* May the Class A public school participants get the respect they deserve, even if private schools take control on the ice. Most kids on St. Thomas could just as easily attend the school they are zoned for or another Twin City private, but if you are from Mankato or Warroad or wherever this is it. Take advantage of the moment and shine. Skating at the X, what a dream.

* For Lakeville South's sake, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see them win one game to prove that I was premature in dismissing them because of their 10+ losses.

* No controversy, please. Whoever loses, whoever wins, I'd just like to know that it was all void of fluke bounces and iffy calls. We all seem to remember stuff like this, so to the combatants it truly will provide a lifetime of memories.

* No major injuries too. I'd like every team to have use of their personnel.

Best of luck to all. I'm envious of those attending. Drive safely, cheer respectfully, and have fun.

May the best teams win.

[hockeywatcher4]

Very good OTC you are by far my favorite poster on this bored. Just like foxnews you are fair and balanced. With that being said go hornets.

[who_b_dat]

Why is it that every OTC post I read lately leaves me with the thought that he is a great asset to this bored? Well done sir.

[elliott70]

* Judging from comments posted on the board, Edina will forever be hated by the masses just like the Yankees.

Its not the town we hate, just the people.


* Does the Pioneer Press still have way better tournament coverage than the Star & Tribune?
Duluth News Tribune
Minnesota's paper

* For any youth players worried about playing higher level hockey in the name of development, take it from someone most certainly older and probably wiser and just play hockey someplace where the games matter. More people will see the Minnesota Bantam championship than virtually every regular season D3 college hockey game. Something like 6,000-8,000 folks saw Hill-WBL in the section final. Edina-Minnetonka was on TV and played to an SRO sellout of 4,000. Unless you are in the WCHA or CCHA the atmosphere won't match, so be leery of AAA programs or moving away. If you've seen "In the Crease" you know that the USA Hockey National Championship games are held for an 'MCI audience' - Friends and Family for sure...just nobody else. If you live in Minnesota, you probably can stay under mom's roof.

You got this one right, enjoy the moment.

* College hockey isn't going anywhere, so unless NHL scouts are telling you to fast-track it I don't see a problem waiting to start as a freshman...which seems to be the standard today. When your playing days are over, employers won't care if you are 22 or 24 when you graduate.
Ditto


* When Roseau fans caravan, do they leave the chips on their shoulder or do they take them off and pack them underneath the bus with their luggage? Seriously, the whole state respects the town immensely and seven state HS titles are no fluke. The woe-is-us-we-are-such-a-small-town card has been played to oblivion. Woe is everyone else who tries to compete with Roseau if you ask me. The city has hockey embedded in its culture, the civic leaders see that youth participation is high, and there's not much else to do up there. Best of luck in the tournament, but please spare me the little engine that could rhetoric. The Rams are the 800-lb. gorilla of the field.
Don't confuse confidence with chip.
Roseau people are sincere and modest.
Okay, sincere.

* May the Class A public school participants get the respect they deserve, even if private schools take control on the ice. Most kids on St. Thomas could just as easily attend the school they are zoned for or another Twin City private, but if you are from Mankato or Warroad or wherever this is it. Take advantage of the moment and shine. Skating at the X, what a dream.
Small schools are the best schools.

* For Lakeville South's sake, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see them win one game to prove that I was premature in dismissing them because of their 10+ losses.
Whatever, each team is there, let 'em do what they can.

* No controversy, please. Whoever loses, whoever wins, I'd just like to know that it was all void of fluke bounces and iffy calls. We all seem to remember stuff like this, so to the combatants it truly will provide a lifetime of memories.
What will we keyboard about?

* No major injuries too. I'd like every team to have use of their personnel.
No injuries, PB & I will say a prayer. One of us is bound to get through.
Maybe Angus can help us.


Best of luck to all. I'm envious of those attending. Drive safely, cheer respectfully, and have fun.
ditto

May the best teams win.
May the best team win AND if Roseau and Warroad get upset, may the next best team win.

Sucks to be in Florida.

[goldy313]

* Yes, unless they're playing Hill-Murray. They also drew Cloquet, if they drew Lakeville S., Blaine or BSM there wouldn't be the same hatred. Even though many want Edina to lose, most probbly want an Edina Roseau final.

*It's the Minnesota Press now, and yes, though neither do a very good job. Part of my beef with the Nick Mattson thing, that will have a whole lot more words written about it than will be written for the rest of the state tournament combined which is sad how far the coverage has fallen. It's doubtful the championship game result will make it in the Sunday papers. Online may be different though so there's hope. Luckily there's not a team from Austin or Albert Lea here because the 2 papers wouldn't even get the kids names in.

* I know a guy who's kid played AAA in Kansas City, they play in front of 14 people on a good day unless they're at a tournament. My senior league plays in front of that many.

* This year Roseau is, recently most years they aren't, it's tough to change their approach.

[O-townClown]

* I know a guy who's kid played AAA in Kansas City, they play in front of 14 people on a good day unless they're at a tournament. My senior league plays in front of that many.

Russell Stover? I call the stuff played nationally anonymous hockey. If nobody but you cares whether you won it might be a high level, but it isn't a big deal.

I know a Bantam whose team is based out of state and has yet to play a game in the Southeast U.S. Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and places like that...a couple weekends a month. They have a high national rank, but nobody cares. For a strong player in the Sun Belt this may be the only option. For a kid from the Twins? I'm hearing some choose the Fire over the hometown team. Have fun at nationals!

[sticksuphigh]

* Judging from comments posted on the board, Edina will forever be hated by the masses just like the Yankees.

Its not the town we hate, just the people.


* Does the Pioneer Press still have way better tournament coverage than the Star & Tribune?
Duluth News Tribune
Minnesota's paper

* For any youth players worried about playing higher level hockey in the name of development, take it from someone most certainly older and probably wiser and just play hockey someplace where the games matter. More people will see the Minnesota Bantam championship than virtually every regular season D3 college hockey game. Something like 6,000-8,000 folks saw Hill-WBL in the section final. Edina-Minnetonka was on TV and played to an SRO sellout of 4,000. Unless you are in the WCHA or CCHA the atmosphere won't match, so be leery of AAA programs or moving away. If you've seen "In the Crease" you know that the USA Hockey National Championship games are held for an 'MCI audience' - Friends and Family for sure...just nobody else. If you live in Minnesota, you probably can stay under mom's roof.

You got this one right, enjoy the moment.

* College hockey isn't going anywhere, so unless NHL scouts are telling you to fast-track it I don't see a problem waiting to start as a freshman...which seems to be the standard today. When your playing days are over, employers won't care if you are 22 or 24 when you graduate.
Ditto


* When Roseau fans caravan, do they leave the chips on their shoulder or do they take them off and pack them underneath the bus with their luggage? Seriously, the whole state respects the town immensely and seven state HS titles are no fluke. The woe-is-us-we-are-such-a-small-town card has been played to oblivion. Woe is everyone else who tries to compete with Roseau if you ask me. The city has hockey embedded in its culture, the civic leaders see that youth participation is high, and there's not much else to do up there. Best of luck in the tournament, but please spare me the little engine that could rhetoric. The Rams are the 800-lb. gorilla of the field.
Don't confuse confidence with chip.
Roseau people are sincere and modest.
Okay, sincere.

* May the Class A public school participants get the respect they deserve, even if private schools take control on the ice. Most kids on St. Thomas could just as easily attend the school they are zoned for or another Twin City private, but if you are from Mankato or Warroad or wherever this is it. Take advantage of the moment and shine. Skating at the X, what a dream.
Small schools are the best schools.

* For Lakeville South's sake, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see them win one game to prove that I was premature in dismissing them because of their 10+ losses.
Whatever, each team is there, let 'em do what they can.

* No controversy, please. Whoever loses, whoever wins, I'd just like to know that it was all void of fluke bounces and iffy calls. We all seem to remember stuff like this, so to the combatants it truly will provide a lifetime of memories.
What will we keyboard about?

* No major injuries too. I'd like every team to have use of their personnel.
No injuries, PB & I will say a prayer. One of us is bound to get through.
Maybe Angus can help us.


Best of luck to all. I'm envious of those attending. Drive safely, cheer respectfully, and have fun.
ditto

May the best teams win.
May the best team win AND if Roseau and Warroad get upset, may the next best team win.

Sucks to be in Florida.

Priceless Elliot

[OGEE OGELTHORPE]

Nicely said OTC, are you suuuure you are from Edina?

[HockeyFan1]

* Yes, unless they're playing Hill-Murray. They also drew Cloquet, if they drew Lakeville S., Blaine or BSM there wouldn't be the same hatred. Even though many want Edina to lose, most probbly want an Edina Roseau final.

*It's the Minnesota Press now, and yes, though neither do a very good job. Part of my beef with the Nick Mattson thing, that will have a whole lot more words written about it than will be written for the rest of the state tournament combined which is sad how far the coverage has fallen. It's doubtful the championship game result will make it in the Sunday papers. Online may be different though so there's hope. Luckily there's not a team from Austin or Albert Lea here because the 2 papers wouldn't even get the kids names in.

* I know a guy who's kid played AAA in Kansas City, they play in front of 14 people on a good day unless they're at a tournament. My senior league plays in front of that many.

* This year Roseau is, recently most years they aren't, it's tough to change their approach.

I think you hit the last one on the head........Roseau usually finds themselves being the underdog, and taking flak for it from a lot of people. This year, things are different - but the approach has been the same for the fans.

Go Rams!

[rams1989]

* Judging from comments posted on the board, Edina will forever be hated by the masses just like the Yankees.

* Does the Pioneer Press still have way better tournament coverage than the Star & Tribune?

* For any youth players worried about playing higher level hockey in the name of development, take it from someone most certainly older and probably wiser and just play hockey someplace where the games matter. More people will see the Minnesota Bantam championship than virtually every regular season D3 college hockey game. Something like 6,000-8,000 folks saw Hill-WBL in the section final. Edina-Minnetonka was on TV and played to an SRO sellout of 4,000. Unless you are in the WCHA or CCHA the atmosphere won't match, so be leery of AAA programs or moving away. If you've seen "In the Crease" you know that the USA Hockey National Championship games are held for an 'MCI audience' - Friends and Family for sure...just nobody else. If you live in Minnesota, you probably can stay under mom's roof.

* College hockey isn't going anywhere, so unless NHL scouts are telling you to fast-track it I don't see a problem waiting to start as a freshman...which seems to be the standard today. When your playing days are over, employers won't care if you are 22 or 24 when you graduate.

* When Roseau fans caravan, do they leave the chips on their shoulder or do they take them off and pack them underneath the bus with their luggage? Seriously, the whole state respects the town immensely and seven state HS titles are no fluke. The woe-is-us-we-are-such-a-small-town card has been played to oblivion. Woe is everyone else who tries to compete with Roseau if you ask me. The city has hockey embedded in its culture, the civic leaders see that youth participation is high, and there's not much else to do up there. Best of luck in the tournament, but please spare me the little engine that could rhetoric. The Rams are the 800-lb. gorilla of the field.

* May the Class A public school participants get the respect they deserve, even if private schools take control on the ice. Most kids on St. Thomas could just as easily attend the school they are zoned for or another Twin City private, but if you are from Mankato or Warroad or wherever this is it. Take advantage of the moment and shine. Skating at the X, what a dream.

* For Lakeville South's sake, I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see them win one game to prove that I was premature in dismissing them because of their 10+ losses.

* No controversy, please. Whoever loses, whoever wins, I'd just like to know that it was all void of fluke bounces and iffy calls. We all seem to remember stuff like this, so to the combatants it truly will provide a lifetime of memories.

* No major injuries too. I'd like every team to have use of their personnel.

Best of luck to all. I'm envious of those attending. Drive safely, cheer respectfully, and have fun.

May the best teams win.

O-Town, I am originally from Roseau and agree completely. The few, loud "bored" members that won't give it a rest are beyond annoying. If they would keep there traps shut and just watch, they wouldn't have to say anything. I think they are just trying to make up for when they never made it to the show....

By the way, I never made it and don't need to make up for it by living through someone else! I'm just happy to watch.

[pondyplayer93]

I just want to see that Edina line against ness and lee

[The_Phantom_Enigma]

I just want to see that Edina line against ness and lee

GOOD CALL ON THAT!! i think a lot of people are hopin' for those 2 teams to face off at some point during state...

*200th post*

[O-townClown]

Another thought

* Pauly is wrong to say anything about seeding. First off, if they kept seeding it is likely Blaine would have been 5 and Woodbury 6, so he'd play the same team anyway. OR...he'd have drawn Blaine and that's just as tough a row to hoe. Secondly, the Minnetonka kids would love to be the ones complaining about the draw. Finally, why give the kids one more thing to worry about. You won't be state champs unless you beat Woodbury, Edina again, and then a team like Roseau or Hill-Murray. Doesn't matter how tough they set up the course, you still have to play all 18 holes.

[packerboy]

Another thought

* Pauly is wrong to say anything about seeding. First off, if they kept seeding it is likely Blaine would have been 5 and Woodbury 6, so he'd play the same team anyway. OR...he'd have drawn Blaine and that's just as tough a row to hoe. Secondly, the Minnetonka kids would love to be the ones complaining about the draw. Finally, why give the kids one more thing to worry about. You won't be state champs unless you beat Woodbury, Edina again, and then a team like Roseau or Hill-Murray. Doesn't matter how tough they set up the course, you still have to play all 18 holes.

What was he complaining about?

[O-townClown]

One more

* Thinking of Roseau reminds me of the Milan Miracle, the tale of a small-town team that won the single-class Indiana state basketball title. Maybe you've seen the movie Hoosiers where this is portrayed as a true underdog's tale. At state they squared off against a team from a school with enrollment 3,000 and a bunch of black guys. Stereotype much? Anyway, ask the players - and ESPN Classic did during the 50th Anniversary - and it was quite different. The team was one of the pre-tourney favorites. They'd fared well at state the year before and had all their top players returning. Teams were worried about them, not the other way around.

[STEV16]

Greatness-Who's next??

What a great intro

[ACTUALFORMERPLAYER]

O-Town, I am originally from Roseau and agree completely. The few, loud "bored" members that won't give it a rest are beyond annoying. If they would keep there traps shut and just watch, they wouldn't have to say anything. I think they are just trying to make up for when they never made it to the show....

By the way, I never made it and don't need to make up for it by living through someone else! I'm just happy to watch.

Rams89, You almost nailed it. It appears the loudest and most annoying don't actually live in Roseau. They have the my hometown is really good and I better tell everyone about it mojo. The local fans are coming to the cities hoping for what hasn't been done since Jefferson in 92-94, defend the state title. Expectations are high but very realistic. As far as the "bored" is concerned I wish there was a moratorium on new users registering once the section finals start until after the tourney.

[O-townClown]

Actual, Mr. Roseau didn't get the memo. He's got the woe-is-us going big on his thread about enrollment.

[DubCHAGuy]

Question: Are they showing replays inside the X this year?

[61ache]

* Judging from comments posted on the board, Edina will forever be hated by the masses just like the Yankees.

* When Roseau fans caravan, do they leave the chips on their shoulder or do they take them off and pack them underneath the bus with their luggage? Seriously, the whole state respects the town immensely and seven state HS titles are no fluke. The woe-is-us-we-are-such-a-small-town card has been played to oblivion. Woe is everyone else who tries to compete with Roseau if you ask me. The city has hockey embedded in its culture, the civic leaders see that youth participation is high, and there's not much else to do up there. Best of luck in the tournament, but please spare me the little engine that could rhetoric. The Rams are the 800-lb. gorilla of the field.

This is probably the first time since '79 that Roseau went in to the Tourney with a #1 ranking. The 800-lb gorilla is new territory for Roseau and the underdog/under rated/over looked mentality is hard to shrug off.