Best PeeWee A or Bantam A coaches
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Best PeeWee A or Bantam A coaches
Whos your pick for the Best Head Coaches. PWA or BTM - A
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mngopherfan
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:50 am
I will second the nomination for Chris LaCombe.
My son played for him years ago on a Pride team (that won Gold) and since then has coached against the teams my son has played for (not sure if "we" have ever got a W against him). Oh well, I still like him.
He seemed to always be coaching...never seemed to stop teaching...the kids of EP will miss surely him.
My son played for him years ago on a Pride team (that won Gold) and since then has coached against the teams my son has played for (not sure if "we" have ever got a W against him). Oh well, I still like him.
He seemed to always be coaching...never seemed to stop teaching...the kids of EP will miss surely him.
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DumpandChase1
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:37 pm
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Neutron 14
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:48 pm
ill go with any coach in any community that gives his/her time and cares and loves what he/she is doing for the kids,. A state tournamnet win or wins does not make a good coach, you may have the best coach sitting in a community that will never have the talent to ever get to the big show. so to all that giev the time and care , Hats off , your special to the kids
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Neutron 14
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:48 pm
h20 wrote:ill go with any coach in any community that gives his/her time and cares and loves what he/she is doing for the kids,. A state tournamnet win or wins does not make a good coach, you may have the best coach sitting in a community that will never have the talent to ever get to the big show. so to all that giev the time and care , Hats off , your special to the kids
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Fire and Ice
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:51 am
- Location: The Lost City of Centennial
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Tenoverpar
- Posts: 514
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:40 pm
ditto
Ditto on Rasmussen, if you're playing for 5 of 7 state titles...you've got to be a great coach. Now how come their high school can't win jack????
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Rattlin' Cages
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:31 am
Saw Dennis Bushy in action along side Bryan Henrichs this past week at Breezy Points Hockey Camp, a nice pair of coaches. I'm bias to Bryan because I know him from Brainerd and men's league. The one thing that strikes me is how I've heard of some of these other coaches (LaCombe, Henrichs - Bryan's relative I believe, Rasmussen, Hambly etc.) and the respect he has for them. Unrelated note, rumors of Pequot/Crosby going Bantam "A" this season. Henry, more guts than brains on this one? Thinks this through is all i'm saying. If you want to coach "A" again just come back to Brainerd.
I agree with H20 on this as well, many great coaches never get recognition for their time and efforts because of lack of "Championships".
I agree with H20 on this as well, many great coaches never get recognition for their time and efforts because of lack of "Championships".
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Look at the top Peewee A teams from last year, but don’t go by the state tourney appearances. Go by the rankings and look for the teams that should be there and the teams that are surprises. If I go fifteen deep in last years youth hockey rankings (a ranking that goes by schedule and comparative scores), the top fifteen ranked teams were:
1-5: Edina, Wayzata, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, and Eagan
6-10: Lakeville South, Chaska, Apple Valley, Grand Rapids and Maple Grove
11-15: Cloquet, Little Falls, Roseau, Elk River, and Coon Rapids
One of these team’s coaches should be the best. But how to sort these fifteen coaches to determine the best coach. My first step was to try to eliminate teams by applying some rational.
Because the coaching challenge is less in the larger programs (more players equal easier decisions on ice because of depth of talent during games and better skill development during practices). The coach of a larger program also has more of each player’s attention (15 competitive skater’s means a poor couple of practices and a player can be sitting more then skating).
With this logic, I eliminated the following large program teams-Edina, Wayzata, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Chaska and Elk River (though the Elk River was improving as the season ended) initially. My idea is to come back to the large program teams and re-assess the coaches against the best coach of the rest. That leaves 8 teams.
Of the remaining 8 teams, Maple Grove is a large program, but last year never put it together. Coon Rapids played tough defense all year holding quality teams to two or less goals a game until they lost two tough games in the North Region to Cloquet and Grand Rapids. They faded in February and that happens. It is hard to blame the coaches, but somebody has to take the heat-it’s such a high paying job.
Cloquet had some talented kids last year, but not a lot. Their coaches gave me the feeling that they were great with the kids, but because of lack of player depth, they had to make some tough choices moving the talent around and made some mistakes that cost them in the state tourney. Lakeville South coach was smart in the game, but like Eagan, the players had an up and down season. Again, it could be the kids, but that inconsistency eliminates them.
That leaves four Peewee A coaches and staffs, Apple Valley, Grand Rapids, Roseau and Little Falls. Roseau coaches brought their team through a successful season but just did not have the gas to make out of the West Regional. Apple Valley just over achieved, skating only an average of 11 players the whole season. But their coaches are to commended since their best achievement was to keep Apple Valley’s top talent in the program and on a path to high school.
Grand Rapids and Little Falls coaches were the best. Both of these teams started slow and came on strong. Little Falls skated with 12-13 players and showed up for every game. I was impressed with the discipline the team showed. Both coaches deserve the best title for last years coaching, but my hat goes to the Grand Rapids coach and the way they prepared their team to make the run to the state, finishing second by beating Woodbury 3-2 and Eden Prairie 5-4 (ot) before losing 5-2 to Edina.
So if Grand Rapid coaching is the best, how did their coaching compare to the seven large programs.
Edina won the state title because the coaches worked hard to pull the team out of the January blues and got them to focus on the prize. Wayzata played great, and was one goal away from winning their semifinal against Edina in the state, but talent carried that team more then coaching.
Eden Prairie played tough all year and their coaches did some great game coaching especially in the Edina tourney. Eagan had talent, but was up and down and the coaching could not get consistent play from the kids. Woodbury, when they were on, had the best line in the state. Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. But none of this beats the Grand Rapids coach.
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are:
1. Grand Rapids
2. Little Falls
3. Apple Valley
4. Edina
5. Woodbury
6. Chaska
7. Wayzata
8. Roseau
9. Eden Prairie
10. Cloquet
11. Coon Rapids
12. Elk River
13. Lakeville South
14. Eagan
15. Maple Grove
1-5: Edina, Wayzata, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, and Eagan
6-10: Lakeville South, Chaska, Apple Valley, Grand Rapids and Maple Grove
11-15: Cloquet, Little Falls, Roseau, Elk River, and Coon Rapids
One of these team’s coaches should be the best. But how to sort these fifteen coaches to determine the best coach. My first step was to try to eliminate teams by applying some rational.
Because the coaching challenge is less in the larger programs (more players equal easier decisions on ice because of depth of talent during games and better skill development during practices). The coach of a larger program also has more of each player’s attention (15 competitive skater’s means a poor couple of practices and a player can be sitting more then skating).
With this logic, I eliminated the following large program teams-Edina, Wayzata, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Chaska and Elk River (though the Elk River was improving as the season ended) initially. My idea is to come back to the large program teams and re-assess the coaches against the best coach of the rest. That leaves 8 teams.
Of the remaining 8 teams, Maple Grove is a large program, but last year never put it together. Coon Rapids played tough defense all year holding quality teams to two or less goals a game until they lost two tough games in the North Region to Cloquet and Grand Rapids. They faded in February and that happens. It is hard to blame the coaches, but somebody has to take the heat-it’s such a high paying job.
Cloquet had some talented kids last year, but not a lot. Their coaches gave me the feeling that they were great with the kids, but because of lack of player depth, they had to make some tough choices moving the talent around and made some mistakes that cost them in the state tourney. Lakeville South coach was smart in the game, but like Eagan, the players had an up and down season. Again, it could be the kids, but that inconsistency eliminates them.
That leaves four Peewee A coaches and staffs, Apple Valley, Grand Rapids, Roseau and Little Falls. Roseau coaches brought their team through a successful season but just did not have the gas to make out of the West Regional. Apple Valley just over achieved, skating only an average of 11 players the whole season. But their coaches are to commended since their best achievement was to keep Apple Valley’s top talent in the program and on a path to high school.
Grand Rapids and Little Falls coaches were the best. Both of these teams started slow and came on strong. Little Falls skated with 12-13 players and showed up for every game. I was impressed with the discipline the team showed. Both coaches deserve the best title for last years coaching, but my hat goes to the Grand Rapids coach and the way they prepared their team to make the run to the state, finishing second by beating Woodbury 3-2 and Eden Prairie 5-4 (ot) before losing 5-2 to Edina.
So if Grand Rapid coaching is the best, how did their coaching compare to the seven large programs.
Edina won the state title because the coaches worked hard to pull the team out of the January blues and got them to focus on the prize. Wayzata played great, and was one goal away from winning their semifinal against Edina in the state, but talent carried that team more then coaching.
Eden Prairie played tough all year and their coaches did some great game coaching especially in the Edina tourney. Eagan had talent, but was up and down and the coaching could not get consistent play from the kids. Woodbury, when they were on, had the best line in the state. Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. But none of this beats the Grand Rapids coach.
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are:
1. Grand Rapids
2. Little Falls
3. Apple Valley
4. Edina
5. Woodbury
6. Chaska
7. Wayzata
8. Roseau
9. Eden Prairie
10. Cloquet
11. Coon Rapids
12. Elk River
13. Lakeville South
14. Eagan
15. Maple Grove
Apple Valley just over achieved, skating only an average of 11 players the whole season. But their coaches are to commended since their best achievement was to keep Apple Valley’s top talent in the program and on a path to high school.
Please fredrick stop with the Applevalley does everything right stuff.
Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. Really Fredrick they beat edina on your home ice and you guys lost 8-2
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are: Based on I live in Apple valley I will rank the coach 3rd.
This is why Fredrick is wrong
Chaska was better coached. I think you lean a little towards Applevalley. Take the big kid off that team and they are avg at best. I would even say Burnsville was better coached and they use all the players. Eastview finished last and gave Applevalley 1-0 and 3-2 wins on the season. I think that is good coaching by Eastview. Good coach can take avg talent and make the team competitive thats coaching. Lets see how Applevalley pwa team will be now that big kid is at bantams or did the coach move to Bantams with him?
I would like to say you have at least 6 better coaches in district 6 and 3 of them didn't go to the state tournament. Chaska coach is out for failing on home ice in the state tournament, Thats your reason? Really didn't Applevalley fail on home ice in the playoffs against Edina 8-2? Sorry Fred I like your post but this one really bothers me.
Please fredrick stop with the Applevalley does everything right stuff.
Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. Really Fredrick they beat edina on your home ice and you guys lost 8-2
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are: Based on I live in Apple valley I will rank the coach 3rd.
This is why Fredrick is wrong
Chaska was better coached. I think you lean a little towards Applevalley. Take the big kid off that team and they are avg at best. I would even say Burnsville was better coached and they use all the players. Eastview finished last and gave Applevalley 1-0 and 3-2 wins on the season. I think that is good coaching by Eastview. Good coach can take avg talent and make the team competitive thats coaching. Lets see how Applevalley pwa team will be now that big kid is at bantams or did the coach move to Bantams with him?
I would like to say you have at least 6 better coaches in district 6 and 3 of them didn't go to the state tournament. Chaska coach is out for failing on home ice in the state tournament, Thats your reason? Really didn't Applevalley fail on home ice in the playoffs against Edina 8-2? Sorry Fred I like your post but this one really bothers me.
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iwearmysunglassesatnight
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:07 pm
[quote="CoachJ"]Apple Valley just over achieved, skating only an average of 11 players the whole season. But their coaches are to commended since their best achievement was to keep Apple Valley’s top talent in the program and on a path to high school.
Please fredrick stop with the Applevalley does everything right stuff.
Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. Really Fredrick they beat edina on your home ice and you guys lost 8-2
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are: Based on I live in Apple valley I will rank the coach 3rd.
This is why Fredrick is wrong
Chaska was better coached. I think you lean a little towards Applevalley. Take the big kid off that team and they are avg at best. I would even say Burnsville was better coached and they use all the players. Eastview finished last and gave Applevalley 1-0 and 3-2 wins on the season. I think that is good coaching by Eastview. Good coach can take avg talent and make the team competitive thats coaching. Lets see how Applevalley pwa team will be now that big kid is at bantams or did the coach move to Bantams with him?
I would like to say you have at least 6 better coaches in district 6 and 3 of them didn't go to the state tournament. Chaska coach is out for failing on home ice in the state tournament, Thats your reason? Really didn't Applevalley fail on home ice in the playoffs against Edina 8-2? Sorry Fred I like your post but this one really bothers me.[/quote]
I guess it is like reading Sid Hartman, he is a homer. Apple Valley's coach did so well he wasn't asked back. In district 6 these head coaches were above and beyond AV in having their team prepared and improved.
1. Chaska, a team that set it sights on being at their best come playoff time...and they succeeded.
2. Burnsville, a team that was so disciplined that they won many games based on their ability to understand the game, and not necessarily because they were better hockey players.
3. Eden Prairie, outcoached AV in the 3rd period in sections, and AV had no answer when EP put a shadow on their top scorer.
4. Edina, hello can i order a state title to go.. put 5 goals up on AV in one period of a district elimination game.
5. Minnetonka, at the beginning of the year this team had basically 1 top line. At the end of the year they had 2 great lines.
6. Eastview, this team was prepared and played discipline hockey. Like B'ville they got the most out of their players.
Whats left:
Jefferson, not so much.. did not get all the players involved.
Prior Lake, Not sure, when you see how many of them are on top AAA teams you wonder how come they didn't finish higher.
Shakopee/Kennedy cannot offer an opinion, their coaches just maybe the best in the state, or not.
Please fredrick stop with the Applevalley does everything right stuff.
Chaska emerged as the number one team in the D6 playoffs, but playing on home ice, could not close the deal, failing to make state by one tough game. Really Fredrick they beat edina on your home ice and you guys lost 8-2
Based on this, my ranking of Peewee A coaches last year are: Based on I live in Apple valley I will rank the coach 3rd.
This is why Fredrick is wrong
Chaska was better coached. I think you lean a little towards Applevalley. Take the big kid off that team and they are avg at best. I would even say Burnsville was better coached and they use all the players. Eastview finished last and gave Applevalley 1-0 and 3-2 wins on the season. I think that is good coaching by Eastview. Good coach can take avg talent and make the team competitive thats coaching. Lets see how Applevalley pwa team will be now that big kid is at bantams or did the coach move to Bantams with him?
I would like to say you have at least 6 better coaches in district 6 and 3 of them didn't go to the state tournament. Chaska coach is out for failing on home ice in the state tournament, Thats your reason? Really didn't Applevalley fail on home ice in the playoffs against Edina 8-2? Sorry Fred I like your post but this one really bothers me.[/quote]
I guess it is like reading Sid Hartman, he is a homer. Apple Valley's coach did so well he wasn't asked back. In district 6 these head coaches were above and beyond AV in having their team prepared and improved.
1. Chaska, a team that set it sights on being at their best come playoff time...and they succeeded.
2. Burnsville, a team that was so disciplined that they won many games based on their ability to understand the game, and not necessarily because they were better hockey players.
3. Eden Prairie, outcoached AV in the 3rd period in sections, and AV had no answer when EP put a shadow on their top scorer.
4. Edina, hello can i order a state title to go.. put 5 goals up on AV in one period of a district elimination game.
5. Minnetonka, at the beginning of the year this team had basically 1 top line. At the end of the year they had 2 great lines.
6. Eastview, this team was prepared and played discipline hockey. Like B'ville they got the most out of their players.
Whats left:
Jefferson, not so much.. did not get all the players involved.
Prior Lake, Not sure, when you see how many of them are on top AAA teams you wonder how come they didn't finish higher.
Shakopee/Kennedy cannot offer an opinion, their coaches just maybe the best in the state, or not.
Was a duster and paying for it?????
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Chaska had more talent across the board then Apple Valley. When Valley lost 8-2 to Edina in the D6 playoffs to end their season, it was the fourth game played on successive nights. The first three games were overtime and they played the season with one goalie and 11 players.
All the other D6 teams mentioned came into the season with over a 100 peewee players trying out for the top team. Valley had slightly over 40 players and the association did not feel confident with the talent they had to field a B or B1 team. They took their next 14 players and played B2.
Chaska fielded a B1 team and 2 B2 teams. One of their B2 teams beat Valley in the D6 playoffs. All their teams had 15 forwards and 2 goalies. Burnsville put three full teams on the ice, A, B1 and B2. They could not beat Valley in regular season, tournaments, and D6 playoffs. Eden Prairie fielded two B-1 teams and one B-2 team besides A, all full teams. They had to come back in the D6 playoffs to beat Valley in ot after tying them in the last minute of regulation. They were down three goals entering the third period.
Edina fielded two B-1 teams that played each other for the state title. They also fielded two B-2 teams. All teams were fully complemented. Minnetonka fielded two B-1 teams and one B-2 teams. They lost in regular season play, tournaments and in the D6 playoffs to Valley.
But last year’s Valley coaches’ most important contribution is that they kept all the players in the program, something very critical when you have only eleven or twelve peewee players you judge to be capable of playing A peewee. By my count, Edina probably had 45.
I know that they have moved on as have other coaches. But we are talking about last year.
All the other D6 teams mentioned came into the season with over a 100 peewee players trying out for the top team. Valley had slightly over 40 players and the association did not feel confident with the talent they had to field a B or B1 team. They took their next 14 players and played B2.
Chaska fielded a B1 team and 2 B2 teams. One of their B2 teams beat Valley in the D6 playoffs. All their teams had 15 forwards and 2 goalies. Burnsville put three full teams on the ice, A, B1 and B2. They could not beat Valley in regular season, tournaments, and D6 playoffs. Eden Prairie fielded two B-1 teams and one B-2 team besides A, all full teams. They had to come back in the D6 playoffs to beat Valley in ot after tying them in the last minute of regulation. They were down three goals entering the third period.
Edina fielded two B-1 teams that played each other for the state title. They also fielded two B-2 teams. All teams were fully complemented. Minnetonka fielded two B-1 teams and one B-2 teams. They lost in regular season play, tournaments and in the D6 playoffs to Valley.
But last year’s Valley coaches’ most important contribution is that they kept all the players in the program, something very critical when you have only eleven or twelve peewee players you judge to be capable of playing A peewee. By my count, Edina probably had 45.
I know that they have moved on as have other coaches. But we are talking about last year.
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OreoSlaper09
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:27 pm
Best Pee Wee or Bantam A Coaches
Question: "Coaching" in Pee Wees. There are associations out there who don't allow their coaches to coach. The coaches are required to play everyone equally in each game so therefore, coaches cannot match lines, have power play lines, penalty kills, etc.. They are required to roll the lines.........Lakeville is notorious for this line of thought.......based on this criteria, one might have to consider the coach at Lakeville South to top the list!!!!!!!!!! Its a lot differant game when a coach is allowed to use their skills and get the best out of each player........and situation.......and game.
Re: Best Pee Wee or Bantam A Coaches
Are you saying Lakeville South coach just plays the lines equal.nahc wrote:Question: "Coaching" in Pee Wees. There are associations out there who don't allow their coaches to coach. The coaches are required to play everyone equally in each game so therefore, coaches cannot match lines, have power play lines, penalty kills, etc.. They are required to roll the lines.........Lakeville is notorious for this line of thought.......based on this criteria, one might have to consider the coach at Lakeville South to top the list!!!!!!!!!! Its a lot differant game when a coach is allowed to use their skills and get the best out of each player........and situation.......and game.
I saw him match lines with Sibley, Woodbury to name a few with his sons line. Which he should for he is the real deal just ask him.
[quote="frederick61"
But last year’s Valley coaches’ most important contribution is that they kept all the players in the program, something very critical when you have only eleven or twelve peewee players you judge to be capable of playing A peewee. By my count, Edina probably had 45.
I know that they have moved on as have other coaches. But we are talking about last year.[/quote]
How did they keep them in the program? Where would they go they are peewees.
But last year’s Valley coaches’ most important contribution is that they kept all the players in the program, something very critical when you have only eleven or twelve peewee players you judge to be capable of playing A peewee. By my count, Edina probably had 45.
I know that they have moved on as have other coaches. But we are talking about last year.[/quote]
How did they keep them in the program? Where would they go they are peewees.
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iwearmysunglassesatnight
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:07 pm
av coach????
frederick61 "and they played the season with one goalie and 11 players"
How does this make a good coach? One could see it very job security beneficial to be able to have last years best peewee on the ice 50% of the time. The 11 players theory does not work.
How does this make a good coach? One could see it very job security beneficial to be able to have last years best peewee on the ice 50% of the time. The 11 players theory does not work.
Was a duster and paying for it?????
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frederick61
- Posts: 1039
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:54 pm
Coach J,
The private schools are recruiting the top peewee players. Other talented players can be talented in other sports and will switch sports. Apple Valley and Eastview share an open enrollment that is less restrictive because the two high schools are located in Apple Valley.
“iwearmysunglassesatnight”,
You overlook my major point. Compare the talent at Chaska last year to Valley’s and you have Chaska fielding the top 15 as peewee A and the next 15 as peewee B-1. Chaska then split the next 30 and formed two B-2 teams. That meant the B-2 teams (players ranked by Chaska’s own evaluation process 31 to 60) beat the Apple Valley players ranked 12 to 26 at the end of the year. Do you believe that every player ranked in Valley’s top 11 would make the Chaska’s top 15 or even top 30?
It is too easy an answer to say all the coaches had to do is throw the big guy out 50% of the time. Others on this site have said throw a man at the big guy and you could beat Valley, but in over thirty games the opponents couldn’t do that because the coaches built the team concept into all the players. If anything, at the end of the season, the big guy was playing at times too much in the team concept and passing on scoring opportunities.
As far as coaching security, to me the toughest team to coach is one that has one or two stars and a dramatic drop in talent after that. The kids know the situation and the season wears on the team causing the fall-off in team play. To me these coaches understood the problem and worked hard all season on the team concept. It showed with the team finishing with a #8 ranking in the Mn Hockey Rankings with a 14.42 rating just behind Chaska (#7 with a 14.51 rating). Valley played a slightly tougher schedule.
The private schools are recruiting the top peewee players. Other talented players can be talented in other sports and will switch sports. Apple Valley and Eastview share an open enrollment that is less restrictive because the two high schools are located in Apple Valley.
“iwearmysunglassesatnight”,
You overlook my major point. Compare the talent at Chaska last year to Valley’s and you have Chaska fielding the top 15 as peewee A and the next 15 as peewee B-1. Chaska then split the next 30 and formed two B-2 teams. That meant the B-2 teams (players ranked by Chaska’s own evaluation process 31 to 60) beat the Apple Valley players ranked 12 to 26 at the end of the year. Do you believe that every player ranked in Valley’s top 11 would make the Chaska’s top 15 or even top 30?
It is too easy an answer to say all the coaches had to do is throw the big guy out 50% of the time. Others on this site have said throw a man at the big guy and you could beat Valley, but in over thirty games the opponents couldn’t do that because the coaches built the team concept into all the players. If anything, at the end of the season, the big guy was playing at times too much in the team concept and passing on scoring opportunities.
As far as coaching security, to me the toughest team to coach is one that has one or two stars and a dramatic drop in talent after that. The kids know the situation and the season wears on the team causing the fall-off in team play. To me these coaches understood the problem and worked hard all season on the team concept. It showed with the team finishing with a #8 ranking in the Mn Hockey Rankings with a 14.42 rating just behind Chaska (#7 with a 14.51 rating). Valley played a slightly tougher schedule.