Little Falls (12-0) @ Alexandria (11-2) 1-20-09

The Vet · Post by **The Vet** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:00 pm

Heard it was a great game, wish i woulda been there. I'm not sure what it is. A great LF goalie or a great LF defense. Big games....Sperl-undefeated....Hemingway--defeated.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:01 pm

The best Class A team was only able to beat Alexandria by one goal.

joester · Post by **joester** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:10 pm

Well usualy rivalrys are always good games and Alex is a good team.

onemoveOTH · Post by **onemoveOTH** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:20 pm

GREAT game no one could disagree with the fact that this one could have easily went either way. The assist was from Ben. Sperl did a great job-so did Hemm nice goal nice assist! Alex had a couple of its 2nd line a little off. LF played well 1-3lines maybe line 1 a little off??? IT DOESN"T LOOK LIKE ALEXANDRIA NEEDS TO SHADOW ANYONE!!

icedawg9 · Post by **icedawg9** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:32 pm

I got lucky enough to attend this game, me and some buddies drove down from Moorhead.

All in all it was a great game, both teams dominated at certain parts of the game. Alex was all over LF in the first and it was the exact opposite in the 2nd with LF dominating.

It was still 0-0 after 2 periods. At the start of the 3rd LF scored a quick goal to put them up 1-0, which it ended up being.

All in all, this game could have gone either way, if Alexandria would have capitalized on a few of their many chances (missed 2 breakaways) they could have taken the game. No disrespect to Sperl, but for some reason Alexandria always makes him look really good. Either that or he steps it up big time against the Cardinals. I can't wait for the section final this year!

There is no doubt that these 2 teams are both top 10 in the state.

EZgoalscorer · Post by **EZgoalscorer** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:45 pm

Wow sounds like a great game! Wish I could have been there. Does anyone know what the shots were? I heard Hemmingway played amazing? Should be a fun one at the end of the year.

icedawg9 · Post by **icedawg9** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:55 pm

I don't remember what the shots were but I think it was

LF- 37 Alexandria 29 or something. Both Goalies played well

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:13 pm

Shots 37-26 LF.

09-17-11--37
12-08-06--26

Wesley Waytashek (Ben Hanowski) 0:22 3rd

Both teams 0-3 on PP.

1,300 in attendance.

bruce06 · Post by **bruce06** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:23 pm

5 on 5 this game was about as even as you could get. Little falls had a good power play probably getting about 12 shots off that alone. Both teams played well. I would say alex had more scoring opportunities but couldnt capitalize on them. 3 times they had sperl beat and they fumbled with the puck. If they get control and settle down I feel they bury those. Little Falls goal was a good one and both of these teams are two of the top teams in state and either one could make a run if they get there. Both teams played good defense and each team probably had 10 blocked shots. The one player I have heard about and was not impressed at all after wathing was berglund #2. Made several bad passes and got beat a few times. Cant wait for the section rematch. At least I hope its these two teams. Congrats to Little Falls. Alex just keep working hard and forget about this one and you will get em next time.

GopherPuckPlayer · Post by **GopherPuckPlayer** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:49 pm

slapshot89 wrote:What are the thoughts on the game those who listened/attended the game?

Best game I seen LF play this year, only had a couple calls. The refs let them play, which made it fun till the final seconds. Both goalies were standing on their heads.

bluelineenvy · Post by **bluelineenvy** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:53 pm

What a game! I can't see either of these teams losing another game this year and will meet up at the section final!

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:59 am

Is 6A's section final neutral or at the top seed?

scarface · Post by **scarface** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:14 am

HShockeywatcher wrote:Is 6A's section final neutral or at the top seed?

Talk around the rink after the game was a neutral site. Probably St. Cloud

Post by **east hockey** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:27 am

scarface wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote:Is 6A's section final neutral or at the top seed?
Talk around the rink after the game was a neutral site. Probably St. Cloud

MAC in St. Cloud.

Lee

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:10 am

HShockeywatcher wrote:The best Class A team was only able to beat Alexandria by one goal.

Yeah, every top team should always win by more than one goal, even against other top teams on the road.

hshckfan08 · Post by **hshckfan08** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:31 pm

Sounds like it was an awesome game to watch! Looks like Hemmingway is the real deal.

HShockeywatcher wrote:The best Class A team was only able to beat Alexandria by one goal.

How old are you? you act like a 16 year old jv player... St. Thomas isn't as good as they have been in the past and you cant seem to handle the fact that people think Little Falls is better.. Get over it!
It's nice to see a team who is known for their offensive firepower can go on the road and win a 1-0 game against a good rival. They have shown they can win a game 10-9 or 1-0, and this game will give them a lot of confidence as they move forward.

HasNoMoves · Post by **HasNoMoves** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:11 pm

i hope they choose to play this section final at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud...the MAC only holds 2300 or so and these great communities and the st. cloud fans in addition to these communties would have no problem filling 5000 seats....i was at the MAC last year for this game...and while i am sure it was a great atmosphere for the players, it sucked for fans...way to packed and crowded to enjoy a great hockey game...do the right thing and play at SCSU

clapper17 · Post by **clapper17** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:10 pm

hshckfan08 wrote:Sounds like it was an awesome game to watch! Looks like Hemmingway is the real deal.
HShockeywatcher wrote:The best Class A team was only able to beat Alexandria by one goal.
How old are you? you act like a 16 year old jv player... St. Thomas isn't as good as they have been in the past and you cant seem to handle the fact that people think Little Falls is better.. Get over it!
It's nice to see a team who is known for their offensive firepower can go on the road and win a 1-0 game against a good rival. They have shown they can win a game 10-9 or 1-0, and this game will give them a lot of confidence as they move forward.

People dont think small falls is better, infact many think they are over-rated! They are a one line team with an improved goalie

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:29 pm

hshckfan08,
This has zero to do with St Thomas and my affiliation with them. This has to do with the dynamics of how rankings are always made, strength of schedules and the lack of response to points made. I have no problem with St Thomas being number 2 on the rankings, I simply don't think Little Falls deserves the #1 spot with their schedule. They were getting no respect two years ago because of their schedule. Morris Benson (2 years ago?) got no respect because of their schedule. Jefferson is getting no respect because of their schedule. The Air Force can't climb the ranks because of their schedule.

I have no disrespect for Little Falls, in any way shape or form. They simply haven't proven themselves to be number 1. That's like telling me I don't have respect for East based on my comments about them. I have a lot of respect for them and think everything they're doing it great, just think their schedule happens to be not that strong this year.

Additionally, many people, like clapper17, think they are overrated.
Best of luck to them, I simply don't think they have earned where they are on many rankings.

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:41 pm

This topic has nothing to do with whether Little Falls is number one or not. Its a discussion about the LF vs. Alex. hockey game.

hshckfan08 · Post by **hshckfan08** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:47 pm

HShockeywatcher wrote:hshckfan08,
This has zero to do with St Thomas and my affiliation with them. This has to do with the dynamics of how rankings are always made, strength of schedules and the lack of response to points made. I have no problem with St Thomas being number 2 on the rankings, I simply don't think Little Falls deserves the #1 spot with their schedule. They were getting no respect two years ago because of their schedule. Morris Benson (2 years ago?) got no respect because of their schedule. Jefferson is getting no respect because of their schedule. The Air Force can't climb the ranks because of their schedule.

I have no disrespect for Little Falls, in any way shape or form. They simply haven't proven themselves to be number 1. That's like telling me I don't have respect for East based on my comments about them. I have a lot of respect for them and think everything they're doing it great, just think their schedule happens to be not that strong this year.

Additionally, many people, like clapper17, think they are overrated.
Best of luck to them, I simply don't think they have earned where they are on many rankings.

They are rankings, you prove who is number one at the end of the season. They could sure do a lot more to prove and earn their spot... how many games have they lost? Why was wake forest just ranked number one? They CLEARLY do not have the schedule that teams in the big east and ACC have, but the associated press rewarded them, because they won all of their games.
I guess its fine if you dont think they should be there, but you cant say they havent earned the opinions of others that they are the number 1 ranked team.

Post by **karl(east)** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:14 pm

hshckfan08 wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote:hshckfan08,
This has zero to do with St Thomas and my affiliation with them. This has to do with the dynamics of how rankings are always made, strength of schedules and the lack of response to points made. I have no problem with St Thomas being number 2 on the rankings, I simply don't think Little Falls deserves the #1 spot with their schedule. They were getting no respect two years ago because of their schedule. Morris Benson (2 years ago?) got no respect because of their schedule. Jefferson is getting no respect because of their schedule. The Air Force can't climb the ranks because of their schedule.

I have no disrespect for Little Falls, in any way shape or form. They simply haven't proven themselves to be number 1. That's like telling me I don't have respect for East based on my comments about them. I have a lot of respect for them and think everything they're doing it great, just think their schedule happens to be not that strong this year.

Additionally, many people, like clapper17, think they are overrated.
Best of luck to them, I simply don't think they have earned where they are on many rankings.
They are rankings, you prove who is number one at the end of the season. They could sure do a lot more to prove and earn their spot... how many games have they lost? Why was wake forest just ranked number one? They CLEARLY do not have the schedule that teams in the big east and ACC have, but the associated press rewarded them, because they won all of their games.
I guess its fine if you dont think they should be there, but you cant say they havent earned the opinions of others that they are the number 1 ranked team.

Minor detail...Wake Forest is in the ACC.

And as an avid follower of both college hoops and high school hockey, I don't think the ranking systems the two use compare well for this argument. In the NCAA, no team can put together a nonconference schedule like Edina's. And a team that's undefeated at this point in the season in the NCAA will almost certainly be #1 if they're in a major conference. That's not necessarily the case in hockey.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:57 pm

hshckfan08,
I disagree with your statement for two reasons.
1. Being upset during the playoffs doesn't mean you are not a certain quality team. We see this in NCAA hockey. A mediocre team gets hot and wins a couple in a row. Etc, etc. I may not stand with the majority here, but I don't believe the state tournament necessarily shows who is the best team.
2. In a system where you seed, especially in Class A, where you are ranked for the tournament matters, as the higher seeds play a softer schedule. The #3 team could be given the #1 seed and come out on top.

Neither of those things are why I discuss this though. That is merely to see what people think and why they think what they do. And although I cannot claim that they have not earned the opinions of others, I can claim that those people do not respond to comments that apply to a comparable situation in another class, sport, or level.

It's the same reason that while the Gophers basketball team was undefeated they weren't in the top 25. It was only after LOSING to a good mich st team and winning a few more they got ranked.

hshckfan08 · Post by **hshckfan08** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:06 pm

karl(east) wrote:
hshckfan08 wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote:hshckfan08,
This has zero to do with St Thomas and my affiliation with them. This has to do with the dynamics of how rankings are always made, strength of schedules and the lack of response to points made. I have no problem with St Thomas being number 2 on the rankings, I simply don't think Little Falls deserves the #1 spot with their schedule. They were getting no respect two years ago because of their schedule. Morris Benson (2 years ago?) got no respect because of their schedule. Jefferson is getting no respect because of their schedule. The Air Force can't climb the ranks because of their schedule.

I have no disrespect for Little Falls, in any way shape or form. They simply haven't proven themselves to be number 1. That's like telling me I don't have respect for East based on my comments about them. I have a lot of respect for them and think everything they're doing it great, just think their schedule happens to be not that strong this year.

Additionally, many people, like clapper17, think they are overrated.
Best of luck to them, I simply don't think they have earned where they are on many rankings.
They are rankings, you prove who is number one at the end of the season. They could sure do a lot more to prove and earn their spot... how many games have they lost? Why was wake forest just ranked number one? They CLEARLY do not have the schedule that teams in the big east and ACC have, but the associated press rewarded them, because they won all of their games.
I guess its fine if you dont think they should be there, but you cant say they havent earned the opinions of others that they are the number 1 ranked team.
Minor detail...Wake Forest is in the ACC.

And as an avid follower of both college hoops and high school hockey, I don't think the ranking systems the two use compare well for this argument. In the NCAA, no team can put together a nonconference schedule like Edina's. And a team that's undefeated at this point in the season in the NCAA will almost certainly be #1 if they're in a major conference. That's not necessarily the case in hockey.

oops

in my head when i meant acc, i was thinking the big dogs, duke and unc.
Wake forest has had a weaker schedule than duke and unc, and it is not even close compared to the schedule of the big east teams. While the big east teams have at least had 1 loss, Wake Forest was undefeated even though they had the weaker schedule. Any team in the big east has a ridiculously difficult schedule, so i would have to disagree that they cant get as difficult a schedule as Edina has. My point is that wake forest played a weak schedule compared to pittsburgh who has only lost one game, yet before wake's loss they were ranked ahead of pittsburgh.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:13 pm

karl(east) said difficult non-conference schedule. You would be right about having a difficult schedule, but non-conference is different. I love talking NCAA basketball on a high school hockey forum

HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Little Falls (12-0) @ Alexandria (11-2) 1-20-09

Who wins?