Peewee A Hopkins Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament 11/27-11/29

[Ron Hextall]

Quarterfinal Match-ups:

Hopkins vs St. Michael
Hopkins comes into their home tourney a little stronger than in years past and have the look of a championship run, if they can get by a talented STMA squad that has a knack for scoring. This match-up pits a good goalie (Hopkins) versus a scoring offense and a second year team versus a young team. This should be a really fun game to watch and worth the trip. Either team will be continue on to the championship, but I think experience and home rink tip this one in favor of Hopkins.

Forest Lake vs Rogers
Rogers comes into turkey day riding a 4 game win streak, they will play a scrimmage with Roseau (who lost their first game of the year 8-5 to Crookston) before taking on Forest Lake. Rogers has been giving up less than a goal per game during their small win streak and should continue to carry that success here. Forest Lake is having, a well, lets just say inconsistent team. They are in search of their first win, struggling with Tartan and Mathomedi, while competing with Eden Prairie (tied), Chaska (4-2 loss), Duluth East (5-4 loss), and White Bear (2-0 loss). By current LPH rankings that is the #4, #7, #8, and #10 teams in the state and the games are close. What team will show up here?

Coon Rapids vs Orono
Two years ago Coon Rapids was a top ten team in the peewee A division, oh how the mighty have fallen (see Apple Valley too), but a team that onec resided near the top has struggled early to find their groove. With their only win coming against a D5 team, they face Orono in the first round who handed Hopkins one of their two losses earlier this year. D3 is improved with the emergence of Hopkins and Orono, as well as Mpls Park. They will be too much for Coon Rapids.

Prior Lake vs Mound-Westonka
When talking about D5 typically after Buffalo you begin refering to Mound, but things have changed and while Mound has started playing a D3 schedule to coincide with D5 (where they were once winning) they are finding the road bumpy in both leagues this year. Prior Lake has played alot, and they have been successful, their losses have come against the top ten teams and they have a victory over Burnsville that in the end makes them the favorite to repeat as tournament champions in Hopkins this weekend.

Semi-finals:
Hopkins vs Rogers - Hopkins prevails in a relatively low scoring game.

Orono vs Prior Lake - Orono is making strides but not fast enough to keep up with this up and coming D6 team.

Championship:
Hopkins vs Prior Lake - The Lakers defend their title, their ability to score will over come.

[royalhockey999]

hopkins beat stma in double overtime

rogers beat forest lake 3-1

when i left orono was up 2-0 against coon rapids

[hattrick11]

ya i herd that #15 was a stud along with numbers 8,9, and 14 at defence for hopkins

[itsjustkidshockey]

ya i herd that #15 was a stud along with numbers 8,9, and 14 at defence for hopkins

Don't forget about the referees that swallowed their whistles for a check in the back, tripping and man in crease for numbers 8, 9 and 14- all in the second overtime - what a bunch of hacks!

Hopkins was totally outmatched by STMA and should be thankful they had D3 refs on their side to advance. Would love to play them again on neutral ice.