Grand Rapids (6-0) vs Eden Prairie (4-0) 12-17-10 6pm

[HShockeywatcher]

The Thunderhawks surprise us with a win against the Hornets. The winner of this game will likely win the tournament. Who wins and why?

[HockeyMN1]

GR played a solid game yesterday but lets be honest, Edina won the flow of play. EP just has too much talent I see a two or three goal win for the Eagles.

[HockeyMN1]

1-1 early in the first, two pp goals.

[HockeyMN1]

Clipping right along here...2-2.

[GopherHockey]

EP might want to think about putting Ford in net. That kid looks pretty shaky

[HockeyMN1]

3-3, this is getting ridiculous. Less than halfway through the first. EP backup goalie Hellier looks out of position.

[GopherHockey]

Wow, 4-3 EP in the 1st.

[HockeyMN1]

Wow, 4-3 EP in the 1st.

The Eagles powerplay is simply deadly this year. Counting the 2 for 2 this game they're over 75%.

[HockeyMN1]

Chances a plenty including two posts in the last five minutes of the first for the Eagles. Still 4-3 but looking good for the rest of the game. McCartan and Rau are stepping up.

[karl(east)]

What a ridiculous period, though it settled down a bit towards the end into more what I expected. The Rau line really took over, and GR was struggling to keep up.

GR is clearly a great team, but I'm not sure getting into a shootout with EP is in their best interests.

[HockeyMN1]

6-3 EP, more pp goals. EP attack is simply unbelievable. Backup goalie Hellier has settled in and looks better.

[karl(east)]

EP up 6-4 after a penalty-marred 2nd period. Hard to say anything meaningful about either team, since there was tons of 5-on-4 and 4-on-4 hockey. Rau continues to impose himself, and EP's 2nd line had a strong period. GR needs to regroup; right now it looks like they might have emptied the tank in the 1st.

[karl(east)]

Eden Prairie 9
Grand Rapids 5
Final

The last two periods were penalty-loaded, which is not a good scenario for any team playing EP. I don't think GR should have tried to run with EP through the first period; it worked for a while, but in the end they were out-gunned. A low-scoring defensive battle would have been better for them, as we learned in last night's win over Edina.

EP is asserting itself as #1 this week. If they can close the deal tomorrow night against Edina, they'll be in great shape. If they lose, we'll have a ranking nightmare.

[TopDrawer]

Wow, that had to have been a fun game to watch. Wish i could have went.