8A

[mn miracle man]

1. Warroad - Looks like the early December swoon was just a bump in the road, establishing control going into the homestretch
2. TRF - Nipping at Warroad's heels, probably have been the most consistent of the 8A teams this season
3. Crookston - Probably the 8A Cinderella this year, worked hard to get to this level but don't have the horses to get any higher
4. Lake of the Woods - Fantastic January W/L wise but most of that was against lower teams but a tie with Proctor and the win over TRF very impressive with their offensive talent but it is no secret this team is built on Lyon. Poised to make A LOT of noise in sections
5. EGF - Injuries set back what could have been
6. Red Lake Falls - Nice record but, like all Northwest Conf teams, strength of schedule isn't that impressive
7. Park Rapids - A one trick pony, cannot beat a team above them
8. Kittson Central - Similar to Park Rapids but without the pony. Ridiculously young roster behind their 2 seniors
9. Bagley/Fosston - Another young team behind 3 seniors. See you in Hallock for the play-in game.

The numbers game is killing the bottom 4 clubs. No bantam programs so the high school programs can keep their numbers viable, kids are missing out on huge development opportunity there playing against competition their own age, even if it was at Bantam B. Instead, their 8th and 9th graders are playing JV or even Varsity talent and schedules. IF the USAH checking initiative passes, these kids will go from no-check Pee Wees to full contact JV and Varsity, what will the numbers do in those programs then? Maybe these programs drop down and play Jr. Gold like the smaller North Dakota towns like Mayville/Portland and Langdon.

If there is indeed no bantam programs for those towns that is a sad thing indeed. It may help the top end players eventually by playing varsity against top competition for so long but for the others they are basically throwing em to the wolves. As for the seeding, the Warroad/EGF game is huge in seeding, and it is too bad for EGF with all the injuries but maybe they can still find a gear before playoffs and send this back to a 3 team race. For once in a long while there has not been a dominant team in 8A and if any this would be the year for a team like Crookston and LOW to make a run, but realistically I see Warroad or TRF taking this one in the end.

[MNHockey_6]

LOW 2 TRF 1 even game shots about 30 25 in TRFs favor

My opinion...
1. TRF- Has the most depth in the section just needs to show up to play every game
Warroad- Has only lost two section games like TRF I believe and they are always tough.
3. LOW- Amazing goalie in Lyon and team can rally around him, also an impressive record with a nice win over TRF
4. Crookston- Has been consistantly pretty good all season with big win and tie against EGF.
5. EGF- Beat Warroad early but has lost momentum since then.

I would also like to hear some predictions of what the section championship game will look like if anyone has any?

[eastsidepride7]

3-2 Warroad over TRF in OT.

Dont know about the goalie situation in Thief?
Does Anyone?

[Air Force 1]

8A Championship Game being held 3 March 2011 at the 'lil Ralph in TRF:

TRF over Warroad 5-2 with an empty netter

[MNHockey75]

3-2 Warroad over TRF in OT.

Dont know about the goalie situation in Thief?
Does Anyone?

Sr. Josh Koop (7-4) is probably their best goalie, but they like Jr. Jon Narverud (2-3-1). He has shown flashes of brilliance (especially against Hermantown), but is a little too inconsistent. Fr. Tanner Holmes (3-0) is the next big thing, but is just a freshman and probably won't be seeing ice time come section time.

Koop got two big wins on the road (Roseau, Warroad), but Narverud is coming off two nice outings against Crookston and EGF. It's becoming a time-share between the three, but I bet we see Koop in net in sections.

[MNHockey75]

Final prediction:

Warroad 3, TRF 1, eng

[MNHockey_6]

I have been hearing alot of rumors over who will get the number one seed in this section, I was just curious to see what you guys think?

[low66]

I have been hearing alot of rumors over who will get the number one seed in this section, I was just curious to see what you guys think?

lake of the woods

[elliott70]

1 Warroad
2 TRF
3 LOW
4 Crookston
5 EGF
6 RLF
7 PR
8 Hallock
9 Bagley

[Air Force 1]

Pretty vanilla week in Section 8A. Looks like everybody has settled into the spot where they will be seeded, beating the teams they should and losing to the teams they should. Warroad and TRF seem to be the ones still achieving the most and Lake of the Woods is solidifying their claim to the #3 spot.

1. Warroad – Still my top spot, have added convincing wins over EGF and Grand Forks Central since last week. @ Bemidji and @ Lake of the Woods to close out the season.
2. TRF – Still barking at Warroad, also two more wins since last week, completing the season sweep of Roseau and Red Lake Falls. Vs EGF and Bemidji to close out the season.
3. Lake of the Woods – Posted a shutout of Silver Bay in only action this week. @ International Falls, vs Crookston, vs Warroad, and vs Park Rapids for the remaining schedule.
4. Crookston – Loss to TRF and a win over Park Rapids to add to their standings, looks like they are in their groove. @ Lake of the Woods and vs Red Lake Falls remaining.
5. EGF – Loss to Warroad and a gaudy win over Kittson Central seems to back up their positioning too. @ TRF and vs Roseau remaining.
6. Red Lake Falls – A win over Park Rapids, a loss to TRF, and a tie with Northern Lakes. @ Wadena/Deer Creek and @ Crookston remaining.
7. Park Rapids – A loss to Red Lake Falls, a win over Greenway, and a loss to Crookston. @ Bagley/Fosston, @ Kittson Central, vs Detroit Lakes, @ Lake of the Woods
8. Kittson Central – A victory over the Langdon, ND Jr Gold team and a loss in EGF. Two games left, vs Park Rapids and @ Detroit Lakes
9. Bagley/Fosston – A come from behind tie with Wahpeton, ND and a loss to Detroit Lakes. Just one game left when Park Rapids comes to town

Tournament Forecast:
Play-in game: Bagley/Fosston at Kittson Central. Too bad for Bagley/Fosston that Ely and Silver Bay are not in 8A. Kittson Central has not won a lot this season either but they have owned Bagley/Fosston so far, 9-4 and 4-0. Kittson Central 5-2

First Round in TRF
Kittson Central vs Warroad. First meeting of the year for these clubs, Warroad toys with them for a period then sets up running time for the third. 9-0 Warroad

EGF vs Crookston. Third meeting of these old rivals. Crookston rallied for the 3-2 overtime win in Crookston and rallied again for the 2-2 tie in EGF. EGF knuckles down and gets that game that matters, 4-3 in regulation.

Red Lake Falls vs Lake of the Woods. This will be the third match up of the year for these Northwest Conference teams, Lake of the Woods with the regular season sweep, 3-1 and 6-3. It will be tough for RLF to beat the top goalie in the state as well as their offense that has emerged as the season has progressed. 5-2 Lake of the Woods

Park Rapids vs Thief River Falls. Tough draw for Park Rapids, TRF in their own barn. These teams met earlier this year in TRF where the Prowlers took the Panthers to the woodshed, 10-1. The domination will continue and TRF advances with a 9-2 victory

Second Round in TRF
East Grand Forks vs Warroad. Third matchup of the year for the Wave and Warriors, EGF won 4-0 at home and Warroad won 6-1 at their place. Warroad is rolling, EGF surviving. 5-2 Warroad

Lake of the Woods vs TRF. Teams met only once this season when Lake of the Woods rallied to take it 2-1 in Baudette. TRF is deeper, more talented, and looking to avenge the loss on their ice with a trip to the championship on the line. TRF 6-2

Championship in TRF
TRF vs Warroad. Warroad pulled off a shocker (at the time) in TRF in their first meeting, 5-2. TRF was gaining steam and Warroad looked a little like road kill in an early season slump. TRF returned the favor a month later and beat Warroad 2-1 in Hockey Town. Both teams have the momentum but something in my gut says that in this one, Thief River Falls defends the home ice and celebrates a section 8A title with their fans, 5-2 with an empty netter, Thief River Falls, 2011 Section 8A Champs.

[TTpuckster]

Pretty vanilla week in Section 8A. Looks like everybody has settled into the spot where they will be seeded, beating the teams they should and losing to the teams they should. Warroad and TRF seem to be the ones still achieving the most and Lake of the Woods is solidifying their claim to the #3 spot.

1. Warroad – Still my top spot, have added convincing wins over EGF and Grand Forks Central since last week. @ Bemidji and @ Lake of the Woods to close out the season.
2. TRF – Still barking at Warroad, also two more wins since last week, completing the season sweep of Roseau and Red Lake Falls. Vs EGF and Bemidji to close out the season.
3. Lake of the Woods – Posted a shutout of Silver Bay in only action this week. @ International Falls, vs Crookston, vs Warroad, and vs Park Rapids for the remaining schedule.
4. Crookston – Loss to TRF and a win over Park Rapids to add to their standings, looks like they are in their groove. @ Lake of the Woods and vs Red Lake Falls remaining.
5. EGF – Loss to Warroad and a gaudy win over Kittson Central seems to back up their positioning too. @ TRF and vs Roseau remaining.
6. Red Lake Falls – A win over Park Rapids, a loss to TRF, and a tie with Northern Lakes. @ Wadena/Deer Creek and @ Crookston remaining.
7. Park Rapids – A loss to Red Lake Falls, a win over Greenway, and a loss to Crookston. @ Bagley/Fosston, @ Kittson Central, vs Detroit Lakes, @ Lake of the Woods
8. Kittson Central – A victory over the Langdon, ND Jr Gold team and a loss in EGF. Two games left, vs Park Rapids and @ Detroit Lakes
9. Bagley/Fosston – A come from behind tie with Wahpeton, ND and a loss to Detroit Lakes. Just one game left when Park Rapids comes to town

Tournament Forecast:
Play-in game: Bagley/Fosston at Kittson Central. Too bad for Bagley/Fosston that Ely and Silver Bay are not in 8A. Kittson Central has not won a lot this season either but they have owned Bagley/Fosston so far, 9-4 and 4-0. Kittson Central 5-2

First Round in TRF
Kittson Central vs Warroad. First meeting of the year for these clubs, Warroad toys with them for a period then sets up running time for the third. 9-0 Warroad

EGF vs Crookston. Third meeting of these old rivals. Crookston rallied for the 3-2 overtime win in Crookston and rallied again for the 2-2 tie in EGF. EGF knuckles down and gets that game that matters, 4-3 in regulation.

Red Lake Falls vs Lake of the Woods. This will be the third match up of the year for these Northwest Conference teams, Lake of the Woods with the regular season sweep, 3-1 and 6-3. It will be tough for RLF to beat the top goalie in the state as well as their offense that has emerged as the season has progressed. 5-2 Lake of the Woods

Park Rapids vs Thief River Falls. Tough draw for Park Rapids, TRF in their own barn. These teams met earlier this year in TRF where the Prowlers took the Panthers to the woodshed, 10-1. The domination will continue and TRF advances with a 9-2 victory

Second Round in TRF
East Grand Forks vs Warroad. Third matchup of the year for the Wave and Warriors, EGF won 4-0 at home and Warroad won 6-1 at their place. Warroad is rolling, EGF surviving. 5-2 Warroad

Lake of the Woods vs TRF. Teams met only once this season when Lake of the Woods rallied to take it 2-1 in Baudette. TRF is deeper, more talented, and looking to avenge the loss on their ice with a trip to the championship on the line. TRF 6-2

Championship in TRF
TRF vs Warroad. Warroad pulled off a shocker (at the time) in TRF in their first meeting, 5-2. TRF was gaining steam and Warroad looked a little like road kill in an early season slump. TRF returned the favor a month later and beat Warroad 2-1 in Hockey Town. Both teams have the momentum but something in my gut says that in this one, Thief River Falls defends the home ice and celebrates a section 8A title with their fans, 5-2 with an empty netter, Thief River Falls, 2011 Section 8A Champs.

Pretty hard to argue.

The only two games in question are the EGF vrs Crox and the ship game.

Both have the highest probability of going either way.

[low66]

Lake of the Woods vs TRF. Teams met only once this season when Lake of the Woods rallied to take it 2-1 in Baudette. TRF is deeper, more talented, and looking to avenge the loss on their ice with a trip to the championship on the line. TRF 6-2
.

if the outcome did come to this, do you think alex lyon wont play in that game or something? 6 goals? only one team has put up more then 4 goals on him and they had over 70 shots. i think if the game did come down to this then it'll be a lot closer then a 6-2 game

[Air Force 1]

Lake of the Woods vs TRF. Teams met only once this season when Lake of the Woods rallied to take it 2-1 in Baudette. TRF is deeper, more talented, and looking to avenge the loss on their ice with a trip to the championship on the line. TRF 6-2
.

if the outcome did come to this, do you think alex lyon wont play in that game or something? 6 goals? only one team has put up more then 4 goals on him and they had over 70 shots. i think if the game did come down to this then it'll be a lot closer then a 6-2 game

Ya, I probably leaned too far TRF's way but that's the beauty of America and a fan forum like this, it's just MY opinion and I could be wrong!

[25 sheet power]

Warroad owns TRF. dont see how they wont be going to ST Paul.

[Topgun12]

its a two team section right now with up setters on the outside looking in. i think TRF will come to play against LOW the defense will shut down LOW's weak offense. all it takes is a couple goals. Home ice advantage is a big factor, TRF 3 - Warroad 1 and the prowlers will be packing for the cities.

[Topgun12]

Lake of the Woods

Wins
Park Rapids
Kittson County x2
RLF x2
Bagley
Thief River Falls

Losses
Warroad
East Grand Forks

Ties
Crookston

(7-2-1)
Warroad and Park Rapids left to play

Thief River Falls

Wins
Warroad
East Grand Forks
RLF
Kittson County
Park Rapids
Crookston x2

Losses
Warroad
LOW

(7-2)
East Grand Forks left to play

Warroad

Wins
LOW
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls
Crookston x2

Losses
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls

(5-2)
LOW left to play

How does the seeding take place here? who will get first seed based on section play? or will it have to come down to common opponents out-of-section?

[low66]

Lake of the Woods

Wins
Park Rapids
Kittson County x2
RLF x2
Bagley
Thief River Falls

Losses
Warroad
East Grand Forks

Ties
Crookston

(7-2-1)
Warroad and Park Rapids left to play

Thief River Falls

Wins
Warroad
East Grand Forks
RLF
Kittson County
Park Rapids
Crookston x2

Losses
Warroad
LOW

(7-2)
East Grand Forks left to play

Warroad

Wins
LOW
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls
Crookston x2

Losses
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls

(5-2)
LOW left to play

How does the seeding take place here? who will get first seed based on section play? or will it have to come down to common opponents out-of-section?

i think whoever gets the #1 seed in this section will be based on the game tonight between LOW and Warroad.
warroad wins it may be 1. warroad 2. TRF 3. LOW
LOW wins it may be 1. LOW 2. Warroad 3. TRF
or maybe if LOW and TRF wins then Warroad might get the 3rd seed due to section wins.
all in all im going for LOW, i would love to see lyon at the X

[Saturdays]

Not happening!! Lucky win over TRF and tie with Crookston. Not sure you can really even seed them over Crookston with the strength of that schedule. Their loss to EGF hurts them, Crookston's win and tie against EGF might matter more with the coaches than one win against the top 2 teams and a weak schedule. Who knows, it's going to be interesting.

[MNHockey75]

Just a thought here. If TRF beats EGF and Bemidji don't they deserve number 1? Isn't their loss to LOW better than Warroad's to EGF?

Also...
Marshall 5, Warroad 0
Marshall 4, TRF 2

TRF 5, Central 1
Warroad 3, Central 2

Both teams swept Roseau
Both teams have yet to beat Bemidji

So if TRF beats East Side and Bemidji, do they deserve to be #1?

[Goal]

Lake of the Woods

Wins
Park Rapids
Kittson County x2
RLF x2
Bagley
Thief River Falls

Losses
Warroad
East Grand Forks

Ties
Crookston

(7-2-1)
Warroad and Park Rapids left to play

Thief River Falls

Wins
Warroad
East Grand Forks
RLF
Kittson County
Park Rapids
Crookston x2

Losses
Warroad
LOW

(7-2)
East Grand Forks left to play

Warroad

Wins
LOW
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls
Crookston x2

Losses
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls

(5-2)
LOW left to play

How does the seeding take place here? who will get first seed based on section play? or will it have to come down to common opponents out-of-section?

i think whoever gets the #1 seed in this section will be based on the game tonight between LOW and Warroad.
warroad wins it may be 1. warroad 2. TRF 3. LOW
LOW wins it may be 1. LOW 2. Warroad 3. TRF
or maybe if LOW and TRF wins then Warroad might get the 3rd seed due to section wins.
all in all im going for LOW, i would love to see lyon at the X

If LOW losses tonight I would not be suprised to see them as far down as a 4 or 5 seed as long ad Crookston wins tonight also. Crookston would probably be ahead of LOW because Crookston and LOW have tied each other, but Crookston has a win and a tie against EGF while LOW lost in their head-to-head meeting with EGF.

[Goal]

Just a thought here. If TRF beats EGF and Bemidji don't they deserve number 1? Isn't their loss to LOW better than Warroad's to EGF?

Also...
Marshall 5, Warroad 0
Marshall 4, TRF 2

TRF 5, Central 1
Warroad 3, Central 2

Both teams swept Roseau
Both teams have yet to beat Bemidji

So if TRF beats East Side and Bemidji, do they deserve to be #1?

TRF's game with Bemidji takes place on Thursday and the seeding meeting is tomorrow so the results of that game won't factor in to seeding.

[low66]

Lake of the Woods

Wins
Park Rapids
Kittson County x2
RLF x2
Bagley
Thief River Falls

Losses
Warroad
East Grand Forks

Ties
Crookston

(7-2-1)
Warroad and Park Rapids left to play

Thief River Falls

Wins
Warroad
East Grand Forks
RLF
Kittson County
Park Rapids
Crookston x2

Losses
Warroad
LOW

(7-2)
East Grand Forks left to play

Warroad

Wins
LOW
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls
Crookston x2

Losses
East Grand Forks
Thief River Falls

(5-2)
LOW left to play

How does the seeding take place here? who will get first seed based on section play? or will it have to come down to common opponents out-of-section?

i think whoever gets the #1 seed in this section will be based on the game tonight between LOW and Warroad.
warroad wins it may be 1. warroad 2. TRF 3. LOW
LOW wins it may be 1. LOW 2. Warroad 3. TRF
or maybe if LOW and TRF wins then Warroad might get the 3rd seed due to section wins.
all in all im going for LOW, i would love to see lyon at the X

If LOW losses tonight I would not be suprised to see them as far down as a 4 or 5 seed as long ad Crookston wins tonight also. Crookston would probably be ahead of LOW because Crookston and LOW have tied each other, but Crookston has a win and a tie against EGF while LOW lost in their head-to-head meeting with EGF.

yea but you also have to put that TRF game into consideration. LOW beat them in their head to head match, and TRF swept Crookston and beat EGF. LOW did lose to EGF but also at the beginning of the year when they didnt have to worry about injuries. I think that win over TRF, and a TRF win over EGF may solidify LOW at that #3 spot. however if both LOW and TRF lose, and Crox and EGF win, only then can i see LOW at that 4 or maybe 5 spot

[Saturdays]

I believe strength on schedule will be a bigger factor come seeds than LOW's win over TRF.

[MNHockey75]

Here's my guess for tomorrow's seeding:

1. Warroad
2. Thief River Falls
3. Lake of the Woods
4. Crookston
5. East Grand Forks
6. Red Lake Falls
7. Park Rapids
8. Kittson Central
9. Bagley/Fosston

I wouldn't be surprised to see LOW fall to #4 or #5, but it's unlikely. I'm not saying it's impossible for them to win, but remember a couple months ago when everyone was riding the EGF bandwagon? Saying that they will be a powerhouse for years to come? Like I said earlier in the year, it's Warroad's section until someone beats them in late February. TRF is usually better on home ice, so I say it's a 50/50 toss-up this year for me.

[Goal]

Here is my guess on how the seeding will go today and how I would seed them.
1. Warroad
2. TRF
3. Crookston
4. EGF
5. LOW
6. RLF
7. Park Rapids
8. Kittson Central
9. Bagley