Unbeaten teams

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:59 pm

I started a topic like a couple years ago that caught people's interest. Thought I'd try it again

To date, there are 15 teams that are unbeaten
Roseville and Stillwater pay tnoight. Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids are both in the Edina tourney starting tonight (they play each other Friday)

Who comes off the list next?

Who will be the last one?

Your thought?

Chanhassen 1-0
Roseville 5-0
No St Paul 5-0
Stillwater 2-0-1
Maple Grove 4-0-1
Minnetonka 5-0
Eden Prairie 3-0
Grand Rapids 5-0
Duluth East 6-0
Moorhead 4-0
Brainerd 5-0
River Lakes 4-0
St Louis Park 3-0
Breck 5-0
Hermantown 4-0

CitiesSpudsGuy · Post by **CitiesSpudsGuy** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:48 pm

Moorhead will probably get to 6-0, with Alexandria and St. Cloud Tech up next. But then it's on to the SLP Holiday tourney where they get Eden Prairie in the first round, and their undefeated start will probably end with a loud THUD.

RangeHockeyFan1817 · Post by **RangeHockeyFan1817** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:08 pm

I think Hermantown could stay on pretty long, I don't know about the longest because I didn't look at all the team's schedules but teams like Minnetonka and Breck have a much harder schedule than Hermantown. I was a little surprised at their schedule, doesn't seem very tough at all. The only team I see that could give them some trouble is Rapids and that game isn't until Jan. 10th.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:48 pm

Brainerd's schedule lends itself to the possibility they could take it far, although allowing 5 goals against Tech doesn't make that seem promising.

Hermantown has two possible challenges this season; AT Marshall Jan 5th and AT Rapids Jan 10th. If they can win those, they could slide to the state semi-finals without a loss easily.

Breck plays in the Silver Cup this year, which they could win then they travel to Moorhead on Jan 14th and host St Thomas the following Saturday.

If Rapids can win the Edina Classic, they would probably be the favorite to beat Hermantown and have a shot at running the table.

If East can win the Schwan Cup, they have a chance, but with their schedule (prob most difficult in the state) that's tough to predict.

My predictions for longest:
Class A - Breck
Class AA - Grand Rapids

CitiesSpudsGuy · Post by **CitiesSpudsGuy** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:06 am

HShockeywatcher wrote: My predictions for longest:
Class A - Breck
Class AA - Grand Rapids

Final
edina 4
grand rapids 3

I think you jinxed Grand Rapids!

scarlethockey33 · Post by **scarlethockey33** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:35 am

For Class A I'm taking a serious look at Chanhassen. 6-5 win against an AHA team that usually dominates the Missota Conference, and I understand AHA is a little down compared to pass years where they could really skate with the AA schools. The rest of Chanhassen's games though aren't against teams nearly as good as AHA until they play maybe Blake in early January then Lourdes later in January. Otherwise I think Breck is the obvious choice for the longest win streak this season for Class A.

For AA really let's just put all the names in a hat and pick one, honestly the field for AA is almost unpredictable, I'll go with the Skippers though.

starmvp · Post by **starmvp** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:09 am

scarlethockey33 wrote:For Class A I'm taking a serious look at Chanhassen. 6-5 win against an AHA team that usually dominates the Missota Conference, and I understand AHA is a little down compared to pass years where they could really skate with the AA schools. The rest of Chanhassen's games though aren't against teams nearly as good as AHA until they play maybe Blake in early January then Lourdes later in January. Otherwise I think Breck is the obvious choice for the longest win streak this season for Class A.

For AA really let's just put all the names in a hat and pick one, honestly the field for AA is almost unpredictable, I'll go with the Skippers though.

Chanhassen is AA

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:29 am

CitiesSpudsGuy wrote:
HShockeywatcher wrote: My predictions for longest:
Class A - Breck
Class AA - Grand Rapids
Final
edina 4
grand rapids 3

I think you jinxed Grand Rapids!

It looks that way

Now I say Brainerd/Chanhassen are the most likely to continue in AA and Breck could go a while. If they beat St Thomas they could not lose this season. Really too bad they're not in the Gold Cup this year.

mnmouth · Post by **mnmouth** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:32 am

This is East's best team since '98. Forget Eagan, Minnetonka, BSM - during the state tourney this past March we all saw what happens when East gets its trademark forecheck going. Randolph finally "released the Hounds" last night against a decent Cloquet team, and anyone who was there knows the result could have been 15-0. Arguably, their best player is out and they are still two goals better than any team in the state right now. Not only is an undefeated season possible, but a place among the all-time great teams is also within reach when they get Olson back and if they remain healthy.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:45 am

mnmouth wrote:This is East's best team since '98. Forget Eagan, Minnetonka, BSM - during the state tourney this past March we all saw what happens when East gets its trademark forecheck going. Randolph finally "released the Hounds" last night against a decent Cloquet team, and anyone who was there knows the result could have been 15-0. Arguably, their best player is out and they are still two goals better than any team in the state right now. Not only is an undefeated season possible, but a place among the all-time great teams is also within reach when they get Olson back and if they remain healthy.

I would definitely agree they have a good team and a very good shot at doing well this season. That being said, the beginning and end of their schedule is "softer" than the middle and to realistically predict any of the teams to win Gold Division getting through Burnsville, likely St Thomas and then the best of Tonka/HM/Blaine/Edina is a toss up. Then they would have to win at Maple Grove, against Moorhead, at Rapids, at Eden Prairie, against Apple Valley, against Edina, then against Blaine.

Very good team, but I doubt many betting people would put any serious money on them winning all ten of those games. It would be cool to see happen though. Just my two cents.

mnmouth · Post by **mnmouth** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:01 am

HShockeywatcher wrote:
mnmouth wrote:This is East's best team since '98. Forget Eagan, Minnetonka, BSM - during the state tourney this past March we all saw what happens when East gets its trademark forecheck going. Randolph finally "released the Hounds" last night against a decent Cloquet team, and anyone who was there knows the result could have been 15-0. Arguably, their best player is out and they are still two goals better than any team in the state right now. Not only is an undefeated season possible, but a place among the all-time great teams is also within reach when they get Olson back and if they remain healthy.
I would definitely agree they have a good team and a very good shot at doing well this season. That being said, the beginning and end of their schedule is "softer" than the middle and to realistically predict any of the teams to win Gold Division getting through Burnsville, likely St Thomas and then the best of Tonka/HM/Blaine/Edina is a toss up. Then they would have to win at Maple Grove, against Moorhead, at Rapids, at Eden Prairie, against Apple Valley, against Edina, then against Blaine.

Very good team, but I doubt many betting people would put any serious money on them winning all ten of those games. It would be cool to see happen though. Just my two cents.

If any team can do it, against that competition, it is this edition of the Hounds. It is scary to think how good they could be once the playoffs roll around. Throughout the season a lot of things can derail a team - injuries, periodic illnesses, hot goalies, etc. But Randolph knows what he has, and he also has an unparalleled ability to push the right buttons at the right time. The soft part of their schedule, and the absence of Olson, has only given Randolph time to experiment. If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated.

rainier · Post by **rainier** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 8:10 am

"If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated."

If Randolph believes this, he wouldn't be much of a coach. Pretty sure most coaches would be happy to lose a boatload of games if it meant they were better prepared for the playoffs.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 8:34 am

Hermantown and Maple Grove will go the longest.

pekyman · Post by **pekyman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:21 am

There are a few teams on Hermantown schedule that will give them some trouble this year but Marshall is certainly not one of them.

pekyman · Post by **pekyman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:37 am

rainier wrote:"If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated."

If Randolph believes this, he wouldn't be much of a coach. Pretty sure most coaches would be happy to lose a boatload of games if it meant they were better prepared for the playoffs.

Well said. Some see a few goals scored against a team and state that they have bad defense/goalie etc. when coach is actually trying new things, skating 4th line etc. Just looking at scores as hshwatcher does not tell the entire story expecially early in the season.

Post by **karl(east)** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:46 am

rainier wrote:"If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated."

If Randolph believes this, he wouldn't be much of a coach. Pretty sure most coaches would be happy to lose a boatload of games if it meant they were better prepared for the playoffs.

Quote from Randolph after the WBL game: “You try to get some consistency in your game,” Randolph said. “It’s not about winning and losing [at this point in the season], it’s about how we play. We’ve got to work on mental toughness and be ready to battle.”

He set them loose against Cloquet last night, but I expect we'll see plenty of work on systems over the next few weeks. As there should be--last year was a good example of how all of that pays off in the end. I'm sure Randolph is far more interested in building towards the end of the season than winning non-section games in December.

I'd be happy if they proved me wrong, but I don't think East will be the last undefeated team.

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:04 am

Update... and then there were 13

Take Roseville and Grand Rapids off the list

Chanhassen 2-0
No St Paul 5-0
Stillwater 3-0-1
Maple Grove 5-0-1
Minnetonka 5-0
Eden Prairie 3-0-1
Duluth East 7-0
Moorhead 4-0
Brainerd 6-0
River Lakes 5-0
St Louis Park 4-0
Breck 5-0
Hermantown 4-0

5 For Fighting · Post by **5 For Fighting** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:08 am

elliott70 wrote:Hermantown and Maple Grove will go the longest.

Intersting pick on the AA side. MG has a big test Tuesday against BSM and if they get by that they could make a run into January.

mnmouth · Post by **mnmouth** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:45 am

pekyman wrote:
rainier wrote:"If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated."

If Randolph believes this, he wouldn't be much of a coach. Pretty sure most coaches would be happy to lose a boatload of games if it meant they were better prepared for the playoffs.

Well said. Some see a few goals scored against a team and state that they have bad defense/goalie etc. when coach is actually trying new things, skating 4th line etc. Just looking at scores as hshwatcher does not tell the entire story expecially early in the season.

First of all, Randolph has an ego 10 miles wide. This may be his once-in-a-lifetime club. Stay healthy, develop the 4th line and rookie goalie, have a close one or two to keep the boys focused. Yeah, all teams want to do that. His already does it. You can bet he's going for 20-whatever and zero.

Randolph has a team that will get scoring from every line. For all I know, he's channeling Tarasov and Tihkonov. If the Hounds get even sharper with their passing than they were last night, this team could play a Soviet system. Karl just doesn't want to jinx it. Revel in this, dude.

LetsPlayHockey22 · Post by **LetsPlayHockey22** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:51 am

5 For Fighting wrote:
elliott70 wrote:Hermantown and Maple Grove will go the longest.
Intersting pick on the AA side. MG has a big test Tuesday against BSM and if they get by that they could make a run into January.

If MG makes it past BSM I think they could be the last AA undefeated team. I think a lot of people that haven't seen them play might not give them enough credit but the rankings have been good to them. They are a very deep team and this could be their year.

pekyman · Post by **pekyman** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 11:29 am

mnmouth wrote:
pekyman wrote:
rainier wrote:"If he believes an undefeated season is as important as preparing his team for late February, they are the only AA school that will go undefeated."

If Randolph believes this, he wouldn't be much of a coach. Pretty sure most coaches would be happy to lose a boatload of games if it meant they were better prepared for the playoffs.

Well said. Some see a few goals scored against a team and state that they have bad defense/goalie etc. when coach is actually trying new things, skating 4th line etc. Just looking at scores as hshwatcher does not tell the entire story expecially early in the season.
First of all, Randolph has an ego 10 miles wide. This may be his once-in-a-lifetime club. Stay healthy, develop the 4th line and rookie goalie, have a close one or two to keep the boys focused. Yeah, all teams want to do that. His already does it. You can bet he's going for 20-whatever and zero.

Randolph has a team that will get scoring from every line. For all I know, he's channeling Tarasov and Tihkonov. If the Hounds get even sharper with their passing than they were last night, this team could play a Soviet system. Karl just doesn't want to jinx it. Revel in this, dude.

Yes, enjoy this moment as it is going to be a long downhill ride here...

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:23 pm

5 For Fighting wrote:
elliott70 wrote:Hermantown and Maple Grove will go the longest.
Intersting pick on the AA side. MG has a big test Tuesday against BSM and if they get by that they could make a run into January.

Yup, but ya gotta pick somebody, and they got a good team, yabetcha.

PuckU126 · Post by **PuckU126** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:33 pm

elliott70 wrote:Hermantown and Maple Grove will go the longest.

I'll 2nd that.

green4 · Post by **green4** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:39 pm

mnmouth wrote:This is East's best team since '98. Forget Eagan, Minnetonka, BSM - during the state tourney this past March we all saw what happens when East gets its trademark forecheck going. Randolph finally "released the Hounds" last night against a decent Cloquet team, and anyone who was there knows the result could have been 15-0. Arguably, their best player is out and they are still two goals better than any team in the state right now. Not only is an undefeated season possible, but a place among the all-time great teams is also within reach when they get Olson back and if they remain healthy.

i would be careful with what your saying, its more about how there gonna be playing at the end of the year. going back 3 years ago to the Everson, Budish, Lee team of edina and the Tonka team from 2 years ago has taught me its not always the best team that is going to bring home the state title so i woudn't get too hung up on them going undefeated i would just take what ever record they have in the regular season and hope they play up to there potential

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:47 am

Down goes Eden Prairie

The list: (edited)
Chanhassen 3-0
No St Paul 5-0
Stillwater 4-0-1
Maple Grove 6-0-1
Minnetonka 6-0
Duluth East 7-0
Moorhead 5-0
Brainerd 7-0
River Lakes 5-0
St Louis Park 5-0
Breck 5-0
Hermantown 5-0