2AA Final: #3 Burnsville vs. #1 Edina

[karl(east)]

The first AA section final begins at 6 at Mariucci on Wednesday, as Edina looks to lock up a seventh consecutive trip to State.

Regular season meeting: Edina won 3-2 in early January; shots 30-26 Edina
Series history: Edina has won the last 11, 7 of them by 1 goal.
Playoff history: Edina is 3-0 since both were put in 2AA in 2008, having won the 2008, 2011, and 2012 section finals over the Blaze.
Last Burnsville win: 12/2/2004, a 6-4 victory.
Janne Kivihalme vs. Edina: 0-10 with 7 1-goal losses.

Edina is once again the favorite, in large part due to their obvious edge in depth. To pull it off, they'll need strong goaltending, a big performance from their talented top line, and a strong enough game from their lower lines to keep things relatively even. It won't be an easy task, but the Blaze are playing fairly well right now, and Edina has looked vulnerable from time to time.

[Zamman]

While I cannot ever cheer for the Hornets, I have to go with them only because I am not a fan of any team that has to be politically correct. They will always be the Braves to me, but aside from that I just do not like Burnsville and think that Edina has more weapons on the big ice.

[Lowstickside]

Zam, is it really about the politically correct name thing, or are you still mad that the one of the best teams in state history (Stars 2006) were outcoached and beaten by Burnsville in one of the biggest upsets in recent state history. I love ya Zam, but, just askin'.

[Wildcats hockey]

I hate edina hockey more than most things in life but I can't really see any way where they lose this game Edina will put up 5+ goals while burnsville will struggle to get more than 3

[WendyClark]

Burnsville 5-2

[easton18]

While I cannot ever cheer for the Hornets, I have to go with them only because I am not a fan of any team that has to be politically correct. They will always be the Braves to me, but aside from that I just do not like Burnsville and think that Edina has more weapons on the big ice.

Do you have any real reasons for not liking Burnsville or is it mostly jealousy that they upset AHA in 2007? This "politically-correct" rhetoric is pretty contrived, IMO.

[Doc Holliday]

If Edina doesn't stay out of the box, they can and probably will lose.

However, I think the scare of their season ending vs. Jefferson Saturday is going to bring their focus to a different level. If they stay out of the box, I see at least a 2 goal victory not counting empty netters.

I think Burnsville remembers Benjamin's game last year & will be throwing pucks at him all night just to see if he unravils. It almost worked last year.

[outside_observer]

Janne Kivihalme vs. Edina: 0-10 with 7 1-goal losses.

I hear he was on the Bench this year for a Bantam AA game that Burnsville won against Edina.

But Edina will beat them without difficulty.
6-2

[iwatchalotofhockey]

For those who cannot make the Mariucci games live. remember we will be producing the games for live feed on Prep45.com

Pete and bart and I will be all in action. Hope to have live highlights going to in stats package.

www.Prep45.com

[gitter]

No one goal loss this year. Though Burnsville will keep it from getting away I think.

Edina 5-3.

[Tenoverpar]

I picked Edina and Eagan in the championship so EDINA!

[skiumah]

Jefferson 5-4.

[koolio]

Jefferson 5-4.

Jags over Hornets would have been nice, but the Hornets can start icing and eating their cake on the next one... Edina 4 Burnsville 2.

[Sartellcelly]

if you check hub for who's been scoring for edina since the first of the year, it's been spreading out more. the jefferson game saw 5 hornets goals with none coming from hurley or malmquist (though both contributed with assists). with the scoring seeming to be spread out more, I think that will give Burnsville trouble. Same thing happened last year in this very game.

In any event, it's a one-goal game either way before any potential EN at the end. The Benilde-Wayzata fans should show up in time for both! A great doubleheader, for sure.

[Shinbone_News]

While I cannot ever cheer for the Hornets, I have to go with them only because I am not a fan of any team that has to be politically correct. They will always be the Braves to me, but aside from that I just do not like Burnsville and think that Edina has more weapons on the big ice.

Do you have any real reasons for not liking Burnsville or is it mostly jealousy that they upset AHA in 2007? This "politically-correct" rhetoric is pretty contrived, IMO.

Zam manages to make almost every post an advertisement for the Republickin' party, so I take him at his God-fearing, Bible-banging, Corporate-loving, tax-hating word.

He's maybe the only thing I don't like about the Stars, being a dumb librul and all.

[CRS]

Burnsville finally pulls one out. 3-2.

[iwatchalotofhockey]

[scorekeeper]

It's all Burnsville early on.

Shots now 9-1 for Burnsville. Score is 1-0 Burnsville.

[scorekeeper]

It's a good one. Edina woke up and has been returning pressure.

1-1 now halfway through the first

[snowpuck]

end of 2.. burnsville down by a goal.. 3-2. Go Blaze

[karl(east)]

Burnsville continues to play quite well. Their positioning was much stronger that period, and they put together a decent forecheck and had their chances on the PP.

Edina's done well to take only one penalty, and staying out of the box in the 3rd will be key. Their defense was having a strong period until the bad breakout pass that led to the 2nd Burnsville goal.

[scorekeeper]

good camera work on prep45 on that Burnsville penalty. got a good shot of all 6 Blaze players down low around the net.

Not sure how Edina didn't get a check from behind on that whistle as well though

Top lines for both teams playing extremely well at times

[karl(east)]

After 15 minutes of lockdown hockey from Edina, Burnsville gets a power play for the last two...can the Blaze get it done?

[karl(east)]

Janne Kivihalme vs. Edina: 0-10 with 7 1-goal losses.

0-11 with 8 1-goal losses.

Great effort by the Blaze, but as can often be the case in playoff hockey, one key mistake can kill you. That giveaway in the first really was the difference in an otherwise even game.

Congrats to Edina. 7 in a row.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Janne Kivihalme vs. Edina: 0-10 with 7 1-goal losses.

0-11 with 8 1-goal losses.

Great effort by the Blaze, but as can often be the case in playoff hockey, one key mistake can kill you. That giveaway in the first really was the difference in an otherwise even game.

Congrats to Edina. 7 in a row.

Gotta disagree. Edina was the better team all along. Mallon is who kept the game close.

Outside of Hurley, Malmquist, and maybe one or two others, Edina looks rather ordinary to me.