7AA Final: #2 Grand Rapids vs. #1 Duluth East

[pipersniper12]

Woulda Coulda Shoulda, enough of the excuses, its hockey and refs miss and make calls that could be debated it happens all the way up to the NHL.

Competent officials make that call a cross check or check from behind as it negates a legitimate scoring opportunity. If it is called correct as it should have been then the 5 minute major never happens. Nice to see the kid who "played dead" never took a shift off. I agree with you all on scores outcomes and all that. But let me state number 8 is high level NHL prospect with 60 some odd points he gets that shot off it is high percentage back of the net. Justify what you wish to see East fans it is pure nonsense to pretend that none call equates to a too many man penalty. Credibility of any officiating crew is in great compromise passing on a none call in that situation on that part of the ice period end of story especially against a bonafide East defense that is damn tough to gain slot shot against anyway[/b]

Couldn't have stated the facts any better!

The check from behind on Peterson didn't appear to be that bad from my view but I just seen the replay online and wow!! It definitely took away a quality scoring chance and was clearly a hard check from behind. Peterson is big and strong and he was flat out leveled from behind. I'm not making excuses but the refs flat out f***** up that call!

[TennJed]

I agree with Piper....at the game I wasn't sure of the call. After watching replay.......definite hit from behind, at very least-interference, never had chance to play puck. Unfortunately, ref's do not have luxury of replay.

[clojacks1]

Having watched East in the Semi and Final, it is the first time in 15 or so years of enjoying HS hockey that I have to give Randolph as much credit as I am going to. A lot of his past teams have had extremely top end individual talent, but the TEAM talent I saw in this team was impressive. Their methodical and confident breakout from the defensve zone time after time in both games far exceeded their individual skills. This is a team that has been taught over the years how to catch a pass and how to deliver a pass. They just didn't misfire on them often. Very impressive to watch. I think their patience with the puck and their passing ability alone make them legimate at State. I can recall very few individual rushes or dumps. They appeared to follow a coached game plan in both games to a T.

[rainier]

It was an outstanding game and I was surprised at how full Amsoil was. I was also very impressed with how polished DE looked. As soon as they gained possession in the defensive zone, the other players immediately spread out to their spots and were ready to go, no hesitation, no standing around. I couldn't believe how many odd man rushes they got, especially against a team with as much talent on D as GR has.

Great effort by GR to shut DE down on that 5 min penalty. I thought DE would get two and end it, but GR stepped up and gave themselves a chance.

I agree that the non-call vs Peterson was awful. I know a major is a major, but I thought for sure the refs would only give GR a minor after the bad no-call only seconds before.

What confuses me is how many people are saying that GR is "set up well" for next season. Yes, Peterson, young Bischoff, and Shepard return, but they lose their top 4 defensemen, 3 of which were Elite League level, and they also lose their only other quality forwards, IMO.

I know they will bring in a solid group of bantams next season, but I just didn't see much other talent among GR underclassmen this season and I have a hard time imagining that a bunch of sophomores can fill in all those D spots and also provide enough secondary scoring.

I'm not saying they will suck, I just don't see any way they are as good as they were this season.

[TS67]

Have followed the forum for years, but never posted. I did not make it to last Saturday's semifinal games since I was out of town. So, I was happy to see that East beat Cloquet, but wondered what happened in the GR/ER game and called a friend from Elk River. From his prospective GR would never had made it to the section finals, if it wasn't for the non calls by the refs. A missed checking from behind in the third period and a missed hooking call on Bischoff in the final minute with the net empty. So one viewpoint is that non calls hurt you in the finals and another's is that non calls got you to the finals.

[mnmouth]

Have followed the forum for years, but never posted. I did not make it to last Saturday's semifinal games since I was out of town. So, I was happy to see that East beat Cloquet, but wondered what happened in the GR/ER game and called a friend from Elk River. From his prospective GR would never had made it to the section finals, if it wasn't for the non calls by the refs. A missed checking from behind in the third period and a missed hooking call on Bischoff in the final minute with the net empty. So one viewpoint is that non calls hurt you in the finals and another's is that non calls got you to the finals.

Your friend is a chump, mainly because I have had it with all this should-not-have-called the penalty and non-call BS. The ER-GR game was a snoozefest, a grinding, neutral-zone dominant type of contest where if you walked away for 5-10 minutes or took a phone call from your sweetie you would have missed nothing. Probably exactly the type of game the Elks needed to beat Rapids. The best part of the game was the last minute or so of regulation when Rapids pulled their goalie. They first had to play urgent, frenetic defense in their own zone for 15-20 seconds when ER had puck control but could not get the puck past sprawling Rapids players, who clogged up passing and shooting lanes with sticks, legs and bodies. One of the worst (boring) 1-goal semifinal games I have seen and the refs had nothing to do with making it that way.

[TS67]

So everyone in this thread is a "chump" that has posted regarding the non-calls by the refs. Only a "chump" would post that kind of reply.

[mnmouth]

So everyone in this thread is a "chump" that has posted regarding the non-calls by the refs. Only a "chump" would post that kind of reply.

First off, you weren't even there, so you are relying on what someone else told you and it's sour grapes, man. I was there and I am telling you that non-calls by the refs had nothing to do with the end result. The game was muck and grind until the last minute of regulation and in OT when Rapids was clearly better.

The non-call whining has to stop at some point. Would you rather I call these folks whiners instead of chumps? So be it, they are a whiners.

[dulutheastfan]

Its over and done with geez thats about enough bickering

[mnmouth]

Its over and done with geez thats about enough bickering

Exactly. And let's hope that this non-call or why-did-they-call crap does not follow us into and out of the X.

[ndirishfighting]

GR has the puck in the DE zone, GR player gets to just above the top of the circles & is getting ready for a clear one timer.

He is getting the puck, yes it is a scoring opportunity but therefore he is fair game, he can get hit, it is in open ice.

I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & still to this day have never seen a checking from behind in open ice, the only way that is called is if it was clear & blatant attempt to injure, which it was not.

[The Hammer]

Can anyone tell me where the GR DE game referees are from. I am hearing that they are Duluth East grads and I just cannot believe that could be true. Tell me it aint so.

[dangle_snipe]

GR has the puck in the DE zone, GR player gets to just above the top of the circles & is getting ready for a clear one timer.

He is getting the puck, yes it is a scoring opportunity but therefore he is fair game, he can get hit, it is in open ice.

I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & still to this day have never seen a checking from behind in open ice, the only way that is called is if it was clear & blatant attempt to injure, which it was not.

I was right there in person and I can tell you it could have been called a cross check, interference, or checking from behind. I was on the side the puck came from and it was about 5 feet away at the time of the hit.

On that note rapids had their chance at the end of regulation on the power play and couldn't get it done. The refs had nothing to do with them not being able to score In that situation.

[allstatebenders]

Ahh, bitter GR fans. Gotta love em.

[The Hammer]

Dulutheastfan and Karleast are not willing to say where these refs are from and if they graduated from East high school. Come on boys.
It didn't take more than 5 minutes for them to lock me out on my DE and Refs top GR post a couple days ago.
And yes us GR fans are upset about the non call on Avery Peterson with 8 minutes left because it potentially was the difference.
And if the referees are Duluth East graduates that is a terribly poor decision on the part of whoever determines who the officials are for the section games. I would call that extremely unprofessional to give any section game to an alum of a team that is officiating a game where they graduated from.
So tell us which high school these referees graduated from.

[Duluth 4]

Dulutheastfan and Karleast are not willing to say where these refs are from and if they graduated from East high school. Come on boys.
It didn't take more than 5 minutes for them to lock me out on my DE and Refs top GR post a couple days ago.
And yes us GR fans are upset about the non call on Avery Peterson with 8 minutes left because it potentially was the difference.
And if the referees are Duluth East graduates that is a terribly poor decision on the part of whoever determines who the officials are for the section games. I would call that extremely unprofessional to give any section game to an alum of a team that is officiating a game where they graduated from.
So tell us which high school these referees graduated from.

They're not willing to say where the refs are from because they do not know. I tried to look it up this evening and it's impossible to find that out. When you range folk can come up with some evidence to support this ridiculous claim then it will be worth the time for us city people to actually respect and respond that theory. Plain and simple, we didn't score on the insuing PP and the refs didn't stop you guys from scoring on your PP with 2:06 left. With a questionable icing in there as well with 4.1 remaining to give you one last shot. Sit down with whatever pride you have left and cheer for the North in St.Paul.

[karl(east)]

Dulutheastfan and Karleast are not willing to say where these refs are from and if they graduated from East high school. Come on boys.
It didn't take more than 5 minutes for them to lock me out on my DE and Refs top GR post a couple days ago.
And yes us GR fans are upset about the non call on Avery Peterson with 8 minutes left because it potentially was the difference.
And if the referees are Duluth East graduates that is a terribly poor decision on the part of whoever determines who the officials are for the section games. I would call that extremely unprofessional to give any section game to an alum of a team that is officiating a game where they graduated from.
So tell us which high school these referees graduated from.

I have no idea where the referees are from, but I do know that section playoff referees are decided by the coaches. In the off chance that the refs were East grads (doubtful), LaRoque would have known about it, and apparently did not voice any complaint.

At least one of the refs involved also worked the UMD game last night. They may get calls wrong, but they are professionals, not random people off the street with deep loyalties to any high school.

When I was a senior in high school, East lost a section quarterfinal to Cloquet after a penalty was called in the final minute of the game. Cloquet scored with 12 seconds to go to win, and many East fans were incensed over what they thought was a poor call. I will say again what I said at that time: "Championship teams do not put themselves in a position where that one call would make the difference. Congratulations to Cloquet."

Time to move on.

[PuckU126]

... section playoff referees are decided by the coaches...

Time to move on.

That's all that needs to be said on this matter.

[Duluth 4]

... section playoff referees are decided by the coaches...

Time to move on.

That's all that needs to be said on this matter.

Karl is the greatest man these forums have ever seen. That's that Georgetown education working for that man.

[ndirishfighting]

I was at the game also
It was not a cross check & I dont think I have ever seen a cross check with one hand on a stick
as for interference call, what did he interfere with GR tryin to score, he was getting the puck he is fair game
Checking from behind well like said I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & have never seen open ice checking from behind

As for the refs, I did hear something very interesting after the game at one of the bars?
One of the biggest reasons it took so long on the GR penalty is because supposedly there was a ref there by the penalty box that is refin at the state tourn & he mentioned to the refs that were doin the game. You guys need to think about this, if you do call a 5 & a game & GR does come back your gonna make this kid sit out the first game of the state tourn. So you guys can now decide 5 or 5 & a game.
Talk about ummmmm strange & very weird. I think that is the first I have ever heard that.

[clojacks1]

As for the refs, I did hear something very interesting after the game at one of the bars?
One of the biggest reasons it took so long on the GR penalty is because supposedly there was a ref there by the penalty box that is refin at the state tourn & he mentioned to the refs that were doin the game. You guys need to think about this, if you do call a 5 & a game & GR does come back your gonna make this kid sit out the first game of the state tourn. So you guys can now decide 5 or 5 & a game.
Talk about ummmmm strange & very weird. I think that is the first I have ever heard that.

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but..... I heard that there was a second shooter behind the grassy knowl...

Can you guys please put the conspiracy theory BS to rest??

[inthestands]

I was at the game also
It was not a cross check & I dont think I have ever seen a cross check with one hand on a stick
as for interference call, what did he interfere with GR tryin to score, he was getting the puck he is fair game
Checking from behind well like said I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & have never seen open ice checking from behind

As for the refs, I did hear something very interesting after the game at one of the bars?
One of the biggest reasons it took so long on the GR penalty is because supposedly there was a ref there by the penalty box that is refin at the state tourn & he mentioned to the refs that were doin the game. You guys need to think about this, if you do call a 5 & a game & GR does come back your gonna make this kid sit out the first game of the state tourn. So you guys can now decide 5 or 5 & a game.
Talk about ummmmm strange & very weird. I think that is the first I have ever heard that.

The MSHSL put referee discretion back into the check from behind call in early January.

This would not be an uncommon discussion between game officials, if they are doing their job. The guy in the box is part of the game official team.

I like this quote best.. "Championship teams do not put themselves in a position where that one call would make the difference.

[norcon]

GR has the puck in the DE zone, GR player gets to just above the top of the circles & is getting ready for a clear one timer.

He is getting the puck, yes it is a scoring opportunity but therefore he is fair game, he can get hit, it is in open ice.

I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & still to this day have never seen a checking from behind in open ice, the only way that is called is if it was clear & blatant attempt to injure, which it was not.

You've been around the game for twenty-nine years? Obviously you are not watching todays game or you're still living in the 70's. You can't take a player out without the puck being there, which was definitely the case. It's called interference.

[Bmiller]

[quote="mnmouth"][quote="TS67"]Have followed the forum for years, but never posted. I did not make it to last Saturday's semifinal games since I was out of town. So, I was happy to see that East beat Cloquet, but wondered what happened in the GR/ER game and called a friend from Elk River. From his prospective GR would never had made it to the section finals, if it wasn't for the non calls by the refs. A missed checking from behind in the third period and a missed hooking call on Bischoff in the final minute with the net empty. So one viewpoint is that non calls hurt you in the finals and another's is that non calls got you to the finals.[/quote]

Your friend is a chump, mainly because I have had it with all this should-not-have-called the penalty and non-call BS. The ER-GR game was a snoozefest, a grinding, neutral-zone dominant type of contest where if you walked away for 5-10 minutes or took a phone call from your sweetie you would have missed nothing. Probably exactly the type of game the Elks needed to beat Rapids. The best part of the game was the last minute or so of regulation when Rapids pulled their goalie. They first had to play urgent, frenetic defense in their own zone for 15-20 seconds when ER had puck control but could not get the puck past sprawling Rapids players, who clogged up passing and shooting lanes with sticks, legs and bodies. One of the worst (boring) 1-goal semifinal games I have seen and the refs had nothing to do with making it that way.[/quote]


I was at the ER GR game. And the GR team was extremely lucky to NOT get the penalties that were glaring. That hooking NON CALL would have most certainly changed the game with ER. No doubt.

Was the Ref from Rapids? I think I "heard" that.

[Bmiller]

[quote="norcon"][quote="ndirishfighting"]GR has the puck in the DE zone, GR player gets to just above the top of the circles & is getting ready for a clear one timer.

He is getting the puck, yes it is a scoring opportunity but therefore he is fair game, he can get hit, it is in open ice.

I have been around hockey for 29 yrs & still to this day have never seen a checking from behind in open ice, the only way that is called is if it was clear & blatant attempt to injure, which it was not.[/quote]
You've been around the game for twenty-nine years? Obviously you are not watching todays game or you're still living in the 70's. You can't take a player out without the puck being there, which was definitely the case. It's called interference.[/quote]

The rapids player went down cause he was unsteady on his skates...and truly embellished the bump.