OK, we're not quite 1/4 of the way through the season, so time for some people to stick their necks out. What do you view as some of the biggest surprises so far, either positive or negative? TRF and EGF playing well in Class A, Tonka still at #1, Lake conference even more dominant, 6AA teams even more dominant, Warroad sliding, AA doing well, Lakeville North not doing as well as perhaps expected? Just setting up the pot, now let's see who wants to stir it.
Also, in the spirit of Thankgiving, thanks to MHF for his weekly big game contests and to GHF for his KRACH rankings and yes, to my wife, in case she ever sees these postings and realizes that I haven't thanked her. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Early Season Surprises?
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
OK here goes, but I'm a 25% picker so I guess these might not be surprising to someone who keeps up on things:
Eastview tied LN
EGF over Bemidji then Bemidji over GRG
EGF over Warroad easily
Spring Lk Park tied MV
Eagan tied Edina
SSP tied MV
LS beating Warroad
LN over HM under the circumstances
Bloomington beating Dodge
Slow starts by Anoka and AV, not as strong as I thought?
Better than I thought are Maple Grove and Burnsville and Blaine
Some of these were surprises at the time but aren't now--like EGF must have a heckuva team. They beat 3 AA teams already plus made easy work of a few top 10 class A teams (maybe they should pull a "Roseau" and play up in AA to "get away from Warroad"). I knew TRF would be good but didn't know anything about EGF. Those two play next Tuesday at the little Ralph and it will be worth the price of admission, maybe a preview of the section final. But then again Warroad woke up a little vs. Edina and Breck last week, so rumors of their demise are probably exaggerated. That section is a better argument for statewide seeding for state than even 6AA at present or previously 4AA, because of how the Class A tournament has such lopsided games in the first round every year and just isn't nearly as deep as Class AA. Sending 4 8A teams to state (include Crookston most years) and you'd be guaranteed of having a great tournament.
I guess I drifted off topic again, oh well.
Eastview tied LN
EGF over Bemidji then Bemidji over GRG
EGF over Warroad easily
Spring Lk Park tied MV
Eagan tied Edina
SSP tied MV
LS beating Warroad
LN over HM under the circumstances
Bloomington beating Dodge
Slow starts by Anoka and AV, not as strong as I thought?
Better than I thought are Maple Grove and Burnsville and Blaine
Some of these were surprises at the time but aren't now--like EGF must have a heckuva team. They beat 3 AA teams already plus made easy work of a few top 10 class A teams (maybe they should pull a "Roseau" and play up in AA to "get away from Warroad"). I knew TRF would be good but didn't know anything about EGF. Those two play next Tuesday at the little Ralph and it will be worth the price of admission, maybe a preview of the section final. But then again Warroad woke up a little vs. Edina and Breck last week, so rumors of their demise are probably exaggerated. That section is a better argument for statewide seeding for state than even 6AA at present or previously 4AA, because of how the Class A tournament has such lopsided games in the first round every year and just isn't nearly as deep as Class AA. Sending 4 8A teams to state (include Crookston most years) and you'd be guaranteed of having a great tournament.
I guess I drifted off topic again, oh well.
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lets be nice
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:23 pm
I think you should title your post as "No respect for the South Suburban."
I look at your comments and I see that you are puzzled by Lakeville North , Lakeville South , Eagan and Jefferson beating/tying good teams.
I also see you've listed Burnsville as "better than I thought."
Here are some things for you to consider.:
The South Suburban conference has won two Section Title games for three years in a row, with four different teams.
At least one of those teams has finished in the top 5 teams at the state tournament for the last three years.
When the rankings get away from the opinions(such as yours or those who "vote" at Lets Play Hockey, the South Suburban shines i.e QRF or KRACH
Here is the final KRACH ranking before the state tournament last year.
Rankings: February 18, 2013
1 Minnetonka (24-4)
2 Benilde-St. Margaret's (25-3)
3 Eden Prairie (20-5-3)
4 Mounds View (24-2-2)
5 Lakeville North (20-6-2)
6 Edina (15-8-5)
7 Hill-Murray (19-5-4)
8 Andover (18-7-1)
9 Roseville (19-8-1)
10 Buffalo (20-7)
T-11 Wayzata (14-11-1)
T-11 North Wright County (23-4-1)
13 Lakeville South (17-8-2)
14 Hopkins (17-7-2)
15 Eagan (18-9-1)
16 Bloomington Jefferson (16-10-1)
It should also be noted that the computer ranking for Jefferson includes the 4 games when their starting goalie didn't play. They lost 3 of those 4 games.
If you also check your records you may be surprised to see the South Suburban is number two in conferences sending players to D I programs.
In fact 2 of the 5 freshman playing for the U of Minnesota played their whole careers in the South Suburban.
For those of us who actually attend hockey games in other conferences Burnsville is no surprise. Lindsay Coleman is a great player. Lauren Bench is a great goalie and they now have one of the best coaches in the state.
The conference is not the Classic Lake, but they are as good as any other conference in the state.
I look at your comments and I see that you are puzzled by Lakeville North , Lakeville South , Eagan and Jefferson beating/tying good teams.
I also see you've listed Burnsville as "better than I thought."
Here are some things for you to consider.:
The South Suburban conference has won two Section Title games for three years in a row, with four different teams.
At least one of those teams has finished in the top 5 teams at the state tournament for the last three years.
When the rankings get away from the opinions(such as yours or those who "vote" at Lets Play Hockey, the South Suburban shines i.e QRF or KRACH
Here is the final KRACH ranking before the state tournament last year.
Rankings: February 18, 2013
1 Minnetonka (24-4)
2 Benilde-St. Margaret's (25-3)
3 Eden Prairie (20-5-3)
4 Mounds View (24-2-2)
5 Lakeville North (20-6-2)
6 Edina (15-8-5)
7 Hill-Murray (19-5-4)
8 Andover (18-7-1)
9 Roseville (19-8-1)
10 Buffalo (20-7)
T-11 Wayzata (14-11-1)
T-11 North Wright County (23-4-1)
13 Lakeville South (17-8-2)
14 Hopkins (17-7-2)
15 Eagan (18-9-1)
16 Bloomington Jefferson (16-10-1)
It should also be noted that the computer ranking for Jefferson includes the 4 games when their starting goalie didn't play. They lost 3 of those 4 games.
If you also check your records you may be surprised to see the South Suburban is number two in conferences sending players to D I programs.
In fact 2 of the 5 freshman playing for the U of Minnesota played their whole careers in the South Suburban.
For those of us who actually attend hockey games in other conferences Burnsville is no surprise. Lindsay Coleman is a great player. Lauren Bench is a great goalie and they now have one of the best coaches in the state.
The conference is not the Classic Lake, but they are as good as any other conference in the state.
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Maverick2000
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:12 am
Ln beat hill which is a big win but again things are early...
I was at the dodge Jefferson game and the goalie stole the show. DC had a for sure goal called back on a early whistle and 9 penalties but still dominated Jefferson with a 56 to 22 shot advantage and clearly controlled the game. These games do happen but if they play nine more times dc wins the next nine as clearly the faster more skilled team.
I was at the dodge Jefferson game and the goalie stole the show. DC had a for sure goal called back on a early whistle and 9 penalties but still dominated Jefferson with a 56 to 22 shot advantage and clearly controlled the game. These games do happen but if they play nine more times dc wins the next nine as clearly the faster more skilled team.
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lets be nice
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:23 pm
message to maverick2000:
Dodge Cty 1 Bloomington Jefferson 2
fyi: the goalie is part of the team. I do agree with you that Dodge Cty has a great team. They will probably win 20+ games this year, but Jefferson won that game and last year they beat Hopkins, Lakeville N, Lakeville S. and Blake. Those were probably all flukes too.
Dodge Cty 1 Bloomington Jefferson 2
fyi: the goalie is part of the team. I do agree with you that Dodge Cty has a great team. They will probably win 20+ games this year, but Jefferson won that game and last year they beat Hopkins, Lakeville N, Lakeville S. and Blake. Those were probably all flukes too.
lets be nice wrote:message to maverick2000:
Dodge Cty 1 Bloomington Jefferson 2
fyi: the goalie is part of the team. I do agree with you that Dodge Cty has a great team. They will probably win 20+ games this year, but Jefferson won that game and last year they beat Hopkins, Lakeville N, Lakeville S. and Blake. Those were probably all flukes too.
Love it Nice! Excuses are for the losers!!!!