HShockeywatcher wrote:Has anyone seen both Hermantown and Luverne play? If so, that would be helpful.
By PageStat, they are the 18th Class A team right now. I doubt many actually expect a win, but stranger things have happened. I don't doubt they'll score a couple goals, but on paper my biggest concern is defense. It's hard to judge with their schedule as they have 25 games of allowing 2 or fewer goals, but they weren't winning in the same fashion West was.
I suppose I have. I watched the stream of Luverne's game against Kennedy in the Schwan Cup, and got a handful of looks at Hermantown this year, most recently in the 7A final. It's not a huge sample, but it's something.
PS2 has them about 4 goals apart, which seems about right to me. But we all know games aren't played on paper...if Luverne gives up a few early and gets down, it could easily be running time; if they hang in there, who knows.
I agree about defense being the biggest concern for Luverne. They have some talent back there, but they simply haven't seen anything like Hermantown's offensive depth and relentless forecheck.
I alluded to this earlier, but I think the Luverne coaches face a dilemma. I doubt this team has played many games in which they try to sit back and defend, but if they try to skate with Hermantown, they could easily get shredded (unless they really are a lot better than we think they are). But do you try to put a new gameplan into place at this point in the season to try to slow up the Hawks? I don't envy their position.
I think if Luverne's top players were juniors and seniors, they could skate with Hermantown, but they rely an awful lot on some very young players.
