alcloseshaver wrote:We can all make a case for questionable calls or non calls over the years. My question is if there is a more passionate and loyal fan base than Rapids in the state? Is there anyone close?
7AA 2014-15
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
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alcloseshaver
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Two years ago when Peterson beat the Elks in OT in the semis the Elks were on the wrong end of some non calls. It is all part of the game. This section will be very close and could go any number of ways when we get there. Elks will be favored but if Rapids is on their game they have the talent to win it.Mouse in the corner wrote:Even if the Rapids fans are, well, fanatical (read what fan is short for) that still does not remove the fact that ER barely beat Rapids (forgot about the questionable call but I do agree it was crazy that it was not called off due to goalie interferance) and that Rapids blew out East. Unless East takes on a full strength ER team and just absolutely hammers the crap out of them I think that they can be the 3 seed at best. Of course this is Randolph we are talking about and the Hounds do have home ice advantage so we won't know until it happens.alcloseshaver wrote:We can all make a case for questionable calls or non calls over the years. My question is if there is a more passionate and loyal fan base than Rapids in the state? Is there anyone close?
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Mouse in the corner
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ilovemesomehockey
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You know what I find even more amusing... Duluth East fans taking moral victories in loses (through their snorts of disdain for GR), touting the "what have you done for me lately, we are level headed based on recent results" approach to their current predicament (a big loss to GR and 2 "moral victories" in loses to EP and LN). So while the cake eaters of the North look down their noses ... here's some what have you done for me lately (stats just for you Elliott)...In the last 7 games, GR is 5-1-1, and despite the debacle in Hermantown (which, I might add, showed great grit to bounce back so quickly from) - with a 4.14 GPG and 2.28 GAA and their goalie has posted 0.925 sv% and 1.71 GAA in those 7 games since taking the reins. Yep, its been a roller coaster ride (holding our breath all the way up and screaming all the way down). Elks section to lose, but I haven't wavered on GR's chances.hockey59 wrote:DISAGREE...It's still ER's section to lose. Funny how when GR beats DE & Cloquet...the dopamine really gets flowing...and the 6 game losing streak becomes a distant memory...almost erased
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Mouse in the corner
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My post was rambled so I took it down to sort it out. But, I did not say that the section was not ER's to lose, I just said that I thought ER was gonna lose it,hockey59 wrote:DISAGREE...It's still ER's section to lose. Funny how when GR beats DE & Cloquet...the dopamine really gets flowing...and the 6 game losing streak becomes a distant memory...almost erased
You did utter the magic words though, Distant Memory. Yes, Rapids got beaten a bunch earlier in the season (I thought it was an 8 game streak though not 6) and has figured it out and is (appearently) on track at this point. I still do think that.
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karl(east)
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I do love the diversity of the Rapids fan base (and I'm saying that honestly, not in snark). You've got relentless optimists and vicious cynics; people who love the give-on-take on this forum, and others who are so earnest that they can't handle a little ribbing. It's all in good fun, kids...Elk River is the clear #1. It would take a collapse to lose the top seed. But they are beatable.
Grand Rapids is #2. If they can keep up the good vibes of the past week, they'll be tough to beat. The next step: prove they can do it against teams that aren't rivalry games against northern teams with mediocre records, when they play White Bear and Wayzata next week.
East could be #3. After last Thursday, there was good reason to doubt whether they could even have a chance against the top teams in the state. They've since proven they can at least make things interesting. Now, they need to take care of business against the Apple Valleys, Roseaus, and Forest Lakes of the world to prove they can do it on a consistent basis.
Old Mike Randolph line: "I don't care much about what the other team is doing...if we're playing the right way, we'll be fine." Contrary to popular opinion on here, you'll often see him lauding the way his team plays in losses or grumbling about the way they play in wins, depending on how they do it. That's always been true. It's all about getting to the right place in late February. Control what you can control, attack problems right away when things go wrong, and build on all the things that go right. A lesson that goes beyond hockey...
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Mouse in the corner
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I like the give and take on here. About the only real reason to hang out and to be active on it. I do have to confess though that I am always worried that I will prove that I have lost my mind on here and somebody will connect the dots back to me and have me committed, lol.karl(east) wrote:
Elk River is the clear #1. It would take a collapse to lose the top seed. But they are beatable.
Grand Rapids is #2. If they can keep up the good vibes of the past week, they'll be tough to beat. The next step: prove they can do it against teams that aren't rivalry games against northern teams with mediocre records, when they play White Bear and Wayzata next week.
East could be #3. After last Thursday, there was good reason to doubt whether they could even have a chance against the top teams in the state. They've since proven they can at least make things interesting. Now, they need to take care of business against the Apple Valleys, Roseaus, and Forest Lakes of the world to prove they can do it on a consistent basis.
Old Mike Randolph line: "I don't care much about what the other team is doing...if we're playing the right way, we'll be fine." Contrary to popular opinion on here, you'll often see him lauding the way his team plays in losses or grumbling about the way they play in wins, depending on how they do it. That's always been true. It's all about getting to the right place in late February. Control what you can control, attack problems right away when things go wrong, and build on all the things that go right. A lesson that goes beyond hockey...
ER is not going to collapse and if they do I hope it is __after__ they play East so that they don't provide East with any ammo to move up a spot.......
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greenway1969
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Not yet convinced that Rapids has taken a step up. They've played well against average teams all year. The real test will be their trip to the Cities next weekend. If they split or sweep then I would see them as dangerous. Their goaltending has certainly improved but bad penalties and turnovers are still a problem.
Keep an eye on the window and the back door free of obstruction....Mouse in the corner wrote:I like the give and take on here. About the only real reason to hang out and to be active on it. I do have to confess though that I am always worried that I will prove that I have lost my mind on here and somebody will connect the dots back to me and have me committed, lol.karl(east) wrote:
Elk River is the clear #1. It would take a collapse to lose the top seed. But they are beatable.
Grand Rapids is #2. If they can keep up the good vibes of the past week, they'll be tough to beat. The next step: prove they can do it against teams that aren't rivalry games against northern teams with mediocre records, when they play White Bear and Wayzata next week.
East could be #3. After last Thursday, there was good reason to doubt whether they could even have a chance against the top teams in the state. They've since proven they can at least make things interesting. Now, they need to take care of business against the Apple Valleys, Roseaus, and Forest Lakes of the world to prove they can do it on a consistent basis.
Old Mike Randolph line: "I don't care much about what the other team is doing...if we're playing the right way, we'll be fine." Contrary to popular opinion on here, you'll often see him lauding the way his team plays in losses or grumbling about the way they play in wins, depending on how they do it. That's always been true. It's all about getting to the right place in late February. Control what you can control, attack problems right away when things go wrong, and build on all the things that go right. A lesson that goes beyond hockey...
ER is not going to collapse and if they do I hope it is __after__ they play East so that they don't provide East with any ammo to move up a spot.......
They're coming to take you away.... Ha Ha....
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Mouse in the corner
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Crap, I thought that black helicopter was just passing through.......elliott70 wrote:Keep an eye on the window and the back door free of obstruction....Mouse in the corner wrote:I like the give and take on here. About the only real reason to hang out and to be active on it. I do have to confess though that I am always worried that I will prove that I have lost my mind on here and somebody will connect the dots back to me and have me committed, lol.karl(east) wrote:
Elk River is the clear #1. It would take a collapse to lose the top seed. But they are beatable.
Grand Rapids is #2. If they can keep up the good vibes of the past week, they'll be tough to beat. The next step: prove they can do it against teams that aren't rivalry games against northern teams with mediocre records, when they play White Bear and Wayzata next week.
East could be #3. After last Thursday, there was good reason to doubt whether they could even have a chance against the top teams in the state. They've since proven they can at least make things interesting. Now, they need to take care of business against the Apple Valleys, Roseaus, and Forest Lakes of the world to prove they can do it on a consistent basis.
Old Mike Randolph line: "I don't care much about what the other team is doing...if we're playing the right way, we'll be fine." Contrary to popular opinion on here, you'll often see him lauding the way his team plays in losses or grumbling about the way they play in wins, depending on how they do it. That's always been true. It's all about getting to the right place in late February. Control what you can control, attack problems right away when things go wrong, and build on all the things that go right. A lesson that goes beyond hockey...
ER is not going to collapse and if they do I hope it is __after__ they play East so that they don't provide East with any ammo to move up a spot.......
They're coming to take you away.... Ha Ha....
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curtiscurve
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With about 10 games to go, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Here is where I see things ending up (with predicted final records)
1 - Elk River - 12-3 currently; I see them going 9-1 in their final 10 games to finish with a record of 21-4. The only loss I see in the remaining games would be at Blaine on Saturday.
2 - Grand Rapids - 9-9-1 currently; Boldly, I predict they will go 5-1 in their last 6 games to finish 14-10-1. The 1 loss will come next weekend. They sure struggled in December, but they have turned it around and seem to be playing at their best currently.
3 - Duluth East - 6-8-1 currently; Randolph will find a way to finish out the year strong. Last nights game vs North indicates that. I do see them going 7-3 down the stretch with all 3 losses coming on the road vs Elk River, Blaine and Cloquet (I'll probably take some heat for that one). Finishing with a 13-11-1 record with the difficult schedule they play is very respectable. They will be ready to make a run when the time comes.
4 - St. Michael Albertville - 11-3 currently and I predict them going 9-2 to finish 20-5 (losses at Buffalo and home vs Breck). The big game will be when Cloquet makes the trip down to take them on. I do see them pulling out the win to secure the 4 seed. Could be a sneaky team if they make it in the semis.
5 - Cloquet-Esko-Carlton - 7-8 currently finishing 13-12 going 6-4 in the last 10 games. Their losses should be against quality opponents in Duluth Marshall, Hermantown, @ Superior and @ STMA. A win over East to split that series should be enough to move them ahead of FLake. I almost hope I am wrong here and FLake finishes in the 5 spot so we get a CEC vs East quarterfinal.
6 - Forest Lake - 5-7-2 now but should finish strong going 7-4 for a final record of 12-11-2. As stated above, if CEC does not split with East, Flake will likely move up to 5 with the early season win ove CEC.
7 - Andover - 4-8-1 and they have 12 games left. Down year so far and I see the trend continuing finishing the season 8-16-1. They do have ER and FLake left, so pulling an upset or two could turn things around and move them up a few spots.
8 - St. Francis - Remember, this is in the future. Yes they are 0-14 now, but I believe they will at least get to 4 wins with one of them coming against Cambridge. So the 4-21 Saints will get the 8 seed with the head to head win over CI.
9 - Cambridge-isanti - They are 7-8 now and will likely get to 10 wins, but unless they can get the win over St. Francis they will neon the road for the play-in game.
1 - Elk River - 12-3 currently; I see them going 9-1 in their final 10 games to finish with a record of 21-4. The only loss I see in the remaining games would be at Blaine on Saturday.
2 - Grand Rapids - 9-9-1 currently; Boldly, I predict they will go 5-1 in their last 6 games to finish 14-10-1. The 1 loss will come next weekend. They sure struggled in December, but they have turned it around and seem to be playing at their best currently.
3 - Duluth East - 6-8-1 currently; Randolph will find a way to finish out the year strong. Last nights game vs North indicates that. I do see them going 7-3 down the stretch with all 3 losses coming on the road vs Elk River, Blaine and Cloquet (I'll probably take some heat for that one). Finishing with a 13-11-1 record with the difficult schedule they play is very respectable. They will be ready to make a run when the time comes.
4 - St. Michael Albertville - 11-3 currently and I predict them going 9-2 to finish 20-5 (losses at Buffalo and home vs Breck). The big game will be when Cloquet makes the trip down to take them on. I do see them pulling out the win to secure the 4 seed. Could be a sneaky team if they make it in the semis.
5 - Cloquet-Esko-Carlton - 7-8 currently finishing 13-12 going 6-4 in the last 10 games. Their losses should be against quality opponents in Duluth Marshall, Hermantown, @ Superior and @ STMA. A win over East to split that series should be enough to move them ahead of FLake. I almost hope I am wrong here and FLake finishes in the 5 spot so we get a CEC vs East quarterfinal.
6 - Forest Lake - 5-7-2 now but should finish strong going 7-4 for a final record of 12-11-2. As stated above, if CEC does not split with East, Flake will likely move up to 5 with the early season win ove CEC.
7 - Andover - 4-8-1 and they have 12 games left. Down year so far and I see the trend continuing finishing the season 8-16-1. They do have ER and FLake left, so pulling an upset or two could turn things around and move them up a few spots.
8 - St. Francis - Remember, this is in the future. Yes they are 0-14 now, but I believe they will at least get to 4 wins with one of them coming against Cambridge. So the 4-21 Saints will get the 8 seed with the head to head win over CI.
9 - Cambridge-isanti - They are 7-8 now and will likely get to 10 wins, but unless they can get the win over St. Francis they will neon the road for the play-in game.
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alcloseshaver
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northwoods oldtimer
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Mouse in the corner
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Sadly this can't be written off as the musings of a Hound homer who is wishing and hoping more than stating facts. Depending on which team shows up you could very well be right. Lets hope the same team that played Cloquet and the Hounds shows up for the playoff run.Slammer wrote:Rapids will get upset first round. Mental game is everything in playoffs. They are weak.sanryam wrote:Rapids owns 7AA and will win State. East had a moral victory over top seeded LVN and Rapids crushed East. Simple math, folks.
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north_bear
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Awesome "what have you done for me lately" breakdown.ilovemesomehockey wrote:You know what I find even more amusing... Duluth East fans taking moral victories in loses (through their snorts of disdain for GR), touting the "what have you done for me lately, we are level headed based on recent results" approach to their current predicament (a big loss to GR and 2 "moral victories" in loses to EP and LN). So while the cake eaters of the North look down their noses ... here's some what have you done for me lately (stats just for you Elliott)...In the last 7 games, GR is 5-1-1, and despite the debacle in Hermantown (which, I might add, showed great grit to bounce back so quickly from) - with a 4.14 GPG and 2.28 GAA and their goalie has posted 0.925 sv% and 1.71 GAA in those 7 games since taking the reins. Yep, its been a roller coaster ride (holding our breath all the way up and screaming all the way down). Elks section to lose, but I haven't wavered on GR's chances.hockey59 wrote:DISAGREE...It's still ER's section to lose. Funny how when GR beats DE & Cloquet...the dopamine really gets flowing...and the 6 game losing streak becomes a distant memory...almost erased
Thunderhawk Fanatic!!
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north_bear
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That'll happen when a team finally beats their nemesis for the first time in 7 years, or more if you're not looking at playoffs. So yeah we tend to get a little excited, deservedly so!!hockey59 wrote:DISAGREE...It's still ER's section to lose. Funny how when GR beats DE & Cloquet...the dopamine really gets flowing...and the 6 game losing streak becomes a distant memory...almost erased
Thunderhawk Fanatic!!
Nice, meaningful stats.ilovemesomehockey wrote:You know what I find even more amusing... Duluth East fans taking moral victories in loses (through their snorts of disdain for GR), touting the "what have you done for me lately, we are level headed based on recent results" approach to their current predicament (a big loss to GR and 2 "moral victories" in loses to EP and LN). So while the cake eaters of the North look down their noses ... here's some what have you done for me lately (stats just for you Elliott)...In the last 7 games, GR is 5-1-1, and despite the debacle in Hermantown (which, I might add, showed great grit to bounce back so quickly from) - with a 4.14 GPG and 2.28 GAA and their goalie has posted 0.925 sv% and 1.71 GAA in those 7 games since taking the reins. Yep, its been a roller coaster ride (holding our breath all the way up and screaming all the way down). Elks section to lose, but I haven't wavered on GR's chances.hockey59 wrote:DISAGREE...It's still ER's section to lose. Funny how when GR beats DE & Cloquet...the dopamine really gets flowing...and the 6 game losing streak becomes a distant memory...almost erased
Go India, er thunderhawks!