Duluth East at Grand Rapids

[TheHockeyDJ]

As YouthHockeyHub tweeted out, this is like the disappointment bowl. I felt very confident before the season that this would be a matchup of top 5 teams. It's not like this season is in any way a lost cause for either team given the pieces are there for both squads to make a run in late Feb. I really thought East was going to pick up where they left off and when they handled Wayzata 4-1 in the opener I thought I was right on them. For GR, the BAM line just hasn't lived up to the billing yet. They have put up points vs teams ranked below them, but still waiting for them to go out and dominate for 3 periods and take a game from a top 5 team. Last night vs Hermantown they looked like they were on a power play the first 15.5 minutes then gave up an out of the penalty box breakaway goal and they never got momentum back after that. Their defensive coverage was improved, but still not great. Htown had a couple of other breakaways and as I watched that I could only think that is exactly what Randolph has had the Hounds doing for years, making the long bomb pass for the breakaway. Last year Rapids lost to Hermantown 10-2, then went to Duluth and beat East 5-1 and it could have been much worse. As for seeding, if Grand Rapids wins they remain firmly locked in to the 2 seed with an outside shot at 1. If Duluth East wins, then East might be back into the 1-3 conversation, but looking at their overall record and section record, they need more than just a win at GR to avoid being in the 4/5 game. If East wants the 1 seed, they must go undefeated in their remaining 7AA games and have zero hiccups through the remainder of their schedule. If GR loses this game, they simply make their margin for error very small the rest of the way in section play. The team that wins Thursday is the one that understands how important this game is. Each team has earlier in the year played a key section game with the care of a July scrimmage. Nonetheless, these teams both still have high expectations and the environment at the IRA Civic Center will be outstanding with cars parked 6+ blocks from the arena and the GRHS band rocking the joint. Karl, what are your thoughts going into this?

[elliott70]

Karl/Lee

Can you add a poll?

[SFA1992]

As YouthHockeyHub tweeted out, this is like the disappointment bowl. I felt very confident before the season that this would be a matchup of top 5 teams. It's not like this season is in any way a lost cause for either team given the pieces are there for both squads to make a run in late Feb. I really thought East was going to pick up where they left off and when they handled Wayzata 4-1 in the opener I thought I was right on them. For GR, the BAM line just hasn't lived up to the billing yet. They have put up points vs teams ranked below them, but still waiting for them to go out and dominate for 3 periods and take a game from a top 5 team. Last night vs Hermantown they looked like they were on a power play the first 15.5 minutes then gave up an out of the penalty box breakaway goal and they never got momentum back after that. Their defensive coverage was improved, but still not great. Htown had a couple of other breakaways and as I watched that I could only think that is exactly what Randolph has had the Hounds doing for years, making the long bomb pass for the breakaway. Last year Rapids lost to Hermantown 10-2, then went to Duluth and beat East 5-1 and it could have been much worse. As for seeding, if Grand Rapids wins they remain firmly locked in to the 2 seed with an outside shot at 1. If Duluth East wins, then East might be back into the 1-3 conversation, but looking at their overall record and section record, they need more than just a win at GR to avoid being in the 4/5 game. If East wants the 1 seed, they must go undefeated in their remaining 7AA games and have zero hiccups through the remainder of their schedule. If GR loses this game, they simply make their margin for error very small the rest of the way in section play. The team that wins Thursday is the one that understands how important this game is. Each team has earlier in the year played a key section game with the care of a July scrimmage. Nonetheless, these teams both still have high expectations and the environment at the IRA Civic Center will be outstanding with cars parked 6+ blocks from the arena and the GRHS band rocking the joint. Karl, what are your thoughts going into this?

"Disappointment Bowl", perhaps, but this should be a barnburner with both teams looking to kick start the second half of the campaign. Something has to give.

[elliott70]

QRF
No. 6 Elk River/Zimmerman
No. 12 Grand Rapids
No. 21 Duluth East
No. 28 Forest Lake
No. 29 C-E-C
No. 41 Andover
No. 53 St. Francis
No. 57 Duluth Marshall
No. 62 Cambridge-Isanti

Pagestat
GR
ER
DE
CEC
FL
And
DM
SF
Camb

[elliott70]

Elk River/Zimmerman
Grand Rapids
Duluth East
Forest Lake
C-E-C
Andover

Just about everyone has it like this right now. At least the top 3.

ER still has Andover and DEast.
They win both they are the #1 seed.
Odds are they will win both.

GR has DEast, Andover and CEC
They win all 3 without an ER loss and they are #2.
They need help.

DEast has GR FL ER and CEC.
They win out and they could be #1.

CEC has GR, DM and DE.
They win out they could be #2 probably #3.

FL plays DE and SF
And plays GR ER and SF
They both must beat SF.
FL beat DE they may get #4.
Andover with an upset win could get #4.

[elliott70]

My prediction:

ER
Winner of this weeks GR and DE game at #2.
Loser at #3

Cloquet at #4
FL at #5

Andover
Duluth M
SF
Cambridge.

[howardst]

This game has really changed its meaning for both. Loser is buried with a uphill climb. Fact is they should both be happy Herm and Hibb are single A or both these teams would be on the road in playoffs and most likely one and done. My how the tides have turned on 2 way over hyped programs. All those elite players so called. Enough talk about the GR machine and the East spoiled boys.

[grindiangrad-80]

I would think that both of these teams will be a very tough game for anyone in February. Better to take your lumps now. I'm sure Thursday will be an interesting game either way.

[rainier]

How does that saying go? "You play for the name on the front of your jersey, not the one on the back."

Rapids may be overrated, but there's no doubting this team has a load of talent. These kids gotta play for each other and get mad when they fall behind, not get demoralized. Just goes to show how important team chemistry and senior leadership are.

All their losses are to top ten teams. Hermantown would be top ten in AA, (god I get tired of writing that ); this is the challenge they accepted when they decided to dramatically improve their schedule.

If I'm a Rapids fan, I'm certainly not pleased with the way things are going, but I also know the talent is there to get to state and compete and there is still plenty of time to right the ship. My opinion is that they need to pick a damn goalie and let them get comfortable, and also put a top forward at defense. (Did Hain play D again last night?)

As for East, their losses have been to worse teams, so that is more puzzling/worrisome. Yet, betting against Randolph is foolish.

I'll take Rapids 5-3

[Jeffy95]

This game has really changed its meaning for both. Loser is buried with a uphill climb. Fact is they should both be happy Herm and Hibb are single A or both these teams would be on the road in playoffs and most likely one and done. My how the tides have turned on 2 way over hyped programs. All those elite players so called. Enough talk about the GR machine and the East spoiled boys.

East is still the favorite in 7AA until someone knocks them off. Everyone was saying the same thing last year at this time. Always amazes me what short memories people have in the sports world. Second verse, same as the first.

[Sats81]

ill go east 5-3

[boblee]

For GR, the BAM line just hasn't lived up to the billing yet. They have put up points vs teams ranked below them, but still waiting for them to go out and dominate for 3 periods and take a game from a top 5 team.

They have 56 points combined in 36 games. Not like that's bad.

[alcloseshaver]

Elk River/Zimmerman
Grand Rapids
Duluth East
Forest Lake
C-E-C
Andover

Just about everyone has it like this right now. At least the top 3.

ER still has Andover and DEast.
They win both they are the #1 seed.
Odds are they will win both.

GR has DEast, Andover and CEC
They win all 3 without an ER loss and they are #2.
They need help.

DEast has GR FL ER and CEC.
They win out and they could be #1.

CEC has GR, DM and DE.
They win out they could be #2 probably #3.

FL plays DE and SF
And plays GR ER and SF
They both must beat SF.
FL beat DE they may get #4.
Andover with an upset win could get #4.

Nice work Elliot, thanks for the legwork. If East beats Elks it will be interesting. Elks most likely lose to Blaine and the Hill Murray game is the night they usually have the section meeting.

[TheHockeyDJ]

For GR, the BAM line just hasn't lived up to the billing yet. They have put up points vs teams ranked below them, but still waiting for them to go out and dominate for 3 periods and take a game from a top 5 team.

They have 56 points combined in 36 games. Not like that's bad.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a huge fan of the BAM line, but I would like to see them get a goal to win a game vs a top team. East isn't a top team in terms of rankings, but they are THE top team in terms of GR oppenents year in and year out. BAM line needs to step up tomorrow and lead their team to victory.

[karl(east)]

Disappointment bowl? Perhaps, though I expect the atmosphere, and hopefully the game as well, will be anything but disappointing. I know some of the Rapids fans have been criticizing the effort of some players, but if they can't get up for this one, what can they get up for?

These teams are "disappointments" because they've played poorly at times, not because they don't have the talent we thought they did. I've seen both of them and practically every other good team in the state, and when they're at their best, they're right there with anyone. Both still have a perfectly good shot at a deep run into the State Tourney if they shore up their systems and play the way they should. (Though getting the 1-seed would sure help on the margin for error...I agree with Elliot's scenarios of how 7AA could play out.)

Keys to this game are obviously special teams, given both teams' fairly strong PPs and poor PKs (though East's has been noticeably better lately). East will be East and try to apply lots of pressure in the offensive zone and wear down Rapids where they're weakest (on D). Not sure if Klatt will try to approach this game in a different way than his predecessors. LaRoque's teams usually were content to play conservatively and keep it close (which they usually did, before losing), while Rothstein's just sort of turned the top players loose and asked them to make plays (hey, it worked once in four tries). With fairly inexperienced goaltenders on both sides, that could also be a factor.

Sadly, I'm traveling the wrong direction on Thursday...hope to catch a webcast along the way.

[elliott70]

Disappointment bowl? Perhaps, though I expect the atmosphere, and hopefully the game as well, will be anything but disappointing. I know some of the Rapids fans have been criticizing the effort of some players, but if they can't get up for this one, what can they get up for?

These teams are "disappointments" because they've played poorly at times, not because they don't have the talent we thought they did. I've seen both of them and practically every other good team in the state, and when they're at their best, they're right there with anyone. Both still have a perfectly good shot at a deep run into the State Tourney if they shore up their systems and play the way they should. (Though getting the 1-seed would sure help on the margin for error...I agree with Elliot's scenarios of how 7AA could play out.)

Keys to this game are obviously special teams, given both teams' fairly strong PPs and poor PKs (though East's has been noticeably better lately). East will be East and try to apply lots of pressure in the offensive zone and wear down Rapids where they're weakest (on D). Not sure if Klatt will try to approach this game in a different way than his predecessors. LaRoque's teams usually were content to play conservatively and keep it close (which they usually did, before losing), while Rothstein's just sort of turned the top players loose and asked them to make plays (hey, it worked once in four tries). With fairly inexperienced goaltenders on both sides, that could also be a factor.

Sadly, I'm traveling the wrong direction on Thursday...hope to catch a webcast along the way.

Are you letting real life get in the way of HOCKEY?

[elliott70]

East is still the favorite in 7AA until someone knocks them off. Everyone was saying the same thing last year at this time. Always amazes me what short memories people have in the sports world. Second verse, same as the first.

at C-E-C
L 4-3 F


vs. Duluth Marshall
L 4-0 F

[kniven]

This game has really changed its meaning for both. Loser is buried with a uphill climb. Fact is they should both be happy Herm and Hibb are single A or both these teams would be on the road in playoffs and most likely one and done. My how the tides have turned on 2 way over hyped programs. All those elite players so called. Enough talk about the GR machine and the East spoiled boys.

Agreed.

Grand Rapids is a mess. I'm going with East based solely on Coach Randolph and the consistency he provides. GR goes through coaches like they grow on trees. But the have the talent to win state no matter how many games they loose. Wins/losses don't mean much as long S you have the talent to win State.

[Jeffy95]

East is still the favorite in 7AA until someone knocks them off. Everyone was saying the same thing last year at this time. Always amazes me what short memories people have in the sports world. Second verse, same as the first.

at C-E-C
L 4-3 F


vs. Duluth Marshall
L 4-0 F

Last year their record was 6-5 after a win against Denfeld on Jan 5th. Sound familiar?

I think if there's anything we've learned it's that Randolph doesn't care about wins and losses in December. This team will be right there at the end.

[elliott70]

East is still the favorite in 7AA until someone knocks them off. Everyone was saying the same thing last year at this time. Always amazes me what short memories people have in the sports world. Second verse, same as the first.

at C-E-C
L 4-3 F


vs. Duluth Marshall
L 4-0 F

Last year their record was 6-5 after a win against Denfeld on Jan 5th. Sound familiar?

I think if there's anything we've learned it's that Randolph doesn't care about wins and losses in December. This team will be right there at the end.

I don't disagree with the comparison to last year or with Randolph's ability or the DEast talent.
But this game will go along way to see if they WILL do it.
History does not always repeat itself and ER is a better team this year despite losing a top end player. And GRapids should be much better for a lot of reasons, but will THEY prove it.
A big game for both teams.
A lot of us will have an ear on this game.

Not that I dislike DEast, but go THawks.

[alcloseshaver]

Is it wrong to think ER would benefit more from a GR win with their head to head victory in their pocket. Even if they lose to East may have a better overall resume. A few years ago head to head wasn't has much of a factor for East. This is one of the most intriguing regular season games of the year.

[TheHockeyDJ]

at C-E-C
L 4-3 F


vs. Duluth Marshall
L 4-0 F

Last year their record was 6-5 after a win against Denfeld on Jan 5th. Sound familiar?

I think if there's anything we've learned it's that Randolph doesn't care about wins and losses in December. This team will be right there at the end.

I don't disagree with the comparison to last year or with Randolph's ability or the DEast talent.
But this game will go along way to see if they WILL do it.
History does not always repeat itself and ER is a better team this year despite losing a top end player. And GRapids should be much better for a lot of reasons, but will THEY prove it.
A big game for both teams.
A lot of us will have an ear on this game.

Not that I dislike DEast, but go THawks.

Exactly my thoughts, and last year East didn't have two huge 7AA black eyes on their resume like they do now. They have a bigger hill to climb this time around. The odd thing is that given their early season struggles last year, Randolph has said numerous times their worst period all season was the 3rd period vs GR in the semi-finals, they were just lucky Howg stole the game. Again, Mike Randolph's words, not mine. I could see East going to state again, I could also see them getting bounced in the semifinals like they did 06-08.

[Schotzy]

A lot of us will have an ear on this game.

You can have an eye on it too if you live in the Northland. My9 Sports Network will be televising this game from GR.

[elliott70]

A lot of us will have an ear on this game.

You can have an eye on it too if you live in the Northland. My9 Sports Network will be televising this game from GR.

What is My9 equal to in Bemidji?

[BodyShots]

A lot of us will have an ear on this game.

You can have an eye on it too if you live in the Northland. My9 Sports Network will be televising this game from GR.

What is My9 equal to in Bemidji?

Your8