Section 7AA 2015-16

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:46 pm

HockeyStorm wrote:Andover is falling apart, 9-2 loss tonight - they could be staring at the 7 seed. Cloquet tough loss to section 7A Denfeld tonight. Rapids took care of business as did Forest Lake and Elk River.

What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:49 pm

Elk River at Blaine Saturday should be a good one. Hard to believe Tufte and Noterman were kept off the scoresheet tonight.

Post by **karl(east)** » Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:59 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
HockeyStorm wrote:Andover is falling apart, 9-2 loss tonight - they could be staring at the 7 seed. Cloquet tough loss to section 7A Denfeld tonight. Rapids took care of business as did Forest Lake and Elk River.
What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.

Time will tell. Their schedule has been a lot tougher than the other 4-7 teams in the section, and none of their losses are to bad teams, though some are by ugly margins. The schedule eases up some over the second half while Marshall's gets a little tougher, so we'll see where they stand come seeding time. Marshall also has a rematch with Cloquet (and the Rapids game, I guess) that it can use to help its cause. Nothing is really settled in that part of the section.

ThePuckStopsHere · Post by **ThePuckStopsHere** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:23 am

alcloseshaver wrote:Elk River at Blaine Saturday should be a good one. Hard to believe Tufte and Noterman were kept off the scoresheet tonight.

Al - Can you confirm Murray is now back but in return Elks lost leading scorer Zerban?

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:54 am

Confirmed

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:03 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
HockeyStorm wrote:Andover is falling apart, 9-2 loss tonight - they could be staring at the 7 seed. Cloquet tough loss to section 7A Denfeld tonight. Rapids took care of business as did Forest Lake and Elk River.
What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.

Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:08 am

alcloseshaver wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
HockeyStorm wrote:Andover is falling apart, 9-2 loss tonight - they could be staring at the 7 seed. Cloquet tough loss to section 7A Denfeld tonight. Rapids took care of business as did Forest Lake and Elk River.
What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.
Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:11 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote: What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.
Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?

Could go 5-5 down the stretch if they can right the ship, not an upset threat though. 3 horse race, whoever is playing well at the end and getting the 1 seed important.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:15 am

alcloseshaver wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?
Could go 5-5 down the stretch if they can right the ship, not an upset threat though. 3 horse race, whoever is playing well at the end and getting the 1 seed important.

I don't see Elk River giving up the 1 seed at this point. They are on fire right now. If they just sustain what they are currently doing, they'll route East on Jan. 30.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:25 am

Not sure about a route? Still have to go on the road to Blaine, Centennial and Duluth. Home vs Maple Grove and Hill Murray. Will be battle tested for sure. Still not at full strength.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:39 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?
Could go 5-5 down the stretch if they can right the ship, not an upset threat though. 3 horse race, whoever is playing well at the end and getting the 1 seed important.
I don't see Elk River giving up the 1 seed at this point. They are on fire right now. If they just sustain what they are currently doing, they'll route East on Jan. 30.

Perhaps 'rout'?

northwoods oldtimer · Post by **northwoods oldtimer** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:41 am

alcloseshaver wrote:Not sure about a route? Still have to go on the road to Blaine, Centennial and Duluth. Home vs Maple Grove and Hill Murray. Will be battle tested for sure. Still not at full strength.

Elks goaltending might be the difference maker. Could be an edge come playoffs having that experience in pressure situations. Will be fun race for sure in the section.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:43 am

elliott70 wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:Could go 5-5 down the stretch if they can right the ship, not an upset threat though. 3 horse race, whoever is playing well at the end and getting the 1 seed important.
I don't see Elk River giving up the 1 seed at this point. They are on fire right now. If they just sustain what they are currently doing, they'll route East on Jan. 30.
Perhaps 'rout'?

green4 · Post by **green4** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:23 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote: What I was trying to tell Karl. You can't hang onto a couple 7AA wins if you throw the rest of the season. The W's over CEC and FL mean nothing when you continually get skated out of the barn. Andover will be the 7 seed and playing at Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals. I still expect East will find a way to the 3 seed, and the reward will be a home game in the quarters vs Duluth Marshall.
Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?

A little nervous Rapids might have to play Cloquet in the first round? A lot of hockey left, I woudn't worry too much about the 7 seed right now

Rocketwrister · Post by **Rocketwrister** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:11 am

green4 wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:Andover is 6 seed right now IMO, If they beat St. Franny later they will stay above 7 seed.

Who is the 7 then? Andover is 4-11 right now. They had a two game stretch of wins over CEC (grossly outplayed) and FL. Besides that they beat the powerhouses of Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. CEC does have wins over East in 7AA and they beat Bemidji. I know the 7AA wins count for something, but how many 6+ goal losses can they absorb before there is no turning back?
A little nervous Rapids might have to play Cloquet in the first round? A lot of hockey left, I woudn't worry too much about the 7 seed right now

Why??

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 12:49 pm

Duluth Marshall must finally be healthy, they beat Brainerd 6-3 on the road. I have kept them on the radar since they beat East and wondered if they would get healthy and go on a run. They host GR on Tuesday. East is at Forest Lake on Thursday.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:15 pm

Current seeds?

1. Elk River
2. Grand Rapids
3. Duluth Marshall
4. Duluth East
5. Forest Lake
6. Cloquet
7. Andover
8. St. Francis
9. C-I

I'm really having a hard time with 3-6. Cloquet did beat East, but they have been tanking lately and have losses to FL and AND. Marshall started very poorly, but they have wins over East and this week a convincing road win vs a top 8AA team. Forest Lake just doesn't have a decent win other than beating Cloquet. Andover, while having two section wins is 4-12 with their other wins being Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. If you think there is any argument for Andover being higher than 7 you are nuts.

I decided to put Marshall ahead of East since they both are hovering around .500 and Marshall won the H2H 4-0. Cloquet has opportunities in front of them where I could easily flip them with FL and create the delicious CEC at East QF.

I think when it comes to the actual meeting there is just going to be a bunch of matchup-motivated rankings submitted by the coaches because these teams are close enough to justify a lot of rearranging. Duluth East will likely be in that realm, can they get a matchup with Forest Lake and avoid Duluth Marshall or Cloquet?

northwoods oldtimer · Post by **northwoods oldtimer** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:57 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Current seeds?

1. Elk River
2. Grand Rapids
3. Duluth Marshall
4. Duluth East
5. Forest Lake
6. Cloquet
7. Andover
8. St. Francis
9. C-I

I'm really having a hard time with 3-6. Cloquet did beat East, but they have been tanking lately and have losses to FL and AND. Marshall started very poorly, but they have wins over East and this week a convincing road win vs a top 8AA team. Forest Lake just doesn't have a decent win other than beating Cloquet. Andover, while having two section wins is 4-12 with their other wins being Champlin Park and Coon Rapids. If you think there is any argument for Andover being higher than 7 you are nuts.

I decided to put Marshall ahead of East since they both are hovering around .500 and Marshall won the H2H 4-0. Cloquet has opportunities in front of them where I could easily flip them with FL and create the delicious CEC at East QF.

I think when it comes to the actual meeting there is just going to be a bunch of matchup-motivated rankings submitted by the coaches because these teams are close enough to justify a lot of rearranging. Duluth East will likely be in that realm, can they get a matchup with Forest Lake and avoid Duluth Marshall or Cloquet?

It will all work out in the end. plenty of hockey left to sort it out.

Tower power93 · Post by **Tower power93** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:20 pm

Here come the hounds!!! Watch out elk river, cloquet, and Grand Rapids. The hounds are doing their usual run late in the year and coming for another state tourney chance . We have all seen this show before 7AA.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:24 pm

Tower power93 wrote:Here come the hounds!!! Watch out elk river, cloquet, and Grand Rapids. The hounds are doing their usual run late in the year and coming for another state tourney chance . We have all seen this show before 7AA.

They beat two very below average teams this week. Get back to me after the games vs Elk River and Cloquet on Jan 30/Feb 1.

green4 · Post by **green4** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:01 pm

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Current seeds?

1. Elk River
2. Grand Rapids
3. Duluth Marshall
4. Duluth East
5. Forest Lake
6. Cloquet
7. Andover
8. St. Francis
9. C-I

If you think there is any argument for Andover being higher than 7 you are nuts.

I don't exactly agree with it, but I can definitely see an argument as to why Andover could be above the 7 seed.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 9:52 pm

green4 wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:Current seeds?

1. Elk River
2. Grand Rapids
3. Duluth Marshall
4. Duluth East
5. Forest Lake
6. Cloquet
7. Andover
8. St. Francis
9. C-I

If you think there is any argument for Andover being higher than 7 you are nuts.
I don't exactly agree with it, but I can definitely see an argument as to why Andover could be above the 7 seed.

4 wins, twelve losses, game over.

Jeffy95 · Post by **Jeffy95** » Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:51 am

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Duluth Marshall must finally be healthy, they beat Brainerd 6-3 on the road. I have kept them on the radar since they beat East and wondered if they would get healthy and go on a run. They host GR on Tuesday. East is at Forest Lake on Thursday.

They were missing Hansen and Lenz at the beginning of the year when they were struggling. Those two are back so this is a pretty solid team. The Freshmen and Sophomores have gained a lot of experience against top flight teams. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see them make a run in Sections.

Nuts&Bolts · Post by **Nuts&Bolts** » Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:43 am

It's clear DJ thinks Rapids will get the 2 seed and he's lobbying and saying his bedtime prayers so that they play Andover in the quarters and Duluth Marshall in the semis. Always good stuff but don't forget the power of Coach Randolph at the seeding meeting DJ. Much more influential than your posts on the blog and prayers. Btw if it does play out I see Rapids 'easily' being done after the semis to a DM team.

TheHockeyDJ · Post by **TheHockeyDJ** » Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:47 am

Nuts&Bolts wrote:It's clear DJ thinks Rapids will get the 2 seed and he's lobbying and saying his bedtime prayers so that they play Andover in the quarters and Duluth Marshall in the semis. Always good stuff but don't forget the power of Coach Randolph at the seeding meeting DJ. Much more influential than your posts on the blog and prayers. Btw if it does play out I see Rapids 'easily' being done after the semis to a DM team.

Everyone thinks GR will get the two seed. Why wouldn't they? Only loss in 7AA is to ER and they are 12-5-1 overall. If you think I'm wrong come up with a reason why, not just some sad little rant with no logic behind it.