Duluth East at Andover, Section 7AA Final

[hockey59]

It was a great atmosphere last night and being a UMD alum I think Amsoil is an awesome arena & training facility for the Bulldogs...but after spending the previous four years Thursday nights watching 5AA section Finals at Aldrich...I have to give the nod to Aldrich for excitement & atmosphere, as someone noted, it’s like a mini version of the old Met Center, the rink, the way the building appears when you drive up to it and the parking lot

[Jeffy95]

Jeffy...you should know better than making such an OBTUSE comparison

Okay, how about Warroad bouncing up and down the winter back roads for 7 1/2 hours, hitting their heads on the ceiling, all while breathing Diesel fumes on a 1966 International Harvester School Bus on the way to St. Paul for the 1969 tourney? That's a little more on point. Henry Boucha, are you reading this? Let us know how bad that two hour glide down Interstate-35 on a Modern Day Charter Bus would have sucked.

Stick to the Hermantown thread Jeffy, at least in that thread your statements have some merit And while playing on TV is a cool experience for the players, it’s not a valid reason to ignore putting the section final at a neutral venue.

Let's at least give Henry a chance to weigh in here before we decide if it has any merit.

[MWS coach]

Jeffy...you should know better than making such an OBTUSE comparison

Right, no big deal. so then why is Jeffy so opposed to rotating each year if not an advantage? Oh yeah, because it is a northern section.

Show me one post on here where I say I'm opposed to rotating it. You won't, because I haven't. I don't care, the Northern fans will be there either way and the results would probably be the same. All I'm saying is it's been WAY overplayed and is not an excuse. My only point is if young kids in the best shape of their life can't handle two hours on an Interstate in a modern day charter bus then we have big problems.

Maybe you haven't, but have you ever said, yes it should be rotated? I don't recall that you have, but you sure are quick and consistent to not admit there is an advantage to Hounds. Wow, no idea how you know what the results would have been.
As I said it is not an excuse, but it is an advantage (no matter how big or small). It's ok to admit that Jeffy. Admitting it is an advantage does not diminish the accomplishment of winning the game, at the end of the day that is what really matters. I do admire the 218 comradery and it is one of the things that makes HS hockey in Minnesota great.
Don't mistake my opinion that there is an advantage to indicate the accomplishment is diminished in any way. The hounds have consistently won the section because that have a great program and a coach that prepares the team better then any coach to win in sections. Coach Randolph is a much bigger intangible then the venue where it is played.

Again, congrats to the hounds.

[duluth dave]

So does that mean the outstate teams are at a disadvantage at state tournament?

[That guy for that thing]

So does that mean the outstate teams are at a disadvantage at state tournament?

Let's take a look at the student sections on Thursday. If DE and Moorhead have the same size sections as everyone else then we know the kids want to come. Not sure why Andover only had 2/3 of a section of kids for last nights game.

[Where is F3?]

It is pathetic to read grown men spit out excuse after excuse after excuse. Give credit to East for winning the game. And we wonder why adults are the biggest problem in High School sports.

[east hockey]

It is pathetic to read grown men spit out excuse after excuse after excuse. Give credit to East for winning the game. And we wonder why adults are the biggest problem in High School sports.

Some of us don't wonder

Lee

[TheHockeyDJ]

It was a great atmosphere last night and being a UMD alum I think Amsoil is an awesome arena & training facility for the Bulldogs...but after spending the previous four years Thursday nights watching 5AA section Finals at Aldrich...I have to give the nod to Aldrich for excitement & atmosphere, as someone noted, it’s like a mini version of the old Met Center, the rink, the way the building appears when you drive up to it and the parking lot

2016, I went to the Finals at both Amsoil and Aldrich. Aldrich cannot compete with Amsoil Arena in any way. Amsoil has the nicest lobby arguably in the NCAA, and going to the 4AA final the next night it was 10 degrees outside which is where you wait before they open the gates. Aldrich is a regular season building. Coming from 7AA where the stage gets bigger in the semi's and finals being in an NCAA building, it is a major let down going to a just nice regular season building for a section title game. Add in flat benches instead of theatre style seats, no food scene anywhere near the arena at Aldrich, the experience is bland at best. The energy inside the building was great, don't get me wrong, but you also don't have enough seating to meet the demand for tickets.

[hockey59]

Right, no big deal. so then why is Jeffy so opposed to rotating each year if not an advantage? Oh yeah, because it is a northern section.

Show me one post on here where I say I'm opposed to rotating it. You won't, because I haven't. I don't care, the Northern fans will be there either way and the results would probably be the same. All I'm saying is it's been WAY overplayed and is not an excuse. My only point is if young kids in the best shape of their life can't handle two hours on an Interstate in a modern day charter bus then we have big problems.

Maybe you haven't, but have you ever said, yes it should be rotated? I don't recall that you have, but you sure are quick and consistent to not admit there is an advantage to Hounds. Wow, no idea how you know what the results would have been.
As I said it is not an excuse, but it is an advantage (no matter how big or small). It's ok to admit that Jeffy. Admitting it is an advantage does not diminish the accomplishment of winning the game, at the end of the day that is what really matters. I do admire the 218 comradery and it is one of the things that makes HS hockey in Minnesota great.
Don't mistake my opinion that there is an advantage to indicate the accomplishment is diminished in any way. The hounds have consistently won the section because that have a great program and a coach that prepares the team better then any coach to win in sections. Coach Randolph is a much bigger intangible then the venue where it is played.

Again, congrats to the hounds.

THIS I tend to agree on the Randolph angle, except the fact his team gets to play at HOME though weighs (at least equally) important IMO to the 7AA mystique. DE hadn’t won State in 21 years, yet has been to State a lot. We will see how this week unfolds...

[MWS coach]

It is pathetic to read grown men spit out excuse after excuse after excuse. Give credit to East for winning the game. And we wonder why adults are the biggest problem in High School sports.

Um, I think I did give credit to east for winning the game, doesn't change the fact that it is an advantage yet hard for some to admit that it is.....maybe this is why adults are the biggest problem in HS sports.

[yesiplayedhockey]

[quote="duluth dave" post_id=732153 time=1551454931 user_id=20727]
So does that mean the outstate teams are at a disadvantage at state tournament?
[/quote]

I think they are....which is why it's so cool when the North beats the metro....No matter what anyone says traveling wears kids down a little. Staying at hotel versus sleeping in your own bed is a slight distraction. All I am saying is why not have the section final played at a Neutral site so both teams travel a little. Let's be honest we've all been to section finals held at Amsoil and Mariucci and the environment just isn't as festive as it could be

Imagine the Duluth East versus Andover game played last night in the hippodome or in Hibbing's arena ? Imagine the Edina BSM game played at Parade or Richfield

[hockey59]

It was a great atmosphere last night and being a UMD alum I think Amsoil is an awesome arena & training facility for the Bulldogs...but after spending the previous four years Thursday nights watching 5AA section Finals at Aldrich...I have to give the nod to Aldrich for excitement & atmosphere, as someone noted, it’s like a mini version of the old Met Center, the rink, the way the building appears when you drive up to it and the parking lot

2016, I went to the Finals at both Amsoil and Aldrich. Aldrich cannot compete with Amsoil Arena in any way. Amsoil has the nicest lobby arguably in the NCAA, and going to the 4AA final the next night it was 10 degrees outside which is where you wait before they open the gates. Aldrich is a regular season building. Coming from 7AA where the stage gets bigger in the semi's and finals being in an NCAA building, it is a major let down going to a just nice regular season building for a section title game. Add in flat benches instead of theatre style seats, no food scene anywhere near the arena at Aldrich, the experience is bland at best. The energy inside the building was great, don't get me wrong, but you also don't have enough seating to meet the demand for tickets.

I thought you GR folk were suppose to be “tough
Guys”? And the game you went to that night “Noah Cates spinorama GW OT goal” is one of the most iconic in 4AA history...quit acting like a...lite-weight DJ

[northwoods oldtimer]

It was a great atmosphere last night and being a UMD alum I think Amsoil is an awesome arena & training facility for the Bulldogs...but after spending the previous four years Thursday nights watching 5AA section Finals at Aldrich...I have to give the nod to Aldrich for excitement & atmosphere, as someone noted, it’s like a mini version of the old Met Center, the rink, the way the building appears when you drive up to it and the parking lot

Crowd was small due to it the north - south match up

Obviously you have never been to a all north CEC, Rapids, East final in a packed DECC/ Amsoil.

Time to go with Tier 1 /Tier 2 format

Or

All north section (combine 8AA and 7 AA)

Would see a better variety of teams in St. Paul for the big dance.

Moorhead
Hill (if they win)
East
Lakeville South / North
STA
Eden Praire

Every year is BORING!!!!!!!

Blaine and White Bear are only 2 teams which potentially provide some intrigue for 2019 for the AA casual observer.

[That guy for that thing]

So does that mean the outstate teams are at a disadvantage at state tournament?

I think they are....which is why it's so cool when the North beats the metro....No matter what anyone says traveling wears kids down a little. Staying at hotel versus sleeping in your own bed is a slight distraction. All I am saying is why not have the section final played at a Neutral site so both teams travel a little. Let's be honest we've all been to section finals held at Amsoil and Mariucci and the environment just isn't as festive as it could be

Imagine the Duluth East versus Andover game played last night in the hippodome or in Hibbing's arena ? Imagine the Edina BSM game played at Parade or Richfield

What 7AA finals were you watching. They didn't initially open the upper bowl, but had to because they didn't have enough seats. And 2017 between DE and GR Amsoil was filled to the brim. Absolutely electric. Imo comparable to UMD and the X in 2011. What brings it down is when Andover has 1 section of parents, oddly enough right behind the east players bench, and 2/3 of a section of students. GR filled damn near half the rink in 2017, and they half a 1.5 hour drive on a 2 lane highway that gets snow covered any time a breeze more than 5 mph blows. Bring 2 busses of students and Amsoil will be loud for both sides. As it was the Andover faithful were decently loud and coordinated a nice white out amongst the students.

[yesiplayedhockey]

The fact that a DE fan "apposes" of moving it out of Amsoil is the exact reason it should move out of amsoil

Oh and I am actually glad DE won...I'm trying to have a big picture discussion and not so much this one game

[Where is F3?]

So where do they move the final then?

[TheHockeyDJ]

It was a great atmosphere last night and being a UMD alum I think Amsoil is an awesome arena & training facility for the Bulldogs...but after spending the previous four years Thursday nights watching 5AA section Finals at Aldrich...I have to give the nod to Aldrich for excitement & atmosphere, as someone noted, it’s like a mini version of the old Met Center, the rink, the way the building appears when you drive up to it and the parking lot

2016, I went to the Finals at both Amsoil and Aldrich. Aldrich cannot compete with Amsoil Arena in any way. Amsoil has the nicest lobby arguably in the NCAA, and going to the 4AA final the next night it was 10 degrees outside which is where you wait before they open the gates. Aldrich is a regular season building. Coming from 7AA where the stage gets bigger in the semi's and finals being in an NCAA building, it is a major let down going to a just nice regular season building for a section title game. Add in flat benches instead of theatre style seats, no food scene anywhere near the arena at Aldrich, the experience is bland at best. The energy inside the building was great, don't get me wrong, but you also don't have enough seating to meet the demand for tickets.

I thought you GR folk were suppose to be “tough
Guys”? And the game you went to that night “Noah Cates spinorama GW OT goal is one of the most iconic in 4AA history...quit acting like a...lite-weight DJ

Well, I am tough enough to handle the cold, but why? To prove what to whom? I believe one can be strong and also like nice things, no one is holding a gun to my head telling me to choose one or the other. I would prefer a powerlifting meet to find out who are the "tough guys"

No doubt that was an iconic moment, I had a great view of the ridiculous 120' saucer pass to Cates as I was standing on the glass behind the goal line from where the pass came. Still, my point is I would like to see all Section Finals in an NCAA building. Have them all on a Saturday at Mankato, Sanford Center in Bemidji, Amsoil Arena, Marinucci, and St. Cloud. I like the progression from section quarters at high seed, semi's and finals on college ice, state on NHL ice. I love how it keeps building on the excitement.

[TheHockeyDJ]

So where do they move the final then?

This x1000. Please tell me what garbage rink in the metro they should move it to.

[hockey59]

So where do they move the final then?

National Hockey Center (St Cloud) those coach bus rides are nothing for the Hounds is the LOGICAL neutral site, at least bi-annually. WDIO might even have broadcast trucks they could drive up there

[WestMetro]

Sounds like heckofa game as usual, although the Greenway upset was even better !

For first time in many years , i went to Aldrich for 5AA instead of watching 7AA stream. That was a great one this year .

The 7 drama is incredible every year

What was attendance ?

If Htown moves up, then move Andover and Elk out of 7AA , so can quit hearing complaints about home ice and north/south .

Is Karl now going to close the Hate Hermantown thread ?

Well done Section 7!

[TheHockeyDJ]

So where do they move the final then?

National Hockey Center (St Cloud) those coach bus rides are nothing for the Hounds is the LOGICAL neutral site, at least bi-annually. WDIO might even have broadcast trucks they could drive up there

Even with the renovation, the NHC can't hold a candle to Amsoil. Plus, who WANTS to be in St. Cloud compared to Duluth...

[Where is F3?]

So where do they move the final then?

National Hockey Center (St Cloud) those coach bus rides are nothing for the Hounds is the LOGICAL neutral site, at least bi-annually. WDIO might even have broadcast trucks they could drive up there

Even with the renovation, the NHC can't hold a candle to Amsoil. Plus, who WANTS to be in St. Cloud compared to Duluth...

High school hockey on Olympic ice is awful IMO.

[northwoods oldtimer]

2016, I went to the Finals at both Amsoil and Aldrich. Aldrich cannot compete with Amsoil Arena in any way. Amsoil has the nicest lobby arguably in the NCAA, and going to the 4AA final the next night it was 10 degrees outside which is where you wait before they open the gates. Aldrich is a regular season building. Coming from 7AA where the stage gets bigger in the semi's and finals being in an NCAA building, it is a major let down going to a just nice regular season building for a section title game. Add in flat benches instead of theatre style seats, no food scene anywhere near the arena at Aldrich, the experience is bland at best. The energy inside the building was great, don't get me wrong, but you also don't have enough seating to meet the demand for tickets.

I thought you GR folk were suppose to be “tough
Guys”? And the game you went to that night “Noah Cates spinorama GW OT goal is one of the most iconic in 4AA history...quit acting like a...lite-weight DJ

Well, I am tough enough to handle the cold, but why? To prove what to whom? I believe one can be strong and also like nice things, no one is holding a gun to my head telling me to choose one or the other. I would prefer a powerlifting meet to find out who are the "tough guys"

No doubt that was an iconic moment, I had a great view of the ridiculous 120' saucer pass to Cates as I was standing on the glass behind the goal line from where the pass came. Still, my point is I would like to see all Section Finals in an NCAA building. Have them all on a Saturday at Mankato, Sanford Center in Bemidji, Amsoil Arena, Marinucci, and St. Cloud. I like the progression from section quarters at high seed, semi's and finals on college ice, state on NHL ice. I love how it keeps building on the excitement.

I seriously doubt DJ is a wimp he lives in Alaska.

[hockey59]

So where do they move the final then?

National Hockey Center (St Cloud) those coach bus rides are nothing for the Hounds is the LOGICAL neutral site, at least bi-annually. WDIO might even have broadcast trucks they could drive up there

Even with the renovation, the NHC can't hold a candle to Amsoil. Plus, who WANTS to be in St. Cloud compared to Duluth...

Jeez DJ...we’re not taking about going to Gradma’s for pre-game and sitting in theater style seats And the drive on 169S to 23W can’t be any worse than highway 2

[northwoods oldtimer]

Sounds like heckofa game as usual, although the Greenway upset was even better !

For first time in many years , i went to Aldrich for 5AA instead of watching 7AA stream. That was a great one this year .

The 7 drama is incredible every year

What was attendance ?

If Htown moves up, then move Andover and Elk out of 7AA , so can quit hearing complaints about home ice and north/south .

Is Karl now going to close the Hate Hermantown thread ?

Well done Section 7!

No way Westy, that thread will get a Guinness world record. It has at least 2 more years of hate to consume