HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

#00 Goalie Rachel Borchardt for Moose Lake/Willow River is a great net minder

Seen her play, she is very good!

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GOCARDS1 wrote:alex lost to crookston tonight 3-4 in OT... alex had it in their grasps.. being up 2-0, and then 3-1... couldnt close the door. very tight game but excellent hockey for the most part.

I agree, excellent hockey for the most part. Alex's goalie, Junior Danielle Justice, looked very impressive in the net. She had 38 SOG. Abby Williams is still recuperating from the flu and they are missing two of their players, which showed on their lines. Crookston's defense played very well keeping Alex to 16 SOG.

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They are getting some respect! They are ranked 4 or 5 in class A. What more do you want?

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GOCARDS1 wrote:ya.. abby williams wasnt 100% but i still woulda considered her the best player on the ice.. alex was missing a defensemen and one of their girls on their second line was sick.. i think alex deserves some more respect and recognition, even though they have an easier schedule

Seriously, Abby Williams is a nice player but the best player on the ice in the championship game was Marlee Wheelhouse from Crookston. Game tying goal and game winning goal, both scored while being dragged down from behind. Also scored one in the first that was not allowed because the referee wasn't in position in time to see it. Abby scored on a breakaway and I don't know how many other chances she had but Crookston outshoots Alexandria 34 to 13 so my guess would be Crookston dominated the game.

Everybody goes through adversity throughout the season so two girls were sick and a defensemen was gone, have someone else step up. That is what makes a team.

If you want more respect play a tougher schedule. And maybe beat a team that is ranked higher than you. It doesn't matter that you beat Sartell, Litchfield and Morris by double digits. Nice win vs. Moorhead but you got outshot 2-1. Come out and dominate good competition and you will get respect.

Nice win for Crookston, on the road outshooting Alexandria by more than 2-1, having a clear goal dissallowed.

With Blake losing to Benilde do we have a new #1 next week.

GOCARDS1 wrote:they are 5th currently.. i personally think rankings dont really mean squat .. but .. "alex is gonna go to state cause they have an easy section, or they have an easy schedule so they shouldnt be ranked so high.. .. its not their fault that they are in the central lakes conference and the majority of the teams in that conference cant compete w/ them.

Then have your AD schedule more non conference games with Metro area taems like Rochester Mayo does.

Crookston dominated this game. If it wasn't for Alex's outstanding goalie play, this game wouldn't of been as close as the score indicated. Crookston's power play outshined Alex's power play. Crookston moved the puck and controlled play much better than Alex. Crookston's first line and second line outplayed Alex's first and second line. Crookston's defense is second to none. Alex has a very fine first line, but other than the breakaway, they could not penetrate Crookston's defense. Not sure Alex has the defense to carry them in close tight games, but their goaltender can. Alex will definately make it to state, and will be a force to be reconned with! [/quote]

Gopher 9,

Yes I have seen many city games and I know that there are alot of awesome "D's" out there. My only point was that Holmes is not "average", she is better than average (she plays in the cities all summer). No, she has not been out to Lake Placcid but that whole ordeal is so political that many girls that deserve to be there don't make it and some of the ones that do go, should not be there. So that is not a very good judge in someones ability to play. ( The list is picked before tryouts even begin and girls that dont even try out make it, whats that?)
By the way,what is your issue with Alex? No they don't have that hard of competition and they really only have one strong first line and one defensive player, 2 including their goalie. But the girls work hard and have fun and they deserve some positive feedback. Who they play is not the teams decision and they would love to play harder teams but for some reason (I dont even know why) they are not scheduled. And I never said the entire team was made up of ALL STARS. No team is.

I have no issue with Alex! They have a "good" team. Remember it's just my opinion! But their are several "good" teams out there. And about 6-8 "great" teams out there.And as far as Holmes, She is a "good" player! But I feel their is 12-15 "great" D out there. Just remember it"s just my opinion. Nothing against Alex. And I have seen her play in the summer.

Well, I am glad that you have nothing against Alex. But from some of your past remarks, one could wonder. I agree with your "good" and "great" teams comment. Alex is blessed to have the few good players they do seeing as though they are only given so much unlike a lot of the city teams where they can pick and choose their Varsity team. Alex does their best with what they have to win their section and conference and then by doing so they deserve to go to state. They work hard for that spot every year. Keep watching Holmes she gets better every year.

Agree! And I will. Good Luck!

Crookston doesn't get to pick and choose their Varsity players either. For loosing 2 goalies this year and using a second year goalie in the game last night I'd say they proved something in the game, Marlee Wheelhouse WAS on fire, but the win had to come from everyone on the team stepping it up.

As for Holmes, she is the only defence from Alex I noticed. Very nice slap shot when she can get it off, and I didnt see her take any strong wrist shots or anything else. She is a good defenceman like you said and is very good at one on ones, but isn't great at taking it out of the corners or skating it up herself, the puck is easily stolen when she tries. If shed work on that shed be "great". Erika Wheelhouse is outstanding at every area of defence and she also can skate it up when she is needed to. And if you ask me there is nothing political about Lake Placid, there are many people watching the practices and choosing players they think have enough skill to make it there, if the girls don't they obviously dont have enough skills, the people who pick the girls must know about hockey and can see faults other coaches, parents, and fans cannot see.

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GOCARDS1,
I'm sure Alex is thrilled to have you in their corner, but to attack Crookston's goalie was unnecessary. She's a second year goalie and she made some very nice saves. Please keep in mind that this thread is about this year's Junior All-Star team. To debate Ms. Williams and Ms. Wheelhouse is, in my opinion, a waste of time. They both are quite qualified for a positon on the All-Star team.

Alex apparently was not on their best game last night because of illness and two players being gone. In a perfect world, there would be equal talent to step up to take the place of more experience players. I'm sure everyone would like to see a rematch at State.

For the record: Holmes does has a slapshot that many boy's hockey players would envy.

Btw - a little punctuation is appreciated. It makes shed "she'd".

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I am aware that Crookston does not get to pick and choose either, that is why I said "city teams". Yes those Wheelhouse girls are great on the ice and great off ice. They are very down to earth and a joy to be around. It is fun to see them play. They both have a lot of talent.

Crookston does play well as a team. They are a stronger team all around than Alex, but Alex sure put up a fight and did well obviously since it was an overtime game. I sure hope Crookston makes it to state this year. They deserve it.

Holmes does have a nice slap shot. A nice wrist shot too. Not given a lot of opportunity to utilize that talent either. (she has areas to work on but what player doesn't). Alex doesnt use their points very well, but then again besides Holmes, they don't have a solid defense to utilize. That sure puts a lot of pressure on Holmes.

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#4 for Alex is a nice player, and I agree, she doesn't have a whole lot to work with on that line. Holmes is a very hard worker, you can't take that away from her. But I thought she made some mistakes against Crookston........bad passes, shakey stickhandling. She has a canon of a slap shot, though. The nice thing about Crookston is that all their players are from Crookston/RLF (co-op).......no transfers......all home grown.

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Marlee Wheelhouse is a very dominating player and will get her opportunity at the next level. Her sis Erika (sophmore) and Lexi Wangen (freshman)are also both very talanted D and are being scouted by several D1 teams. Crookston completely controlled Alex last night out shooting them more 2-1. If there new goalie coach can improve the tenders they could prove to be unstopable and the Mullet will come off.

every player in every game they play will make some mistakes, no player is perfect, not even the pros. Unfortunately, most of the time when Holmes makes a pass, her teammates can't catch them (the first line girls can). If it wasn't for Holmes and Justice I am sure that the outcome would have been much different. So she made mistakes, she still deserves a pat on the back for containing a hard team, without the assistance from most of her team. Holmes is being scouted by several D1 colleges also.

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