Section 3A (2013-2014)

[notTONIGHT]

Wow, there are a lot of defensive Luverne fans on this board. As an ex-3A player, I appreciate the updates that 3A Scout gives here. I live in New York, so I don't have the chance to watch 3A teams until, potentially, the state tournament, so it's great to get insight about a section which isn't really covered elsewhere.
I get that some feel that 3A Scout isn't giving Luverne the "love", but can't the "crow" and hate at least wait until the end of the year? Some of you will look fairly foolish should Luverne underperform in Sections like they did last year. In fact, I don't recall 3A Scout rubbing it in when Luverne didn't make it at the end of last season; which, in light of how 3A Scout is treated on here, makes him (I'm assuming 3A Scout is a him) the bigger person.
By the way, I sincerely hope a SW Conference team makes it to the big dance again this year. Here's to hoping for hockey growth in that great region of the state.

I would also appreciate her section analysis. If it was even close to unbiased. She clearly spends a LOT of time putting together her previews and reviews of games. The problem is, She is SOO blatantly and unfairly against Luverne she has forced us into defense of the program. It got so bad last year the moderators of the forum threatened to ban her because she was going on and on about how bad she thought Luverne's coaching staff was. She would'nt give up. Now that she cant drivel on and on about her (unwarranted) dislike for the Luverne coaching staff, it has improved, but she still throws every chance she can to bring down the hard working kids in Luverne. Anyone who can take, even a slightly objective look at this section can see Luverne is a serious contender.
She even seeks out other threads that mention Luverne being a successful program so that she can deface them in front of a different audience. Its really a strange obsession and unfortunately she has created some forum monsters to defend the kids. Wish she could come around, but old girlfriends RARELY lose that disdain, know what im saying?

[gopherfan7]

Iranger33 and Section 3A HockeyScout just need to STOP. Luverne is a highly talented team, so quit bashing them. yeah they play a weaker schedule, but if half the kids in this section played the schedule lucerne plays, they still wouldn't put up 65-75 points like Smedsrud and Norman will this year.

That being said, I still don't think Luverne is going to make it out of this section. Willmar is a very skilled team with great coaches. Coach Tollefson gets these boys working hard all year and come playoff time they will be the most prepared team in the section.

My rankings so far:

1. Willmar
2. Luverne
3. New Ulm
4. Hutch
5. Litch
6. Marshall
7. Windom
8. Morris Benson
9. Worthington
10. Redwood Valley
11. Fairmont

[notTONIGHT]

Iranger33 and Section 3A HockeyScout just need to STOP. Luverne is a highly talented team, so quit bashing them. yeah they play a weaker schedule, but if half the kids in this section played the schedule lucerne plays, they still wouldn't put up 65-75 points like Smedsrud and Norman will this year.

That being said, I still don't think Luverne is going to make it out of this section. Willmar is a very skilled team with great coaches. Coach Tollefson gets these boys working hard all year and come playoff time they will be the most prepared team in the section.

My rankings so far:

1. Willmar
2. Luverne
3. New Ulm
4. Hutch
5. Litch
6. Marshall
7. Windom
8. Morris Benson
9. Worthington
10. Redwood Valley
11. Fairmont

Not looking past any games in between. But, I cant WAIT for 17 January!
Monumental date for section 3A

[MrGoalieBoy]

I agree with you Gopherfan. I think Hutch will be ahead of New Ulm though. I think Willmar will be the one coming out of the section, but Luverne/Hutch/NewUlm might give them a run. Marshall and Litch are way down, I don't think they're even in the picture anymore. Unless Campion pulls something out of his butt like last year. Marshall doesn't have Horvath or Mikel to do the damage up front this year though. not saying Luverne isn't good, I think Luverne has a huge amount of talent, put it together in February/March, like they have so far and I'll see them at the X!

[bardown27]

Iranger33 and Section 3A HockeyScout just need to STOP. Luverne is a highly talented team, so quit bashing them. yeah they play a weaker schedule, but if half the kids in this section played the schedule lucerne plays, they still wouldn't put up 65-75 points like Smedsrud and Norman will this year.

That being said, I still don't think Luverne is going to make it out of this section. Willmar is a very skilled team with great coaches. Coach Tollefson gets these boys working hard all year and come playoff time they will be the most prepared team in the section.

My rankings so far:

1. Willmar
2. Luverne
3. New Ulm
4. Hutch
5. Litch
6. Marshall
7. Windom
8. Morris Benson
9. Worthington
10. Redwood Valley
11. Fairmont

Not looking past any games in between. But, I cant WAIT for 17 January!
Monumental date for section 3A

exactly which game are you looking at?

redwood vs. luverne?
hutch vs. virginia?
willmar vs. eveleth?

[notTONIGHT]

D'oh. Meant 11 January.my apologies.

[elliott70]

D'oh. Meant 11 January.my apologies.

What game?

[bardown27]

D'oh. Meant 11 January.my apologies.

What game?

luverne vs. willmar

[TheSiouxSuck]

Well 3AHockeyTrout, it looks like Luverne Hosts Minnehaha Friday evening, and then Minnehaha goes to New Ulm on Sat. New Ulm's going to get the advantage of (AA enrollment) AND playing what's left of Minnehaha after Friday nights game, but it should be a good indicator of who has strength, wouldn't you say?

Strike that question... can't believe I even asked it.

Advantage of AA Enrollment? Oh please the cutoff for AA Is 1247, New Ulm has 6 schools in its co op with a combined enrollment of 1269. Three of the schools in the coop (MVL, SESM, and NUC) are Private schools that kids attend based on their Religion. The argument you're presenting in that the one player who's parents chose to send to the Lutheran School in town 5 years from now validates adding that schools entire enrollment to the Coop (which still by the way is only 22 kids over the cutoff with SIX SCHOOLS) this year is laughable.

[fastncrash]

Well 3AHockeyTrout, it looks like Luverne Hosts Minnehaha Friday evening, and then Minnehaha goes to New Ulm on Sat. New Ulm's going to get the advantage of (AA enrollment) AND playing what's left of Minnehaha after Friday nights game, but it should be a good indicator of who has strength, wouldn't you say?

Strike that question... can't believe I even asked it.

Advantage of AA Enrollment? Oh please the cutoff for AA Is 1247, New Ulm has 6 schools in its co op with a combined enrollment of 1269. Three of the schools in the coop (MVL, SESM, and NUC) are Private schools that kids attend based on their Religion. The argument you're presenting in that the one player who's parents chose to send to the Lutheran School in town 5 years from now validates adding that schools entire enrollment to the Coop (which still by the way is only 22 kids over the cutoff with SIX SCHOOLS) this year is laughable.

Remove the ONE S.E. forward, and the ONE S.E. defenseman and your team is in serious trouble.

[Iranger33]

Iranger33 and Section 3A HockeyScout just need to STOP. Luverne is a highly talented team, so quit bashing them. yeah they play a weaker schedule, but if half the kids in this section played the schedule lucerne plays, they still wouldn't put up 65-75 points like Smedsrud and Norman will this year.

That being said, I still don't think Luverne is going to make it out of this section. Willmar is a very skilled team with great coaches. Coach Tollefson gets these boys working hard all year and come playoff time they will be the most prepared team in the section.

My rankings so far:

1. Willmar
2. Luverne
3. New Ulm
4. Hutch
5. Litch
6. Marshall
7. Windom
8. Morris Benson
9. Worthington
10. Redwood Valley
11. Fairmont

Please don't lump me in with the Scout, my opinion is that the top 3 teams in the section are Luverne, Hutch, and New Ulm. I went on record a couple of years ago that Luverne gained respect by making it to the section finals. But if that is upsetting to you I'm sorry.

[elliott70]

D'oh. Meant 11 January.my apologies.

What game?

luverne vs. willmar

That should be a good one.
And besides a good game, based on things right now, could determine #1 seed.

[rbmuskiefishin]

What game?

luverne vs. willmar

That should be a good one.
And besides a good game, based on things right now, could determine #1 seed.

I agree that game could determine the #1 seed if Wilmar gets by Hutch.

[TheSiouxSuck]

Well 3AHockeyTrout, it looks like Luverne Hosts Minnehaha Friday evening, and then Minnehaha goes to New Ulm on Sat. New Ulm's going to get the advantage of (AA enrollment) AND playing what's left of Minnehaha after Friday nights game, but it should be a good indicator of who has strength, wouldn't you say?

Strike that question... can't believe I even asked it.

Advantage of AA Enrollment? Oh please the cutoff for AA Is 1247, New Ulm has 6 schools in its co op with a combined enrollment of 1269. Three of the schools in the coop (MVL, SESM, and NUC) are Private schools that kids attend based on their Religion. The argument you're presenting in that the one player who's parents chose to send to the Lutheran School in town 5 years from now validates adding that schools entire enrollment to the Coop (which still by the way is only 22 kids over the cutoff with SIX SCHOOLS) this year is laughable.

Remove the ONE S.E. forward, and the ONE S.E. defenseman and your team is in serious trouble.

Of which taking the combined enrollment of NU, SE, and NUC is 810. Definately Class A size.

[notTONIGHT]

Iranger33 and Section 3A HockeyScout just need to STOP. Luverne is a highly talented team, so quit bashing them. yeah they play a weaker schedule, but if half the kids in this section played the schedule lucerne plays, they still wouldn't put up 65-75 points like Smedsrud and Norman will this year.

That being said, I still don't think Luverne is going to make it out of this section. Willmar is a very skilled team with great coaches. Coach Tollefson gets these boys working hard all year and come playoff time they will be the most prepared team in the section.

My rankings so far:

1. Willmar
2. Luverne
3. New Ulm
4. Hutch
5. Litch
6. Marshall
7. Windom
8. Morris Benson
9. Worthington
10. Redwood Valley
11. Fairmont

Please don't lump me in with the Scout, my opinion is that the top 3 teams in the section are Luverne, Hutch, and New Ulm. I went on record a couple of years ago that Luverne gained respect by making it to the section finals. But if that is upsetting to you I'm sorry.

Noted. I wouldnt want that association either.

[BP]

How is the hometown following for these teams at their home games? Hutch, LDC, New Ulm, Luverne, etc?

[jeffpv]

I would also appreciate her section analysis. If it was even close to unbiased. She clearly spends a LOT of time putting together her previews and reviews of games. The problem is, She is SOO blatantly and unfairly against Luverne she has forced us into defense of the program. It got so bad last year the moderators of the forum threatened to ban her because she was going on and on about how bad she thought Luverne's coaching staff was. She would'nt give up. Now that she cant drivel on and on about her (unwarranted) dislike for the Luverne coaching staff, it has improved, but she still throws every chance she can to bring down the hard working kids in Luverne. Anyone who can take, even a slightly objective look at this section can see Luverne is a serious contender.
She even seeks out other threads that mention Luverne being a successful program so that she can deface them in front of a different audience. Its really a strange obsession and unfortunately she has created some forum monsters to defend the kids. Wish she could come around, but old girlfriends RARELY lose that disdain, know what im saying?[/quote]

Look, I don't know 3A Scout, nor am do I have any interest in defending him/her. What I do know is that Scout at least attempts to analyze hockey games more than simply "Player X is awesome" or "Team Y needs a goalie". I appreciate analysis, even if it's flawed. I am well aware that any analysis has bias, just as your analysis of Scout's analyses is biased. I just don't see the point in attacking someone for what they see. I've read the posts on here: it's like a witch hunt. Not being a sycophant does not mean one 'disdains' a team.
It is my hope that, in the end, Luverne will prove Scout wrong. In fact, I hope Luverne wins the State Tournament--it would be a great boost to hockey in the southwest corner of the state! Until then, I'll enjoy reading insights from someone who attends the games in an area of the state that interests me, as I am far from the action.

[wooshlager]

What I dont get is why he/she is making picks and giving reasons for the picks but after the game takes place and his/her pick is wrong his/her analysis is "they must be down this year". Its contradicting.

[MrGoalieBoy]

3A Hockey Scout gives his thoughts on all of the games, just as we all do, and just because he doesn't think your team isn't as good as you think they are, doesn't mean you have to bash him as much as some people are on this board. Instead of doing that, present things about the teams in the section so we can get some kind of board going on here... Anyone want to get back to talking Section 3A? There is a pretty big game tomorrow night in New Ulm against Hutchinson.....My prediction is that Hutchinson will beat New Ulm by a score of 4-2. Litchfield will take care of business against Redwood 6-1. Luverne takes care of business against Fairmont, 11-0. And another big game for Marshall, I think they're going to come off this rough weekend with a 5-4 win over Windom. That will be a close one.

[Section 3A HockeyScout]

Big Game tomorrow night in Hutch (I WILL BE THERE )

New Ulm Area @ Hutchinson

The Eagles have not had the start they wanted to the season. Right now their D-man have been susupect and they have not had scoring depth like I thought they would. Not to say that wont happen its very early. Players like Davis, Helget & Peterson are special and will score. They need secondary scoring from sources like Huffman and Kraus this year.

The Tigers need to shake off the rust left from football. They have gret adepth and the Cowger and Adams line will play a big role. Maceman leads a strong Dcore.

The big question mark for both team is goaltending Allen needs to prove he can win a big game and Kraus has not been solid to start his senior year. The team that gets better goaltending will win.... What an obvious statement

New Ulm wants Revenge for Hutch knocking them out last year and Hutch is looking to prove they are the top team in this section on their home ice. Going to be a fun one!
Prediction: Hutch 4 New Ulm 3

Other Games in 3A
River Lakes over Morris Benson
LDC will hammer Redwood
Luverne should take care of Fairmont ( I picked Luverne )
I will take Marshall comfortably over Windom

[Can't skate]

Hutch beats New Ulm 3-1, Cards will roll over Fairmont and Marshall will get by Windom 3-2. [/quote]

[rbmuskiefishin]

I hope whoever wins this section plays well at state. I think the only thing getting less respect then this section is Luverne.

That being said I am taking Hutch over New Ulm 7-3

[andovercw]

No one will question the passion of section 3a fans on this message board. I think there are more postings on this section than any other section. The squabbling is getting old though. What you all need to figure out is a better marshall team makes for a better luverne team. A better redwood falls team, makes for a better marshall team. and so on. I think Luverne is doing a great job of developement at the lower levels and it is finally carrying into the high school program. Hopefully they can retain that talent. Unfortunately for Marshall, they have been unable to keep some of the talent they have developed, and until the entire section gets better you will see some of the better talent leave for greener pastors.

[InigoMontoya]

I only see 4 juniors (and no junior goalie) on Hutchinson's roster. There are 23 juniors on the football roster, for a team that is 26-0 with back-to-back state championships, but only one kid in the class that plays hockey. Seems like they fell asleep at the recruiting wheel in a pretty important athletic year about 12 years ago.

[notTONIGHT]

How is the hometown following for these teams at their home games? Hutch, LDC, New Ulm, Luverne, etc?

Can't find a seat at blue mound ice arena in Luverne.