Section 4AA FINAL

[BigWorm]

Just my personal preference but I hope they leave this game at Aldrich. The atmosphere in there last night was like taking a step back in time. The section finals being hosted in college arenas just aren't the same. I brought a buddy with me (from Atlanta) to the game last night and he said it is easily at the top, if not the best sporting event he's ever attended.

[inthetwine]

It's not actually a "booster club" that runs the concession stand. The people that work the concession stand are earning money that will go towards tuition at Hill-Murray or other private schools around the cities. The same people will work concession stands at the major venues in town like Xcel, TCF, Mariucci, etc, to earn money to help pay for tuition...so it's not like that money is being made to build new trophy cases for the Pioneers.

Regardless - does it really matter in the big scheme of things? It was a great venue - I still wish the Coliseum could still host these games. The kids from both teams played their hearts out for the entire game. It came down to one heck of an individual play to break the tie. Congrats to the Stillwater community/players - enjoy the experience, there is nothing like it. Hats off to the Pioneers - played a great game, a bounce here or there and it's a different outcome. The Pioneers will be back next year. Both teams have a big junior class - should be another epic battle next year to go to state.

What can you earn working a couple of hours at a concession stand, 10 bucks, for a 20,000 tuition? Give me a break!

Well - hate to break you're perfect world but not all Hill people are rich. There are hard working families that have to go the extra mile to pay for the school they want to attend. Yea - it is like $10 an hour - which is why their foundation has a stand at all of the local sports rinks. Those families work a lot of extra nights at games to help it all add up. If the game were played at Ridder or Mariucci - they would have people in one of the concession stands making money to help with tuition. You might not have the luxury of getting a water bottle with the Pioneer logo - but you would be helping some families pay for tuition.

Give me a break buddy! Kids are pouring their hearts out on the ice - played one heck of a game and all you care about is who is making money in the concession stand?

I'm not talking about the kids, I know they pour their hearts out, and nobody appreciates that more than me. And of course these parents send their kids to Hill for the "education", not and not for hockey.

[boblee]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

Since the ice making equipment at the St. Paul Auditorium (now the Roy Wilkins Auditorium) died in 1982, there hasn't been a really good venue for section final games. It was 8K seats, perfect for a single section final game. the coliseum was smaller, but with terrible sight lines.

The Target Center has zero atmosphere for section finals. It's been tried, and I was there. In fact, it was worse than zero atmosphere, like negative atmosphere.

Even the Anoka - Maple Grove final was at Aldrich. How'd you like to drive from Maple Grove to Maplewood during rush hour? So I don't see some sinister plot here. I'd think that game might be played at Ridder, an arena of similar size to Aldrich and a lot closer to Blaine/Maple Grove/Anoka/Circle Pines.

I heard tell that there was chatter among Stillwater partisans that if Hill hadn't made the final, THEY wanted the Hill locker room - facilities Hill PAID for.

[warriors41]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

I'd say he's on to nothing. Thats just reading way too much into situation if you ask me. Absolutely the goalie played great and bad a shutout. However, Cates scored the only goal of the game in OT. No matter who gets smothered with teammates one of their performances would be overlooked. I've seen overtime goals scored before in big games and teams have done the exact same thing. They head to the student section and jump on the scorer. And just because they were in front of the student section doesn't mean the team wasn't celebrating with teammates. Its just kind of ridiculous to me.

[hm88]

What can you earn working a couple of hours at a concession stand, 10 bucks, for a 20,000 tuition? Give me a break!

Well - hate to break you're perfect world but not all Hill people are rich. There are hard working families that have to go the extra mile to pay for the school they want to attend. Yea - it is like $10 an hour - which is why their foundation has a stand at all of the local sports rinks. Those families work a lot of extra nights at games to help it all add up. If the game were played at Ridder or Mariucci - they would have people in one of the concession stands making money to help with tuition. You might not have the luxury of getting a water bottle with the Pioneer logo - but you would be helping some families pay for tuition.

Give me a break buddy! Kids are pouring their hearts out on the ice - played one heck of a game and all you care about is who is making money in the concession stand?

I'm not talking about the kids, I know they pour their hearts out, and nobody appreciates that more than me. And of course these parents send their kids to Hill for the "education", not and not for hockey.

Always something new huh? You just can't accept or understand any logic behind the points being made...must be the difference in our educations...

[goldy313]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

Dumbest take ever.......win in regulation and everyone mobs the goalie even if it was 10-9 score. Win in ot and everyone mobs the goal scorer.

How many section games have you ever seen to post a take like that?

[inthetwine]

Well - hate to break you're perfect world but not all Hill people are rich. There are hard working families that have to go the extra mile to pay for the school they want to attend. Yea - it is like $10 an hour - which is why their foundation has a stand at all of the local sports rinks. Those families work a lot of extra nights at games to help it all add up. If the game were played at Ridder or Mariucci - they would have people in one of the concession stands making money to help with tuition. You might not have the luxury of getting a water bottle with the Pioneer logo - but you would be helping some families pay for tuition.

Give me a break buddy! Kids are pouring their hearts out on the ice - played one heck of a game and all you care about is who is making money in the concession stand?

I'm not talking about the kids, I know they pour their hearts out, and nobody appreciates that more than me. And of course these parents send their kids to Hill for the "education", not and not for hockey.

Always something new huh? You just can't accept or understand any logic behind the points being made...must be the difference in our educations...

Ok, I don't want to turn this into a Trump/Rubio/Cruz thing. My best friend is a Hill grad, and we jab each other all the time. To be honest with you, I'm from WBL, and if WBL can't make it to state, I root for Hill. At least that way, some WBL kids make it to state.

[boblee]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

Dumbest take ever.......win in regulation and everyone mobs the goalie even if it was 10-9 score. Win in ot and everyone mobs the goal scorer.

How many section games have you ever seen to post a take like that?

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

[inthetwine]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

Dumbest take ever.......win in regulation and everyone mobs the goalie even if it was 10-9 score. Win in ot and everyone mobs the goal scorer.

How many section games have you ever seen to post a take like that?

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

The guy is dead wrong, Stillwater is not a team of individuals, even when they announce starting lineups, the players don't step out, they stay lined up as a team. You don't get where they are by not playing like a team.

[BodyShots]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

Oxymoron ????

and a dumb observation!

[10minutemajor]

Dumbest take ever.......win in regulation and everyone mobs the goalie even if it was 10-9 score. Win in ot and everyone mobs the goal scorer.

How many section games have you ever seen to post a take like that?

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

The guy is dead wrong, Stillwater is not a team of individuals, even when they announce starting lineups, the players don't step out, they stay lined up as a team. You don't get where they are by not playing like a team.

A lot people thought that was just plain cockiness. Like they were too cool for the whole starting line-up "ceremony."

[inthetwine]

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

The guy is dead wrong, Stillwater is not a team of individuals, even when they announce starting lineups, the players don't step out, they stay lined up as a team. You don't get where they are by not playing like a team.

A lot people thought that was just plain cockiness. Like they were too cool for the whole starting line-up "ceremony."

Nope, team unity!

[hockeywild7]

I guess the Stillwater players just wanted to thank the huge fan contingent that was there supporting them. Not sure you need a real good hockey mind or be real smart to figure that one out. Great game by both teams. Loved seeing the student sections on both sides going crazy all game. It was a classic section final game that really shows what Minnesota high school hockey is all about.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

The guy is dead wrong, Stillwater is not a team of individuals, even when they announce starting lineups, the players don't step out, they stay lined up as a team. You don't get where they are by not playing like a team.

A lot people thought that was just plain cockiness. Like they were too cool for the whole starting line-up "ceremony."

I didn't see it as cockiness, but I hope it doesn't catch on. Just skate out when your name is called. But I fear this will be the "new thing to do" and quickly become a tired cliche.

If you really want to be seen as a team and not a bunch of individuals, how about the Ponies remove their last names from their jerseys? All they need is the name on the front, right?

[1parent]

The guy is dead wrong, Stillwater is not a team of individuals, even when they announce starting lineups, the players don't step out, they stay lined up as a team. You don't get where they are by not playing like a team.

A lot people thought that was just plain cockiness. Like they were too cool for the whole starting line-up "ceremony."

I didn't see it as cockiness, but I hope it doesn't catch on. Just skate out when your name is called. But I fear this will be the "new thing to do".

If you really want to be seen as a team and not a bunch of individuals, how about the Ponies remove their last names from their jerseys? All they need is the name on the front, right?

Doesn't their away jerseys say "Stillwater" on the back? I could be wrong.

[mnhockey1501]

I can tell you right now, that is not a team full of individuals. Cates was right there when he scored that goal, so it made the most sense. Also, that same group has stayed together all through youth hockey, I don't know if they lost one kid. Good for the ponies, if I were Cates, I'd do the same thing. Did you see the size of that student section???

[gitter]

I had a real good hockey mind and a very smart person text me this after the Ponies won:

"As I watched the Stillwater player make his move and score the game winner, he went right to the student section, along with everyone else... And here comes their goalie who just produced a shut out and not a single player is going to celebrate with him... Seems like a team of individuals... Should have celebrated with teammates first, then fans..."

Now, I know the celebration looked cool on video but...

Is he onto something or on something?

Dumbest take ever.......win in regulation and everyone mobs the goalie even if it was 10-9 score. Win in ot and everyone mobs the goal scorer.

How many section games have you ever seen to post a take like that?

How many section games have I seen? Dozens and dozens and dozens. As I clearly stated, it wasn't my take.

It's a different era Bob. When I played, you scored a goal and would go mob the guy that passed you the puck. Now you go race away from all your teammates, grab some ice and concuss yourself into the boards.

[MNHockeyFan]

It's a different era Bob. When I played, you scored a goal and would go mob the guy that passed you the puck. Now you go race away from all your teammates, grab some ice and concuss yourself into the boards.

Then you skate over to your bench and slap gloves with the rest of your teammates. Questions: which team in which league started this ritual, and is there any team that does not do it now?

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I can tell you right now, that is not a team full of individuals. Cates was right there when he scored that goal, so it made the most sense. Also, that same group has stayed together all through youth hockey, I don't know if they lost one kid. Good for the ponies, if I were Cates, I'd do the same thing. Did you see the size of that student section???

How many squirt teams did SW have (for the sake of argument let's say) six years ago? Just one? How about pee wee teams 4 years ago? Again, just one? Or did they have an A, a couple B and maybe a couple C? This year they have 6 teams at each level. So all of these kids were on the same team each year?

Because if you believe that, I've got some nice beachfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you.

I tip my hat to the Ponies. They were clearly the best team in the section and deserve to go the X. It's a nice story, their best team ever has a real shot to win a championship, their first. It's probably good for them they got the #2 seed. It gives them a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they aren't such a target. But please, let's remove the rose colored glasses. It's a suburban mega school where the average income is relatively high. It's not Thief River in 1956.

[inthetwine]

I can tell you right now, that is not a team full of individuals. Cates was right there when he scored that goal, so it made the most sense. Also, that same group has stayed together all through youth hockey, I don't know if they lost one kid. Good for the ponies, if I were Cates, I'd do the same thing. Did you see the size of that student section???

How many squirt teams did SW have (for the sake of argument let's say) six years ago? Just one? How about pee wee teams 4 years ago? Again, just one? Or did they have an A, a couple B and maybe a couple C? This year they have 6 teams at each level. So all of these kids were on the same team each year?

Because if you believe that, I've got some nice beachfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you.

I tip my hat to the Ponies. They were clearly the best team in the section and deserve to go the X. It's a nice story, their best team ever has a real shot to win a championship, their first. It's probably good for them they got the #2 seed. It gives them a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they aren't such a target. But please, let's remove the rose colored glasses. It's a suburban mega school where the average income is relatively high. It's not Thief River in 1956.

Wow, this this is coming from a Hill guy? How many kids are in Hill's youth program? And just where is the town of Hill Murray?

[mnhockey1501]

I can tell you right now, that is not a team full of individuals. Cates was right there when he scored that goal, so it made the most sense. Also, that same group has stayed together all through youth hockey, I don't know if they lost one kid. Good for the ponies, if I were Cates, I'd do the same thing. Did you see the size of that student section???

How many squirt teams did SW have (for the sake of argument let's say) six years ago? Just one? How about pee wee teams 4 years ago? Again, just one? Or did they have an A, a couple B and maybe a couple C? This year they have 6 teams at each level. So all of these kids were on the same team each year?

Because if you believe that, I've got some nice beachfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you.

I tip my hat to the Ponies. They were clearly the best team in the section and deserve to go the X. It's a nice story, their best team ever has a real shot to win a championship, their first. It's probably good for them they got the #2 seed. It gives them a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they aren't such a target. But please, let's remove the rose colored glasses. It's a suburban mega school where the average income is relatively high. It's not Thief River in 1956.

I have had a kid play against this Stillwater team his entire life and I have watched him play against this amazing junior class the whole time. Yes, they are a mega suburban area with a lot of wealthy families, but that doesn't change the fact that the Cates and Sagissor brothers, or anyone on that team decided to play for their home association and your school couldn't get them. Love to see a hardworking group like this.

[old goalie85]

I watched this group as well. [One of mine is a Jr] This is a deep group of Jrs don't forget Manning/B-stead many more. They played together during summers.[Maverick] Squirts on up they have gotten better and better. Coaches and parents should be proud.

Congrats to Stillwater.

[BlueLineSpecial]

people are still voting in the poll

I'll be rooting for Stillwater to do well. For a lot of years this was a team that people felt had talent but couldn't put it together. That, and they were losing too many kids to Hill. Many put the blame on Housley. Give a lot of credit to coach Matt Doman, who in my opinion was the perfect fit at Stillwater and really galvanized the community. Also, he was great in The Martian. Good night folks!

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I can tell you right now, that is not a team full of individuals. Cates was right there when he scored that goal, so it made the most sense. Also, that same group has stayed together all through youth hockey, I don't know if they lost one kid. Good for the ponies, if I were Cates, I'd do the same thing. Did you see the size of that student section???

How many squirt teams did SW have (for the sake of argument let's say) six years ago? Just one? How about pee wee teams 4 years ago? Again, just one? Or did they have an A, a couple B and maybe a couple C? This year they have 6 teams at each level. So all of these kids were on the same team each year?

Because if you believe that, I've got some nice beachfront property in Florida I'd like to sell you.

I tip my hat to the Ponies. They were clearly the best team in the section and deserve to go the X. It's a nice story, their best team ever has a real shot to win a championship, their first. It's probably good for them they got the #2 seed. It gives them a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they aren't such a target. But please, let's remove the rose colored glasses. It's a suburban mega school where the average income is relatively high. It's not Thief River in 1956.

Wow, this this is coming from a Hill guy? How many kids are in Hill's youth program? And just where is the town of Hill Murray?

For Pete's sake don't you have Google Maps? The City of Hill-Murray is just north of the City of St. Thomas and considerably west of the city of De La Salle, where the ice arena closed years ago. Now if you pass the cities of Holy Angels or Benilde, you've gone too far. And if you're in the cities of Eastview, East Ridge, Century, Centennial, Champlin Park, Henry Sibley, Simley or Greenway, I have no idea where you are because I've never been able to find those cities at all. But I next winter I'd like to spend a week in the City of Tampa Bay.

When I was in youth hockey we used to play some kids whose jearseys said they were from Mend-Eagan. I think that was a corporate sponsor though, probably a dental clinic.