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Don't be quite so certain about the Lourdes dynasty. They lose a lot of talent this year and next. Four years ago Rochester's top Bantam team finished second to Wayzata in the state tournament. Half of that team went to Lourdes (not all the top players) and the other half scattered to JM, Mayos, and Century. This years key seniors and juniors were on that team, and only one or two will be left next year. Lourdes also loses 7 of there top 9 offense after this year. Yes there will be kids moving up, but not from the success of this past group. Key is the other programs keeping talent home and not off to juniors or TC teams. AL, RW, NF need to keep talent thru senior yers.

To much turnover in Roch coaching will also hurt someday.

4-1 Lourdes after 2. Not a very disaplined game by the Raiders!

My final rankings for Section 1A based on how teams played during the year and playoffs:

1. Lourdes
2. Northfield
3. New Prague
4. LS/SP
5. Red Wing
6. Albert Lea
7. West
8. Faribault
9. La Crescent
10. Waseca
11. Austin
12. East

Lourdes was just the class of the field when it came right down to it again.

Short write-up of the game on Midwest Hockey News. Congrats to all the teams in Section 1A on a great season.

Eagles capture section 1A
February 29, 2012 — The Lourdes Eagles capture section 1A after a 4-1 victory over Northfield. This is the 4th straight year that Lourdes will come out of section 1A.

Alex Funk had the hat trick and an assist. Jason Samuelson had the first goal 3:34 into the game. Nathan Scofield tied things up for Northfield at the 13:40 mark in the first. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Eagles pulled away in the second when Alex Funk scored 3 goals in a 5:40 span. The Eagles were 1-5 on the power play and out-shot Northfield 44-12.

The Eagles skate into St. Paul with a 20-8 record.

Northfield's season ends 15-11-1.

Congrats to Lourdes on making it to the tourney yet again, and congrats to Northfield on making it to the section title, step in the right direction for the program.

Gretzky9 wrote:My final rankings for Section 1A based on how teams played during the year and playoffs:

1. Lourdes
2. Northfield
3. New Prague
4. LS/SP
5. Red Wing
6. Albert Lea
7. West
8. Faribault
9. La Crescent
10. Waseca
11. Austin
12. East

Lourdes was just the class of the field when it came right down to it again.

Gretzky.... This was a weird year in the section, but I've got to point out Your No. 2 lost to No. 3 twice, by a combined 9-1 score. at the same time that same no. 3 lost twice to both 5 and 6.

Teams 2 through 7 were so even, you could make a case for almost any order. I give props to Northfield for coming together at the end of the season, but I'm not sure they were the second-best team in the section. They were just the team that made it to the finals and lost. I'd say Red Wing was No. 2, although again, they lost twice to Northfield, which again points out what a strange year it's been.

Can't wait for next year. And Congrats to Lourdes - represent Section 1 well.

hockeydad wrote:

Gretzky9 wrote:My final rankings for Section 1A based on how teams played during the year and playoffs:

1. Lourdes
2. Northfield
3. New Prague
4. LS/SP
5. Red Wing
6. Albert Lea
7. West
8. Faribault
9. La Crescent
10. Waseca
11. Austin
12. East

Lourdes was just the class of the field when it came right down to it again.

Gretzky.... This was a weird year in the section, but I've got to point out Your No. 2 lost to No. 3 twice, by a combined 9-1 score. at the same time that same no. 3 lost twice to both 5 and 6.

Teams 2 through 7 were so even, you could make a case for almost any order. I give props to Northfield for coming together at the end of the season, but I'm not sure they were the second-best team in the section. They were just the team that made it to the finals and lost. I'd say Red Wing was No. 2, although again, they lost twice to Northfield, which again points out what a strange year it's been.

Can't wait for next year. And Congrats to Lourdes - represent Section 1 well.

Completely agree with you dad on the year that was. I saw every team at least once except RW and Waseca. 2-7 were all up and down this year with the exception of LS/SP which, according to the Hub, had only one loss all year by more than one goal (not couting ENG's) and the fact they continued their strong play through the Northfield game where they had a few great chances to tie things at the end of the game (and lost on a fluke goal) put them where they were at. If Amsden returns they have enough there (the Braun kid, #17 forgot his name, and one short forward with skill who was hurt a bit this year) and from what I was told might be able to put together a team that will be ok (not like this year's team) but better than the past years.
The hard part was to order NP, Northfield, and RW based on the way they played and beat each other. What I looked at was overall record and how they faired in playoffs. Northfield gets the edge because of a little better record but also reaching the finals. They should be good again next year if everyone stays and should be around 2 or 3. They have a few of their top-end guys back. NP was too penalty prone to be consistent and dissappointed in playoffs but still favor slightly over RW. They are young and will be solid next year both at forward and D, but the loss of Morris will hurt a lot. A comment from a previous poster about NP only getting better. I agree with the population expansion from the metro. Something to keep an eye on is how much does the population expansion change NP, RW, and Northfield because there is always the danger of being bumped to AA.
That slots RW at 5. They should continue to slot in somewhere in the 3-4 range. Even though Albert Lea struggled down the stretch they did split with West and because of their run in the playoffs they get the slot above West.
West was just a young team that really lacked strong Senior leadership and skill to do much of anything other than what they did. Not sure what they have coming up to supplement the sophs but they should be in pretty good shape over the next couple years to get to their normal slot of 3-5.
Faribault had some wins closing the year and clearly is better than the balance of the section. I know Austin was seeded ahead of Waseca but based on their record and doing nothing to close the season they fall behind Waseca who follows La Crescent. LC has a few nice players but absolutely no depth.
East better hope the youth program has skill kids coming up or this program could be in trouble.

Gretzky9 wrote:

hockeydad wrote:

Gretzky9 wrote:My final rankings for Section 1A based on how teams played during the year and playoffs:

1. Lourdes
2. Northfield
3. New Prague
4. LS/SP
5. Red Wing
6. Albert Lea
7. West
8. Faribault
9. La Crescent
10. Waseca
11. Austin
12. East

Lourdes was just the class of the field when it came right down to it again.

Gretzky.... This was a weird year in the section, but I've got to point out Your No. 2 lost to No. 3 twice, by a combined 9-1 score. at the same time that same no. 3 lost twice to both 5 and 6.

Teams 2 through 7 were so even, you could make a case for almost any order. I give props to Northfield for coming together at the end of the season, but I'm not sure they were the second-best team in the section. They were just the team that made it to the finals and lost. I'd say Red Wing was No. 2, although again, they lost twice to Northfield, which again points out what a strange year it's been.

Can't wait for next year. And Congrats to Lourdes - represent Section 1 well.

Completely agree with you dad on the year that was. I saw every team at least once except RW and Waseca. 2-7 were all up and down this year with the exception of LS/SP which, according to the Hub, had only one loss all year by more than one goal (not couting ENG's) and the fact they continued their strong play through the Northfield game where they had a few great chances to tie things at the end of the game (and lost on a fluke goal) put them where they were at. If Amsden returns they have enough there (the Braun kid, #17 forgot his name, and one short forward with skill who was hurt a bit this year) and from what I was told might be able to put together a team that will be ok (not like this year's team) but better than the past years.
The hard part was to order NP, Northfield, and RW based on the way they played and beat each other. What I looked at was overall record and how they faired in playoffs. Northfield gets the edge because of a little better record but also reaching the finals. They should be good again next year if everyone stays and should be around 2 or 3. They have a few of their top-end guys back. NP was too penalty prone to be consistent and dissappointed in playoffs but still favor slightly over RW. They are young and will be solid next year both at forward and D, but the loss of Morris will hurt a lot. A comment from a previous poster about NP only getting better. I agree with the population expansion from the metro. Something to keep an eye on is how much does the population expansion change NP, RW, and Northfield because there is always the danger of being bumped to AA.
That slots RW at 5. They should continue to slot in somewhere in the 3-4 range. Even though Albert Lea struggled down the stretch they did split with West and because of their run in the playoffs they get the slot above West.
West was just a young team that really lacked strong Senior leadership and skill to do much of anything other than what they did. Not sure what they have coming up to supplement the sophs but they should be in pretty good shape over the next couple years to get to their normal slot of 3-5.
Faribault had some wins closing the year and clearly is better than the balance of the section. I know Austin was seeded ahead of Waseca but based on their record and doing nothing to close the season they fall behind Waseca who follows La Crescent. LC has a few nice players but absolutely no depth.
East better hope the youth program has skill kids coming up or this program could be in trouble.

Unless there are consequences for the same players taking bonehead penalties, that stat will not change for NP!

urban iceman wrote:

Gretzky9 wrote:

hockeydad wrote: Gretzky.... This was a weird year in the section, but I've got to point out Your No. 2 lost to No. 3 twice, by a combined 9-1 score. at the same time that same no. 3 lost twice to both 5 and 6.

Teams 2 through 7 were so even, you could make a case for almost any order. I give props to Northfield for coming together at the end of the season, but I'm not sure they were the second-best team in the section. They were just the team that made it to the finals and lost. I'd say Red Wing was No. 2, although again, they lost twice to Northfield, which again points out what a strange year it's been.

Can't wait for next year. And Congrats to Lourdes - represent Section 1 well.

Completely agree with you dad on the year that was. I saw every team at least once except RW and Waseca. 2-7 were all up and down this year with the exception of LS/SP which, according to the Hub, had only one loss all year by more than one goal (not couting ENG's) and the fact they continued their strong play through the Northfield game where they had a few great chances to tie things at the end of the game (and lost on a fluke goal) put them where they were at. If Amsden returns they have enough there (the Braun kid, #17 forgot his name, and one short forward with skill who was hurt a bit this year) and from what I was told might be able to put together a team that will be ok (not like this year's team) but better than the past years.
The hard part was to order NP, Northfield, and RW based on the way they played and beat each other. What I looked at was overall record and how they faired in playoffs. Northfield gets the edge because of a little better record but also reaching the finals. They should be good again next year if everyone stays and should be around 2 or 3. They have a few of their top-end guys back. NP was too penalty prone to be consistent and dissappointed in playoffs but still favor slightly over RW. They are young and will be solid next year both at forward and D, but the loss of Morris will hurt a lot. A comment from a previous poster about NP only getting better. I agree with the population expansion from the metro. Something to keep an eye on is how much does the population expansion change NP, RW, and Northfield because there is always the danger of being bumped to AA.
That slots RW at 5. They should continue to slot in somewhere in the 3-4 range. Even though Albert Lea struggled down the stretch they did split with West and because of their run in the playoffs they get the slot above West.
West was just a young team that really lacked strong Senior leadership and skill to do much of anything other than what they did. Not sure what they have coming up to supplement the sophs but they should be in pretty good shape over the next couple years to get to their normal slot of 3-5.
Faribault had some wins closing the year and clearly is better than the balance of the section. I know Austin was seeded ahead of Waseca but based on their record and doing nothing to close the season they fall behind Waseca who follows La Crescent. LC has a few nice players but absolutely no depth.
East better hope the youth program has skill kids coming up or this program could be in trouble.

Unless there are consequences for the same players taking bonehead penalties, that stat will not change for NP!

I think there's a time and place for penalties, but I personally have always liked watching New Prague play for that reason - because they take the aggressive (and some ill-advised) penalties! It made for a much more interesting game at times. It brought more of a "college-esque" tenacity to the games in moments. New Prague and Albert Lea were always the gritty teams and I loved seeing them play for that exact reason.

Roy01 wrote:

urban iceman wrote:

Gretzky9 wrote: Completely agree with you dad on the year that was. I saw every team at least once except RW and Waseca. 2-7 were all up and down this year with the exception of LS/SP which, according to the Hub, had only one loss all year by more than one goal (not couting ENG's) and the fact they continued their strong play through the Northfield game where they had a few great chances to tie things at the end of the game (and lost on a fluke goal) put them where they were at. If Amsden returns they have enough there (the Braun kid, #17 forgot his name, and one short forward with skill who was hurt a bit this year) and from what I was told might be able to put together a team that will be ok (not like this year's team) but better than the past years.
The hard part was to order NP, Northfield, and RW based on the way they played and beat each other. What I looked at was overall record and how they faired in playoffs. Northfield gets the edge because of a little better record but also reaching the finals. They should be good again next year if everyone stays and should be around 2 or 3. They have a few of their top-end guys back. NP was too penalty prone to be consistent and dissappointed in playoffs but still favor slightly over RW. They are young and will be solid next year both at forward and D, but the loss of Morris will hurt a lot. A comment from a previous poster about NP only getting better. I agree with the population expansion from the metro. Something to keep an eye on is how much does the population expansion change NP, RW, and Northfield because there is always the danger of being bumped to AA.
That slots RW at 5. They should continue to slot in somewhere in the 3-4 range. Even though Albert Lea struggled down the stretch they did split with West and because of their run in the playoffs they get the slot above West.
West was just a young team that really lacked strong Senior leadership and skill to do much of anything other than what they did. Not sure what they have coming up to supplement the sophs but they should be in pretty good shape over the next couple years to get to their normal slot of 3-5.
Faribault had some wins closing the year and clearly is better than the balance of the section. I know Austin was seeded ahead of Waseca but based on their record and doing nothing to close the season they fall behind Waseca who follows La Crescent. LC has a few nice players but absolutely no depth.
East better hope the youth program has skill kids coming up or this program could be in trouble.

Unless there are consequences for the same players taking bonehead penalties, that stat will not change for NP!

I think there's a time and place for penalties, but I personally have always liked watching New Prague play for that reason - because they take the aggressive (and some ill-advised) penalties! It made for a much more interesting game at times. It brought more of a "college-esque" tenacity to the games in moments. New Prague and Albert Lea were always the gritty teams and I loved seeing them play for that exact reason.

I agree, but with the latest rule changes the ref's don't care about that and are now dictating outcome of games!!

urban iceman wrote:

Roy01 wrote:

urban iceman wrote:Unless there are consequences for the same players taking bonehead penalties, that stat will not change for NP!

I think there's a time and place for penalties, but I personally have always liked watching New Prague play for that reason - because they take the aggressive (and some ill-advised) penalties! It made for a much more interesting game at times. It brought more of a "college-esque" tenacity to the games in moments. New Prague and Albert Lea were always the gritty teams and I loved seeing them play for that exact reason.

I agree, but with the latest rule changes the ref's don't care about that and are now dictating outcome of games!!

In some regard, I agree yes. It definitely waters down some (many) games and clearly hurts the teams that bring a physical presence to the ice.

urban iceman wrote:

Roy01 wrote:

urban iceman wrote:Unless there are consequences for the same players taking bonehead penalties, that stat will not change for NP!

I think there's a time and place for penalties, but I personally have always liked watching New Prague play for that reason - because they take the aggressive (and some ill-advised) penalties! It made for a much more interesting game at times. It brought more of a "college-esque" tenacity to the games in moments. New Prague and Albert Lea were always the gritty teams and I loved seeing them play for that exact reason.

I agree, but with the latest rule changes the ref's don't care about that and are now dictating outcome of games!!

Call it what you want but I personally have always liked teams that win with skill versus indimidation/goon hockey. There IS a difference between taking a player out of the play and taking the body for the sake of punishment. NP has always been that way and that style is taught from early on. I think smarter people would look to see the direction the game in the US is going and adapt. We shall see.