Eden Prairie @ Minnetonka 1/5

[GordonBombay]

1-0 Tonka. Final.

[Slap Shot]

Game finished 1-0, EP with plenty of pressure late with the extra attacker but Kruger was equal to the task on the few late chances they had. I don't think either team showed their best in the game that after the 1st period was fairly even although EP had the better play in the 2nd.

[Goldfishdude]

Shots Tonka 34-21.. Both Ford and Kruger made a couple very good saves in the final 8 minutes..

I only caught the final period on the web... I was expecting a more physical game, but it appeared to still be a little wide open play...

[karl(east)]

Tonka got the early goal and held on from there. Their star defensemen imposed their will in the 1st, but EP controlled play in the 2nd when they stopped playing dump-and-chase and finally established a forecheck. They seemed to wear down, though, and couldn't take advantage of a few timely power plays.

Tonka escaped the toughest stretch of their schedule, but they can't let up now, with three pretty good opponents up next. The team defense is definitely among the best I've seen; right now I'd say they're a star forward away from being practically unbeatable. (And they'll be adding one when Gardiner gets healthy; we'll see how quickly they can get him back at 100%.)

EP proved they're still a force to be reckoned with, but they need to develop some scoring beyond the first line. The front-line talent is as good as anyone's, but right now I don't think they have the depth to get by the very best teams in the state.

[Goldfishdude]

Karl, I wholeheartedly agree on BOTH front.... Both teams have enough offensive talent to prevent their goalies from being forced to win games.

Even the broadcasters thought it would be a more high scoring game.

[HappyHockeyFan]

If you think EP will get hammered that bad it would be a woodshed schooling for your Eagan boys, have another drink there 'happy gilmore'

Maybe...maybe not, I wish Eagan played them so we could find out.

Happyhockeyfan.... for as much as we have given you crap about Eagan, this gave me a nice chuckle, as I am sure your toungue was firmly planted in your cheek.

Maybe a little Goldfishdude, but doesnt every good team want to measure themselves against the best to see how they stack up? I might not actually think we would beat them but I do think that the score would be closer than what most people on here would predict it to be. Have you seen Eagan play? Could you or most of the people on here give an accurate preview of the game if it happened? I doubt, because most of you have not seen Eagan play. At the same time I have not seen Tonka play, so I am somewhat reserved as to how the game would turn out. However, I am very glad to see EP play them tough because I will get to see Eagan play EP, twice, and that will be a very good test to how good Eagan is. Do I feel Eagan is a legitimate State Title contender, No. Do I think Eagan is a State Tournament participant contender in Section 3AA, Yes. Eagan is a pretty young team, there best season are yet to come in the next two years. Anyway, I am glad to have given you a chuckle.

[shakey]

If you think EP will get hammered that bad it would be a woodshed schooling for your Eagan boys, have another drink there 'happy gilmore'

Maybe...maybe not, I wish Eagan played them so we could find out.

Happyhockeyfan.... for as much as we have given you crap about Eagan, this gave me a nice chuckle, as I am sure your toungue was firmly planted in your cheek.

Something is surely planted firmly somewhere. However I don't think it's his tongue in his cheek.

[gerryodrowski]

Tonka got the early goal and held on from there. Their star defensemen imposed their will in the 1st, but EP controlled play in the 2nd when they stopped playing dump-and-chase and finally established a forecheck. They seemed to wear down, though, and couldn't take advantage of a few timely power plays.

Tonka escaped the toughest stretch of their schedule, but they can't let up now, with three pretty good opponents up next. The team defense is definitely among the best I've seen; right now I'd say they're a star forward away from being practically unbeatable. (And they'll be adding one when Gardiner gets healthy; we'll see how quickly they can get him back at 100%.)

EP proved they're still a force to be reckoned with, but they need to develop some scoring beyond the first line. The front-line talent is as good as anyone's, but right now I don't think they have the depth to get by the very best teams in the state.

Who is it that you don't think EP can get by? If they played Tonka to a one goal game, you must consider it luck in order to make that statement.

[karl(east)]

Tonka got the early goal and held on from there. Their star defensemen imposed their will in the 1st, but EP controlled play in the 2nd when they stopped playing dump-and-chase and finally established a forecheck. They seemed to wear down, though, and couldn't take advantage of a few timely power plays.

Tonka escaped the toughest stretch of their schedule, but they can't let up now, with three pretty good opponents up next. The team defense is definitely among the best I've seen; right now I'd say they're a star forward away from being practically unbeatable. (And they'll be adding one when Gardiner gets healthy; we'll see how quickly they can get him back at 100%.)

EP proved they're still a force to be reckoned with, but they need to develop some scoring beyond the first line. The front-line talent is as good as anyone's, but right now I don't think they have the depth to get by the very best teams in the state.

Who is it that you don't think EP can get by? If they played Tonka to a one goal game, you must consider it luck in order to make that statement.

I wouldn't really call it luck; the better team did win tonight.

The point I was trying to make: we know EP is a very good team, but with the losses to Tonka and Edina, they will not be favored against these teams in future rematches. Though they played well enough to suggest they could beat these teams, they need something else to go in their favor to get past them something they didn't have tonight...in my opinion, more scoring chances from the 2nd and/or 3rd lines.

[wildthing]

Tonka won the first period. Eden Prairie won the next two periods.
EP loses to the number one ranked team 1-0. It's very clear to me that if there is a post season re-match, you wont want to put much $ on either teams. They are both quite talented in different ways.
Go Rams!

[Puck Whisperer]

Game finished 1-0, EP with plenty of pressure late with the extra attacker but Kruger was equal to the task on the few late chances they had. I don't think either team showed their best in the game that after the 1st period was fairly even although EP had the better play in the 2nd.

Good analysis. First time I've seen EP this year. I thought that EP came out with a little more intensity and the way they held that blue line in the second was impressive. Tonka just could not get any fast breaks going. Could have gone either way but Kruger was the difference tonight. Good game.

I also agree with the poster regarding shots - first period seemed like Tonka got a tally throwing it in near the goal. One last thought - anyone see the glaring offside non-call by EP with the extra attacker? I was standing on that blue line and it was ugly in such a tight game!

[Factsmatter1]

Lets quit arguing kids, this topic is quite simple.
Tonka won the first period. Eden Prairie won the next two periods.
EP loses to the number one ranked team 1-0. It's very clear to me that if there is a post season re-match, you wont want to put much $ on either teams. They are both quite talented in different ways.
Go Rams!

Sorry but IMHO it isn't that simple. Tonka was clearly the superior team. I watched from the East Coast thanks to myfoxhockey and Tonka steamrolled EP in the first. EP had a slight advantage in the second primarily with powerplay advantage and Tonka had better chances in the third. I thought Tonka looked tired in the second and looked at their schedule it appears they have played 5 games in the last 9 days and 4 of them were to ranked teams... Holy Angels, STA, Edina, EP... and Stillwater (unranked but decent team). I'm not sure any team could play a schedule like that with two top 5 teams near the back half of that and still look that good and sweep the series... and BTW w/o Gardiner... EP hasn't played a game in two weeks... IMHO, with fresh legs Tonka is unbeatable even without Gardiner. We (STA) played them twice with fresh legs and came out on the south side of the score... so I know from experience how strong they are when fresh...

Never expected a goalie shootout but you have to thank Krueger and Ford for making it a fun show...

[Lakeviewing]

Pagel arena is a major homesite for Tonka, to be at home. EP has never won their over the past couple of years at Pagel. EP beat Tonka last year at EP.

FF:

Seriously, I would pick EP at home. The seniors haven't done well at the EPCC since squirts. That includes D6 league, first test tournamemt, and D6 playoffs.

Rink 1 is cursed...

EP has never figured out the away from EP ice and win at Pagel. They will lose at Tonka home ice at Pagel, but this will further come into play at the section finals at the Olympic sheet at of the U of M ice. This should be a great game on an open ice environment. Edge is Tonka given their depth, but EP will give them a game.

How can you say EP is at a huge disadvantage compared to Tonka on Mariucci when EP handled Tonka last year at the U? They were basically the same teams that they are now except the loss of Leddy for EP but now Gardiner is out for Tonka. I'll take EP 1-0 with Tonka hurt offensively.

[Lakeviewing]

The move to Target Center sucks. This is a poor venue to play the Section 6AA at. Yes, Mariucci was over packed with the Edina parents that didn't leave for the EP versus Tonka game. Probably a way to sell out the Target Center, unlike the Timberwolfs have seen. The Target Center ice sucks.

Hey Lakeviewing -- FYI. Section 6AA finals move to Target Center this year. Section 2AA stays at Mariucci.....

[Slap Shot]

I think people overrate playing at home or not when it comes to h.s. sports when the travel time is short. Pagel doesn't hold that many people even when it gets 2 deep on the overhead, so to say that was a major factor imho whitewashes the difference in total overall play.

And I think some very astute points were made about the number of games Tonka has played recently - against very strong competition - compared to EP's recent schedule, and combined with the loss of Gardiner it did look like they were tired.

That's not to take anything away from EP - they are good enough to beat any team on any given night, but from what I saw last night one would have to give an edge to Tonka as being the better overall team.

[Doglover]

Factsmatter got the facts right. Mtka had to be a tired coming off the last stretch of games and EP has been off the whole holiday. Without Gardiner and tired - they still beat EP and dominated them most of the game (exception of second period) in my opinion. There were plenty of EP fans in attendance so I don't think home rink advantage factored in that much.

Mtka is still the best team in the state but EP showed that we can't count them out yet and that Mtka may be beatable. They will have to get by Mtka eventually though if they want to show up at the X again and at this point, I don't see it happening. Great game to watch though and EP should be very proud of their effort. They are a talented team.

Caveman is just crabby his team lost.

[mn man]

Factsmatter got the facts right. Mtka had to be a tired coming off the last stretch of games and EP has been off the whole holiday.

I have trouble with the "tired" assessment of Minnetonka being this game was more than 72 hours removed from the Edina game. I have also heard the take that EP was not sharp in the 1st due to not having played a competitive game since Dec 19.
There are not any excuses to be made on either side, these two teams are the best team in the state right now (Mtka) and one of the best in the state right now (EP) and they showed how they can claim those titles last night. Should be an interesting section tourney in 6AA.
I saw the game and I think Karl's analysis earlier was excellent, were you there Karl?

[karl(east)]

Factsmatter got the facts right. Mtka had to be a tired coming off the last stretch of games and EP has been off the whole holiday.

I have trouble with the "tired" assessment of Minnetonka being this game was more than 72 hours removed from the Edina game. I have also heard the take that EP was not sharp in the 1st due to not having played a competitive game since Dec 19.
There are not any excuses to be made on either side, these two teams are the best team in the state right now (Mtka) and one of the best in the state right now (EP) and they showed how they can claim those titles last night. Should be an interesting section tourney in 6AA.
I saw the game and I think Karl's analysis earlier was excellent, were you there Karl?

Nope, I watched it on myfoxhockey.com.

I also don't think that tiredness was a huge factor for Tonka in this game, though I'd be fine if they got a little tired by Saturday, when the Hounds head south to visit them.

[knowitall]

The Skippers were definitely tired. They have played five games 5 games in 9 days. I think it showed in the second period when EP started taking control of the game. They did however dig deep in the third and find a way to pull it off.

[Lakeviewing]

This is a different EP team. EP has never won at Pagel. Unlike last year team the won at EP, winning at Pagel just never happens. EP can't figure out how to win at Pagel. If this game was played at EP, it might be a slight, EP win at home. Home ice makes a big difference in this revival.

FF:

Seriously, I would pick EP at home. The seniors haven't done well at the EPCC since squirts. That includes D6 league, first test tournamemt, and D6 playoffs.

Rink 1 is cursed...

EP has never figured out the away from EP ice and win at Pagel. They will lose at Tonka home ice at Pagel, but this will further come into play at the section finals at the Olympic sheet at of the U of M ice. This should be a great game on an open ice environment. Edge is Tonka given their depth, but EP will give them a game.

How can you say EP is at a huge disadvantage compared to Tonka on Mariucci when EP handled Tonka last year at the U? They were basically the same teams that they are now except the loss of Leddy for EP but now Gardiner is out for Tonka. I'll take EP 1-0 with Tonka hurt offensively.

[Lakeviewing]

Hey Lakeviewing -- FYI. Section 6AA finals move to Target Center this year. Section 2AA stays at Mariucci.....

I think a smaller sheet at Target might give EP a slight advantage over Tonka. A smaller sheet to slightly give EP a speed advantage. Otherwise, EP has to play a solid defensive game. This will be a close game. I think moving this game to Target is wrong. Stay with the traditional make up. Play this at Mariucci, why change? Revenue? Last year was a great playoff at Mariucci.

[Slap Shot]

Hey Lakeviewing -- FYI. Section 6AA finals move to Target Center this year. Section 2AA stays at Mariucci.....

I think a smaller sheet at Target might give EP a slight advantage over Tonka. A smaller sheet to slightly give EP a speed advantage.

The same speed advantage they couldn't demonstrate on the smaller sheet at Pagel, even with MHS being without Gardiner? Perhaps the deafening crowd of 1,000 was too much to overcome in order for them to skate at top speed.

[HappyHockeyFan]

Hey Lakeviewing -- FYI. Section 6AA finals move to Target Center this year. Section 2AA stays at Mariucci.....

I think a smaller sheet at Target might give EP a slight advantage over Tonka. A smaller sheet to slightly give EP a speed advantage. Otherwise, EP has to play a solid defensive game. This will be a close game. I think moving this game to Target is wrong. Stay with the traditional make up. Play this at Mariucci, why change? Revenue? Last year was a great playoff at Mariucci.

Actually a speed advantage would be most useful on a larger rink because there is more room to use that speed and makes it harder for team to be physical to slow down the speed. So your theory does not make any sense, if EP is the faster team tonka can use the smaller rink to their advantage by being able to be physical against EP and slow them down.