Separate sessions for Saturday? How long has that been two tickets?
And, do they clear the restrooms between sessions? (Not that I'm planning anything nefarious.)
Always been 2 sessions.
Used to be different nights and we'd get the 5AA semifinals for the same price. Good news is while MNHockey.tv charged for sections in girls hockey, it came with the subscription to NSPN with no extra charge. Hoping the same for they boys.
Separate sessions for Saturday? How long has that been two tickets?
And, do they clear the restrooms between sessions? (Not that I'm planning anything nefarious.)
Always been 2 sessions.
Used to be different nights and we'd get the 5AA semifinals for the same price. Good news is while MNHockey.tv charged for sections in girls hockey, it came with the subscription to NSPN with no extra charge. Hoping the same for they boys.
Saturday is quarterfinals, and it’s always been two sessions at Aldrich
This would be my guess as to how this section plays out:
White Bear Lake over Tartan
Stillwater over Woodbury
Hill Murray over East Ridge
Roseville over Gentry
White Bear over Roseville
Stillwater over Hill Murray
White Bear over Stillwater
I know, sort of boring since the final is #1 seed v #2 seed. But they're the best two in this section. Hill's inability to score is going to catch up to them. Stillwater's inconsistency will catch up to them. And White Bear has the top line to get the job done.
Or the opposite of this will happen, since there's literally no telling what's going to happen with this section
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
NSPN appears to be streaming the 4 QF games on Saturday for no extra charge (if you already did a season subscription). Going to be some must watch tv from my California couch. Anyone could beat anyone. I'll have the wine open and the games on...
I would say the likelihood of a first round upset is, in order from most to least likely.
1. Roseville
2. Woodbury
3. East Ridge
4. Tartan
The difference between the top three teams is not much. Hill was 1-0-1 against WBL and Stillwater, but an overtime win in an outdoor game really doesn't count for much and, while the Pioneers are capable of beating anyone in the section, they are also capable of being shut out by just about anyone. White Bear has probably been the best team in the section over the course of the year, but they are a vulnerable team and they have been known to curl up in the fetal position when they see a green jersey on the other team.
Although I would tend to expect another WBL/HM final in a close game , I frankly would not be shocked if any of the top 4 seeds won the section . I mean Zolezzi stole a game from Chan , so …
I see WB with a 35% chance of winning the section, with Hill and Stillwater both at about 30%. The balance of the section I give a collective 5% chance. It's a stretch to see a team beating 2 of the top 3.
And 5 over 4 qualifies as an upset in only the narrowest of definitions.
At this point, I'd find it amusing if the games played out with the favorites winning (again noting the 4/5 game is a pick 'em). And let's keep our feet on the ground here, these teams are playing for Mariucci.
White Bear only cares about one thing, every season, and that is beating Hill in Section play. The trip to Mariucci is just a bonus. I'm not sure WB fans even know that hockey is played at the X on Fri and Sat of tournament weekend.
Back in the glory days of the WCHA, the team that won the Final Five tournament would never pick up the championship trophy. The idea was "that's not the trophy we're gunning for, we want a national title". A bit ridiculous to my mind, but I get it. If WB had won the Final Five, they'd have been tripping over each other to parade that trophy around the X.
Foot note: After the BigMistake and NCHC teams left, I saw Mankato win the WCHA tournament. They were more than happy hold trophy.
For all the 0-19 razzing, and the sometimes contentious back-and-forth I've had with Bears backers over the years, I would root until I was hoarse for the Bears if they were at State. I respect the rivalry, the Bears have a proud hockey history, have produced big names over the years, and they've had all sorts of heartbreak both against Hill and in their State quarterfinal games.
I grew up not far from the Lakeside Club, recently torn down, but made semi-famous in the movie Fargo. I can't drive by there and not think of the line: I'm from Le Sueur, but went to high school at White Bear Lake. Go Bears. . So, go Bears! (except against Hill Murray)
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year
BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:33 am
For all the 0-19 razzing, and the sometimes contentious back-and-forth I've had with Bears backers over the years, I would root until I was hoarse for the Bears if they were at State. I respect the rivalry, the Bears have a proud hockey history, have produced big names over the years, and they've had all sorts of heartbreak both against Hill and in their State quarterfinal games.
I grew up not far from the Lakeside Club, recently torn down, but made semi-famous in the movie Fargo. I can't drive by there and not think of the line: I'm from Le Sueur, but went to high school at White Bear Lake. Go Bears. . So, go Bears! (except against Hill Murray)
If you grew up close to the Lakeside. That’s Mahtomedi.
BlueLineSpecial wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:33 am
For all the 0-19 razzing, and the sometimes contentious back-and-forth I've had with Bears backers over the years, I would root until I was hoarse for the Bears if they were at State. I respect the rivalry, the Bears have a proud hockey history, have produced big names over the years, and they've had all sorts of heartbreak both against Hill and in their State quarterfinal games.
I grew up not far from the Lakeside Club, recently torn down, but made semi-famous in the movie Fargo. I can't drive by there and not think of the line: I'm from Le Sueur, but went to high school at White Bear Lake. Go Bears. . So, go Bears! (except against Hill Murray)
If you grew up close to the Lakeside. That’s Mahtomedi.
Zephyrs are the true blowhards.
Ba-domp-bomp! Thank you! Thank you all! I'll be here all weekend!
Smooth wrote: ↑Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:48 am
Good luck to whoever is playing hill.
Yes, thank you. This sentiment is rocket fuel for the program.
Of course, it's ok for people to openly admit they feel this way about Hill. But if I express a desire for WB to continue to lose in the first round, why we need to pull out the fainting couches for some folks.
Smooth wrote: ↑Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:48 am
Good luck to whoever is playing hill.
Yes, thank you. This sentiment is rocket fuel for the program.
Of course, it's ok for people to openly admit they feel this way about Hill. But if I express a desire for WB to continue to lose in the first round, why we need to pull out the fainting couches for some folks.
Well then, its time to revive our favorite WBL Sectional loss of all time. I was at the game and still stands out as the craziest comeback I've ever seen.