The Hilltoppers in St Cloud 1-6-07

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:50 pm

The ref made a call, maybe it was the wrong one maybe it was the right one, get over it allready.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:54 pm

So how are the section rankings looking? It looks to me like they should all be tied for first...

I'd like to give Cathedral the #1, but the loss to Denfeld is in the way. Denfeld has a loss to Hermantown who Marshall tied. I think the result of the Marshall/Denfeld and Marshall/Cloquet games and whether Cathedral loses again will have a lot to do with seeding. The loss to Denfeld was away, and they (SCC) could realistically be on a 18 game win streak going into sections. If that happens, regardless of the other teams, whether they deserve it or not, they will probably get the #1 seed.

When it all boils down, the #1 seed will be in the best position, with only one tough game.

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:45 pm

Ya alot depends on the Marshall/Denfeld game. If marshall wins, then all 3 teams ( DM, SCC, DD) will all be 1-1 against eachother. So if Marshall wins, who knows who will get first, and even second and third. If Denfeld wins, they will get first. As of right now...

1. Denfeld
2. St. Cloud
3. Marshall

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:56 pm

The odd thing is that because of the rest of Cathedral's schedule, they could possibly be 24-1 going into sections and still be the #3 seed depending on how the duluth teams do against Cloquet and the other AA teams they play. We'll see.

I say the #1 seed goes to state.

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:01 pm

Ya it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Puckhead00 · Post by **Puckhead00** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:15 pm

George, let me make one thing very clear to you since apparently I have been choosing my words too carefully. SCC has thrown their share of attitude on the ice at the officials and I think the ref who called this on Hess wanted to take control immediately. Hess is NOT known for his silence. Crandall had an attitude when he was with SCC also. Sometimes attitude is good and sometimes it just gets old. But as one poster said, officials call right or wrong, get over it already.

Secondly, get off the Sartell thing with me. You continually bring up Sartell when I have posted. I attend different games in the area, and am not biased towards any one team, though I am beginning to feel a little less love for SCC thanks to your posts.

The SCC v. Princeton 2A championship game at the Mac was not an evenly called game, IMO. If I was favoring a team to win that night, it was SCC, but I felt they were given quite a few benefits of the doubt that night. Again, MY opinion. You don't have to get your underwear in a knot over it.

Lastly, SCC played very well against an ill-prepared Duluth Marshall team today. I think the Toppers perhaps took this game less serious than SCC. So, congratulations to Cathedral, but if I were a betting man I would place a bet for DM to take Section 2A.

BlueGoose5 · Post by **BlueGoose5** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:49 pm

This was about as good as it gets in 2A. It was a back and forth game, very intense for both teams, pretty clean until the 3rd period, and a playoff atmosphere in many respects.

First, DM showed that they're capable of skating with SCC's top 2 lines. DM scored on the 3rd shift of the game against SCC's 3rd line. Then, SCC pretty much shut down DM for the game, althogh both teams had numerous good scoring opportunities.

SOG: DM 29, SCC 27

Surprisingly, no power play goals. SCC killed off a 5 on 3 for nearly 2 minutes in the 2nd period.

Not surprisingly, SCC showed superior goaltending and defense, both from its D and forwards. The SCC backcheck was effective and neutralized the speedy DM forwards. Hess was outstanding in goal and played again with poise and confidence. He seems to have learned from the DD game.

With this win, SCC now seems to be the top team in 2A. However, a lot will be determined when DD and DM face off.

BlueGoose5 · Post by **BlueGoose5** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:14 am

Puckhead, I'll take issue with several of your points because I think you're off base.

First, you seem to think SCC has an attitude problem for some reason. I'm not sure what your bone is to pick with them, but this team is anything but what you think they are. This is a hard working team that is willing to do the little things that it takes to win. They may not be the most talented team, but they make up for it with their work ethic and lunch bucket style and tremendous senior leadership. I've heard of no significant behavior problems with this crew, and certainly they have not exhibited any so-called "attitude" problems on or off the ice as you seem to think. A team with attitude issues will find ways to lose games or not play up to their potential. This certainly is not the case for SCC this year. The reality is that this is a very admirable bunch of kids, whether you care to think to or not.

Secondly, I highly doubt the DM coaches would agree with your assessment that they weren't prepared for this game. They've had several months to prepare. It would appear that if anything, the game showed that SCC matches up well with DM, and at least for tonight, as I had posted BEFORE the game, SCC was the better team. Barring further major injuries to either team, I'll continue to give the edge to SCC.

fkahckyprofessor20 · Post by **fkahckyprofessor20** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:37 am

scottparker wrote:OK, now the DD ref has made a huge impact into the section playoff overview, don't you think?

Seriously, drop it.

scottparker · Post by **scottparker** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:10 am

fkahckyprofessor20 wrote:
scottparker wrote:OK, now the DD ref has made a huge impact into the section playoff overview, don't you think?
Seriously, drop it.

Hey professor... Here's the point.. One referee made a bone-head call and has thrown the entire section standings on it's ear. We don't know how well DD and SCC could play against each other in a real game. The SCC team was, at best, discombombulated after that call. Maybe DD is the better team, but we won't know until playoff time.

Now, nothing more from me on this. However, I did make a prediction a couple of pages ago that I'm not sure SCC can beat DM twice... If they meet in the playoffs, it will be a barn-burning game.

I don't even know how I would rank the sections... but it's a tough one to be in, isn't it??

Ok guys, peace-out and let's enjoy the hockey.

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:17 am

BlueGoose5 wrote:First, DM showed that they're capable of skating with SCC's top 2 lines.

I think it would be the other way around.

George Blanda · Post by **George Blanda** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:19 am

The game yesterday was a great high school hockey game. Neither team played their BEST hockey but it was still fun to watch. Would have been a perfect FSN game, but I guess Class A hockey doesn't count. There was a nice sized crowd and great hockey was played. Scottparker said he doesn't know if SCC could beat DM twice, I think they can. Come playoff time, SCC may have one of their best forwards back.

DM looked like a good team. But it didn't look like their D were all that solid past Stauber and Jacques. Stauber and Olmscheid battles were fun to watch yesterday. The game was very even the whole way through which was nice. I don't know how Puckhead can claim that DM wasn't well prepared for the game, he must have gone to DM's practices earlier this week or something. These two teams were very even, I'm hoping to see them square off again in the Playoffs.

As of right now, ranking the sections is easy. Once DD and DM face off, it may be a different story. It will be a mess if DM wins. If DD wins, it'll be pretty obviuos.

Not to bring the penalty up again. Yes, I think it was a stupid call and not the right time to make it. BUT, i don't think SCC should really use it as an excuse considering they held the lead after Hess was back between the pipes.

As for Puckhead. If what I say really has any effects on your views of Cathedral hockey, that's unfortunate. I consider myself a call it as you see it kind of guy. I'm not attempting to bash Sartell (although I probably won't deny attempting to bash Chad Hommerding), I'm just expressing how I felt about the games and responding to your views. Discussion is over on that.

Queenbee · Post by **Queenbee** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:35 am

Found it interesting that this game didn't get reported to local TV channel's
or have their box score in the DNT this morning. Seems strange that
a loss by Marshall doesn't get reported.....

fkahckyprofessor20 · Post by **fkahckyprofessor20** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:42 am

Queenbee I was just thinking the same thing, apparently the Marshall coaches didn't want to call in the box score.. maybe I should today, so it will go in as a late score in tomorrow's paper, haha.

And scottparker I like that analogy much better, I think the semi's and final in the section playoffs are going to be a couple great hockey games, I'm definitely going to make a point to see them.

Coolio · Post by **Coolio** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:18 pm

Well I do have a little bit of information about this game that a lot of you might not know, gutsch was injured in the 1st with a sprained ankle but still continued to play, also jacques took a goofy fall and hurt his hip and couldnt play the rest of the game with the exception of him trying to take a last shift with seconds left in the game where he was tripped on his way to the net.

DmnHawk5 · Post by **DmnHawk5** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:34 pm

Really? well that definatly hurt DM

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:42 pm

Coolio, do you know if Gutsch and Jacques will be out for a some games or will they still be playing?

mj79 · Post by **mj79** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:55 pm

minyhocky wrote:Coolio, do you know if Gutsch and Jacques will be out for a some games or will they still be playing?

x2 , and since the championship was in st cloud last yr, im assuming hibbing or duluth this yr>??

George Blanda · Post by **George Blanda** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:06 pm

mj79 wrote:x2 , and since the championship was in st cloud last yr, im assuming hibbing or duluth this yr>??

If you're talking about the Section final, it was in Blaine last year. Why not just play the entire section semis and finals in Blaine? This year, according the the MSHSL website, the semis are in Blaine and finals are in Cloquet. IMO, Cloquet doesn't provide a great section final environment. Bowl seating is needed for that and their roof is too high for noise to be made. Just my 2 cents.

Thehockeyplaya · Post by **Thehockeyplaya** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:27 pm

02-04 games were alternated between Cloquet and The MAC i never liked the idea of SCC getting home ice however i agree with your comments on the Cloquet i never liked playing the play-off games there they was just not the same atmosphere as the smaller rinks with out the high ceilings not saying that an AA game wouldn't be good there but its just not set up for A games

George Blanda · Post by **George Blanda** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:33 pm

Exactly. I mean, the MAC is a good set-up for a class A section final. But SCC shouldn't really be given home ice throughout the playoffs. That's why I think they should play the semis and finals in Blaine. I mean, if you're going to make the teams travel, make all of the teams travel. It doesn't make sense to me to move the games out of the St. Cloud area but not move them out of the Duluth Area. And if Blaine is a good enough place for the final, it should be good enough for the section final. Kind of seems stupid for me.

minyhocky · Post by **minyhocky** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:43 pm

Section 2A is screwed up location wise, there are pretty much Duluth teams, and teams scattered around by St. Cloud and the cities, and then pine city is right inbetween Duluth and the cities.I like what they did last year, having the semis at Clouquet and the final at Blaine, and from what georgeblanda said they switched them around this year, thats good. I think having both the semis and final at Blaine or at Cloquet is bad, having it at Blaine gives the teams down there and having it at Cloquet gives the teams up here the advantage. I dont think think that the DUluth teams should have to travel 2 1/2 hours down to blaine twice while teams like SCC and SR and the ones in that area have to only travel like an hour. Splitting it up is the best way to do it. Or else they should find a nice arena around hinckley and have them all there.

George Blanda · Post by **George Blanda** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:52 pm

You are partially correct, IMO. But I prefer to take in to account atmosphere. SCC and Marshall played in the '04 final in St. Cloud, and there was a great atmosphere because of the style of the building. Same teams played in '05 final and the atmosphere was brutal. Blaine has a similar style building as the MAC, which is why I think they should play semis and finals there. At least this way there isn't the EXTREME home ice advantage like Duluth has in Cloquet and SCC and SR have in St. Cloud.

According to Mapquest...travel time from St. Cloud to Blaine is 1 hr 14 minutes. From Duluth it's 2 hrs 9 minutes.

Let's just say traveling an hour longer is a lot more fair than having a team drive 2+ hours longer. But then again, life's not fair. I just think playing in Blaine for the whole deal gives the kids a better atmosphere and is the most fair approach to the situation.

Puckhead00 · Post by **Puckhead00** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:04 pm

George, I respect the 'I call it as I see it kind of guy', because that is precisely how I view myself. I have had many good things to say about SCC and I don't think you or Bluegoose can deny that.
We can agree to disagree on certain matters, which is what makes this board interesting.

Bluegoose, when I refer to DM being ill prepared, I meant that my thoughts were the Toppers weren't mentally ready for SCC. I agree that both teams probably were not playing to their full potential yesterday, but it was still good to watch a contest between two well matched clubs.

BlueGoose5 · Post by **BlueGoose5** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:01 pm

Puckhead, you're opinion is accepted. If DM wasn't prepared, they sure should have been. Afterall, this was a big annual section game for both teams. Overall, however, these look like two evenly matched teams.

I still disagree with your unfounded opinion that this year's SCC team has any sort of "attitude" problem. In fact, I don't think you could be farther from the truth. As I've stated before, this seems like a very scrappy team that has good chemistry and looks to be on a mission.

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The Hilltoppers in St Cloud 1-6-07

Who wins?

SCC v. DM/Ranking the Sections/"the penalty"/Puckh

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