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Posted: **Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:39 pm**

Good... Got to beat them anyways

Posted: **Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:12 pm**

To paraphrase Indiana Jones, "FLakes. Why did it have to be FLakes?"

Posted: **Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:57 pm**

curtiscurve wrote:With about 10 games to go, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Here is where I see things ending up (with predicted final records)

1 - Elk River - 12-3 currently; I see them going 9-1 in their final 10 games to finish with a record of 21-4. The only loss I see in the remaining games would be at Blaine on Saturday.
2 - Grand Rapids - 9-9-1 currently; Boldly, I predict they will go 5-1 in their last 6 games to finish 14-10-1. The 1 loss will come next weekend. They sure struggled in December, but they have turned it around and seem to be playing at their best currently.
3 - Duluth East - 6-8-1 currently; Randolph will find a way to finish out the year strong. Last nights game vs North indicates that. I do see them going 7-3 down the stretch with all 3 losses coming on the road vs Elk River, Blaine and Cloquet (I'll probably take some heat for that one). Finishing with a 13-11-1 record with the difficult schedule they play is very respectable. They will be ready to make a run when the time comes.
4 - St. Michael Albertville - 11-3 currently and I predict them going 9-2 to finish 20-5 (losses at Buffalo and home vs Breck). The big game will be when Cloquet makes the trip down to take them on. I do see them pulling out the win to secure the 4 seed. Could be a sneaky team if they make it in the semis.
5 - Cloquet-Esko-Carlton - 7-8 currently finishing 13-12 going 6-4 in the last 10 games. Their losses should be against quality opponents in Duluth Marshall, Hermantown, @ Superior and @ STMA. A win over East to split that series should be enough to move them ahead of FLake. I almost hope I am wrong here and FLake finishes in the 5 spot so we get a CEC vs East quarterfinal.
6 - Forest Lake - 5-7-2 now but should finish strong going 7-4 for a final record of 12-11-2. As stated above, if CEC does not split with East, Flake will likely move up to 5 with the early season win ove CEC.
7 - Andover - 4-8-1 and they have 12 games left. Down year so far and I see the trend continuing finishing the season 8-16-1. They do have ER and FLake left, so pulling an upset or two could turn things around and move them up a few spots.
8 - St. Francis - Remember, this is in the future. Yes they are 0-14 now, but I believe they will at least get to 4 wins with one of them coming against Cambridge. So the 4-21 Saints will get the 8 seed with the head to head win over CI.
9 - Cambridge-isanti - They are 7-8 now and will likely get to 10 wins, but unless they can get the win over St. Francis they will neon the road for the play-in game.

I have never done this before (probably because I'm way off on predicting things), but I have to give myself a pat on the back. Missed on the Andover over FLake game, but other than that this may have been my best work. Even the predicted records were pretty close. Now that the bracket is set, I have to give it some more thought, but I'm thinking a ER vs East rematch with the Elks coming out on top.

Posted: **Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:01 pm**

curtiscurve wrote:
curtiscurve wrote:With about 10 games to go, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Here is where I see things ending up (with predicted final records)

1 - Elk River - 12-3 currently; I see them going 9-1 in their final 10 games to finish with a record of 21-4. The only loss I see in the remaining games would be at Blaine on Saturday.
2 - Grand Rapids - 9-9-1 currently; Boldly, I predict they will go 5-1 in their last 6 games to finish 14-10-1. The 1 loss will come next weekend. They sure struggled in December, but they have turned it around and seem to be playing at their best currently.
3 - Duluth East - 6-8-1 currently; Randolph will find a way to finish out the year strong. Last nights game vs North indicates that. I do see them going 7-3 down the stretch with all 3 losses coming on the road vs Elk River, Blaine and Cloquet (I'll probably take some heat for that one). Finishing with a 13-11-1 record with the difficult schedule they play is very respectable. They will be ready to make a run when the time comes.
4 - St. Michael Albertville - 11-3 currently and I predict them going 9-2 to finish 20-5 (losses at Buffalo and home vs Breck). The big game will be when Cloquet makes the trip down to take them on. I do see them pulling out the win to secure the 4 seed. Could be a sneaky team if they make it in the semis.
5 - Cloquet-Esko-Carlton - 7-8 currently finishing 13-12 going 6-4 in the last 10 games. Their losses should be against quality opponents in Duluth Marshall, Hermantown, @ Superior and @ STMA. A win over East to split that series should be enough to move them ahead of FLake. I almost hope I am wrong here and FLake finishes in the 5 spot so we get a CEC vs East quarterfinal.
6 - Forest Lake - 5-7-2 now but should finish strong going 7-4 for a final record of 12-11-2. As stated above, if CEC does not split with East, Flake will likely move up to 5 with the early season win ove CEC.
7 - Andover - 4-8-1 and they have 12 games left. Down year so far and I see the trend continuing finishing the season 8-16-1. They do have ER and FLake left, so pulling an upset or two could turn things around and move them up a few spots.
8 - St. Francis - Remember, this is in the future. Yes they are 0-14 now, but I believe they will at least get to 4 wins with one of them coming against Cambridge. So the 4-21 Saints will get the 8 seed with the head to head win over CI.
9 - Cambridge-isanti - They are 7-8 now and will likely get to 10 wins, but unless they can get the win over St. Francis they will neon the road for the play-in game.
I have never done this before (probably because I'm way off on predicting things), but I have to give myself a pat on the back. Missed on the Andover over FLake game, but other than that this may have been my best work. Even the predicted records were pretty close. Now that the bracket is set, I have to give it some more thought, but I'm thinking a ER vs East rematch with the Elks coming out on top.

Pretty good

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:20 am**

curtiscurve wrote:...but I'm thinking a ER vs East rematch with the Elks coming out on top.

Was thinking this for the past few weeks. As unpredictable as every game of this tournament will be... One lucky football bounce should determine most of these games. As someone said earlier, of the entire bracket, the only guaranteed game will be Elks vs. St Franicis/Cambridge. But really, the only thing I envision derailing the determined Elk Rivers is that mental hurdle of the Greyhounds, on Greyhound territory. But I think they're ready to put their foot to the throat this time around. Time will tell. That tie a couple weeks ago, in my mind, really only worked in the River's favor. Reminded them not to take this supposed "down" Hounds team lightly. The time is now to destroy, or go home.

Time to see which way that puck bounces, boys, and lay these 28 pages of guessing to rest. I wish it started tomorrow.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:39 am**

Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:45 am**

MWS coach wrote:Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!

True, but they "get" to play in Amsoil Arena, which those kids love playing in that rink. Both Elk River and STMA have terrible home rinks, not much seating and VERY plain/ugly buildings. If they did play in the cities, Ridder, Aldrich, or Edina would be logical rinks.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:55 am**

crw wrote:So being new to this... When Andover beats East does STMA play ER or GR? This will get people going

Not a surprising pick. However, I do expect the top 4 teams to win and make it to the semifinals. I'm looking forward to watching STMA. I'll be cheering for them to beat ER on the 21st.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:09 am**

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
MWS coach wrote:Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!
True, but they "get" to play in Amsoil Arena, which those kids love playing in that rink. Both Elk River and STMA have terrible home rinks, not much seating and VERY plain/ugly buildings. If they did play in the cities, Ridder, Aldrich, or Edina would be logical rinks.

The kids would love to get a chance to play at Amsoil even with the long bus trip. A rematch with CEC is no picnic though and they will have to be at their best to earn that trip up there.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:18 am**

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
MWS coach wrote:Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!
True, but they "get" to play in Amsoil Arena, which those kids love playing in that rink. Both Elk River and STMA have terrible home rinks, not much seating and VERY plain/ugly buildings. If they did play in the cities, Ridder, Aldrich, or Edina would be logical rinks.

DJ even more logical is National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. C'mon the Barn is not ugly! Never said it should be either home rink. HS players really care about playing at Amsoil? my guess is they don't give a rats apple where it is played or what rink it is in, just win baby!!!

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:23 am**

woodstickguy wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
MWS coach wrote:Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!
True, but they "get" to play in Amsoil Arena, which those kids love playing in that rink. Both Elk River and STMA have terrible home rinks, not much seating and VERY plain/ugly buildings. If they did play in the cities, Ridder, Aldrich, or Edina would be logical rinks.
The kids would love to get a chance to play at Amsoil even with the long bus trip. A rematch with CEC is no picnic though and they will have to be at their best to earn that trip up there.

Notice the IF used in my sentence. As mentioned many times in 27 pages, other than ER vs #8, no game is a real picnic.... Even ER vs #8 could be a challenge if #8 taken lightly and a couple of bounces. Remember all the way back to quarters last year and it took OT for ER to get by the Jacks.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:23 am**

MWS coach wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:
MWS coach wrote:Not to get the venue dead horse to rise, but just saying if quarter match up is ER vs STMA, two towns 10 miles apart that will have to each travel for 2 1/2 - 3 hours on a bus to face each other....

Seems logical to me!
True, but they "get" to play in Amsoil Arena, which those kids love playing in that rink. Both Elk River and STMA have terrible home rinks, not much seating and VERY plain/ugly buildings. If they did play in the cities, Ridder, Aldrich, or Edina would be logical rinks.
DJ even more logical is National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. C'mon the Barn is not ugly! Never said it should be either home rink. HS players really care about playing at Amsoil? my guess is they don't give a rats apple where it is played or what rink it is in, just win baby!!!

Let's play it out on the river. Since you would be the home team you go out first and make sure the ice is to your liking!

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:24 am**

DJ, I see your still on the payroll for the Duluth visitors bureau

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:40 am**

alcloseshaver wrote:DJ, I see your still on the payroll for the Duluth visitors bureau

I remember seeing a picture @knightshockey posted last year of the STMA players standing awe during a tour of Amsoil Arena. Saying players don't care where it is played is a load of crap. And Elk Rivers rink is garbage. A town that size and with that much tradition should have a much better home barn. But people in the Twin Cities aren't used to rinks with charm and history, just the cookie cutter crap with metal siding. No IRA Civic Centers, Hibbing Memorial Buildings, or Eveleth Hippodromes down there.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:56 am**

I'm sorry, but this venue topic might just push me over the edge. Remember, this is about the kids. Making it to the semi-finals and Finals is such an honor and should be played at a venue like AMSOIL. For one day (or two if they make it to the finals as well), they get to experience what it would be like to play for a top tier Division I program. When you get to the rink, they have you pull your bus right into the building. You step off the bus and are greeted by workers who direct you to your locker room. There is ample room to go through pregame routines. There is nothing like walking around AMSOIL pregame knowing that in a short amount of time you will be hitting the ice in front of thousands of fans playing for the opportunity to advance to the finals or to the X.

Is it fair that it is East's back yard? Maybe not. But if you ask the players that have experienced this, overwhelmingly you would see this is the venue where they want to play.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:00 am**

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:DJ, I see your still on the payroll for the Duluth visitors bureau
I remember seeing a picture @knightshockey posted last year of the STMA players standing awe during a tour of Amsoil Arena. Saying players don't care where it is played is a load of crap. And Elk Rivers rink is garbage. A town that size and with that much tradition should have a much better home barn. But people in the Twin Cities aren't used to rinks with charm and history, just the cookie cutter crap with metal siding. No IRA Civic Centers, Hibbing Memorial Buildings, or Eveleth Hippodromes down there.

DJ - These kids have played all over the country and some all over the world. While the Amsoil is a sweet arena, what venue it is played in is not really that big of deal. Ask them. Now the big stage of the X with a packed house may be an exception, playing at Amsoil with a much less than capacity crowd not a highlight for most I am sure. My PW has already played there 3 times. These kids play so much hockey it is just another venue.

The venues up north are awesome and filled with tradition, but you are comparing apples and oranges. When the three rinks you mentioned were built did ER and STMA even have programs????

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:10 am**

I think everyone is pretty tired of hearing about Amzoil Arena like it's a big treat for these kids to play there. These kids have all played at great venues during their careers. ICE IS ICE. Few of the amenities offered there are enjoyed by the teams. Been to Amzoil a number of times. It's nice but nothing special and the logistics of getting there and the parking is, well, I sure wouldn't brag about it.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:12 am**

TheHockeyDJ wrote:
alcloseshaver wrote:DJ, I see your still on the payroll for the Duluth visitors bureau
I remember seeing a picture @knightshockey posted last year of the STMA players standing awe during a tour of Amsoil Arena. Saying players don't care where it is played is a load of crap. And Elk Rivers rink is garbage. A town that size and with that much tradition should have a much better home barn. But people in the Twin Cities aren't used to rinks with charm and history, just the cookie cutter crap with metal siding. No IRA Civic Centers, Hibbing Memorial Buildings, or Eveleth Hippodromes down there.

I think when you are coming from a hockey program with out deep roots and one that is not always expected to win you can enjoy the ride a little more. Without all the external expectations to win I believe you can take in all that is High School Hockey including enjoying a visit to a rink rich in tradition and experiencing an atmosphere inside each arena that the players don't see at home. As a parent, I fully enjoy the trips up North and experiencing that tradition with my family. I hope next year we get a chance to do more of that during the season.

With all that said, just because they are enjoying the ride doesn't mean they don't expect to win. Times are changing for STMA and expectations are ramping up but I hope the kids don't forget to enjoy what is in front of them because it goes by all too fast.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:14 am**

DJ, you nailed it with the history and mystique of the northern arenas some dating to the 1930's. Heritage in Duluth is great, wish there something down here like it. Go easy on the municipalities down here, they build what they can and most had to use the Mighty Ducks money from the state.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:29 am**

DJ, you nailed it with the history and mystique of the northern arenas some dating to the 1930's. Heritage in Duluth is great, wish there something down here like it.

Unfortunately guys the mystique of the North Country hockey is dying or has died. The kids from ER, Andover, or Forest Lake could give a rats hind quarters about the Old traditions. They grew up watching the city schools dominate. Us old guys are still enamored by it but the kids graduating now don't really remember the north country hay days. In the last twenty years northern schools have won the AA tourney only 3 times and A only 7. The new generation of kids really don't care about playing in a fifty year old arena. To them its just an old arena. Its the parents who like that old stuff not the kids.

Posted: **Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:55 am**

Back to the hockey...

Two interesting historical items going into the Quarter Finals.

1) Grand Rapids and Forest Lake have met 5 times in the past 8 years in the quarter finals. GR has won 3 of the 5, but the last 3 have been FLake 6-0 winners in '10 and 4-3 winners in '12 (Big upset 6 over the 3), and a 2-1 OT losers last year. FLake is no where near the team they were in those other years, but they do have a little psychological edge coming in. I do not think it will be close, but 7 seeded FLake probably makes GR pucker a little more than your average 7 seed would.

2) Cloquet enters this play-off as the underdog from the get-go. There isn't a team in the section that has had more success as an underdog like CEC has. OT loses to ER in '10 and '14 as an 8 and a 7 seed in those years. In '09 as a 6 seed, they pulled the 2-1 upset over GR 2-1. in '08 they upset #1 seed East 6-5 in the Semis and #2 seed Anoka in the Finals as the 4 seed. In '06, they upset the #1 seed East 1-0 as the 4 seed. Finally in 2000-2002 they pulled off an upset in each of those years to reach the finals and winning the section in '02 1-0 over #1 seed East. Could be a load of useless historical information, but I think it shows that CEC can never be looked past. No matter what they did in the regular season, they are always at their best come play-offs. Not saying they will, but I would not be shocked to see CEC in the section finals taking on rivals in either GR or East. Frankly, I think East would rather see any team other than CEC in the finals.

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:45 am**

1490 the Fan in Duluth will have Andover at East. kozyradio.com for Forest Lake at Grand Rapids. northwoodsradio.com for Cloquet at STMA. Enjoy!

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:00 am**

TheHockeyDJ wrote:1490 the Fan in Duluth will have Andover at East. kozyradio.com for Forest Lake at Grand Rapids. northwoodsradio.com for Cloquet at STMA. Enjoy!

DJ is Rapids game on the cube?

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:13 am**

northwoods oldtimer wrote:
TheHockeyDJ wrote:1490 the Fan in Duluth will have Andover at East. kozyradio.com for Forest Lake at Grand Rapids. northwoodsradio.com for Cloquet at STMA. Enjoy!
DJ is Rapids game on the cube?

No it is not, I think it might be a contractual issue. I think prep45.com has rights to all playoffs.

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:52 am**

ODE to 7AA – Part Duece

The time has arrived for 7AA thrill
For St Francis, Forest Lake, and Andover, it’s all uphill
There’s mystery, for sure, within the pack
In the form of the Knights, whose fans don’t hold back
And for Grand Rapids fans…. An anxiety attack
For one never knows for sure, which team will arrive
A high scoring affair or another shut out for which Gerth must strive?
The Greyhound fans, they live and die by their past
They must, as this years team such a stark contrast
To the glory years of domination
But don’t tell that to them, they’ve already scheduled their March vacation

8th ranked Saints make the trek to the River
Where the Elks, we suspect, are sure to deliver
A lopsided score without apprehension
The only hope for the Saints is divine intervention

Rangers on the road to Grand Rapids, a familiar postseason journey
Post Garcia era, do they have a shot at the tourney?
It took overtime last year to get the job done
But the BAM line this year is ready to run & gun
It’s why they play the game, yeah, we’ve all heard the cliche
But as Suess once said, “your mountain is waiting so get on your way”

The greyhounds and huskies are sure to entertain
With Slammer, and Karl, and East on the (wagon) train
They met in December and skated to a tie
But the hounds aren’t too worried, for Randolph is sly
The rest of us wonder, a very close game?
Or can it be stolen, by the goalie grande dame?

And last, but not least, most mysterious of all
CEC vs STMA, sure to be a great brawl
The Knights may be as good as they say
But this time of year Esse and Company always come to play
Kniven, the eternal optimist, will watch in anticipation
For Bender and Newman to bring revengeful glory to Lumberjack nation

So there you have it folks…..
2015 7AA quarterfinals
Have fun & keep it classy!

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