Mankato West the real deal?

[darkdemon]

Is Mankato west the real deal, have they beat any good teams or are they just beniftting from a weak schedule?
Who are the good players on this team?

[SEMinnHockeyNut]

They have one outstanding line - really two awesome players in Leiverman and Litchfield....however, sometimes one great line is enough to win many games - even state tournament games.

Their toughest games are still to come....

[Goldy Gopher]

They have one outstanding line - really two awesome players in Leiverman and Litchfield....however, sometimes one great line is enough to win many games - even state tournament games.

Their toughest games are still to come....

06-07 Little Falls anyone?

[hockeypurist]

To answer the question posted, Is West the real deal? The answer MAY be a loud YES. They have tremendous speed, can score in bunches and have consistently solid goaltending. Their top line may be the best in the state, their second line is gritty, and frustrates its opponents, and the third line is justifying a regular shift by scoring a few, and keeping the puck out of their own net. Their D have been solid, but not flashy. They are moving the puck well to the forwards, and anchoring the powerplay well. Their schedule has been weak, and those teams have been beaten badly. 'Strong' opponents to date include New Prague (7-1), Northfield (6-3), and Fergus Falls (6-3). Only Northfield skated with West, but that was for 10 minutes in the second period. No team, other than that, has given West anything to blink about skating 5 on 5. Their Achilles heel, however, is discipline. They are a cocky bunch who are not going to win any popularity contests. Many of the penalties they take are undisciplined, and just plain stupid. They could easily have lost some of their games this year late on the PK, had the opponent been a bit better. But when you give up so few PP goals, what is the incentive to NOT take undisciplined penalties? This will haunt them, and Coach Essay needs to deal with this problem before it truly costs them (example: Lieverman took a 10 min misconduct in Fergus Falls; Litchfield a 2 min unsportsmanlike - both calls due to chirping at the official.) If Coach Essay can convince his boys that such acts will not go unpunished, they can go a long way. If not...it will be 'New Ulm' all over again!

[flatontheice]

Is Mankato west the real deal, have they beat any good teams or are they just beniftting from a weak schedule?
Who are the good players on this team?

No. They are not the real deal.

[MinnyKG]

It's not that they are not a good team, I think that potentially the lack of a consistent competitive schedule may end up not allowing them to develop those tight game situations that teams with more competitive schedules are getting throughout the year. Maybe I'm wrong and when they completely dominate these teams in the first period they are really that good. I think it will be hard for anyone to believe that a High School team from Southern Minnesota other than Rochester could actually be this good. Judgement will be held out a lot longer than most (metro, northern) teams just due to not having any long term history of sucsess.

Coaches will take care of the penalty issues. Funny though mention from the poster above as Litchfield scored to shorthanded goals in thier last game.

[Syd Barrett]

'Strong' opponents to date include New Prague (7-1), Northfield (6-3), and Fergus Falls (6-3).

You call those teams "Strong" maybe against Bantams. With a milquetoast schedule like that even Walker would have a winning record.

Syd

[darkdemon]

'Strong' opponents to date include New Prague (7-1), Northfield (6-3), and Fergus Falls (6-3).

You call those teams "Strong" maybe against Bantams. With a milquetoast schedule like that even Walker would have a winning record.

Syd

Good to hear from you Syd

Sounds to me like Mankato West is like Little Falls (06-07)
one good line no D and a shaky goaltender

[rochcentury908]

Does beating a possible 1AA favorite in Owatonna qualify as a quality opponent? Yeah, West is the real deal.

[icelevel]

uh... is it just me, or is 1AA rather weak this year?

[rams80]

[quote="rochcentury908"]Does beating a possible 1AA favorite in Owatonna qualify as a quality opponent?




NO

[hockeypurist]

Sounds to me like Mankato West is like Little Falls (06-07)
one good line no D and a shaky goaltender

DarkDemon, your comment above suggests to me you have not actually seen Mankato West play, but, instead, you are merely speculating based on second hand information. Specifically, goaltending is far from shaky, and, may in fact be one of their underrated strengths. When a team puts 10 or more goals on the board in several games, it is easy to assume that goaltending is weak. Many thought the same of Grant Fuhr back in the 80's. If you HAVE seen West play, then I am truly perplexed by your assessment.

[LZ94]

Sounds to me like Mankato West is like Little Falls (06-07)
one good line no D and a shaky goaltender

DarkDemon, your comment above suggests to me you have not actually seen Mankato West play, but, instead, you are merely speculating based on second hand information. Specifically, goaltending is far from shaky, and, may in fact be one of their underrated strengths. When a team puts 10 or more goals on the board in several games, it is easy to assume that goaltending is weak. Many thought the same of Grant Fuhr back in the 80's. If you HAVE seen West play, then I am truly perplexed by your assessment.

So who's Wayne Gretzky? Lieverman or Litchfield?

Talk about perplexing!

[Spartanfan09]

uh... is it just me, or is 1AA rather weak this year?

They arent in section 1

[Spartanfan09]

uh... is it just me, or is 1AA rather weak this year?

They arent in section 1

Never mind....i was thinking that they r in class 2a....why the hell arent they they r a big enough school to??

[darkdemon]

Sounds to me like Mankato West is like Little Falls (06-07)
one good line no D and a shaky goaltender

DarkDemon, your comment above suggests to me you have not actually seen Mankato West play, but, instead, you are merely speculating based on second hand information. Specifically, goaltending is far from shaky, and, may in fact be one of their underrated strengths. When a team puts 10 or more goals on the board in several games, it is easy to assume that goaltending is weak. Many thought the same of Grant Fuhr back in the 80's. If you HAVE seen West play, then I am truly perplexed by your assessment.

Ok but I have seen Fegus play and beating them isn't that big of an
accomplishment this happens every year
in single A one team goes undefeated for a period of time into
the season and then run into some
real competition and look like they need to go home
and cry to momma and their rich dad

Lets see what happens when they play some real competition
Like Rochester Lourdes and Rochester Mayo

[darkdemon]

Schedule
11/29/2007 New Prague 7 - 1 W
12/4/2007 Waseca Blue Jays 12 - 2 W
12/8/2007 Winona Winhawks 10 - 4 W
12/11/2007 Mankato East/Loyola 12 - 0 W
12/13/2007 Austin 11 - 0 W
12/18/2007 Owatonna 7 - 0 W
12/20/2007 Northfield/ARTech 6 - 3 W
12/27/2007 Fergus Falls 6 - 3 W
12/28/2007 Fergus Falls 0 - 0
12/29/2007 Fergus Falls 0 - 0
1/3/2008 Faribault 0 - 0
1/8/2008 Albert Lea 0 - 0
1/10/2008 St. Peter/LeCtr/LeSueur-H 0 - 0
1/15/2008 Shakopee 0 - 0
1/15/2008 Shakopee 0 - 0
1/19/2008 Minnehaha Academy 0 - 0
1/19/2008 Minnehaha Academy 0 - 0
1/24/2008 Mankato East/Loyola 0 - 0
1/26/2008 Rochester Mayo 0 - 0
1/29/2008 Austin 0 - 0
1/31/2008 Rochester Lourdes 0 - 0
2/2/2008 Winona Winhawks 0 - 0
2/5/2008 Faribault 0 - 0
2/7/2008 Albert Lea 0 - 0
2/12/2008 Rochester Century 0 - 0

I remain unimpressed reminds me of Morris/Benson last year

[newSPUDfan]

uh... is it just me, or is 1AA rather weak this year?

They arent in section 1

Never mind....i was thinking that they r in class 2a....why the hell arent they they r a big enough school to??

Because Mankato split their high schools in two, Mankato East and Mankato West. Both schools are small enough by themselves to play Class A. The town itself is only 36,000 (plus another 10,000 for North Mankato and surrounding communities).

[newSPUDfan]

To answer the question posted, Is West the real deal? The answer MAY be a loud YES. They have tremendous speed, can score in bunches and have consistently solid goaltending. Their top line may be the best in the state, their second line is gritty, and frustrates its opponents, and the third line is justifying a regular shift by scoring a few, and keeping the puck out of their own net. Their D have been solid, but not flashy. They are moving the puck well to the forwards, and anchoring the powerplay well. Their schedule has been weak, and those teams have been beaten badly. 'Strong' opponents to date include New Prague (7-1), Northfield (6-3), and Fergus Falls (6-3). Only Northfield skated with West, but that was for 10 minutes in the second period. No team, other than that, has given West anything to blink about skating 5 on 5. Their Achilles heel, however, is discipline. They are a cocky bunch who are not going to win any popularity contests. Many of the penalties they take are undisciplined, and just plain stupid. They could easily have lost some of their games this year late on the PK, had the opponent been a bit better. But when you give up so few PP goals, what is the incentive to NOT take undisciplined penalties? This will haunt them, and Coach Essay needs to deal with this problem before it truly costs them (example: Lieverman took a 10 min misconduct in Fergus Falls; Litchfield a 2 min unsportsmanlike - both calls due to chirping at the official.) If Coach Essay can convince his boys that such acts will not go unpunished, they can go a long way. If not...it will be 'New Ulm' all over again!

Excellent post. Thanks for the insight.........

[HShockeywatcher]

They could easily go undefeated and get pummeled in sections or state. They don't play but 2 or 3 quality opponents, if that. Only time will tell I guess.

[iloveburritos]

Schedule
11/29/2007 New Prague 7 - 1 W
12/4/2007 Waseca Blue Jays 12 - 2 W
12/8/2007 Winona Winhawks 10 - 4 W
12/11/2007 Mankato East/Loyola 12 - 0 W
12/13/2007 Austin 11 - 0 W
12/18/2007 Owatonna 7 - 0 W
12/20/2007 Northfield/ARTech 6 - 3 W
12/27/2007 Fergus Falls 6 - 3 W
12/28/2007 Fergus Falls 0 - 0
12/29/2007 Fergus Falls 0 - 0
1/3/2008 Faribault 0 - 0
1/8/2008 Albert Lea 0 - 0
1/10/2008 St. Peter/LeCtr/LeSueur-H 0 - 0
1/15/2008 Shakopee 0 - 0
1/15/2008 Shakopee 0 - 0
1/19/2008 Minnehaha Academy 0 - 0
1/19/2008 Minnehaha Academy 0 - 0
1/24/2008 Mankato East/Loyola 0 - 0
1/26/2008 Rochester Mayo 0 - 0
1/29/2008 Austin 0 - 0
1/31/2008 Rochester Lourdes 0 - 0
2/2/2008 Winona Winhawks 0 - 0
2/5/2008 Faribault 0 - 0
2/7/2008 Albert Lea 0 - 0
2/12/2008 Rochester Century 0 - 0

I remain unimpressed reminds me of Morris/Benson last year

HSHockeyWatcher they play more than 2 or 3 good teams this year...
Century - 3rd in state last year
Mayo - solid program
Lourdes - ranked
Minnehaha - ranked
Albert Lea - always solid - state last year
New Prague - was ranked earlier in the year
Northfield - held in there with lourdes and red wing
Detriot Lakes - pretty good team usually
Fergus Falls - good in their section
Owatonna - was undefeated beating a team or two on this list until west

[slapnasty]

Ok West hasnt played anyone good. Fergus Falls isnt anything special. Yes the have a solid team this year. Do u see them going to state...I see a 25% chance...winning state...1%

I will post again tomorrow when im sober im struggling at typing right now.

[goaler]

West's top line is as good as any in the state. Their goaltending is very, very overrated and their defense is decent. The other lines are ok, but this team suffers from a huge superiority complex.

They think they're fabulous, and that's behind some of the stupid penalties you see them take, especially one very cheap forward on the third line. If they get knocked off this year, it will be because they think they're so great, and that includes the coach, that they get surprised by a hard-working team like New Ulm last year. I see in their tournament that some teams are putting some goals up on them, which can be done, believe me. But West has scored more, which means that those teams are underestimating the top line and giving them way too much space.

Also, in 1A section hardly any kid is taught how to play the body or backcheck. Nystrom's from Eveleth, so Albert Lea knows how to do that, but that's about it. My contention is that if a team pounds West by finishing their checks and backcheckiing them hard, they will be beaten. Respect the top line, check them hard, and wait for your chances. I've seen this team for years and this is the formula that Albert Lea and New Ulm used last year.

[hockeypurist]

West's top line is as good as any in the state. Their goaltending is very, very overrated and their defense is decent. The other lines are ok, but this team suffers from a huge superiority complex.

They think they're fabulous, and that's behind some of the stupid penalties you see them take, especially one very cheap forward on the third line. If they get knocked off this year, it will be because they think they're so great, and that includes the coach, that they get surprised by a hard-working team like New Ulm last year. I see in their tournament that some teams are putting some goals up on them, which can be done, believe me. But West has scored more, which means that those teams are underestimating the top line and giving them way too much space.

Also, in 1A section hardly any kid is taught how to play the body or backcheck. Nystrom's from Eveleth, so Albert Lea knows how to do that, but that's about it. My contention is that if a team pounds West by finishing their checks and backcheckiing them hard, they will be beaten. Respect the top line, check them hard, and wait for your chances. I've seen this team for years and this is the formula that Albert Lea and New Ulm used last year.

Goaler, you seem to have some insight into West's style of play. Its nice to see someone on this thread make some comments based on first hand knowledge. I do take issue with your 'superiority complex' comment, however. Many authors on this forum have taken great pleasure in taking shots at the West team and some of its players. Others have ranted as to how great they are. Regardless, I doubt ANY of these latter postings have come from West players. Many of these boys were part of the New Ulm meltdown last year. That was a humbling experience for them, one that no one wants to repeat. Yes, they are cocky and they make no apologies for that. They will struggle against a fast, physical team, and January 8th may be that first real test. But every team needs its first test. The forum vultures continue to hover, waiting the West's first beating. Make no mistake....it WILL happen. But don't bruise yourself too badly patting yourself on the back for your astute, albeit blind, prediction. How often does a team go undefeated in MN HS Hockey? The learnings from that first loss will be far more important than state rankings or popular opinion on the forum. In the meantime, some credit is deserved for going undefeated in its first 9 games, regardless of its opponents.

[blueblood]

Lot's of talk on this thread for a chnace to be the #8 seed and go up against Roseau.

IF they make State, and they have as good a shot as anyone from this section, I predict a 8-0 thrashing against Roseau.

Good luck MW, you're gonna need it along with a few more players and a brick wall to stop all the pucks coming your way.