Minnetonka (8-0) vs. St Thomas (5-1) 12-29-09

[HShockeywatcher]

Rematch of regular season game between the two. Winner plays for the championship of Schwan Cup on New Year's.

[blueblood]

Until someone proves they can defeat tonka, they are the favorite...

[starmvp]

Tonka 7-1

[HShockeywatcher]

I wasn't there so I cannot comment on how it will affect their play, but their best player got hurt after the 1st (after which they were leading 2-0)...

Anyone's game. Just like the first game, St Thomas should have the edge as they've lost.

[knowitall]

Tonka didnt have Holl...Had to play a sophmore on D every other shift. Tonka was shorthanded and still beat them 5-2

[Gov78]

I wasn't there so I cannot comment on how it will affect their play, but their best player got hurt after the 1st (after which they were leading 2-0)...

Anyone's game. Just like the first game, St Thomas should have the edge as they've lost.

How do you get the edge by losing last time? I'd say "edge" goes to Tonka as they showed they can skate their #2 line against STA #1 and hold them to a draw.

[DotaDangler]

Tonka didnt have Holl...Had to play a sophmore on D every other shift. Tonka was shorthanded and still beat them 5-2

Anyone who was at the first game knows STA was dominating until Isackson left with an injury. Not saying they will win this one but losing Isackson has a much bigger impact on STA then losing Holl has on Tonka.

[Slap Shot]

Tonka didnt have Holl...Had to play a sophmore on D every other shift. Tonka was shorthanded and still beat them 5-2

Anyone who was at the first game knows STA was dominating until Isackson left with an injury. Not saying they will win this one but losing Isackson has a much bigger impact on STA then losing Holl has on Tonka.

How could you possibly know that unless Holl started the game for comparison's sake? Given he's a Div I recruit and what we've seen of Holl, it's extremely presumptuous (if not downright ignorant) to insist STA having Isackson would have been enough to overcome a 3 goal deficit had MHS had Holl.

[HShockeywatcher]

Is Holl back?

I wish this were broadcast, should be a good game.

[Roseauverrated]

Will this game be on the radio or anything?

[nikebauer05]

Is Holl back?

I wish this were broadcast, should be a good game.

Yeah Holl will play, he was at a wedding for that game.

[dueling21]

I gave my shot at video interviews again...see the Hub for a preview of this one:

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/page/show_ar ... 2770/40566

[MNHockeyFan]

I gave my shot at video interviews again...see the Hub for a preview of this one:

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/page/show_ar ... 2770/40566

Very well done!

[Hockeywatcher123]

i watched both teams play yesterday. i was impressed with holl. im excited to see him play with the gopher.
when i watched isackson play he looked like he was still hurt. he didnt go into the corners and played scared. if STA has a chance tonight he will have to play better.
i will take tonka 3-2.... is it being brodcasted anywhere?

[Gov78]

i watched both teams play yesterday. i was impressed with holl. im excited to see him play with the gopher.
when i watched isackson play he looked like he was still hurt. he didnt go into the corners and played scared. if STA has a chance tonight he will have to play better.
i will take tonka 3-2.... is it being brodcasted anywhere?

$8.95 online from NSC site

[High Flyer]

i watched both teams play yesterday. i was impressed with holl. im excited to see him play with the gopher.
when i watched isackson play he looked like he was still hurt. he didnt go into the corners and played scared. if STA has a chance tonight he will have to play better.
i will take tonka 3-2.... is it being brodcasted anywhere?

$8.95 online from NSC site

Thats a bargin, considering there's a $12 gate fee plus parking

[love2skate]

what is the actual NSC site address? Thanks

[High Flyer]

Tonka didnt have Holl...Had to play a sophmore on D every other shift. Tonka was shorthanded and still beat them 5-2

Anyone who was at the first game knows STA was dominating until Isackson left with an injury. Not saying they will win this one but losing Isackson has a much bigger impact on STA then losing Holl has on Tonka.

How could you possibly know that unless Holl started the game for comparison's sake? Given he's a Div I recruit and what we've seen of Holl, it's extremely presumptuous (if not downright ignorant) to insist STA having Isackson would have been enough to overcome a 3 goal deficit had MHS had Holl.

Hesketh and Prochno struggled with STA over all team speed and skill, so would have Holl.

The first period of the last game Mtka had no answer for STA team speed and was having problems matching up with them, so they started to juggle line combinations and also tried to set up some mis-matches with the last line change in order to create something, which neither had an impact on STA. Sometime the best defense is a good offense and STA was controlling the game in all three zones through out most of the first period which is why they led 2-0 going into the second.

When Isackson went out early in the second period, STA line changes created three new lines and they never got back on track. It's not so much the offense that was lost when Isackson went out (which was a factor), it was STA ability to keep their other lines in tack in which Mtka was having problems matching up with those lines, so starting in the second period Mtka was getting more scoring chances and STA fewer, making it 2-2 going into the third.

Third period, more of same from the second period, that also included a lucky bounce at the blue line that was misplayed by a STA defenseman, creating a 2 on 1 and later a STA back checking forward took out his own defenseman which create another 2 on 1. EN for the final Mtka goal

With Isackson in the line up (even if he isn't 100%) STA team speed will once again be very difficult for Mtka to handle. Isackson doesn't need to go into the corners to make an impact; he just needs to keep on making great plays like he did in game one vs. Mtka and snip in a goal or two when he gets the opportunity, just like he did vs. WBL, in which he should of had a hat trick, had he not fell down on a break away.

The real question will be can Mtka find an answer for STA other line??

[my2cents]

A thousand excuses for losing does not add up to a 3 goal deficit.

1) STA is not faster than MTKA. STA guys are smaller, therefore their feet move faster, but their bodies don't.

2) Size matters. STA doesn't match up to the physical presence of MTKA, but sometimes the puck goes in the net regardless.

3) How do you know whether either team was having an ON or OFF night?

The play will decide the outcome. It should be a good game. I'll guess Mtka by 2.

[High Flyer]

A thousand excuses for losing does not add up to a 3 goal deficit.

1) STA is not faster than MTKA. STA guys are smaller, therefore their feet move faster, but their bodies don't.

2) Size matters. STA doesn't match up to the physical presence of MTKA, but sometimes the puck goes in the net regardless.

3) How do you know whether either team was having an ON or OFF night?

The play will decide the outcome. It should be a good game. I'll guess Mtka by 2.

No excusses, just point out the facts.

Can't hit what you can't catch, just ask Prochno and Hesketh that question as both were beat in the defensive zone by two different STA players (not Issacson or Crandell) in game one that resulted in goals for STA. I guess it was STA little feet that got by them, but not thier bodies??? Hesketh looked more like a big orange cone when the two smaller STA forwards made two quick passes to get around him to a wide open player for the goal.

I did see the all mighty bigger D1 Gardner get knocked around quick a bit by those smaller STA players. He certiannly did not make his physical presence known in that game or use it to his avantage. O yea, there was that one time when he tried to run the STA goalie, until the smaller STA defenseman layed him out.

Bottom line, in my opinion the two best teams in MN this year (regardless of class) go at it again and the game two weeks ago doen't mean a thing, as this is the one that matters to both teams. Then again, if I was a coach, there is one coach that I would not want to give a preview warm up game to (on tape) and two weeks to make adjustments before they play again, thats would be Tom Vanelli.

Cadets win a close one by a goal this time

[Slap Shot]

The real question will be can Mtka find an answer for STA other line??

Dear God.

[blueblood]

There's reason his name is "High" flyer? Could it be there is not enough oxygen in his brain makes him delusional.

Hesketh an orange cone, that's a good one! I wonder if the scout from Edmonton thinks that also.

How can one player change the "team speed" of the remaining players? The remaining 2 lines could stay intact by double shifting a player, so your theory has no weight IMO.

Tonka by 2....

[starmvp]

Two very quick goals for Minnetonka. 2-0 in the first period right now

[blueblood]

How's the speed cadets 2nite? I see they're down by 2 already.

It must be the lights and heat of the X causing a slow down of the feet of the cadet playaz.

Altricher is overrated (kinda like Krueger...)

[starmvp]

Pretty good pace actually so far. Not sure what the shot count is but St. Thomas had some nice chances. The two early goals by Tonka kills them. 2-0 after the 1st.