Andover vs. Duluth East 7AA Semifinal

[karl(east)]

The second half of Semifinal Saturday at the DECC takes place at 2:00. Thoughts and comments are appreciated, as are updates throughout the game.

[ImissMYhockey]

With the tie these two teams had about a month ago, and east's history in the Semis, you know its going to be close. My guess is that east rallies in the 3rd to come back to win.
East-3
Andover-2

[Spooge]

DE outshot the Huskies 48-18 in the Jan 29th game. Barring a sieve performance by the DE goalie, this should be no-contest... 4-1 DE.

[minnhockey1]

"Goaltender Matt Ray apparently stood on his head and twirled like a break dancer in this one. From what the broadcasters stated" If you at the game the weak shots on net were from the top of the circle or the blue line.

[quote="Spooge"]DE outshot the Huskies 48-18 in the Jan 29th game. Barring a sieve performance by the DE goalie, this should be no-contest... 4-1 DE

[Goldfishdude]

I will make the most obvious statement here.

If East is going to win. They have to stop Cal Dekowski!! ?

East 3-2..... Andover scores in last 1:30-1:00 after pulling the goalie, and it's nothing but pins and needles for both fan sections the final :30....

[Ilovethe212]

DE outshot the Huskies 48-18 in the Jan 29th game. Barring a sieve performance by the DE goalie, this should be no-contest... 4-1 DE.

A sieve performance like last year in the state tournament? It could happen!

But ill take east 4-2

[fiveholenyou]

Duluth 5 Andover 2

Andover is committed to one line. For the month of February thier 1st line has scored 24 of their 26 goals. If Duluth stays out of the box, and shadows Decowski they should take this game.

[wbmd]

Andover in O.T.

[old goalie85]

Andover 4 East 2

[Toews is god 19]

Andover 3 DE 2

[BigWorm]

East knows what it takes to win a semifinal game again (they proved it last year against flake), with that being said I say 4-2 East, Randolph will have a goal or two. Matt Ray will keep Andover in the game, he has been a solid goalie since his freshman year. I think East has more depth and as long as they can contain Andovers first line, East will win.

[minnhockey1]

Won-Loss Records 2005-2009 (min 70 GP)Last updated 8/20/09
Duluth East (80-26-5)13th out of 154 teams
Andover (38-63-4) 114th
Agree East has a coaching staff that knows how to play the game and are well coached. Andover's team is good because of the their players. It has nothing to do with the coaching staff which is not good, there 5 year record proves that fact . The game goes into O/T with the better conditioned, coached, and depth team winning. DE

East knows what it takes to win a semifinal game again (they proved it last year against flake), with that being said I say 4-2 East, Randolph will have a goal or two. Matt Ray will keep Andover in the game, he has been a solid goalie since his freshman year. I think East has more depth and as long as they can contain Andovers first line, East will win.

[slyer]

throw the records away from the past, it's a different team every year i'm still pullin for the huskies 4-1 jo jo gonna be oh oh

[minnhockey1]

I agree but its a matter of consistency in making a good team. Good teams are well coached and the player perform well for the coach. Should be a good game Matt Ray ALL-DAY

[DuluthHockeyBoy]

DE 4 Andover 1
Improved Andover team and good goaltending could keep this fairly close, but I think East has the edge in talent, depth and experience- and they have home ice. I don't see a really good win against a top team for Andover this year. Huskie fans should be concerned about their results in the last 2 regular season games against good teams getting battle-ready for the sectional run. Its a different game now. DE won't be surprised. Even it Andover can keep it close and get a bounce or 2, I think a deeper, more experienced East team will prevail.
But maybe its time for that first big win- never know and thats why they play the game!
Hope there is a good turnout for Andover fans at the DECC. Looking forward to the game. Good Luck to both teams.

[Toews is god 19]

You can definately throw out records from the past, Andover has never had a cal decowski and has never had a team of this caliber should be a good game and a great weekend of hockey

[DuluthHockeyBoy]

Did they have Cal against Blaine and Centennial the last 2 games of the year? Just curious.

[Toews is god 19]

yes. 5 points vs. centennial this year and 4 vs. blaine. Whys this significant?

[DuluthHockeyBoy]

My point is simply that Andover's last 2 games were against top teams that are preparing for the sectionals- and the Huskies lost both of them. Andover's top player had 1 assist in each of these games. I am not knocking him- I think he is a top player and exciting to watch- I am simply pointing out that depth and experience count at section time. A top AA team is typically not going to get beat by 1 player at playoff time, and I think thats what you saw in Blaine and Centennial. I am also not suggesting they can't beat DE- I just wouldn't bet on it and I don't think its likely.
I am looking forward to it- its nice to have more teams in this section that can compete.

[fiveholenyou]

Just curious why parents are first to throw the coaches under the bus. I am sure every coach would second guess a few decisions over the year, but you can only lead the horses to water, you can't make em drink it. Just remember that and look into the mirror.

Andover only has 2 proven playmakers, not one other player has stepped up to solidify a second line, so that's the coaches fault? Records from the past mean zippo, who els besides this group has done anything at the youth level? Zippo. All the kid's on Varsity, belong there, but now is the time to prove your parents wrong (don't listen to their b.s.) and seize the moment. Good luck to both teams.

[nipeshow18]

Just curious why parents are first to throw the coaches under the bus. I am sure every coach would second guess a few decisions over the year, but you can only lead the horses to water, you can't make em drink it. Just remember that and look into the mirror.

Great post, and this holds true for A LOT of parents bashing of coaches.

[Toews is god 19]

Good point duluth

[MNHockey75]

East, GR, and Cloquet have dominated this section over the last 10 years. But I got a feelin'...

Andover - 6
Dul. East - 4

[karl(east)]

Good news for those of us who won't be in Duluth on Saturday; MSBN will be broadcasting both games.

East knows what they need to do...go Hounds.

[Goldfishdude]

Karl and Lee........ since my predictions have me 3-782 on the season, you will be happy to note that I decided I am going to take Andover 5-1 in a blowout. I think my 3 wins might even be generous on my end...