Final thoughts about the State Tournament

Master Recruiter · Post by **Master Recruiter** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:18 am

-I think the seeding should stay the way it is, instead of preset matchups
This year again, I think we got the top 2 teams in each class playing in the title game

-The drama this year was second to none. All of the OT games, TRF comeback to knock of the defending champs, STAs comeback vs Hermantown. Great stuff

-I thought the officiating was very good.

-#7 from Rau should be the clear Mr. Hockey winner. The kid was clutch all weekend, and then like a superstar should, he finds a way to get the GW in the final.

-Ive heard negative things about the DE coach Randolph. Although, I dont know him personally - what he did after the title game was pure class (If you didnt see it - he went into the EP locker room and congratulated the EP players, and thanked them all for staying in Minnesota High School hockey. Randolph is a winner in my book.

-Plante from Hermantown may very well be the best coach in the state. Every year, regardless of who they lose from the year before or how young they are - they are always ready to play state tournament time, and really play the game the right way.

-Section 3A really needs some re-working. That was painful and embarrassing watching New Ulm matchup with St Thomas in round 1

-Not to beat a dead horse, but STA (and Breck) belong in AA. Its obvious

-I was very unimpressed with the sportsmanship of Breck. First we hear about the RE-LOAD comment from the coach, then after every one of the goals vs TRF we notice some showboating from the goalscorer - instead of just celebrating with his teammates. Then we see a real bad knee to knee hit that could have resulted in injury once the score was 6-4.

-On Championship Saturday, I wish the two 3rd place games were back to back in the afternoon, the A championship at 6, and the AA at 8:30. Playing a state championship game at noon just doesnt seem right.

-I was shocked to see no Edina players on the AA all tournament team. I am not saying they deserved to have anyone there. but at the same time - with the three D1 players. I thought one might make it by default.

-After watching STA play 3 games and finding out that the top line of Reed. Kroska, and Shroeder were all orginally Lakeville South kids. Oh what could have been for section 1 and Lakeville. I thought this was the best line in the tournament, A or AA.

-I thought Clay Matvick did a solid job, and Lou Nanne was also tolerable this year. He showed no favortism to his grandsons team. and overall did well. Phil Housley on the other hand....Yikes. might want to try something else Phil.

-The m11 project, the messier helmets.....good god, we get it. Talk about over saturation. Enough is enough

-For god sakes, lets get this tournament in HD next year for the TV viewers!!!

That is all, feel free to add yours.

b-rad · Post by **b-rad** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:07 am

Excellent points! Especially like the idea of playing both championships in the evening sessions.

I wish they could come up with a way to fill the seats that are vacated after the first game of each session. Seeing all the empty seats sucks.

dherman8 · Post by **dherman8** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:25 am

b-rad wrote:Excellent points! Especially like the idea of playing both championships in the evening sessions.

I wish they could come up with a way to fill the seats that are vacated after the first game of each session. Seeing all the empty seats sucks.

Never thought about having both championship games at night but that is a really great idea. And all the empty seats do suck. At certain points it's hard to get tickets and to see people leave after one game is kind of a slap in the face. Being a fan that normally doesn't see his alma mater down there, a vast majority of the time I still strongly enjoy going to the games no matter who is playing.

Goldfishdude · Post by **Goldfishdude** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:45 am

They will never revert back to the championship games both at night. The afternoon session wouldn't get 3,000....

It's big revenue... If they end up get 12,000 for the A Championship, and 16,000 for AA = 28,000 versus 18,000 for both at night.

East Side Pioneer Guy · Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:58 am

A few years ago the mshsl moved the games times up by one hour in an effort to be more family friendly so young kids wouldn't need to be up quite so late. I like not having not having to be up so late too. I really appreciated it when Hill and Minnetonka played 4 ot's. But now the opening face off isn't held until 19 or 20 minutes after the hour for the first game of each session.
Kind of defeats the purpose of moving the start time up. Intermissions could be shaved by a minute or two also, as can the time between games in each session.

TV will never allow both title games in the same session. Too risky with possible multiple overtimes. That's why the third place games aren't televised and the number of overtime periods is limited to I believe one.

SPUDNUT · Post by **SPUDNUT** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:03 pm

Tickets should go on sale immediately after a game ends, for the advancing team's next game.

scarlethockey33 · Post by **scarlethockey33** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:21 pm

Mentioning that Schroeder, Kroska and Reed were all from Lakeville South is quite eye opening. Imagine what they could've done with Kloos and what they could've done for that Lakeville South program and Section 1AA all together.

All great points enjoyed reading them!

EastMetro Hockey10 · Post by **EastMetro Hockey10** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:57 pm

East Side Pioneer Guy wrote:. That's why the third place games aren't televised and the number of overtime periods is limited to I believe one.

Didn't Burnsville and Rochester Century go to triple ot in the third place game a few years back?

East Side Pioneer Guy · Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:23 pm

I'm not sure of the exact rule, but I know it isn't allowed to go on forever.
TV wants to start the championship game in prime time. With a second OT there is another resurfacing and intermission. I suppose there could be time for a second OT but I doubt a third.

Earlier in the two class era, it at the Target Center, Elk River took someone to OT in the third place game. I think it started at 6 and the championship was scheduled for 8, maybe 8:30. Someone scored in the first OT and those teams were hustled off the ice after a quick award ceremony. It was the next year they moved the start time to 4:00.

EHSHack · Post by **EHSHack** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:15 pm

Master Recruiter, are you saying that you think a kid who busts his ass off all year and on the biggest stage he has ever played in should be slighted by a kid who doesn't deserve it just because the other kid plays for a top tier team like Edina?

paulsonj72 · Post by **paulsonj72** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:02 pm

EastMetro Hockey10 wrote:
East Side Pioneer Guy wrote:. That's why the third place games aren't televised and the number of overtime periods is limited to I believe one.
Didn't Burnsville and Rochester Century go to triple ot in the third place game a few years back?

Three ot's is the limit. If the game is tied after 3 OT"s the game is declared o tie and duplicate trophies are awarded

Mite-dad · Post by **Mite-dad** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:54 am

While I thought the reffing was good, I thought some dangerous hits were not called. Lou Nanne said that the refs were doing the right thing by not calling and letting the kids play. If that is the case, we shouldn't complain when kids get hideously injured. I respectfully disagreed with Lou on this one.

While I think STA should probably move up, I am impressed with their discipline......and I got to admit I like the clean haircut look. I know they have good talent, but I wonder how much their discipline effects their play and their success.

Kyle Rau hung in there and got the winning goal and took a pounding in the final game, but I couldn't help but notice that he seemed to be diving and embellishing some of the hits. He got nailed hard a couple times, but others it seemed like he was embellishing. JMVHO. Welcome to big boy hockey. Get used to it. College/Juniors will be like that game in and game out.