PWAA: who are the 8 teams to make to the state this year?

[Mnhockeys]

With all things considered - schedule strength, injury, coaching, district, district/regional placement. Which eight teams will make to the big show at PWAA state championship week?

[Shortsidegoal]

With all things considered - schedule strength, injury, coaching, district, district/regional placement. Which eight teams will make to the big show at PWAA state championship week?

Edina
Minnetonka
Wayzata
Lakeville South
Prior Lake
Stillwater
Chaska/Chan
STMA

[Mnhockeys]

With all things considered - schedule strength, injury, coaching, district, district/regional placement. Which eight teams will make to the big show at PWAA state championship week?

Edina
Minnetonka
Wayzata
Lakeville South
Prior Lake
Stillwater
Chaska/Chan
STMA

4 teams from D6? No way!

Actually if you think lakeville south will make it, your d6 will have no more than 2 teams to make to the state.

[InTheKnow]

With all things considered - schedule strength, injury, coaching, district, district/regional placement. Which eight teams will make to the big show at PWAA state championship week?

Edina
Minnetonka
Wayzata
Lakeville South
Prior Lake
Stillwater
Chaska/Chan
STMA

Only problem is 5 of those 8 teams will probably be in the same region so only 2 will make it.

[YouthHockeyHub]

North: Duluth East and Grand Rapids (HT is another good team)

South: STMA and Eden Prairie/Prior Lake (i.e. winner of 3rd place game in D6 goes to state)

East: LVS and Edina (brutally tough region)

West: OMG and Centennial (second toughest probably the most balanced region...any of the 8 entries is state tourney worthy)

Are these the top 8 in state? No. Not far off though.

[InTheKnow]

North: Duluth East and Grand Rapids (HT is another good team)

South: STMA and Eden Prairie/Prior Lake (i.e. winner of 3rd place game in D6 goes to state)

East: LVS and Edina (brutally tough region)

West: OMG and Centennial (second toughest probably the most balanced region...any of the 8 entries is state tourney worthy)

Are these the top 8 in state? No. Not far off though.

Tony, It's actually the looser of the 3rd place game, 4th seed, in D6 that would go to the South region. That may change though.

[Goal_Judge]

Actually, I believe the [u]loser [/u]of the third place game in D6 goes to South Region (MN Hockey Site notes that D6 #4 is in the South, along with two other #4 seeds and two #3 seeds). This, of course, leads to an absurb result that the fourth best team from D6 will have a much easier time making it to state compared to the team it just lost to, the third best team. Can you say Korean Badminton? The cynical side of me (my only side) tells me that these two teams will fall all over themselves to lose that third-place game. They same thing will happen is district 8 (and 10, to a lesser extent). Can you imagine the losers mobbing the goalie after the game? I can.

I realize that certain districts don't have enough teams to fill allotted slots. But to have D6, 8, and 10 all send their 4th best teams to the South is silly. Had the other districts had enough teams, they would have sent their first / second / third teams. Minnesota Hockey should have sent the second or third team from D 6, 8 and 10 to the South to better balance the regions and to guard against "throwing" games. The teams originally in South should have no complaints, as they will be playing teams 2-3 from another district, just as they would have had D4 and D9 had enough teams. Conversely, Minnesota Hockey should let the winner of the district with extr aspots (2, 6, 8 and 10) choose whether it wants to stay or take the "extra" spot in the South. If the winner says "no," go to the second team, then third, etc. Only if no other team wants to go to the South should the fourth-place team go.

As is stands now, don't be surprised if a coach in the D6 third place game asks "Who wants to try playing goalie?" minutes before his kids take the ice.

[Mnhockeys]

North: Duluth East and Grand Rapids (HT is another good team)

South: STMA and Eden Prairie/Prior Lake (i.e. winner of 3rd place game in D6 goes to state)

East: LVS and Edina (brutally tough region)

West: OMG and Centennial (second toughest probably the most balanced region...any of the 8 entries is state tourney worthy)

Are these the top 8 in state? No. Not far off though.

I think you had an excellent picks for all 8 teams, but

Can you give your reasons why you think the other top 8 ranked teams would not make it? - Eastview, St Cloud and etc..

[YouthHockeyHub]

Actually, I believe the loser of the third place game in D6 goes to South Region (MN Hockey Site notes that D6 #4 is in the South, along with two other #4 seeds and two #3 seeds). This, of course, leads to an absurb result that the fourth best team from D6 will have a much easier time making it to state compared to the team it just lost to, the third best team. Can you say Korean Badminton? The cynical side of me (my only side) tells me that these two teams will fall all over themselves to lose that third-place game. They same thing will happen is district 8 (and 10, to a lesser extent). Can you imagine the losers mobbing the goalie after the game? I can.

I realize that certain districts don't have enough teams to fill allotted slots. But to have D6, 8, and 10 all send their 4th best teams to the South is silly. Had the other districts had enough teams, they would have sent their first / second / third teams. Minnesota Hockey should have sent the second or third team from D 6, 8 and 10 to the South to better balance the regions and to guard against "throwing" games. The teams originally in South should have no complaints, as they will be playing teams 2-3 from another district, just as they would have had D4 and D9 had enough teams. Conversely, Minnesota Hockey should let the winner of the district with extr aspots (2, 6, 8 and 10) choose whether it wants to stay or take the "extra" spot in the South. If the winner says "no," go to the second team, then third, etc. Only if no other team wants to go to the South should the fourth-place team go.

As is stands now, don't be surprised if a coach in the D6 third place game asks "Who wants to try playing goalie?" minutes before his kids take the ice.

This has changed. I brought this fact above up to MNH at the Fall meetings and it never dawned on them (meanwhile everyone and their brother...excuse me, sister, saw this one coming). It is not published yet, but I have talked to the DDs in question (Thimm in 10, Hewitt in 6 and Rakness in . I am just waiting for an official word from Maroon coordinator John Parry tomorrow before we publish it.

For further proof, just go to the D8 website. Their brackets indicate that the #3 goes elsewhere, meanwhile #4 goes East with #1 and #2.

[YouthHockeyHub]

Actually, I believe the loser of the third place game in D6 goes to South Region (MN Hockey Site notes that D6 #4 is in the South, along with two other #4 seeds and two #3 seeds). This, of course, leads to an absurb result that the fourth best team from D6 will have a much easier time making it to state compared to the team it just lost to, the third best team. Can you say Korean Badminton? The cynical side of me (my only side) tells me that these two teams will fall all over themselves to lose that third-place game. They same thing will happen is district 8 (and 10, to a lesser extent). Can you imagine the losers mobbing the goalie after the game? I can.

I realize that certain districts don't have enough teams to fill allotted slots. But to have D6, 8, and 10 all send their 4th best teams to the South is silly. Had the other districts had enough teams, they would have sent their first / second / third teams. Minnesota Hockey should have sent the second or third team from D 6, 8 and 10 to the South to better balance the regions and to guard against "throwing" games. The teams originally in South should have no complaints, as they will be playing teams 2-3 from another district, just as they would have had D4 and D9 had enough teams. Conversely, Minnesota Hockey should let the winner of the district with extr aspots (2, 6, 8 and 10) choose whether it wants to stay or take the "extra" spot in the South. If the winner says "no," go to the second team, then third, etc. Only if no other team wants to go to the South should the fourth-place team go.

As is stands now, don't be surprised if a coach in the D6 third place game asks "Who wants to try playing goalie?" minutes before his kids take the ice.

This has changed. I brought this fact above up to MNH last Fall and I got the impression it never dawned on them (meanwhile everyone and their brother...excuse me, sister, saw this one coming). It is not published yet, but I have talked to the DDs in question (Thimm in 10, Hewitt in 6 and Rakness in D8). I am just waiting for an official word from Maroon coordinator John Parry tomorrow before we publish anything.

For further proof, just go to the D8 website. Their brackets indicate that the #3 goes elsewhere, meanwhile #4 goes East with #1 and #2.

[YouthHockeyHub]

North: Duluth East and Grand Rapids (HT is another good team)

South: STMA and Eden Prairie/Prior Lake (i.e. winner of 3rd place game in D6 goes to state)

East: LVS and Edina (brutally tough region)

West: OMG and Centennial (second toughest probably the most balanced region...any of the 8 entries is state tourney worthy)

Are these the top 8 in state? No. Not far off though.

I think you had an excellent picks for all 8 teams, but

Can you give your reasons why you think the other top 8 ranked teams would not make it? - Eastview, St Cloud and etc..

Please don't read too much into my picks above. All I did was look at the Regions one by one and choose what I feel are the best two in each Region, right now.

I truly believe that after Edina there are 16-20 state worthy teams, unfortunately only 7 get to go. Some of which I think just play in the wrong district.

Here are 10 teams that all may find their way there:

1. Eastview (doubtful in East Region)
2. St. Cloud (I firmly believe EP or PL is better than SC, right now)
3. Brainerd (Brainerd is not deep enough or old enough - this is a young team - watch out for this team next year - whoa, this kid Matthew Fischer is spectacular).
4. White Bear (East Region...sorry)
5. Elk River (this team has a ton of resolve...I hate counting them out)
6. Wayzata (same region as OMG...if they play to get to state it will be like the 5th meeting of the year...anything can happen at that point)
7. MAML (a tough road to hoe with 10 skaters)
8. Moorhead (I'm waiting for a big win from the Spuds before they get picked to go to state).
9. Hermantown (if it comes down to HT and DE, I think the Hounds have just a little more)
10. Rochester (improving team, winnable games in the south region)

[GTTN]

Can someone in the know explain what the region format is for games. Brackets / Pools...I'm pretty sure you have to win on Sunday in the afternoon to go to State but how do all the games shake out and how do you get there?

[Goal_Judge]

Here is the link from Minnesota Hockey for how the double eliminatiion in the regions is to work: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/docu ... age_44.pdf

YHH: Thanks for the update--hope the format does change from what is currently on the Minn. Hockey and D6 websites.

[snowpuck]

Have to include Osseo and Centennial in this mix for sure.

[snyper12]

North: Duluth East and Grand Rapids (HT is another good team)

South: STMA and Eden Prairie/Prior Lake (i.e. winner of 3rd place game in D6 goes to state)

East: LVS and Edina (brutally tough region)

West: OMG and Centennial (second toughest probably the most balanced region...any of the 8 entries is state tourney worthy)

Are these the top 8 in state? No. Not far off though.

Ill take Brainerd over GR in north pick
Ill take d8 (3 seed) in south over EP/Prior pick

[Deep Breath]

snyper: Brainerd is the in West Region with Maple Grove, Centennial, Wayzata, etc. In D8, the top 2 are Lakeville South and Eastview. #3 looks to be either Eagan or Lakeville North. Don't see either one of those two teams beating EP or PL in the South Region, if it happens.

[snyper12]

snyper: Brainerd is the in West Region with Maple Grove, Centennial, Wayzata, etc. In D8, the top 2 are Lakeville South and Eastview. #3 looks to be either Eagan or Lakeville North. Don't see either one of those two teams beating EP or PL in the South Region, if it happens.

Thank you. I did not study enough to know where Brainerd was but assumed north.

Eagan likely not in the mix in 8. The 2, 3, 4, 5 will likely come down to EV, LN, Hastings, Wood. In all likelyhood the 3 s/b EV or LN. EV has already beaten EP and likely the favorite when healthy over PL. North has split with STMA I think - and a one goal game with PL mid season. It's all speculation. Depends who gets hot when the time comes.

[Goal_Judge]

YHH's predictions above are spot on. If D6 does send its fourth seed to South, I suspect CC may be the lucky beneficiary.

[YouthHockeyHub]

In D6 there are 4 teams for 2 remaining spots:

1. Edina
2. Tonka

3-6 (in likely order) - EP, PL, CC, and Jefferson.

3 v 6 EP over Jefferson (a one goal game the first time they played, plus empty net)

4 v 5 PL over CC (don't count out CC, they have beaten Tonka and PL).

The winner of EP/PL (assuming I'm right...last night EP beat PL by two, plus empty net) in third place game goes South, the loser goes East with Tonka and Edina.

Right now we have CC and Jefferson staying home. A lot can change between now and then.

As for D8:

I see LVS and EV out of 8 as 1 and 2. Followed by LVN as #3 going South, Hastings #4 going East, and Woodbury #5 going West.

This is as of right now.

[Deep Breath]

Regardless of what seed D6 sends to the South, whether it is the 3rd place finisher or the 4th place finisher, the team that should be really pissed is the runner-up in D6. The East Region could look like this if the top3 from D6 advance: Edina, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie (after the Eagles beat PL in the 3rd place game); add Eastview and Lakeville South to the East from D8, along with the 4th place finisher, say Lakeville North. Plus, White Bear Lake and Stillwater from D2. So the East Region has 7 teams fighting for 1 spot (sorry, Edina ain't losing). Those 7 teams could very well be: Tonka, EP, Eastview, Lake South, Lake North, WBL and Stillwater. Prior Lake is laughing all the way to Braemar, since they would then move into the South and have to get through the likes of Rochester, St. Michael, St. Cloud, MAML, Apple Valley (#3 from D8), Forest Lake (#3 from D2) and Blaine (#4 from D10). A nice list of teams but nothing like what the runner-up (Tonka) has to battle through to get out of the East Region. This is all simply a case of the powers that be at Mn Hockey not thinking it through prior to enacting this A/AA mess because regardless of which teams get sent to the South region, whether they are 3rd or 4th place finishers in the East or West Regions, either one of thsoe teams is going to have a MUCH easier road to Braemar than the runner up coming out of D6. Folks are worried about teams "tanking" a 3rd place game to get into the South Region. Well, if the 3rd place WINNER moves into the South instead, you could very well see a team or two looking to "rest" in the semis in the D6 tournament, to get into the 3rd place game. There is no reward in finishing 2nd in D6, compared to which team, either 3rd or 4th, moves into the South Region.

[Mnhockeys]

Sending the #2 seeds from both D6 and D8 to south region is the right thing to do. Sorry Rochester, St. Michael, St. Cloud and the like, if you cannot beat the #2 guys from other districts, properly do not deserve to go to state.

[snyper12]

Sending the #2 seeds from both D6 and D8 to south region is the right thing to do. Sorry Rochester, St. Michael, St. Cloud and the like, if you cannot beat the #2 guys from other districts, properly do not deserve to go to state.

At least D8 changed and is sending the 3 instead of the 4 (south), but what about the 2 - I agree!!

[YouthHockeyHub]

Spoke to VP Maroon John Perry, the guy who oversees the Metro Districts - 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10. He said today that the Handbook stands.

Essentially saying D8's site is not correct.

My sense from talking to him is that this is not a done deal yet (calls into Hewitt at 6 and Thimm in 10 have not be returned, yet). There is a Winter Board meeting at the end of January. My guess is it gets settled then, if not sooner.

Stay tuned.

TS

[Mnhockeys]

Unless something changes - like mn hockey decides to send the different wild card teams to different regions, here are the likely teams in each regions,

North (1 top ten team):
Bemidji
DE
GR
Roseau
Hermantown
Hibbing
Cloquet
Blaine

South (2 top ten teams):
Moundsview
St Cloud
Rochester Red
PL
STMA
Lakeville North
Irondale
MAML

East (3 top ten teams, #1 & 2):
Edina
Lakeville South
Roseville
EP
Eastview
WBL
Minnetonka
Hastings

West (4 top ten teams):
ER
OMG
Moorhead
Centennial
Wayzata
Brainerd
Andover
Woodbury

[Mnhockeys]

Spoke to VP Maroon John Perry, the guy who oversees the Metro Districts - 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10. He said today that the Handbook stands.

Essentially saying D8's site is not correct.

My sense from talking to him is that this is not a done deal yet (calls into Hewitt at 6 and Thimm in 10 have not be returned, yet). There is a Winter Board meeting at the end of January. My guess is it gets settled then, if not sooner.

Stay tuned.

TS

So what is the latest? Is this a done deal? After MH meeting.

Guess from D6 and D8 points of view, it is not the greatest deal to have the top 3 finishers from their districts fighting for the two spots for state. But for everyone else, specially d5 and Rochester Red, the current arrangement gives them a better chance.