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Lots of early hype about DEast but after two 'shocking' losses (at least unexpected); do they need this win to be relevant again?

Centennial at one time was always considered a top ten contender, not so much anymore. Will a win tonight make them one?

Tough spot for East playing a tough game vs Centennial and then Marshall tomorrow night at Amsoil. I wonder if Randolph will bring back the 2-3 forecheck?

TheHockeyDJ wrote:Tough spot for East playing a tough game vs Centennial and then Marshall tomorrow night at Amsoil. I wonder if Randolph will bring back the 2-3 forecheck?

No it isn't, East will go 2 and 0 and Karl's faith in Hounds restored.

4-2 centennial after 1

4-3 end of 2nd east 27-14 in shots

5-3 centennial with an open netter

Well, the Hounds are in meltdown. Looking to Mitch, Lee and Karl for explanations and their suggestions for Coach Randolph?

WestMetro wrote:Well, the Hounds are in meltdown. Looking to Mitch, Lee and Karl for explanations and their suggestions for Coach Randolph?

Goalie save percentage in the last four games is .826. That's an ugly number, if one is looking for explanations.

Lee

If they are stumbling this early, against these teams, its going to be very interesting to see what this next stretch brings. With maple Grove, Blaine, grand rapids and Eden prairie all within the next couple of weeks.

GPGT wrote:If they are stumbling this early, against these teams, its going to be very interesting to see what this next stretch brings. With maple Grove, Blaine, grand rapids and Eden prairie all within the next couple of weeks.

Since they arent in the Schwans Cup maybe they take that week of practice only and get thinks ironed out. Sort of like last year when after Xmas they went to the 2-3 that took them to the State Champ game.

I'm not terribly bothered by this loss; it felt like a normal December East loss to another fairly good team that capitalized on mistakes while East is still figuring out what it's doing. Historically, East's winning percentage in December is much lower than it is toward the end of the year. The STMA game is the only one that has bothered me.

The only years where they don't have some December struggles tend to be their most experienced teams. Given last year's run, I figured this might be one of those. But, looking deeper, it may not be a wild surprise. They patched up a shaky defense last year with the 2-3 band aid, so while I think the bodies are there for a talented D corps, there are some adjustments they need to make. They may have a lot of experience on paper, but a bunch of these kids were freshmen (and one 8th grader) last year who are now being asked to play much bigger roles. They're playing some freshmen again this year, and there's a new goalie.

Long story short: if they're still giving up 4 goals on 8 shots in a period to good-but-not-great teams in February, I'll be concerned. Now, eh. Give them time.

The only problem with the Duluth East kids is that someone has told them they are good.

Sanford wrote:The only problem with the Duluth East kids is that someone has told them they are good.

Is the solution to tell them that they aren't good? Will that lead to them winning games?

My alma mater Hounds is a team at end of last season I figured to be top 15 this year, not top ten. In part due to Howg and other graduation but also because every team must be used to their 2- 3 pinch and other tricks. Then I made the mistake of probably overcompensating and uprating them after the 3 fold effect of the Eagan tourney , NHL CS report , and Team North success including big Hound scoring from Ash and Luke. So I had them top 5 preseason. Now frankly I don't know what to think, although like Karl I am less bothered by them going down to rising star Centennial with an ENG than going down to STMA or Cloquet w/o Bender. As always , so much dependent on goaltending and as usual drama there with Hounds, if I recall correctly Howg sat out a few weeks in middle of last season before coming on strong.

karl(east) wrote:Historically, East's winning percentage in December is much lower than it is toward the end of the year.

Do you think their schedule might be tougher in December, than it is at the end of the year?

BodyShots wrote:

karl(east) wrote:Historically, East's winning percentage in December is much lower than it is toward the end of the year.

Do you think their schedule might be tougher in December, than it is at the end of the year?

No, I adjusted for rankings when I looked into this (and even threw out the Schwan Cup in case that skewed things). It was still true.

East is East. Plus they have the Randolph Factor which I believe West Metro says is good for at least a 1-0 lead just walking off the bus.

Sats81 wrote:East is East. Plus they have the Randolph Factor which I believe West Metro says is good for at least a 1-0 lead just walking off the bus.

Nah, only against Rapids and Edina at tourney time