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So far I would have to say North St. Paul has taken the biggest fall from a year ago - I guess this shouldn't be totally unexpected given the graduation of two huge stars, including the Ms. Hockey winner, from last year's squad. But to go from one of state's top five teams to how they're playing so far this year has to be disappointing for the returning girls who were so used to winning.

Not so dramatic but disappointing is St. Francis who went 15-7-2 last year but has started this season 1-5.

Any others come to mind?

Mahtomedi...i had such high hopes for them and thought they could get off to a quick start with laura May, hopefully things will come togeather for them and they will tear up the second half

NSP & Mahtomedi are acclimating to some losses. NSP a trio of outstanding players + others. Mahtomedi lost an amazing G and may have lost some others as well. Both are well coached and play strong schedules so will be ready come sections.

It is amazing how starting fast or slow can get you on a roll or downhill slide early in a season. Mahtomedi lost a great goalie and has played a difficult schedule. I would assume that as the season goes on their new goalies will gain experience. They recently almost beat Breck, who has scored a ton this season. I am sure that we have not heard the last of them. I had heard that they outplayed Coon Rapids but the goaltending just did not come through for them.

NSP lost two players that were the best players around last season. How do you replace Hogan and Thunstrom! Don't forget they lost a goalie (Scavo) also. There is no way that you anyone could expect them to be a top 5 team with their top returning scorer only having 10 points last season.

Both of these teams have great coaches. It is a little early to hit the panic button. They both have the tools to be a factor at the end of the season.

Agreed 100%.

Just saw the North St. Paul over Hill Murray score (3-2) - nice win for them and should give them a boost of confidence.

I think that with the Mahtomedi W vs Richfield & NSP W vs HM that these two teams have shown they aren't to be counted out yet.

GRG is disappointing

boblee wrote:GRG is disappointing

Maybe the expectations were a bit too high?

I think expectations can be the toughest part of all of this. SFNB also lost Zebro which hurt and then Barton to Breck too. Bliskowski is very good obvioulsy, but we all know that any one player can only do so much.

the thing that stands out to me about the Mahtomedi program is all the girls seem like such good people, my daughter has played with alot of girls and some of the classiest ones we've met come from that mahtomedi program...I wish them the best hopefully the tough schedule they play helps them when it comes to playoff time

MNHockeyFan wrote:

boblee wrote:GRG is disappointing

Maybe the expectations were a bit too high?

No, they weren't.

Bob-

I agree...GRG was suppose to be a force this year after the loss to CEC last year in the section final. I don't really follow the team THAT close, but I do pay attention to a point of reading and seeing how they have done.

Season is still early though, to a point....in all honesty the regular season is just a pre-season for the playoffs. OR so thats what I've been told.

Rocketwrister wrote:Bob-

I agree...GRG was suppose to be a force this year after the loss to CEC last year in the section final. I don't really follow the team THAT close, but I do pay attention to a point of reading and seeing how they have done.

Season is still early though, to a point....in all honesty the regular season is just a pre-season for the playoffs. OR so thats what I've been told.

Your words are true. But they simply aren't scoring, nor are they getting good goaltending. You need both in post-season.

GRG has a good defense. I am not sure about the goaltender, but she looked okay to me.

They have no scoring or offense.

Bemidji just attacked after the first period, often times with three forwards below the goal line.

If the offense starts to click they will tough.

elliott70 wrote:GRG has a good defense. I am not sure about the goaltender, but she looked okay to me.

They have no scoring or offense.

Bemidji just attacked after the first period, often times with three forwards below the goal line.

If the offense starts to click they will tough.

You think they played good defense? That would be something different. Who stood out elliott? Their goalies continually let in a high amount of weak goals...to weak teams.

I don't have my game sheet, but there was a real tall girl that played good position on D. As a team they cut the passing routes off, of course for the most part they were stuck in their zone so back checking was not an issue.
I do not know which goalie was playing but she moved from side to side well. And all the goals were earned. She was not a quality goalie as in GR Thawks boys varsity goalies, but for girls hockey she played well.

If I find my game sheet, I will send you a PM on the names.

elliott70 wrote:I don't have my game sheet, but there was a real tall girl that played good position on D. As a team they cut the passing routes off, of course for the most part they were stuck in their zone so back checking was not an issue.
I do not know which goalie was playing but she moved from side to side well. And all the goals were earned. She was not a quality goalie as in GR Thawks boys varsity goalies, but for girls hockey she played well.

If I find my game sheet, I will send you a PM on the names.

The tall girl is Hannah Johnson. Good hockey smarts, just very slow. Sarah Hammann was in goal and I heard she played well in that game.