Minnesota State Hockey Tourney

[mnpucker 33]

OD1N skate! Holy cow they are light!!! However, I think it could go they way of the opti-grab (reference from "The Jerk"). I can see lawsuits from so many messed up Niels and knees from sticks going in the massive openings in the blade. It seems like the opening is so large that more sticks will find their way there. The resulting torque on joints could exertnough force to do some damage.

The goalie pads weighed about the same as my 15" shins.

They named off several NHL players currently wearing the skate in practice.

Sherwood EK15 Ryan woody was in attendance, very nice looking. Also they had a st Patricks day version there that had green graphics replacing white. Veeeeery nice. None of the prostock sticks were anywhere near as light as production EK15's.

Checked out the STX sticks, meh did not impress me but also did not shoot them.

Easton Mako II impressed and also got to check out the new Synergy HtX sticks. Flex matched blades were intriguing. Chrome finish is back.

Ship tonight gonna be good!!!!

[MN old and slow 92]

Hawks and hounds came up empty. Great time though. Many typos lately getting use to iPad. I liked the mako 2s but not sure an old guy is allowed to buy them. State over. Time to prep for fishing and slow pitch.

[mojo122 538]

I liked the mako 2s but not sure an old guy is allowed to buy them.

Permission granted

[Bolo 10]

I checked out the mako 2s too. I don't know much about a skates from looking at them and the only thing I noticed was the toes area looked really low.

[benson 8]

I was sad to see EP lose too. Oh well, it was a fun time going down there. The Expo was interesting. I don't remember the last time I was there, and I should have looked here before we went down. I checked out a couple of the manufacturer areas, mostly Warrior and Bauer. My kids liked the Easton booth with the slow-mo camera. And they liked Shock Doctor with the crazy orange guys dancing around, and they gave each of them a new mouth guard so that was nice. I saw STX was there, but didn't look at their sticks. I guess I should have, but I figured I'm good on sticks right now anyway.

[mnpucker 33]

Here we go again!  2016 Minnesota State High School Tourney is an hour away!  The games haven't even started and there is already a Top play on Sportscenter.  If any of you want to partake the games are streamed here https://prep45.grandstadium.tv/home.aspx

Highlight of the year might be that all of the private schools were eliminated in Section playoffs leaving us with an ALL Public school event in the Big Dance.

The most anticipated part of any of the games are the opening day player introductions.  I am guessing everyone checking out this site has viewed the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tourney Hair videos?  if not google and you will learn why the intros are a can't miss part of the tourney.

Cinderella Teams this year are probably Anoka, Burnsville and Farmington.  All 3 knocked off perennial state participants to get to State.

Up North Grand Rapids ended the 7 year tourney streak of Duluth East beating them in the most thrilling high school game in recent history.  A race horse affair that found GR down 2 in the third, they stormed back and won the game with 6 second remaining on the clock.  Bemidji Lumberjacks (AKA "The Jacks") Visit St Paul from the Land of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.  Hey are a strong and gritty squad that will work their opponent into the ground. These two meet up at 8pm tonight in a battle of the North.

Stillwater eliminated Hill Murray in the Section final to gain entry to state.  They did so in a sold out, packed to the rafters venue (not kidding kids were hanging from steel structures of the building to get a better view  of the game).  Some will say this game rivaled the aforementioned as the greatest game ever a 1-0 OT victory. The winning goal will go down as one of the greatest ever.  Walking out I exchanged with a friend who brought a client from out of state to the game. the Client said, "The greatest sporting event....check that, the greatest event of any kind I have ever watched Not even close"  Stillwater is considered to be the favorite to take the crown....Unless Farmington's staunch d and goaltending has something to say about it! And they might.

Eden Prairie and Wayzata are 2 of the biggest schools in the state and have some unbelievable talent.  

Every team has D1 talent, many have NHL draft prospects.

Oh did I mention the greatest hockey shows on the planet takes place during non-tourney hours next door to the games?  LPH Expo.  IF you have not been to this tourney you are missing out as a hockey fan.  Easy bucket lister for all fans of the games.

This has shaped up to be the most thrilling tourney in history. 

 

 

[GreatestAmericanBeardo 258]

theres a celly!

 

 

[mnpucker 33]

Back story on that D commit to the middle. With 3 minutes left in regulation Noah drove the right side faked wide cut hard to the middle and got a shot off from center slot that almost ended it.  Same D man for that play.  This time in OT you notice Cates fakes middle, D commits Cates takes him outside.  Game within the game.

[mnpucker 33]

Well It is a year for the favorites, both class A and AA favorites are paving their way to the Ship.  Today Perennial Class "A" Hermantown (Hmm should they be A?) punched their 7th straight Class a Championship Ticket beating St Paul Academy in running time 7-1 final.  The little engine that couldn't, SPA didn't.  Prior, Breck  the perennial Private School Class A power house dispatched Thief River Falls going away 4-0.  The Class A small school championship tomorrow at Noon promises to be a classic.

In AA all 4 top seeds advanced. The highlight of the night pitted #4 seed Grand Rapids vs #5 seed Bemidji in the 8:30 game.  This one will go down as an all-timer.  On one end of Excel Energy Center you had 3,000-4,000 Blaze Orange clad screaming GR Fans at the other close to 3,000 denim and plaid parents and students cheered on their Lumber Jacks.  The teams exchanged blows both physically and on the score board.  This was a very clean but physical game, typical style of Northern Minnesota teams, played by 2 of the states most historic programs.  

The score 2-2 at the end of regulation Rapids ended it just minutes into overtime with a great end to end rush ending with a sweet feed from behind the net to a wide open driving GR forward.  He buried the puck 5 hole on the ice, the Blaze orange clad fans exploded.  

GR plays a very strong Eden Prairie team tonight that features one of the best players I have ever watched play in this state......Yes that is saying a lot but this kid is pure magic, Casey Mittlestadt #11.  A sure fire first round draftee, he will be a Golden Gopher for a short while then enter the NHL.  No Doubt he will be a star.

In the other AA semi Stillwater will take on the other Mega AA School Wayzata at 7pm.  By this time tomorrow 2 teams will be playing in the game of there life in front of nearly 20,000 people.  Awesome.

[mnpucker 33]

Friday night announced tourney attendance was 22,244,  new record.  They announced during the day that anyone that wanted to get into the game would get in, they would not stop selling tickets.  Something many of you may not know, there is about a 10 year waiting list to get "season" tickets for the tourney.  Tickets are as valuable as any event in this state for any event.  Season ticket holders typically never give them up, they pass them on when they die.

Why?  Because there is nothing like this tourney in the world.  Kids playing the greatest game on earth.  Kids playing for their schools, community family and themselves.  There is not a more pure event that packs this much passion and excitement into 3 days.  Legends are made every year.

Last night Eden Prairie and Casey Mittlestadt continued to dominate opponents with their free flowing offensive attack with another Hat Trick.  Casey is on par to average over 5 points per game in the tourney.  He is one great game away from setting an all-time points record.  The previous record setter, John Mayasich, set the record over 60 years ago when his team consisted of 8 players.  John is considered the Greatest amateur hockey player of all time in these parts.   Casey is in rare air, he and his teammates will be on display tonight at 7pm.  His feats should not be taken lightly, we are watching the highest level of high school hockey this state has EVER witnessed and he is standing way above the rest.  

Just prior, Wayzata used 4 lines to defeat Grand Rapids and end the hope for the north.  The game tonight promises to be a classic.  Wayzata plays a staunch defensive style and has talent deep into their line up.  Eden Prairie meanwhile plays wide open and has unreal offensive talent.    Should be an amazing game! 

[mnpucker 33]

To sum it up, the best Minnesota State High School Hockey tourney I can remember.  Tonight Wayzata climbed the mountain, because it was there.  The mountain was Mighty Casey from EP.  The game plan was to play physical, typical for Wayzata but tonight they took it up a notch early on.  Up 1-0 they took a 5 minute major, Casey struck early in the PP and it appeared they might put this one away early.  Wayzata stop up and killed the 5 minute only giving up one.  EP struck again and eventually grew their lead to 3-1 during yet another 5 minute major.  

Wayzata was not going to let this one slip away.  Wayzata's Coach O'Leary called a key timeout to calm his boys. Following the TO, Wayzata controlled their energy and began climbing back into the game by scoring a shorty, moments later they popped another with :10 remaining in the second and the momentum was all Wayzata's, 3-3 a new game.

Wayzata's first state championship would not be denied.  They scored 5 minutes into the third and secured the win with an empty netter with .08 on the clock.

This tourney is about the boys, dreams (some are crushed and some come true) and the State of Hockey.  

What a weekend!

For your viewing pleasure, the frosting on the cake,  I present to you the 2016 All Tourney Hockey Hair video.

http://www.gameonmn.com/news_article/show/621159?referrer_id=2145008

[mnpucker 33]

Follow up Highlights:

http://kstp.com/sports/2016-45tv-state-hockey-highlight-video/4066985/

Barry Melrose was in town for ESPN. They are doing and E60 on the Tourney.  Melrose, "I expected this to be special, I heard all about it, my expectations were high, this was way better than I thought it would be"

[GreatestAmericanBeardo 258]

but the hair this year, oh God the HAIR!!!!

 

 

 

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

I keep on telling myself every year to go out there then I forget and don't.

Maybe next year.

[GreatestAmericanBeardo 258]

21 minutes ago, JR Boucicaut said:

I keep on telling myself every year to go out there then I forget and don't.

Maybe next year.

i have vendors out there (some with bar rail seasons for the Wild). looks like i'll have to schedule a long press check this time next year.   oh, how i hope the color of WAY off and i have to pull the job over and over :D

[mnpucker 33]

Schedule of events:  1 ticket gets you into 2 consecutive games.  2 sessions each day.

Wednesday Class A small School Quarterfinals

Session 1 - 2 games per session games start at 11am and about 1 pm.

Session 2 start time 6pm and 8pm start.

Thursday Big School AA quarterfinals

Losers of all of these quarter final games move over to the home of the U of MN Gophers at Marriucci Arena for consolation rounds

Friday Semifinal round

Lets Play Hockey Expo opens at 10am and runs until 6pm.  Venue attached to Excel Energy CenterSession 1  

11am Class A winners of game 1 (from Wed) vs Winner of Game 2 (from Wed)

1pm Class A Winners of game 3 (from Wed) vs Winner of Game 4 (from Wed)

Session 2

Lets Play Hockey Expo 10am -6pm Venue attached to Excel Energy Center

6pm Class AA Winners of game 1 (from Thur) vs Winner of Game 2 (from Thur)

8pm Class AA Winner of game 3 (Thur) vs Winner of Game 4 (thur)

Saturday

10 am 3rd place game (Losers from Fri)

12pm Class A Championship

Session 2

AA 3rd place 5pm

AA Championship 7pm

 

Just an FYI it really took a dip this year, historically a highlight and considered complimentary to the tourney.  This year NO Bauer, apparently because of the Bauer Experience store, no Easton, No warrior.  Left with CCM, True and a bunch of accessory, energy drinks, hockey camps, clothing, retailers, etc...Definitely NOT the showcase it has been historically.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

On 3/7/2016 at 7:25 AM, GreatestAmericanBeardo said:

but the hair this year, oh God the HAIR!!!!

 

 

 

Literally the best part of the entire tournament.

[mnpucker 33]

Been gong to the state tourney since I was 8 years old.  My hockey coach was a St Paul Cop, if my dad didn't get me tickets my coach would slide open an emergency door and let my entire team into the St Paul Civic Center.  The announced attendance then was in the 19,000 range, some of us know there were more!

The announcements first day, the material the hair video comes from, is a CANT MISS aspect of this event.  Imagine being a player, since the age of 4 your sole dream and goal in life is to skate out to that line opening day of the state tourney. 

The player reactions on the line are priceless.  Some players are confident and bring scripted actions and some are shy and naïve. Prior to the hockey hair videos, the players words meant more.  Who are they going to recognize? Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa a friend or girlfriend?  a combination of all?  The arena was loud and cheering, in homes you could hear a pin drop in effort to hear what they say, HIHG SHCOOL BOYS.  WHY was everyone so intent on watching?  Because EVERYONE dreams of playing in this game, EVERYONE wants to skate to that line, to have that opportunity, to be the focal point of the state and the hockey world.

This year the G#@D$*&$n "Dab" made it to the line.  Anyone else sick and tired of the Frickin' Dab?  I AM.  Additionally this year we had a recognition in Sharpie on a players palm.

I can come up with a thousand memories of each aspect of the Tourney.  Hard for me to single out one thing as a highlight.  Every bit of the tourney carries cherished moments.  Heck the social life outside the rink before, during, between and after games is unreal.  Old timers to squirt aged kids talking hockey, High schoolers getting a day off.  Only thing better than a day off in high school to watch hockey is when a team doesn't show up for the ice time after a practice!  FREE ICE.

The restaurants up and down West 7th street and around downtown St Paul are packed with 19,000 HOCKEY people for 4 days.  Hotels are bursting with people from the Iron Range and boundary areas to the southern Minnesota boundary.  All talking nothing but hockey and loving it.

This is the closest thing we have to an unrecognized national holiday.  To this day, I have not officially worked or attended class for the thrusday and friday of the tourney IN MY ENTIRE LIFE and I am not alone.

[SCBlueLiner 19]

My buddy up in Brooklyn Park was on the waiting list for 2 years for all session passes, finally got them this year and he says he is never giving them up.  As soon as my kids' youth playing days are over I will be joining him in St. Paul for the event.  Watch it on TV every year, it's electric, can't wait to see it in person.

[mnpucker 33]

This is a wonderfully done piece on the state tourney.  Gives you a bit of the feeling I referenced.  Old timers and youngsters, sober and wasted(no alcohol in the X so no drunks typical either), but everyone happy.

 

That window of the antique store is 1 block away from the X.  It is a significant piece of the state tourney experience.  The window captures the history of hockey in Minnesota, an awesome display.