Wilbur

From what I saw: South had a lot of chances. Devils Lake isn't getting the credit they deserve. They play a system that doesn't give up a lot of chances, and they did a great job letting their goaltender see the puck. South worked for their chances, and every goal they scored was earned. Red River was flat. After it was 4-1 in the third I think they kind of turned it down a gear. Bismarck got a goal and then another power play goal, and Red River had to wake up a little bit. Hillman played pretty well for Bismarck High, and I don't think that Rosendahl played his best game. I'll still predict a Red River-South title tilt.

I think some people are building it up too much. Yeah, I don't like when it happens, but it was out of frustration, not out of disrespect for the other team. I've seen kids from every team do it, and I'd rather see them break their stick over the goal post or the bench, then over another kids arm... They shouldn't have done it, but had Minot won and the GFC players done the same thing I really don't think anyone would have mentioned anything.

Devils Lake is a good young hockey team. I thought that South played really well, but Devils Lake did a good job keeping the puck away from the net, and getting men in front of shots. They only lose three or four guys off of this good young team, they'll be back. I've said it before and I'll say it again....wow the Bruins are deep...amazing...

While I don't condone players breaking sticks, to call the entire Minot team poor sportsmen for the actions of two players is pretty weak. Minot played clean the entire game, and every player on the team shook hands at the end of the game. Yeah it was stupid and unclassy for those two guys to do that, but don't give that label to the entire team.

Go to: www.gfparks.org/ndaha

I heard that you could catch the games live on other channels. In Fargo you can catch them on 4 I believe, and in Grand Forks/Minot/everywhere else I believe you can catch them on the Midcontinent channel in your area. Which is probably the same channel as the fighting sioux sports network.

I heard a rumor that Minnesota schools are required to stay in hotels for the state hockey tournament. Any truth to this? Very good post. I know that Grafton travels back and forth during the tournament, how about Fargo South? Do they usually go back after their first round game? Insight is appreciated.

Marto was the difference last year, he played a great game. Of course Central stands a chance. If I was you or a Central fan I would be very happy with this matchup because of Minot's past at the state tournament. When Minot is playing on Thursday at state I think that even Wahpeton would have a fair chance of beating them, they (or we, I played and we lost our first round game) just cannot get over that hump. I expect a great hockey game, with of course your knights getting the better of the magi again....

I remember those two guys...amazing hockey players to say the least. The goaltending was pretty shaky for both teams in that Championship game. I mean 8-7 isn't exactly a debut of great goaltending, and there were a couple of weak goals both ways, but it was still a great hockey game! I think Bismarck had outscored Minot something like 20-5 during the regular season. It still surprises me that Minot won that game.

That was the best high school hockey game I've ever seen. I know many will argue, but I think that game was probably the best championship game in North Dakota history. Yeah there was Walski's performance, yeah the Red River-Central co Championship, but the wild west shootout topped them all IMHO.

I guess I'll post here since the other thread is getting into a flame fest. I posted the other day in the other thread that I was surprised as to how many people picked Minot to win their first round game, and the trend has kind of continued here. Part of me wants to believe that the new coaching staff and the brand new philosophy will change Minot's fortunes in the first round, but just when I want to start believing something crazy will happen, and they'll lose. Minot High just may be the Boston Red Sox of North Dakota high school hockey.... Only two days away though...

Its nice seeing so many people with faith in Minot for this state tournament. Thanks I'm not going to make any predictions regarding Minot at state hockey. I would absolutely love to see Minot High win their first round game, but they've broken my heart one too many times, and I'm sorry to say that I've grown almost accustomed to attending the noon game on Friday. This is a great group of seniors though, and I wish them the absolute best! Minot vs. Central: No comment... Fargo South vs. Devils Lake: I saw someone post that this will be a 9-0 game, and I just can't believe that. Devils Lake is the hardest working team I've seen all season, and if they play well it will be a good hockey game. South has way too much depth and too much firepower. Final Score: South 5 Devils Lake 1 Grafton vs. Williston: It would be a tight game if Williston was healthy. Williston has a good d-core, but I think Grafton's top line will carry them to victory in this one. If Williston can shut down that top line it will be close. They may for a while, but it will get to be too much. Final Score: Grafton 5 Williston 2 Red River vs. Bismarck: Red River will win this hockey game because of the Mihulka magic, but Bismarck has been playing well of late and will make this a decent hockey game to watch. If Bismarck's first line can play with Red River's first line and Hillman plays a steady game it will be closer than the 6-0 game some have predicted. I'll say the last game of the day ends the way the one before it did. Final Score: Red River 5 Bismarck 2 Good luck to all the teams, I'll be the nervous guy at the Minot ALL GAMES on Thursday....

Pairings for the State Tourny: Minot (1W) vs. Central (4E) 12 PM Fargo South (2E) vs. Devils Lake (3W) 30 Min after Williston (2W) vs. Grafton (3E) 6 PM Red River (1E) vs. Bismarck High (4W) 30 min after I really don't think there will be a totally out of hand game the first round. Yeah, the east teams will probably win all of the games, but I think that the western teams will represent themselves well. The most interesting game will probably be Minot and Central, but Devils Lake should win people over with their work ethic, and you never know what can happen with a goaltender like Hillman for Bismarck high. Looking forward to Thursday...

Congrats to Chad Burckard for leading the Magicians to the WDA tournament championship. I know they really haven't accomplished much to this point, but hopefully they can do something at state... I don't have my hopes up though....

Anybody have any scores from the West? I envisioned Central and Grafton both making their way into the state tournament today. I'm still kind of confused as to how Grafton lost to North. Ohh well.

Did they recently change that rule? I remember a couple of years ago West Fargo beat Grafton at the EDC, but ended up getting the 4th seed into the tourny. I like the rule change though, because North should be the 3rd seed if they beat Central and Grafton wins.

Central scores. Barclay they said. Central 2 Jamestown 1 About 7 minutes left.

At the end of the game yesterday Jamestown's coach gathered his team at the bench and gave what looked to be a very inspirational message to his team after a great effort against RR. They've played pretty inspired hockey both days, and to see the 8th seed play so well in the regional is nice.

Class being the key word. Great post.

Ohh my....back and forth. Grothman and Ness both playing well.

End of 2: Central 1 Jamestown 1

Yeah, I was at the game, and I saw that big ole Sioux Rube giving a peice.... More penalties...and somebody just got the old "Hands to the hips" penalty...

You're one step ahead of me He who shoots top shelf. I was wondering that as well. Shane is a senior. This could be their last game.... Spivey (I heard Mark Kolk yelling at him )

1-1 Jamestown with a PP goal 3 Minutes left in the second.

Central with a goal waved off Still 1-0 Knights. Lots of penalties this period. Grothman playing well *Josh Ness in goal for the Knights.