DD603DD

Here are my thoughts on the games tonite: South vs. Central: South again did not play their best, but neither did Central. South really controlled for the first half of the game, but it was pretty even in the second half. I remember looking at the shots at one point in the second and it was 17-7 South, but the next time I looked it was 23-19 South so Central really started getting back into it in the last half of the game. On a side note, the worst penalty call in the history of the world took place tonite, when Paul Weisgarber was given a 5 minute major for "cross checking" Central's goalie after a South goal. What really happened was the Central defender (Gregoire?) pushed Weisgarber, causing Paul to topple into the goalie. Red River vs. Grafton: This game was really a draw. Red River looked shaky all night, not at all the team that handled Grafton in the two previous games they played. I thought that Eli Rosendahl played alot better after allowing the second goal on the 5 on 3. He looked a lot more comfortable after that. Tony Kringstad played MUCH better than I thought he would, really made a lot of good saves near the end of the game, especially on the last Red River powerplay. He had some pretty questionable antics after the game ended, but I won't get into those here. TOMORROW NITE: RED RIVER vs. SOUTH I expect to see a great game tomorrow nite. Both teams have struggled in their opening two games, hardly playing up to their potential. My guess is that both teams will leave it all on the ice and we'll have a treat for a championship game. Red River will have to play their best to win tomorrow, as will South. I think, however, that Marc Mihulka and Co. will be too strong for South to stop and Red River will win a great game, 3-1.

Red River beats Grafton 3-2 in overtime. Marc Mihulka had 2 goals, including the game winner.

David Spies would've been the 5th Rider, IMO, over Meland. I think the coaches would've chosen a senior who has played 3 years of varsity over a 1st year sophomore. Granted Meland had more points, but its rare where they chose an underclassman over an older player when they have similar seasons. They had the same amount of goals, but Meland had 5 more assists.

Here's my opinion on the whole Mr. Hockey debate. As an unbiased fan, I think that Mihulka is the best player in the state. From what I've seen this year (and I've been to alot of games) Mihulka is the only player in the state who drastically changes the game whenever he's on the ice. I've seen the Campbells play quite a bit and Weisgarber play alot, but Mihulka is really the only guy who completely changes the game whenever he's on the ice. Take Weisgarber off South and they're still one of the top two teams in the state. Take one of the Campbells off G/PR and they're still the third or fourth best team in the state. But take Mihulka off the Riders and they are a completely different team. Mihulka is my pick for Mr. Hockey.

I'd have to put Devils Lake at the front of the line. They've only lost one game this year, that being to South. Along with those two, I think I'd put Red River in as a team that could surprise at the end of the year. They lost by 2 to Central and 3 to Devils Lake just this past week. They also beat Fargo South at South. Here's a great site, updated almost daily - http://www2.edutech.nodak.edu/edcbb/Boys/

End of 1: Red River 1 West Fargo 0

About 4 minutes left in the 2nd overtime. Central just had a goal waved off. Central is absolutely dominating the overtime.

Central/Jamestown in overtime

Welding scores for Jamestown, 2-2.

Central scores (Barclay from Greicar and Slominski), leads 2-1 with about 7 minutes to go.

1-1 at the end of 2. Jamestown starts the 3rd on a power play.

As someone fairly new to the area, looking at the comments on this article and the article itself makes it sound like Hoff burned some bridges on his way out of town (or while he was in town). Anyone care to enlighten me?

I hate to be a guy who comes onto these sites and rips into kids about their play and their attitude, but what I have seen from Kringstad this year has been, simply put, disgusting. I saw the gesture as referred to in post #s 966 and 971. I also saw his display he made last nite. I, too, have to agree with Tron and wonder if these actions are affecting his play.

I think the Central/South game could be a good one for a couple of reasons. Although I haven't seen them play, it sounds like Central is playing some very good hockey right now. They've had some huge wins against Warroad and Grafton. It sounded like South struggled a little with North, and one of their players is out for the game tonite. Also, will playing two games in consecutive days hurt South? If so, we could be looking at a close game tonite.

Red River/Wahpeton tonite in Wahpeton. This one can and will get ugly. My guess is that the Riders will win about 14 or 15 to 0. We could see a big game, maybe a 7 or 8 pointer from either Galbreath or Mihulka.

Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster. A few observations about the season so far: -Fargo South and Red River are the two best teams, without a doubt. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if a team like Grafton or Minot got hot and knocked one off. It only takes one bad game in the state tourney for the whole season to go down the drain. -The best players in the state are as follows: Paul Weisgarber, the Cousins Campbell, Jarrett Galbreath, Erick Galt, Marc Mihulka, Eli Rosendahl, and Michael Hillman. -I think the most disappointing team of the year so far has got to be Fargo North. With all the talent they have on the team, one would think that they would be able to put up much, much more offense than they are. The offense is starting to come around a little, but being shut out in 5 out of 7 games to open the season is terrible. It hurts to say that too because those kids are all good guys. -As for the Mr. Hockey award, I think it is too bad that the voters will focus on stats more than what a kid does for the team. Weisgarber or one of the Campbells will most likely win the award, but if there were an MVP award, I think it would go to Mihulka. It just seems like Red River feeds off him and looks to him to make big plays (i.e., Minot game). He seems like a kid that will be able to throw a team on his back and carry them all the way to the state title. Not saying that Weisgarber or the Campbells aren't valuable, but the Riders without Mihulka would be in the hurt bag badly.