HockeyHigh

Yeah FS lost to WBL 6-1, they got clobbered for an away first game. That GPR/Bismark game seems to be really low scoring though, not what I'd expect.

I could say how well I expect him to do, which isn't much. But I think you'll see how the goalie will do once they face a team that has an offensive line that can pick corners and make passes. GPR will have to put on a disgusting offensive show this year to compete at the top, imo.

So you're saying "Can't choke when you've got nothing to choke on."?

A counter of would make my day.

Really, that's pushing it too far soohockey, personal insults, ok, but don't insult the kids that have nothing to do with the argument.

I don't really mind, I'm coming onto a Grand Forks forum, I don't expect much but Red River/Central support to be found here, so when there are reasonable people it's always nice to see. It'll be great to see this beefed up RR team in action, it's just whether they can hold strong through an entire season, which is very hard to do.

I have my own beliefs that FS was far better skill-wise than RR was last year, but you can figure for yourself. However, making such a bold statement as you did in letter C is just plain arrogance, I don't care how 'Confident' or 'Cocky' you are, RR hasn't even played a game yet. I agree RR will be the team to beat this year, and they are definately the favorite right now, but saying they should close the thread because State is already decided is a HUGE stretch. And yes, GFC beat Shanley 6-0.

I don't give too much credit to Wilson, because he has given up a huge upset (2005 I believe, maybe 2004) to teams that are lower caliber than what he had under him. Along with last year, where he was unable to control his players (not entirely his fault, some players just don't get along) and ended up losing state because they couldn't work together. I'm not saying he isn't a great coach, I'd just like to see him pull the team together to pull down a favorited team this year with a team that wasn't state-renowned. In my opinion, this year would be his chance to do that. If he can pull down RR with the team he has this year (Wilson will likely have a lot of talent coming up, but RR is stacked) he will be one of the best coaches in the area, no doubt. I'm still sceptical as of now.

2005-2006 was a pretty remarkable team. One of the most talented I've known of, but I wouldn't consider them a 'Dream Team'. And soohockey, don't be so irritable about someone talking about a good team outside of Grand Forks, believe it or not, it does happen.

I doubt that in RR's 3-4 games against both FS and GPR that they will go undefeated in the state of ND, it is plausible, but unlikely. I'd expect that FS will give them the loss(es) because as of now I'm not confident in the defensive capabilities of GPR. However, if there is a team that has a chance of going undefeated in ND, that team is definately RR.

Preps is down more lately than Dick Cheney's hunting buddies.

Isn't that the same for almost every team's schedules, each year they basically swap games home and away. (I.E. South goes to Bismark this year, last year Bismark went to South)

ESPN Highlights http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272930135

27-21 if I'm not mistaken.

Generally I consider a goalie to be defensive, [sarcasm]but those goalies that just light up the other teams goalies are pretty sick.[/sarcasm] --- And what is the Grafton win percentage at their own arena? I don't see how Grafton can complain about out-of-city refs when Grafton wins much more often than not at home than they do away.

I wouldn't say there won't be teams in the state that can't contain Grafton's first two lines. I know that Red River should have the depth in order to contain them, and especially with Ladoucer and Galbreath coming back this season. Fargo South should have the offense to dish it right back at Grafton, but the ? is if they'll have the defense to contain the first 2 lines, which would support your statement. But with a weak goalie, a strong offense (Like South will have) can kill a team with a weak goalie (If GPR doesn't show a good goaltender).

Why revive something that was already beaten dead?

However, doesn't Fargo South also have a new goalie this year? Then again, with the way Sean Diechert ended up playing at the end of last year I don't think they'll suffer for it. I wouldn't count Grafton out, but I do doubt that RR will come very close to an undefeated season. Does RR have any other good teams on their schedule? Couldn't find a link to their 07-08 schedule.

I'd agree it's very very unlikely that RR will have an undefeated year. It's very hard to accomplish, and although RR is the favorite, and this IS a GF board, there is a lot of competition in the top teams this year, as it has been for a while now. Edit: And very original name NDStateHockey.

Got hopes up for the underdogs this year, has just seemed to me that RR upends better teams than them the past few years. What goes around comes around.

How is HS Hockey being watered down this year, don't know of many players going to the USHL instead of playing HS Hockey. Even if they were, it'd either mean that ND Hockey is getting better, or the USHL is getting worse.

Little over a month to wait until 07-08 season starts.

This is a GF biased forum of course... How many State Championships does RR have? I believe Fargo South is at 115, and they're going to add more this year for sure. I'm pretty sure South isn't overrated, they DO win a large amount of state championships, and until the new school is built, I'm pretty sure they will keep doing so in almost all sports. It may be me playing Devil's Advocate, but give some respect where respect is deserved, even if this is a primarily GF forum.