All Things 2023 High School Hockey Tournament

[Full Speed Ahead]

Had a free evening so I went to the X to catch the Warroad/St.Cloud game. I've always been a bit of a fan of the far-north teams, coming down to the city to take on larger schools. Warroad is the real deal. If they played St. Cloud ten times, they'd beat em every time. Even the Warroad goalie got into the action of making 100' passes to a forward crossing the blue line for a breakaway attempt. Carson Pilgrim got the hat-trick for Warroad, one on an empty net at the end of the game...

... but for me the real star of the night was Northfield's goalie, Keaton Walock. Oreno way outplayed Northfield, just pounding the net for the entire first period and for most of the rest of the game as well. At first I was thinking Walock was just getting incredibly lucky at making saves, but after stopping about 20 point-blank attempts you know it's talent, not luck. The one goal he gave up in regulation appeared to have been an own-goal tip by a Northfield defender, and the overtime goal was also a deflection, but this time a great redirect by an Oreno player.

Also, fun games, but terrible food at the X. I sure wish the X would up their food.

 

[bonin21]

No slashing penalty on Edina there is an absolute joke.

 

[Gophers1992]

How's Jackson Nevers looking?

 

[bonin21]

Not a super exciting player to watch but probably a solid enough middle 6 forward at the college level.

 

[ComoCraig]

Hats off to the Spuds on an incredible effort. One of the most impressive comebacks I've seen at the state tournament. Edina managed to have their cake and eat it too. I was very impressed with Edina's hustle in the section final against Wayzata, and I didn't see the same compete level in the 3rd period today. Going to need to sort that out if they plan on playing at the X Saturday night.

 

[Crosby]

Hats off to the Spuds on an incredible effort. One of the most impressive comebacks I've seen at the state tournament. Edina managed to have their cake and eat it too. I was very impressed with Edina's hustle in the section final against Wayzata, and I didn't see the same compete level in the 3rd period today. Going to need to sort that out if they plan on playing at the X Saturday night.

Agreed. Moorhead has some very good young players. I think they will be good for the next several years. I made the trip south to the X this year, as I do most years. I actually enjoy Class A more than the big schools, Mostly because of the community aspect of it. I also root for range/northern teams whenever I can. My biggest takeaway so far? Hermantown should be playing in AA. Embarrassing for them, just as it was for St. Thomas a few years ago.

 

[Full Speed Ahead]

Just curious as to how everyone is viewing the games? What streaming services carry '45'?

 

[bonin21]

Just curious as to how everyone is viewing the games? What streaming services carry '45'?

Comcast always has pretty much everything.

I think even antenna might get 45, though...

 

[ComoCraig]

Just curious as to how everyone is viewing the games? What streaming services carry '45'?

If you have a smart tv you can stream the game on 45tv.com on your phone, and then cast it to your TV using air play or the android equivalent. That has been working well for me

 

[bonin21]

I'd say Pilgrim is a better hockey player right now than Moore and Nevers but maybe they have more NHL upside. Sure he will commit somewhere shortly after the tourney.

 

[ComoCraig]

I'd say Pilgrim is a better hockey player right now than Moore and Nevers but maybe they have more NHL upside. Sure he will commit somewhere shortly after the tourney.

Agreed. Pilgrim has a great set of wheels on him. I'll be interested to see where he ends up. What on earth is that tape job though?

 

[DinkyTownDawg]

Is anyone selling 1-3 tickets for tonight's semi final games at the X?

 

[bonin21]

Pilgrim is the best junior in the state. 50 Gs.

 

[bonin21]

Make it 51

 

[bonin21]

52. Congrats to whichever of UMD or UND gets him lol

Gopher forward recruits:
Edina x2
Tonka x2
Shattuck x2
EP
Totino

Mix in a Warroad or Andover type kid when possible please.

 

[Gophers1992]

52. Congrats to whichever of UMD or UND gets him lol

Gopher forward recruits:
Edina x2
Tonka x2
Shattuck x2
EP
Totino

Mix in a Warroad or Andover type kid when possible please.

I will never understand fans who obsess over this stuff. If they can play they can play, regardless of where they are from.

 

[bonin21]

I will never understand fans who obsess over this stuff. If they can play they can play, regardless of where they are from.

If you've been around hockey long enough you'd know why it matters to not have too many of a certain type on the roster.

There needs to be a handful of Nelson/Brodzinski/Huglen/Lamb/Fish types on the roster at all times.

 

[Gophers1992]

If you've been around hockey long enough you'd know why it matters to not have too many of a certain type on the roster.

There needs to be a handful of Nelson/Brodzinski/Huglen/Lamb/Fish types on the roster at all times.

Didn't realize every Edina/Tonka/EP/Shattuck kid is the same "type". Zach Budish was a much different player than Sammy Walker....

 

[bonin21]

Didn't realize every Edina/Tonka/EP/Shattuck kid is the same "type". Zach Budish was a much different player than Sammy Walker....

If you look at them one by one there will be differences. But as a whole they are of the same cloth. Growing up with little adversity, attending every camp and Breakaway Academy their parents can find for them, etc.

Walker actually wasn't a typical cake eater as far as his background goes.

 

[Gophers1992]

If you look at them one by one there will be differences. But as a whole they are of the same cloth. Growing up with little adversity, attending every camp and Breakaway Academy their parents can find for them, etc.

Walker actually wasn't a typical cake eater as far as his background goes.

You realize Andover is a pretty affluent community these days right?

 

[bonin21]

You realize Andover is a pretty affluent community these days right?

Decently but not close to Tonka/EP/Edina/Wayzata

 

[ComoCraig]

What a game. Maht never took their foot off the gas. When Warroad went up two in the third I would’ve bet the farm that the title was theirs. If I were a junior coach I’d be arranging my finest billet house for Pilgrim.

 

[Crosby]

I will never understand fans who obsess over this stuff. If they can play they can play, regardless of where they are from.

I personally just think it's cool to have representation from all parts of the state. The old 'Minnesota's Pride on Ice' thing. Would love to have a kid from Hermantown, Warroad. Eveleth... whatever. Of course, they have to be able to play. I do like Pilgrim though. A lot.

 

[Gophers1992]

I personally just think it's cool to have representation from all parts of the state. The old 'Minnesota's Pride on Ice' thing. Would love to have a kid from Hermantown, Warroad. Eveleth... whatever. Of course, they have to be able to play. I do like Pilgrim though. A lot.

Well said, I would love that too. I think it’s cool we have a couple of guys from southern MN, traditionally not hockeyland. I just think first and foremost we assemble the best group of players we can, regardless of zip code.

 

[Unregistered User]

If you look at them one by one there will be differences. But as a whole they are of the same cloth. Growing up with little adversity, attending every camp and Breakaway Academy their parents can find for them, etc.

Walker actually wasn't a typical cake eater as far as his background goes.

#noagenda

 

[Section 100]

That Class A Championship game was entertaining to watch.

The Edina vs. Chan/Chaska/Orono/Mound/EP/Tonka game could have been more exciting despite what Lou said.

And nice win by the Gophers.

 

[#2Gopher]

Was the I the only one surprised that Mahtomedi is a small school?

 

[GopherLaundry2013]

Was the I the only one surprised that Mahtomedi is a small school?

I was surprised as well that they are Class A. They have over double Warroads enrollment in their HS.

 

[bonin21]

If I recall, they're starting to get close to the AA cutoff and will have to move up at that point.

Think the only opt ups right now are Roseau, Duluth Marshall, Gentry, Blake. I believe St. Thomas' enrollment doubled (since they're boys only) puts them into AA now anyways.