Daily Dish 5.6
Woof. There is a reason why I don’t bet on sports. And the Cinco De Mayo super slate would illustrate that reason why. I would have got HAMMERED and been broke after last night based on what I thought was going to happen. I will say this… part of being a talking head in media is making bold predictions. Sure, the sensible thing would be to just pick the favorites to win all the time, but, it’s more fun to consider possible upsets and trap games and promote whose games as potential must-watch-tv. However, sometimes the 800lb gorilla has other things to say about “upset watch” and I think last night was that night.
Moorhead v Elk River: I kind of called this game without actually calling it. I just wasn’t bold enough here. I said that Moorhead may struggle because of the turnaround of a tough back to back with St.Cloud on Thursday night and Elk River right after. I think this is a rivalry game. It’s the Section 8 mainstay and probably the most likely contender, so, I feel like this one has been brewing. Elk River, despite not looking to be the most skilled team absolutely dug deep in this game and had a lead most of the game until pretty late. There were SO MANY PENALTIES in this game. I think it was a combination of two physical teams in an intense game, and, officials that weren't as experienced in the game. I watched on the live stream (granted that view is a lot farther away than what an official sees) and thought some of the calls were overly conservative. There were at least four, two minute non-releaseable’s called which seems a bit aggressive, but, again, if there was head contact that I couldn’t see, that is technically the call now. Long story short, this was an exciting game and Moorhead did prevail in overtime. Tip of the cap to the Elks though - I think they proved a lot last night and to themselves that they CAN play with Moorhead.
Eastridge v Moundsview: This is a game I would have gone absolutely broke on. I thought this was going to be a great back and forth game with Moundsview winning. I was about as wrong as you can be. Eastridge, who I have felt has been trending in the right direction, absolutely dominated this game. From start to finish. The raptors are led by a bunch of underclassmen and look to be building something of high caliber over there on the east side. Now, Moundsview may have been a bit over-rated from their big win over Irondale, so, probably got caught in recency bias a bit here but Raptors looked like a team poised to make a run in Section 3 in June. I would not want anything to do with them in the playoffs. Moundsview is still having a great season despite the loss and will look to rebound in another tough game against TriMac on Monday.
Chanhassen v Maple Grove: We thought, maybe, just maybe, Chanhassen would succumb to the pressure of how they would handle Maple Grove on a friday night road game. They answered the bell. Looked dominant pretty much the whole game. They are great at the face-off X. Efficient on offense. Good defense with an elite goalie. Despite Maple Grove’s best effort, they just couldn’t quite get a lot going in the first half. They had the ball more than I expected but when they did generate shots, Pentinnen made the saves. Then Chan would clear and give it to one of their two great attackman and it would be a goal. The Maple Grove poles did hold their own, but, it’s just hard to cover both Bush and Van Holland for extended time in a possession. MG was able to start to claw back in the second half making it 8-6 at one point, but, Chan gathered themselves and pulled away late. Reports of the game said Chanhassen looked in control most of the game, but, my source said they saw Chan guys gassed on the sideline in the 2nd half and Maple grove looked fresh - making them able to start pushing back in the second half. Obviously, it didn’t change the outcome but that may have been the only “weak” spot in Chanhassen’s game. Despite the loss, Maple Grove needs to quickly move on as they have two massive conference games on tap against Totino-Grace and Armstrong next week.
Eagan v Armstrong: Well, this was an exciting, high-scoring, game as I expected. Eagan proved they were able to score plenty of goals against Armstrong’s elite goalie, Wells. And, despite Armstrong scoring double digits again, they endured their first loss of the season after Eagan’s senior attackman, Kennan Wilson, scored with 1 second left to give the Wildcats the victory. Fun game. I wish I could have watched it, but, Armstrong forgot to start their stream for the varsity game, so, unfortunately, only able to following along with the twitter updates. Great win for Eagan. There is something there and a team I think will be building towards playoffs despite those early losses to STA and Farmington. Armstrong will rebound and has a big one coming up against Maple Grove to most likely decide the conference.
WBL v Stillwater: I wasn’t able to watch this game either, but, a close one goal game that looked to be back and forth. White bear Lake now has two one goal losses in a row - which is tough. I think they still could be a contender for Section 4, and, I wouldn’t be surprised if these two met again in the playoffs. Stillwater, although not looking as potent as in year’s past, continues to take care of business after the opening day loss to BSM. They are probably the favorite for section 4 at this point but it’s a very close race.
