FTP.com scribblings (12/03/08)

The #1's

Breck: Well, so much for giving Breck the nod as the #1 school in Class A. BUT, I looked at the box score and I am not changing my mind. Breck outshot Mahtomedi 34-12. Mahtomedi won 3-1. The pucks in the net are what matters, not the shots, I know. Mahtomedi has a good team but I think this one was a fluke. I'll give Breck the benefit of the doubt on this one as they will now find out what they are made of in their next four games. They have Red Wing, St. Thomas Academy, St. Louis Park, and Duluth East coming up.

Hill-Murray: Congratulations to Tim Shaughnessy for recording a shutout in his very first game on varsity. The Pioneers are as good as advertised. Burnsville is down this year but the Pioneers shutting down Zach May and winning 6-0 in their building makes a statement.

Broncos vs. Bluejackets

International Falls: Either Hibbing/Chisholm made a statement last night with a 7-1 victory at International Falls or the Broncos are hurting on defense this year. Mike Hart is a good goalie and seven goals on 40 Hibbing shots was a shock.

Hibbing/Chisholm: Aaron Jamnick recorded his 2nd hat trick in five days, three games. Nathan Tromp had 31 saves. Right now, Hibbing has my nod for the Section 7A crown.

Heads Up!

Bloomington Kennedy over Minneapolis West 9-4: Da dot dot dot da - the Eagles are loving it! McArdle, senior captain Ryan McArdle, scored a hat trick on Tuesday night. He had a goal and an assist in their game on Saturday. Did I mention that the Eagles are 2-0 so far? After going 0-26 in '07-'08, the Eagles are the biggest surprise so far.

Apple Valley over Eastview 3-1: After Eastview High has been the best team in Apple Valley, MN the last couple of years, Apple Valley looks like they want that claim back.

Chaska over Lake South 7-4: Warning: Do not take Chaska for granted. They did lose to Minnetonka on Saturday. 5-2, but the shots were even. Kennedy and Chaska may finish ahead of the Lakeville schools this year.

Better days gone by?

Rosemount: Back-to-back losses of 4 and more goals to the hands of Eagan and Bloomington Jefferson. They gave up seven and eight goals respectively.

Burnsville: The Blaze and their fans are always optimistic. The season can only get better now after a 4-2 loss to Bloomington Jefferson and 6-0 to Hill-Murray.

Scores can be deceiving

Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato shutout Wadena-Deer Creek Tuesday night, 3-0. Bryce Johnson had 39 saves in the shutout win. Litchfield had 20 shots on goal. Will Johnson lead the Dragons to another state appearance?

He of little faith

Cloquet/Esko/Carlton: I thought the Lumberjacks would have a down year this year. So down that I thought they would lose their first two games. They were able to sneak by a strong Virginia/MI-B team 3-2 and then had a 4-2 lead on Grand Rapids before giving up two late third period goals and salvaging a tie.

Roseau: The Rams struggled with Thief River Falls. The score was 2-1 deep into the third before Omdahl scored an empty net goal. Thief River Falls outshot the Rams 34-29. I was wondering if I ranked Roseau too high. But, now I remember that their first game last year was also pretty close to the end. Roseau won 4-2. But, later in the year, Roseau took care of business and won 7-1.

The lesson for the day: Shots do not equal goals. Goals win the game. Duh.