"Sun on Sports" Prep boys hockey post-season preview (pt. 1)

In this installment of "Sun on Sports," Minnesota Sun Newspapers sports editors John Sherman, Greg Kleven and Nick Clark preview the prep boys hockey post-season.

First, Klev re-caps then-undefeated Bloomington Jefferson's loss to Eden Prairie, and prognosticates about each squad's post-season's chances.

"Both teams are going to be in tough sections, so whether they get to state, it's hard to say," Klev says.

With as much parity as exists on the ice this year, all the Sun editors agree this year's state tournament could one of the best.

"I've never seen this much balance in state boys hockey," Klev says.

Says Nick: "We might hgave a fantastic boys hockey tournament this year," adding that Minnetonka might be the "most-complete" team he's seen this year, singling out Andrew Procknow's play.

Asks Sherm: "Is there any other experience in high school sports thats anything like that, Nick?"
Nick: "No"

Klev: "There's are going to be some terrific teams that are not going to even get through the semi-finals. ... Don't count Hill-Murray out," Klev says.


For marquee boys hockey match-ups, Klev says, games should be moved arenas that hold a larger crowd like Mariucci. It would be "easy to get 6,000-7,000 people" for a double-header, he says. He favors classic areas like Braemar, with seating on both sides.

"Some of these regular-season games that you know are going to be big it would be fun if they could play at a neutral site ... and give a chance ... for all the fans to get in" he says. At least a thousand fans were turned away at the TJ-EP showdown, he estimates. In fact, he even had trouble getting in because the arena was so packed and he's covered local prep sports from more than 30 years.

"The [pro and college] scouts were having an easier time getting into the game than I was, with my credentials," Klev says.

Jokes Nick: "You'd figure after all these years, they'd just know who you are give you your own door!"

HOPKINS HOCKEY
Alex Fons

MINNETONKA HOCKEY
Sam Coatta

BURNSVILLE HOCKEY

BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON
former athlete Mike Crowley
Lot of players are juniors, but not not as strong as champ of 92.93., 94, "I don't think so."

HOLY ANGELS
Danny Mattson

EDEN PRAIRIE
Nick Leddy

"He does a little bit of everything for them," Klev says.

ST. FRANCIS HOCKEY
Joey Benik


ALSO ...
Jarred Festler
Ben Hanowski

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• HOPKINS
• HOCKEYAlex
• Fons
• MINNETONKA HOCKEY
• Sam Coatta
• BURNSVILLE HOCKEY
• BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON
• Mike Crowley
• HOLY ANGELS
• Danny Mattson
• EDEN PRAIRIE
• Nick Leddy
• ST. FRANCIS HOCKEY
• Joey Benik
• Jarred Festler
• Ben Hanowski

[azstong]

Cool vid. I reaily enjoyed the listening to the talk about the boys high school hockey.