The teams are in place, any hockey thoughts or predictions? ( Jigga, whats the scoop, are you on the plane headed west to get the official scouting report?)


Class A - 11:00 AM ~ West Chester Henderson Warriors vs Freeport Yellow Jackets


Class AA - 1:30 PM ~ Haverford High Fords vs Pine Richland Rams


Class AAA - 4:00 PM ~ Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds vs North Allegheny Tigers

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BIGJIM,

what kind of team is north allegheny? what do they do well?

Well, NA beat Bethel Park to here...

All kiding aside, they are a hard-working, blue collar team (IMHO)that plays the entire game. They have come into their own as of late, much like HGP. It should be an interesting team

Of the 3 times my team played teams from the west 02,03 and 04. The teams in o2 and 03 (Serra Catholic and Westmont Hilltop) were the toughest teams we played all season, we were an A team and that includes the AAA and AA teams we played. In 04 Serra was the 2nd toughest team we faced all season besides Springfield but I think they were just the toughest due to the rivalry. So all and all the teams from the West were always stronger than any team we played in the east.

AAA- I don’t think Ghost is the strongest hockey team in the east but they did string together some GREAT wins in the flyers cup and they earned their spot. But traditionally the West AAA teams run all over the east so I don’t know how long Ghost can keep the magic going but I hope they win. But i also don't think NA is the strongest team from the West.

AA-I haven’t seen HH play states in the past two years but I’ll bet those players can tell you goals are hard to come by seeing as they haven’t scored in the past 2 state games. They are tough and they can handle physical play and the game is in the east so maybe that can help them.

I know Henderson has a speedy offense that can score but for the better part of the season their defensive has realized too much on Blaker. Last years Quaker Valley team had a lot of firepower with Furman South (Now one of the top forwards in the EJHL) and his brother is a sophomore I think and is picking up right were his brother left of. So I expect the team that beat QV has a hell of a defense to stop Colin South who is one of the better players on the Pittsburg Hornets midget AAA 18U team. So if they can stop him I don’t think Latta (a Jr B Met league player) will be as big of a problem has he has been the team facing Henderson all year.

What to expect for Pittsburg Teams:
They hit, a lot
They (sometimes) cheat
They are grumpy
They are cocky
They think we are inferior hockey

Sorry if it looks like I am trashing our teams I am just giving my input, I hope all of our teams win.

I'll hop on the plane with your Frequent Flier miles BigJim..or a police chopper which ever one is eaiser.

Lol

As we wind down towards the championship games, one very important question comes to mind and this will probably be best answered by Matt.

Where will the annual East/West Poker Showdown take place this season? Have a location and start time been set?

Well.....this time around we will bringing a mini-van to Aston on Friday night where a few select people from the West will be joining Big Jim, Myself and a few others for some soda's on Delaware Ave.

If you'd like to join us....let me know and be at Aston by 8:30 on Friday night.

Hi Everyone,

Thoughts on a great hockey game whether it be AAA, AA, or A. It's a team game of talented teams! Whoever plays the best team game will most likely win. That means all the usual gruel, passing, shoooting, fore checking, especially back checking,great goaltending. Oh and staying out of the penalty box with stupid penalties, who has the best blend of talent and chemistry (i.e. no ego to massage), and I guess what you ate for breakfast.

As far as the "A" bracket, I'm hoping to see a great game between two offensive power houses. Freeport has several great point scorers, Henderson has several great point scorers. Again it will boil down to match ups. I see that there are about 15 Freeport players, there are about 15 Henderson players. Henderson made a great run to the Cup Championship and they had fierce competition with their arch rival of the year, Kennett Square, that kept them focused. They split the season 2-2-1 each. Kennett Square has a great team in 2007. Freeport had fierce competition with their arch rival, Quaker Valley, they split their season 1-1. Looks to me like it could be a great game. It's quite an achievment to make it to the State Championship for whatever it's worth, a once in a lifetime achievement. Next year everybody's gunning for you and they want to knock you off your perch. Let's hope for some clean, hard, high quality hockey that's a challenge, a lot of fun, and entertaining!

Any one else's thoughts? Hockey is one of the best team games when it's played well. Why? Because it uses all of an athletes skill, and it's done at 30 miles an hour!

Moooose1

This is by far the best year for PA hockey since all the teams in the final are potential 1st time winners. No offense to the big boys but who isn't sick of seeing Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, Meadville, Malvern Prep, Lasalle, Thomas Jefferson, Peters Township, Sierra Catholic, Quaker Valley. These teams are all past winners and NONE in the final now. Predictions though

AAA-North Alleghany (flat out stronger)
AA-Haverford High (finally gets it...hopefully)
A-Henderson (high powered offense plus a hot goalie)

O and Henderson is graduating 4 seniors none of who are 1st line. Blaker is a Junior, Latta, Cottle, and Mattern are Sophmores. Can you say repeat...?

Cottle is a Junior, but yes, he will be back next year.