best post-season rivalries

(to be continued)

Up to this point this is the best rivalry. Unfortunately I do not have any historical knowledge of this rivalry (I'm a Twin Citian), but this edges out the WBL/Hill-Murray rivalry for the top spot.

#1
Duluth East vs. Cloquet
Post-season record: Duluth East 10-7
Total goals: Duluth East 45, Cloquet 43
Average goals/game: Duluth East 2.65, Cloquet 2.53
Differential: .12
Average score: Winner 3.65, Loser 1.82
Differential: 1.83
One-goal games: 9 (53%)
Shutouts: 3

1970 Region Qtrs: Duluth East 4, Cloquet 3 (3 OT)
1975 Region Final: Duluth East 2, Cloquet 1
1979 Region Semi: Duluth East 4, Cloquet 3 (OT)
1980 Region Qtrs: Duluth East 5, Cloquet 2
1981 Region Qtrs: Cloquet 5, Duluth East 3
1983 Region Qtrs: Cloquet 4, Duluth East 3 (OT)
1991 Region Final: Duluth East 3, Cloquet 2 (OT)
1992 Region Semi: Cloquet 4, Duluth East 1
1994 Region Final: Duluth East 2, Cloquet 0
1999 Region Qtrs: Duluth East 5, Cloquet 3
2000 Region Final: Duluth East 4, Cloquet 1
2001 Region Semi: Cloquet 4, Duluth East 1
2002 Region Final: Cloquet 1, Duluth East o
2004 Region Semi: Duluth East 5, Cloquet 1
2005 Region Final: Duluth East 3, Cloquet 2 (OT)
2006 Region Semi: Cloquet 1, Duluth East 0
2008 Region Semi: Cloquet 6, Duluth East 5



#2
Hill-Murray vs. White Bear
Hill-Murray has a sizeable record lead, but nearly 50 percent of the games are by one-goal with numerous going to OT. How White Bear is able to maintain such a close game-to-game rivalry despite being on the lower end of the talent pool is really a hard one to pinpoint. A few of the highlight games that stick out for me are the 1988 game where Hill was up 4-0 before WBL stormed back to force a second OT before getting their hopes dashed. Or Bonin’s team blowing a 3-0 lead and losing to Hill in the ’91 Region final. Or ’96, where WBL (11-16-1) really had no business on paper even making it to the state tourney, winning a game some described as the greatest upset in all of sectional history. That year the team took home 6th place despite being outshot 107-53 at state. (Keep the name “Landon Luther” in your memory bank.) Whether it’s with or without the Skrypek and Bonin era’s, WBL seems to always give Hill-Murray fits at sectionals.

Post-season record: Hill-Murray 18-6
Total goals: Hill-Murray 85, White Bear 58
Average goals/game: Hill-Murray 3.54, White Bear 2.42
Differential: 1.12
Average score: Winner 3.96, Loser 2.00
Differential: 1.96
One-goal games: 12 (50%)
Shutouts: 2

1975 Region qtrs: Hill-Murray 6, White Bear Lake 2
1975 Region final: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Mariner 1
1976 Region semi: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Mariner 3 (OT)
1977 Region final: Hill-Murray 2, White Bear Mariner 1
1980 Region final: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Mariner 3 (2 OT)
1984 Region semi: Hill-Murray 2, White Bear Lake 1
1985 Region final: Hill-Murray 3, White Bear Lake 0
1986 Region final: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Lake 2
1988 Region semi: Hill-Murray 5, White Bear Lake 4 (2 OT)
1989 Region semi: White Bear Lake 4, Hill-Murray 3 (2 OT)
1991 Region final: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Lake 3
1993 Region semi: Hill-Murray 7, White Bear Lake 1
1994 Region final: White Bear Lake 2, Hill-Murray 1 (OT)
1995 Region final: White Bear Lake 5, Hill-Murray 3
1996 Region semi: White Bear Lake 4, Hill-Murray 3 (OT)
1997 Region semi: Hill-Murray 6, White Bear Lake 3
1998 Region semi: White Bear Lake 4, Hill-Murray 1
2000 Region semi: Hill-Murray 2, White Bear Lake 0
2002 Region semi: Hill-Murray 4, White Bear Lake 1
2003 Region semi: White Bear Lake 4, Hill-Murray 2
2004 Region semi: Hill-Murray 5, White Bear Lake 4 (OT)
2006 Region final: Hill-Murray 5, White Bear Lake 4 (2 OT)
2007 Region final: Hill-Murray 3, White Bear Lake 1
2008 Region final: Hill-Murray 2, White Bear Lake 1



#3
Roseau vs. Warroad
Post-season record: Roseau 16-9
Total goals: Roseau 83, Warroad 47
Average goals/game: Roseau 3.32, Warroad 1.88
Differential: 1.44
Average score: Winner 3.96, Loser 1.32
Differential: 2.64
One-goal games: 7
Shutouts: 10

1946 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1947 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1948 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1949 Regional semi: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1953 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1954 Regional semi: Warroad 5, Roseau 4
1958 Regional semi: Roseau 7, Warroad 0
1959 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1960 Regional semi: Warroad 1, Roseau 0
1962 Regional final: Roseau 4, Warroad 0
1963 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1964 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1965 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1966 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1967 Regional semi: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1968 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 3
1969 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1969 Tournament semi: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1970 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1978 Regional semi: Roseau 11, Warroad 4
1989 Regional final: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1993 Regional semi: Roseau 6, Warroad 2
1995 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 0
1996 Regional final: Warroad 6, Roseau 2
1997 Regional final: Warroad 4, Roseau 3



#4
Warroad vs. Thief River Falls
Post-season record: Warroad 14-8
Total goals: Warroad 83, TRF 50
Average goals/game: Warroad 3.77, TRF 2.27
Differential: 1.50
Average score: Winner 4.45, Loser 1.59
Differential: 2.86
One-goal games: 6
Shutouts: 5

(thru 2004)
1947 Region Semi: Warroad 7, TRF 6
1948 Region Semi: Warroad 5, TRF 3
1951 (scores N/A)
1952 Region Semi: TRF 4, Warroad 3 (2 OT)
1953 Region Semi: Warroad 2, TRF 1
1954 Region Final: TRF 3, Warroad 0
1955 Region Semi: TRF 5, Warroad 2
1956 (scores N/A)
1960 Region Final: TRF 4, Warroad 1
1962 Region Semi: Warroad 3, TRF 0
1963 Region Semi: Warroad 3, TRF 1
1964 Region Semi: Warroad 2, TRF 0
1969 Region Semi: Warroad 5, TRF 1
1970 Region Semi: Warroad 8, TRF 0
1974 Region Semi: TRF 4, Warroad 3
1985 Region Qtrs: TRF 9, Warroad 7
1987 Region Semi: Warroad 11, TRF 1
1991 Region Semi: TRF 2, Warroad 1 (2 OT)
1994 Region Semi: Warroad 5, TRF 1
1996 Region Semi: Warroad 5, TRF 0
1999 Region Semi: TRF 2, Warroad 1 (OT)
2002 Region Semi: Warroad 3, TRF 1
2003 Region Final: Warroad 3, TRF 1
2004 Region Semi: Warroad 3, TRF 1



#5
Roseau vs. Moorhead
Post-season record: Roseau 8-7
Total goals: Roseau 49, Moorhead 43
Average goals/game: Roseau 3.27, Moorhead 2.87
Differential: .40
Average score: Winner 4.8, Loser 1.33
Differential: 3.47
One-goal games: 4
Shutouts: 3

1973 Region qtrs: Roseau 5, Moorhead 1
1980 Region qtrs: Roseau 3, Moorhead 2 (OT)
1984 Region qtrs: Roseau 8, Moorhead 3
1986 Region semi: Moorhead 3, Roseau 2
1990 Region semi: Roseau 9, Moorhead 1
1992 Region final: Moorhead 4, Roseau 1
1993 Region final: Moorhead 3, Roseau 0
1998 Region semi: Roseau 3, Moorhead 2
2001 Region final: Moorhead 4, Roseau 2
2002 Region semi: Moorhead 4, Roseau 1
2004 Region semi: Moorhead 9, Roseau 1
2005 Region final: Moorhead 6, Roseau 3
2006 Region final: Roseau 4, Moorhead 0
2007 Region final: Roseau 1, Moorhead 0
2008 Region final: Roseau 6, Moorhead 1



Others:

White Bear Lake vs. Roseville
Post-season record: WBL 4-1
Total goals: WBL 15, Roseville 11
Average goals/game: WBL 3.0, Roseville 2.2
Differential: .80
Average score: Winner 3.2, Loser 2.0
Differential: 1.2
One-goal games: 4
Shutouts: 0

(missing 2005-08)
1995 Region Semi: WBL 5, Roseville 3
1996 Region Final: WBL 2, Roseville 1
1998 Region Semi: WBL 3, Roseville 2
2001 Region Final: WBL 2, Roseville 1
2003 State Tournament Qtrs: Roseville 4, WBL 3



Duluth East vs. Grand Rapids
Post-season record: Duluth East 5-0
Total goals: Duluth East 16, Grand Rapids 6
Average goals/game: Duluth East 3.2, Grand Rapids 1.2
Differential: 2.0
Average score: Winner 3.2 , Loser 1.2
Differential: 2.0
One-goal games: 2
Shutouts: 1

(missing 2005-08)
1995 Region Final: Duluth East 3, Grand Rapids 2
1997 Region Semi: Duluth East 4, Grand Rapids 1
1998 Region Semi: Duluth East 2, Grand Rapids 0
2003 Region Final: Duluth East 2, Grand Rapids 1 (OT)
2004 Region Final: Duluth East 5, Grand Rapids 2



Eveleth vs. Int'l Falls
Post-season record: Int'l Falls 8-5
Total goals: Int'l Falls 44, Eveleth 29
Average goals/game: Int'l Falls 3.38, Eveleth 2.23
Differential: 1.15
Average score: Winner 4.62, Loser 1.0
Differential: 3.62
One-goal games: 2
Shutouts: 5

(missing 2005-08)
1950 Region Final: Eveleth 5, Int'l Falls 1
1955 Region Final: Eveleth 4, Int'l Falls 0
1956 Region Final: Eveleth 3, Int'l Falls 0
1957 Region Final: Int'l Falls 3, Eveleth 1
1959 Region Semi: Int'l Falls 3, Eveleth 2
1963 Region Qtrs: Int'l Falls 6, Eveleth 0
1969 Region Qtrs: Eveleth 1, Int'l Falls 0
1971 Region Final: Int'l Falls 5, Eveleth 3
1976 Region Semi: Eveleth 5, Int'l Falls 1
1977 Region Qtrs: Int'l Falls 6, Eveleth 2
1978 Region Semi: Int'l Falls 7, Eveleth 0
1979 Region Semi: Int'l Falls 8, Eveleth 1
2002 Region Semi: Int'l Falls 4, Eveleth 2



Bloomington Jefferson vs. Bloomington Kennedy
Post-season record: Jefferson 13-6
Total goals: Jefferson 69, Kennedy 39
Average goals/game: Jefferson 3.83, Kennedy 2.17
Differential: 1.66
Average score: Winner 4.89, Loser 1.11
Differential: 3.78
One-goal games: 3
Shutouts: 6

1973 Region Qtrs: Bloomington Jefferson def. Bloomington Kennedy (no score available)
1974 Region Qtrs: Bloomington Kennedy 2, Bloomington Jefferson 0
1976 Region Semi: Bloomington Kennedy 3, Bloomington Jefferson 0
1977 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 5, Bloomington Kennedy 3
1979 Region Qtrs: Bloomington Jefferson 7, Bloomington Kennedy 2
1984 Region Final: Bloomington Kennedy 5, Bloomington Jefferson 2
1985 Region Final: Bloomington Jefferson 5, Bloomington Kennedy 0
1986 Region Final: Bloomington Jefferson 2, Bloomington Kennedy 1 (OT)
1987 Region Final: Bloomington Kennedy 8, Bloomington Jefferson 0
1988 Region Final: Bloomington Jefferson 3, Bloomington Kennedy 1
1989 Region Final: Bloomington Jefferson 6, Bloomington Kennedy 2
1990 Region Semi: Bloomington Kennedy 4, Bloomington Jefferson 2
1991 Region Final: Bloomington Kennedy 2, Bloomington Jefferson 1
1992 Region Final: Bloomington Jefferson 5, Bloomington Kennedy 1
1993 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 6, Bloomington Kennedy 0
1995 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 9, Bloomington Kennedy 1
1996 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 8, Bloomington Kennedy 3
1997 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 2, Bloomington Kennedy 1
2000 Region Semi: Bloomington Jefferson 6, Bloomington Kennedy 0



Edina vs. Minnetonka
Post-season record: Edina 13-2
Total goals: Edina 63, Minnetonka 29
Average goals/game: Edina 4.2, Minnetonka 1.93
Differential: 2.27
Average score: Winner 4.47, Loser 1.67
Differential: 2.8
One-goal games: 3
Shutouts: 2

1960 Region final: Edina-Morningside 4, Minnetonka 1
1963 Region qtrs: Edina-Morningside 3, Minnetonka 0
1965 Region semi: Edina-Morningside 5, Minnetonka 3
1973 Region qtrs: Edina-West 6, Minnetonka 2
1977 Region qtrs: Edina-West 6, Minnetonka 5 (2 OT)
1978 Region qtrs: Edina-West 7, Minnetonka 2
1982 Region semi: Edina 7, Minnetonka 2
1984 Region final: Edina 3, Minnetonka 1
1987 Region final: Edina 2, Minnetonka 1 (2 OT)
1988 Region final: Edina 5, Minnetonka 1
1989 Region final: Edina 2, Minnetonka 0
1990 Region final: Minnetonka 6, Edina 3
1996 Region final: Edina 5, Minnetonka 2
1998 Region semi: Edina 4, Minnetonka 1
2002 Region qtrs: Minnetonka 2, Edina 1



Roseau vs. Thief River Falls
Post-season record: 18-4
Total goals: Roseau 83, TRF 40
Average goals/game: Roseau 3.77, TRF 1.82
Differential: 1.95
Average score: Winner 4.05, Loser 1.59
Differential: 2.46
One-goal games: 7
Shutouts: 2

1945 Region Final: TRF 3, Roseau 1
1946 Region Final: Roseau 6, TRF 4
1951 (score N/A)
1955 Region Final: Roseau 2, TRF 1 (3 OT)
1955 Tournament Cons Semi: TRF 4, Roseau 3
1956 Region Final: TRF 4, Roseau 2
1959 Region Final: Roseau 5, TRF 1
1959 Tournament Qtrs: Roseau 7, TRF 2
1961 Region Qtrs: Roseau 3, TRF 1
1965 Region Final: Roseau 3, TRF 1
1966 Region Semi: Roseau 2, TRF 1
1967 Region Final: Roseau 2, TRF 1
1968 Region Final: Roseau 3, TRF 2
1971 Region Semi: Roseau 5, TRF 0
1977 Region Semi: Roseau 6, TRF 1
1979 Region Final: Roseau 4, TRF 2
1980 Region Semi: Roseau 5, TRF 3
1981 Region Final: Roseau 7, TRF 3
1982 Region Qtrs: TRF 2, Roseau 1
1983 Region Final: Roseau 1, TRF 0
1992 Region Qtrs: Roseau 4, TRF 2
1995 Region Semi: Roseau 6, TRF 2
1997 Region Qtrs: Roseau 5, TRF 0

Myth: Warroad tradition

Despite my love for the meanest team I ever saw (’96 Warroad), I have to admit Warrior tradition is suspect. Their teams have been in three “big school” tourney finals. The last being Henry Bouche’s run nearly 40 years ago in 1969. Warroad has never won an “AA” title. However, their crosstown rival Roseau has been in 12 tournament finals, winning seven.

It was pretty impressive watching Warroad beat up on metro schools in the ‘90s and mid-2000s, but compared to what Roseau is accomplishing today in the big school field, it leaves the impression that the Warriors are trying to be as big a David as their rivals without actually directly trying to compete against them. Sure, they face Roseau twice a year during regular season, but in post-season, it’s zilch.

In essence, Warroad tradition is impressive minus the Rams comparison. Their community wants the recognition Roseau has established through the years, but the “A” hardware is more important than the principle of competing against the best, namely Roseau.

There might be people who scoff at the idea small school mystique can be criticized, but the fact is Roseau made a distinct decision to move to the upper class based on principles. They decided as a team, as well as a community, that should they lose they will accept their loss and have to work that much harder the next time around. Because to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Warrior tradition really isn’t predicated on that belief. By default they’ve acknowledged their defeat to a superior program in Roseau. And the only way for them to truly right themselves is to consciously accept that principle, improve, and jump into the fold.


Overall record: 92-57-4 Roseau

Post-season record: 16-9 Roseau

1946 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1947 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 2
1948 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1949 Regional semi: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1953 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1954 Regional semi: Warroad 5, Roseau 4
1958 Regional semi: Roseau 7, Warroad 0
1959 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1960 Regional semi: Warroad 1, Roseau 0
1962 Regional final: Roseau 4, Warroad 0
1963 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1964 Regional final: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1965 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1966 Regional final: Roseau 5, Warroad 0
1967 Regional semi: Roseau 3, Warroad 1
1968 Regional semi: Roseau 5, Warroad 3
1969 Regional final: Roseau 2, Warroad 1
1969 Tournament semi: Warroad 3, Roseau 2
1970 Regional semi: Roseau 2, Warroad 0
1978 Regional semi: Roseau 11, Warroad 4
1989 Regional final: Warroad 2, Roseau 0
1993 Regional semi: Roseau 6, Warroad 2
1995 Regional final: Warroad 3, Roseau 0
1996 Regional final: Warroad 6, Roseau 2
1997 Regional final: Warroad 4, Roseau 3


Tourney appearances (thru 1997, the last year both schools were in same regional): 26-9 Roseau