I've decided to move on from broadcasting to pursue other interests. It was a tough decision because it is something that I loved. I have been so impressed with the vast, vast majority of the people in the area and the way they treat the kids and each other. There's something transcendent about sports that allow people with a whole array of worldviews to come together, united, for a group of young people. I got to see a lot of that over the years.

So, tonight's Grantsburg win over Webster was my last to call. I am so appreciative for the opportunity to play a very small part in your lives. You have played a huge one in mine.

God bless you.

- Bob

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Thank you

I know there are a couple local businesses partnering with this cause. One of them is T-Dawgs Bar and Grill. They'll be donating $1 for each appetizer purchased in the month of March. Also, if you go to the game tonight you can bring them your program after the game to receive $1 off a beverage.

The other is The Drive In. They are doing their March Burger Madness promotion again (last year's was awesome!) and for every special burger purchased they will be donating $1 to this cause.

All profits go to the American Cancer Association and Relay for Life.

Outside of patronizing those local businesses, you can show your support tonight by wearing white to the games! Girls start at 6.

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Coaches versus Cancer tonight

Post from: We are Grantsburg

32 years ago today

The Blizz fell 7-3.

Superior is ranked number two in the entire state and hold the number one seed in this region. 

The Blizzard end their season with an incredible 22-3 record and a conference championship.

Great season, Blizz!

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Burnett Blizzard fall to the Superior Spartans

They begin the tournament at home on March 2 and take on the winner of the 8 vs. 9 matchup between the Flambeau Falcons (5-14) and fellow West Lakelanders, the Webster Tigers (6-14) on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

There's a new twist to these brackets this year. In years past, each region was ranked 1-8. Now they are ranking the section. There are twelve teams in the Rice Lake Section in which Grantsburg has garnered the top spot. 

I actually really like this… it should make it so the better teams have a better chance of making it further in the tournament instead of having a really good game between two good teams early because maybe the rest of the region stunk. 

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Boys basketball brackets

Tonight they have a bigger test as they head to Superior  to take on the Spartans (13-8-1) in the regional final.

This will mark the third time in the past four years that the Blizz and Spartans will meet in the tournament. Superior has won the two previous times by a combined score of 16-2. So, needless to say, the Spartans have been dominant over the Blizz, but tonight should be a much different game. The Blizzard have a very potent offense and very good defense and outstanding goaltending. 

WeAreGrantsburg.com will be at Wessman Arena tonight to broadcast the game. The game starts at 7pm with a pregame beginning around 6:40.

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Blizz vs. Superior boys hockey playoffs

They took matters into their own hands last night. 

Aaron Dietmeier notched three goals and one assist and Dakota Linke tallied three assists leading the Blizz to an 8-5 victory over the Menomonie Indians in the second round of the WIAA tournament. 

The Blizzard (22-2) came out with guns blazing. They had an amazing shot on goal tally of 56… that's more than one per minute (51 minutes in a game).

I'm super excited for these guys. They felt slighted after the seedings came out because they should have been able to host a home game, but got pushed out of that by a suspect process. They didn't go complaining in the papers or on Facebook or anywhere else. They decided to let their play do the talking. 

Now they face the number one seeded Superior (12-8-1) team in round three. The last time they played the second ranked Spartans (2009), it ended the Blizzard season. This time the Blizz are out to show everyone that they have been overlooked all year and can hang with the big dogs, like Superior.

Interesting note… the Blizzard play in a conference made up of them and the rest are Minnesota schools. The Blizz won their conference and went undefeated in it. The Spartans play in a conference against mostly Minnesota schools. The Spartans finished 2-5 in their conference which netted them fifth place. I understand that it may have been a tougher conference, but just something to keep in mind as we prepare for Tuesday's game.

The game will be played at Wessman Arena in Superior (an awesome place to watch a hockey game) Tuesday, February 21 at 7pm. I am looking into being able to stream the game live. If they have what I need to do that, you can listen to the game on www.wearegrantsburg.com.

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Dietmeier hat trick propels statement victory

Click here for the BRACKET

You can check my earlier post about my thoughts on the way this all went down and how it is very fishy to say the least.

But here's the deal. After getting word that they would not be hosting a game the Blizzard quietly whooped up on the Pine City Dragons (scored 11 goals in the first period, won 14-2) and then blanked North Branch 7-0. Even cooler… not one of the players have spouted off about this on Facebook. That's 1. Good self control and 2. Good leadership. There is nothing to do now but to prove people wrong by the way they play, and I'd say outscoring their next two opponents 21-2, is a good start.

As it turns out, the process for choosing seeding is a little different than it is in other sports. Why? Maybe because of distance or scheduling or some other reason. But, the coaches seed the teams via email, not in person, therefore there is not that "look me in the eye and say that" kind of thing happening. There might be a lack of accountability in this situation.

The Blizzard originally received the number 4 seed, but upon Menomonie's appeal, they revoted and awarded the Mustangs the 4 seed, and the home game. The vote from the non-involved coaches was 4-3 in favor of the reseeding. 

This is the second time this has happened to the Blizzard in the past three years where they have been seeded to host a game and then, after a challenge and revote, they were moved to the away team.

Sour grapes? Maybe. But, looking at things from a purely numerical standpoint the Blizzard (at the time of the seedings) were 19-2 and the Mustangs were 11-9. The Blizz had a 7-2 record against Wisconsin teams and they had a large RPI advantage (.538 – .500, the range is generally .400-.600 with some really good and really bad teams outside of that range, but 95% of the teams are within that range)) . Politically, however, it was a different story. The other teams in the section are all play a vast majority, if not all of their games, in Wisconsin. Whereas the Blizz play in a Minnesota conference. To a degree I can understand what the other coaches are thinking because they aren't familiar with the teams, however, that should only account for a small percentage of what goes into a seeding decision.

Regardless, I think the Mustangs better strap their helmets on a little tighter on Thursday night because they've got a very talented, and very upset Blizzard heading their way.

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Blizzard boys headed to Menomonie Thursday, WIAA playoffs begin tonight

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Midwinter Sports Day!!!

The problem? The majority of their games are played against Minnesota teams. You know, the state with the most competitive hockey programs… the state that boasts the most NHLers…. the state that actually has enough interest in the sport that almost every high school has a hockey program, unlike Wisconsin where the a lot of the teams are combined schools, a la, the Burnett Blizzard.

But, in another "as usual" seeding meeting, the Blizzard are relegated to an away game as they are seeded #5 (out of 9). They miss out on playing in front of their home fans because they play most of their games against those hapless Minnesotans.

What a farce. I understand to a point, but the Blizz has a 19-2 record and have proven themselves against Wisconsin teams with a 7-2 record.

A #5 seed, though? That's absurd. The team they're playing in the first round is Menomonie (11-9, 3-7). The Mustangs finished a distant fifth in the Big Rivers Conference… but they get the four seed because they play all Wisconsin teams.

Record

The Blizz have the second best win percentage in the state. The only team higher is Verona and they are ranked #3 in the state. The number one team in the Blizz's section is Superior (and I'm not saying they shouldn't be) and their record is 11-8. 

I do not believe seeding should be based on record alone, but 19-2? that's pretty outstanding… definitely deserving of a home game. 

The RPI does not lie.

The RPI takes into account your opponent's winning percentage, your opponent's opponent's winning percentage, and several other indicators and spits out your RPI number. .500 is your average team.

The Mustangs have a .500 RPI. The Blizzard have .538. There are sixteen teams between the two (there are only 91 teams participating in boys hockey this year).

I don't think the seedings should be based on the RPI, but I do believe this shows there is a pretty big discrepancy and that politics are definitely playing a part in the seeding process.

Post from: We are Grantsburg

Blizzard boys