Although living in Maine, I have close ties with Minnesota. A few years
ago, Minnesota moved from an open high school tournament to a two-tier
system. If this was explained to me properly, the first few years, the
two tiers weren't decided until near the end or after the regular
season. Therefore, if you were near the bottom of Tier One, you might
have more post-season luck at the top of Tier Two. So perhaps you would
play a backup goaltender down the stretch. I have NO personal experience
that this actually happened, although I have heard stories. The point
is, perhaps we should not be too quick to blame coaches in similar
situations, regardless of the level, but instead, change the system. In
essance, the coaches were operating within the system they were given,
morally right or wrong.