Class A Rankings 12-23-18

[HShockeywatcher]

No movement in the top 9 this week, a couple lower ranked teams had bad weeks and dropped out, while a couple others who've been winning games have been added to the list. There seems to be a clear top 5, a few that are in the next tier, then lots of teams that could be mentioned out there. There's still 2 teams who are undefeated and 6 teams who haven't lost to a Class A opponent, and all of those numbers could be the same a week from now. Lots of good hockey this week. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas everyone!

1. [1] Hermantown (5-2) (1-0)
The Hawks played their first Class A opponent and won. They should be the favorite to win the Hilltopper Classic.
This week: Thurs vs Blake, Hilltopper Classic Thurs-Sat

2. [2] Cathedral (9-0) (9-0)
The Crusaders beat Chisago Lakes and Luverne by a combined score of 17-1. Scores this week should be similar. 3 more games before hosting Hermantown in January.
This week: Thurs vs River Lakes, Fri vs Mankato East, Sat vs Litchfield

3. [3] Mahtomedi (6-1) (3-0)
The Zephyrs played their 2nd and 3rd Class A games and picked up wins easily. Their games this coming week against three 7A teams started the season as 3 solid opponents and have turned into 3 games they should easily win, as long as they don't look past Greenway. After this week their next ranked Class A opponents are Totino on Jan 22 and Orono on Jan 31. So they will go down if they falter at all.
This week: Thurs @ Virginia, Fri @ Hibbing, Sat @ Greenway

4. [4] East Grand Forks (10-1) (8-1)
The Green Wave are the first Class A team to reach 10 wins. Their 1 goal win over a Warroad team that doesn't seem close on paper shows of close 8A games between the top 3 are every season. They have two remaining games against MN teams not from section 8 and one of them is this week.
This week: Fri vs Gentry Academy

5. [5] Alexandria (7-2) (5-2)
The Cardinals have the same 3 games this week that Mahtomedi does. They should finish the week with 10 wins and some pieces for comparison with the Zephyrs
This week: Thurs @ Greenway, Fri @ Virginia, Sat @ Hibbing

6. [6] Thief River Falls (6-3-2) (5-1-1)
The Prowlers host two teams this week before five 8A games in a row.
This week: Fri vs Eveleth-Gilbert, Sat vs Fargo North

7. [7] Orono (5-4) (5-1)
The Spartans were on the giving and receiving end of two 8-0 shut outs last week. No games this coming week.
This week: Idle

8. [8] Duluth Denfeld (4-2-1) (4-0-1)
The Hunters lost to Superior by 1 last week. They host their holiday tournament that only has one other Class A team.
This week: Thurs vs Irondale, Heritage Holiday Classic Thurs-Sat

9. [9] Greenway (3-6) (2-3)
The Raiders have 2 goal losses to the #2 and #4 teams. This is a big week for them; can they pick up more than one win?
This week: Thurs vs Alexandria, Fri vs Delano, Sat vs Mahtomedi

10. [-] Detroit Lakes (7-0) (6-0)
The Lakers have been quietly picking up wins and are one of two undefeated teams left in Class A. They haven't played anyone mentioned here, but they also haven't lost. Are they the #10 team in the state? Maybe not, but their schedule should tell us more over the coming weeks. Only 1 of the teams they play this week has a winning record; can they make it to 10 wins?
This week: Thurs vs West Fargo, Fri vs Providence Academy, Sat @ Fergus Falls

11. [11] Warroad (3-5) (3-3)
The Warriors' record isn't great, but they have a 2 goal loss to TRF and a 1 goal loss to EGF recently. They should be able to play with every team they have on their schedule for the rest of the season.
This week: Thurs vs Grafton/ParkRiver, Fri vs Osseo, Sat vs International Falls

12. [12] Sartell (6-1) (4-1)
The Sabres are picking up wins, but have played one team this season with a winning record and are currently tied to their early home OT loss to Warroad. This week no teams with losing records; can they keep up the winning?
This week: Thurs vs Mankato East, Fri vs Monticello, Sat vs St Francis

13. [15] Totino-Grace (6-3) (0-2)
The Eagles picked up another conference win, then lost to Hermantown by 3. There are some pretty good teams in their holiday tournament.
This week: Sat vs Minnehaha Academy

14. [-] Marshall (9-1) (9-0)
The Tigers are undefeated against MN teams they've played and have 3 shut outs in their last 3 games. They play in a holiday tournament where they should be competitive in every game.
This week: Sat vs Princeton

15. [13] Mankato East (6-3-1) (4-1)
The Cougars have gone to OT in their three games this week, but they picked up two wins and should be the favorite in 1A. They have good competition this week; can they win some games?
This week: Thurs vs Sartell, Fri @ Cathedral, Sat vs Monticello


Others to watch

[10] Minneapolis (4-5-2) (4-3-2)
This week: Sat vs St Louis Park

Monticello (6-3-1) (4-2-1)
This week: Thurs vs Northern Lakes, Fri vs Sartell-St Stephen, Sat vs Mankato East

Mound Westonka (9-2) (9-2)
This week: Thurs vs Hutchinson

Northfield (4-4) (3-2)
This week: Thurs vs Henry Sibley, Sat vs Austin

[hockey59]

Hermantown vs Blake on Thursday at Mars Lakeview should be a fun game to watch

[Section 8 guy]

I think I’d be a little careful just handing Alex the win over Greenway. They may likely win. And maybe will handle them. But may be a bit off target to call it a given.

[zooomx]

I think I’d be a little careful just handing Alex the win over Greenway. They may likely win. And maybe will handle them. But may be a bit off target to call it a given.

You read my mind. As an Alex fan, I look at that as a tough game. Virginia is no slouch either.