Single A top 20 12/1/19

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elliott70
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Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by elliott70 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 7:53 am

12/1/19
1 Hermantown - start 2-0-0 with nice wins over Eveleth and Wayzata
2 East Grand Forks - 2-0-1 beat Detroit Lakes and cancelled due to snow with St. Cloud Cathedral.
3 Warroad - Beat a decent Bemidji team with a starter on the bench and then controlled St Cloud Cathedral.
4 St Cloud Cathedral - 1-1-0 pounded a lowly Fergus Falls team but then were beat convincingly by Warroad on the road.
5 Mahtomedi - 2-0-0 pounded Sartell and beat AA Totino.
6 Orono - 3-0-1 Got by Monticello and beat Minneapolis by 3.
7 Alexandria - 2-1-0 Beat a good Little Falls team 3-1.
8 Delano - 1-2-0 Beat Breck.
9 Duluth Denfeld - 3-0-0 Beat North Shore handily.
10 Little Falls - 3-1-1 Lost a close one to Alex, tied Thief River and beat Crookston
11 Theif River Falls - 3-1-1
12 Monticello 1-1-0
13 North Branch 3-0-0
14 Greenway - 1-1-0
15 Tartan 1-1-0
16 Marshall - 2-1-0
17 Eveleth - 3-1-0
18 St Paul Johnson - 2-0-0
19 Mankato West - 1-0-0
20 St Paul Academy 3-1-0
Last edited by elliott70 on Fri Dec 06, 2019 10:08 am, edited 12 times in total.

Sparlimb
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by Sparlimb » Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:00 am

I see your Northern Minnesota bias!!!

Its been an interesting start to the season. No Breck anywhere in the top 20...

Tartan lost last night to Roseville. They've been a decent .500 AA team the last number of years. I'm very curious to see if this drop down can get them into a tournament. I wonder if them and NSP dropping means more east side kids will prefer the big lights of the private schools.

elliott70
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by elliott70 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:28 am

Sparlimb wrote:
Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:00 am
I see your Northern Minnesota bias!!!

Its been an interesting start to the season. No Breck anywhere in the top 20...

Tartan lost last night to Roseville. They've been a decent .500 AA team the last number of years. I'm very curious to see if this drop down can get them into a tournament. I wonder if them and NSP dropping means more east side kids will prefer the big lights of the private schools.
No doubt!

ClassAGuy
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by ClassAGuy » Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:14 am

CLASS A RANKINGS 12/1/19
After Week #2 of Games, we are starting to see some movement.

1. Hermantown (2-0-0)

-The Hawks got their season rolling with a tight win over Eveleth and then looked very solid beating AA Lake Conference Wayzata. Led by most likely the top player in Minnesota this winter Blake Biondi the Hawks are always the team to beat in Class A. This week continues a theme you see from them as they play maybe the best Two Teams Talent-wise in AA in EP and BSM. No matter how they do, I look for them to stay at #1 in this ranking until someone from Class A proves they can beat them.
This week: Fri at Eden Prairie, and Sat at Benilde St Margaret's

2. East Grand Forks (2-0-1)
-The Green Wave had a pretty quiet week beating 8A foe Detroit Lakes with ease. Now, this week, they go outside the State and play the two very good programs in North Dakota. Grand Forks Red River and Two Time Defending ND State Champ Grand Forks Central will offer a significant challenge. Like Hermantown above them, the results of those games are unlikely to change their ranking on here come next week.
This week: Tues at Grand Forks Central, Sat at Grand Forks Red River

3. Warroad (2-0-0)
-The Warriors provided the Big Win of the week. They soundly beat the Defending Champs SCC on Friday night. Led up front by their D1 Super Star Forward Grant Slukynsky and Freshman Sensation Jayson Shaugabay and Dynamite Soph Blue Liner Carson Reed and the Steady Goaltending of Zach Foster the Warriors have a great core this year. They should pick up two easy wins before a great early test in Grand Rapids comes to Warroad on Saturday Night. The Warriors are for real wow is Section 8A going to be a Battle!
This week: Tues at Crookston, Fri vs. Virginia, Sat vs. Grand Rapids

4. Mahtomedi (2-0-0)
-The Zephyrs proved that they are once again poised to be a Top 5 Team in Class A this winter. They opened up their week by blowing out Sartell, and then after that, they picked up a nice gritty road win vs. an up and coming program in TG. This week they get three excellent games. They always play HM tough than a solid Section team in SPA and a good 1AA Contender in Hastings. Mahtomedi should be in this spot all winter.
This week: Tues at Hill Murray, Thurs @ SPA, and Sat vs. Hastings

5. Orono (3-0-1)
-Another excellent weekend for Orono. The Spartans established themselves as a top-five team in Class A. They found a way to win a tough one on the road at Monticello, and then they followed it up by defeating Section 2A foe Minneapolis on their home ice. This week there is just one game on the docket vs. Breck. I look for the Spartans to roll and show they are Top 5 Team in Class A and should be feared come March.
This week: Tues at Breck

6. Greenway (1-1-0)
-The Raiders were stable this week. They soundly beat Virginia to show they are a Top end team in 7A, and they played hard and well with Minnetonka on Saturday. This week is huge for the Raiders to hold this spot. First, they get a big early-season match up with 7A Contender #10 DuluthDenfeld, and then they get a State Title rematch with #7 St. Cloud Cathedral. The Raiders can prove a lot this week; rather, they stay in this spot or fall all depends on how they play this week.
This week: Tues @ #10 Duluth Denfeld, Fri. @ #7 St. Cloud Cathedral

7. St Cloud Cathedral (1-1-0)
-As thought, it was a rough week for the Crusaders who got soundly beaten on the road at Warroad Friday Night. They are lucky that the weather canceled the other half of their trip as they would have been swept by EGF the way they played Friday. This team looks lost without Warner. His return is critical without him; they are just another team in Class A. Big week ahead Greenway Friday and TRF Saturday. Will the defending champ be below .500 by the end of the next week?
This week: Fri vs. #6 Greenway, Sat vs. #14 Thief River Falls

8. North Branch (3-0-0)
-The Vikings won their 3rd consecutive Turkey Classic in Simley. Their schedule will again not give us a good read of this team. They should have a flashy record and be right there in the end. They have two more easy wins this week and may have a chance to run the table this year if things work out there way.
This week: Thurs vs. Princeton, Sat vs. North Shore

9. Alexandria (2-1-0)
-The Cardinals had an excellent week. As they went on the road and beat #12 and Section 6A Rival Little Falls while missing three key seniors from their line up. The Cardinals looked good, and they seem to be coming along better then some may have thought. With Cathedral not nearly as good as advertised, it appears to be another good race in Section 6A. They have a tough stretch this week playing three straight days after not playing since before Thanksgiving? Who made their schedule not well planned.
This week: Thurs vs. Willmar, Fri. @Northfield, Sat @ Mankato West

10. Duluth Denfeld (3-0-0)
-Hunters took care of business again this week. They beat a team they should beat soundly, and now this week we will get a better idea of how good they are. They take on #6 Greenway on Tuesday at home that is a big game followed by another one at AA Cloquet on Thursday we will find out a lot more about the Hunters this week.
This week: Tues vs. #6 Greenway, Thurs. @ Cloquet

11. Tartan(1-1-0)
-The Titans took a weird loss to Roseville on Saturday. It's hard to read that as we don't know how improved Roseville is. Tartan has a big week this week with three home games vs. some quality teams, the big game being Friday when they host #14 TRF. Should give us a better idea of the Titans.
This week: Tues. vs. Hastings, Friday vs. #14 TRF, Sat. vs. Crookston

12. St Paul Johnson (2-0-0)
-Two solid wins for the Governors to start their year. A very nice 3-0 win over a good TRF squad on Saturday was a big eye-opener. This team looks to be very good. They have a great Junior core, and they look like they could go n a nice run to start their year. This week they two more winnable games on their schedule. This team is one to keep an eye on throughout the year. They look to be the surprise team in Class A.
This week: Fri. vs. Crookston, Sat @ Rochester John Marshall

13. Little Falls (3-1-1)
-Great Weekend Northern Swing for the Flyers aa they tied a very TRF team in their barn and then trounced Crookston. With Section 6A being more wide open than previously thought, Little Falls proved they would be in the conversation this year. Still had the rough Alexandria set back at home earlier this week. This week they have two very easy games.
This week: Tues @ Wadena Deer Creek, Sat. @ Fergus Falls.

14. Thief River Falls (3-1-1)
-The Prowlers did what they always do this week. They proved that they can beat anyone by taken down an excellent Roseau team but then had a rough weekend vs. LF and St. Paul Johnson. They can beat anyone on a given night and lose to anyone on a given night. This week they have a Section game at home followed by two excellent Class A Road Test.
This week: Tues vs. Kittson Central, Friday at #12 Tartan, Sat at #7 St. Cloud Cathedral

15. Monticello (1-1-0)
-A tough loss for the Moose as they had the lead early over Orono but could not hold on. This week they get a rematch vs. the team that ended their season Chisago Lakes, and then they take on Champlin Park on Saturday two more good tests for the Moose who look to be very tough this winter. They play a much tougher schedule then North Branch, and that could come into play down the stretch.
This week: Tues vs. Chisago Lakes, Sat vs. Champlin Park

Other Class A Notable Teams (To Watch)
Eveleth Gilbert (3-1-0)-
Tough loss to the Hawks, they were outshot heavily, but they rebounded nicely with good Section 7A win. A big week ahead as they head to the cities to see two AA teams.

Delano (1-2-0)- After a rough opening weekend for the Tigers who are very young this year, they rebounded nicely with a good win over Section 2A former powerhouse Breck.

Marshall (2-1-0)- The top team in Section 3A had a good weekend as they took care of Pine City and hung tougher then they have in the past with Fargo Davies thanks in large part to their goalie Caspers.

Simley (1-1-0)- Team returns a ton of talent; they look to be putting together a solid team in Class A gave North Branch a good run in their Tournament.

Mankato East (0-2-1)- It was another very rough week for the Cougars. The only reason they hold on here and are a late mention is that they are the favorite in Section 1A.

CLASS A GAME OF THE WEEK:

#6 Greenway at #7 St Cloud Cathedral
It's a rematch of last year's State Title game taking place in St Cloud this Friday Night. For Greenway, they will again play their ten kids two lines and 4 D and Logan Wright still in the net. Trombley- Gernader- Vekich Line looks to be very good, and Miller on the Blue Line looks improved from last year. Cathedral without Warner is just missing something. They lack the depth that the team last year had. This should be a great game and an excellent setting for our Class A Game of the Week.

Prediction: Revenge of the Raiders! Greenway should win this one again Cathedral will continue to struggle minus one of their key pieces.

Stang5280
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by Stang5280 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 12:32 pm

Running a bit late on mine this morning. I didn’t get much of a chance to do the write ups yesterday. I will try to have them up ASAP.

elliott70
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by elliott70 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 12:36 pm

Stang5280 wrote:
Sun Dec 01, 2019 12:32 pm
Running a bit late on mine this morning. I didn’t get much of a chance to do the write ups yesterday. I will try to have them up ASAP.
No rush.
But we are waiting.

Stang5280
Posts: 1955
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by Stang5280 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 5:53 pm

Better late than never… here is my first set of in-season rankings. There were plenty of results that shook things up from my preseason expectations (including Mankato East proving to be a flop thus far, cough, cough), and of course a new team atop the rankings. Enjoy the reading!

1. Hermantown (2-0-0) [LW 2]
W 5-2 vs Eveleth-Gilbert , W 4-3 vs Wayzata
The Hawks are off to a nice start, picking up a sectional win over one of their primary competitors, along with knocking off a top 15 AA team. The game against Lakeville South was postponed, though games against AA opposition are difficult to judge anyway. The goal production was rather low given the huge shot disparities, so Hermantown will have to be more efficient as the season progresses. That is a minor quibble, but the competition ramps up significantly with the top two preseason AA teams, Eden Prairie and Benilde, on the docket, so the Hawks will need to be at their best.
Next: 12/6 @ Eden Prairie, 12/7 @ BSM

2. Warroad (2-0-0) [LW 5]
W 4-2 vs Bemidji, W 5-2 vs SCC
After a routine victory to open the season, the Warriors pulled off a big upset in soundly defeating the defending champs. Led by two goals and two assists from Grant Slukynsky, Warroad never let SCC within two goals after a shorthanded goal late in the first. As a result, they move up all the way up to #2 with this statement win. The Sartell game on Saturday was postponed, but that was not shaping up to be much of a contest. The upcoming week is light fare until an interesting showdown with a resurgent Rapids.
Next: 12/3 @ Crookston, 12/6 vs Virginia, 12/7 vs Grand Rapids

3. Mahtomedi (2-0-0) [LW 4]
W 8-1 vs Sartell, W 6-4 @ Totino-Grace
The Zephyrs came out of the gates hot by smashing a rebuilding Sartell squad and subduing a former sectional rival. The TG game was never really in doubt, as Mahtomedi raced out to a 4-1 first period lead and cruised to the win. We'll see if they can keep the momentum going against a tough upcoming slate, facing two ranked AA conference rivals and #20 SPA.
Next: 12/3 @ Hill-Murray, 12/5 @ SPA, 12/7 vs Hastings

4. East Grand Forks (2-0-1) [LW 3]
T 2-2 @ Orono, W 5-1 @ Delano, W 4-0 @ Detroit Lakes
The Green Wave had a bit of a disappointing opening to the season. While the results were fine, it seemed like they didn't really play up to their potential, aside from the Delano game. EGF needed a furious comeback (including some luck) to scrape out a tie with Orono, and managed only four goals on 55 shots against a mediocre DL team. And the game against Cathedral was called off, which would've provided a nice data point. This week likely won't tell us much, either, as the Wave cross the river to face their two ND rivals, then host a weak Crookston crew.
Next: 12/3 @ GF Central, 12/5 @ GF Red River, 12/7 vs Crookston

5. St. Cloud Cathedral ( 1-1-0) [LW 1]
W 15-0 vs Fergus Falls, L 2-5 @ Warroad
The Crusaders had an extremely up-and-down week, drowning the poor Otters and then dropping a road contest up in Warroad. While there is certainly no shame in losing to a talented Warriors group, the concern is the manner in which Cathedral was thoroughly outplayed and outshot . Unfortunately the EGF game the following night was postponed (cancelled?), which would have provided some clarity as to the relative standing of those teams early on. The schedule doesn't really relent, as SCC hosts a pair of top ten foes next weekend.
Next: 12/6 vs Greenway, 12/7 vs TRF

6. Orono (3-0-1) [LW 10]
T 2-2 vs EGF, W 4-1 vs Alexandria, W 3-2 @ Monticello, W 6-3 vs Minneapolis
The Spartans were one of the big winners of the early going. During the first weekend, they hung on for a tie against #4 EGF and dispatched Alex with relative ease. In the EGF game, Orono buried two goals early in the second for a 2-0 lead before the Wave rallied late to salvage a tie. The Monticello game was essentially the opposite situation, with Orono down 2-0 early, then dominating the final two periods, outshooting the Moose 26-5 in the process. The upcoming week is light, with the only action being a sectional skirmish at Breck.
Next: 12/5 @ Breck

7. Greenway (1-1-0) [LW 8]
W 7-1 vs Virginia, L 3-6 vs Minnetonka
The Raiders crept up a spot, mainly thanks to the floundering of a few peers ranked in this range. Greenway vanquished 7A foe Virginia with ease, then gave Minnetonka a valiant fight. The Tonka final was a bit deceiving, with two late Raider goals closing the margin, but eyewitness accounts were positive. The game against Ely was cancelled due to the Wolves' low numbers, which was probably for the best. An exciting week awaits, as Greenway travels to Denfeld Tuesday for an important 7A tilt, and head to the MAC Friday for a rematch of last season's championship game.
Next: 12/3 vs Denfeld, 12/6 vs SCC

8. Alexandria (2-1-0) [LW 9]
W 3-2 @ Delano, L 1-4 @ Orono, W 3-1 @ Little Falls
As a rebuilding team, it was hard to know what to expect from the Cardinals early on. They ended up starting out fairly well against a tricky schedule. Alex split with the top two 2A teams during their opening weekend swing through the western suburbs. Orono looks to be one of the best in Class A at this point, so the loss is understandable. The Cardinals hit the road again Tuesday and picked up a big section victory over Little Falls, their likely competition for the #2 seed. While the two teams were evenly matched, Alexandria pulled away with three first-period goals, which held up for the win. The schedule lightens up some, albeit with three games in three days.
Next: 12/5 vs Willmar, 12/6 @ New Prague, 12/7 @ Mankato West

9. North Branch (3-0-0)
W 7-3 vs Sauk Rapids, W 8-0 vs Minn River, W 4-3 vs Simley
Although the Vikings started out the season unblemished, they dip a bit in the rankings due to other teams posting more impressive victories (and perhaps a course correction on my part to having them overrated). North Branch should breeze through their schedule until late December.
Next: 12/5 vs Princeton, 12/7 vs North Shore

10. Thief River Falls (3-1-1)
W 7-4 vs Gentry, W 6-3 vs Mounds View, W 2-1 vs Roseau, T 2-2 vs Little Falls, L 0-3 vs SP Johnson
The Prowlers were off to a fast start, but then things went south in a hurry. Their first two wins were uncharacteristic shootouts, but TRF returned to their usual modus operandi in picking up an impressive victory over Roseau, the preseason consensus #2 team in 8AA. They gave back some of that momentum in a tie to a solid Little Falls squad, but then fell on their faces against Johnson. An interesting week awaits; after hosting Kittson Tuesday, TRF finally hits the road to face a mystery Tartan team and Cathedral.
Next: 12/3 vs KCC, 12/6 @ Tartan, 12/7 @ SCC

11. Duluth Denfeld (3-0-0) [LW 11]
W 7-1 vs Minnehaha, W 6-3 vs Red Wing, W 6-1 @ North Shore
Not much to say here, as the Hunters rolled over three lesser foes to open the season. Sophomore twin brothers Conner and Cooper McClure racked up 20 points in the process. While these results may not be very enlightening, Denfeld did take care of business, which is more than can be said for other teams around them in the rankings. The competition ramps up significantly this week with midweek contests against section competitor Greenway and LSC adversary CEC.
Next: 12/3 vs Greenway, 12/5 @ Cloquet

12. Little Falls (3-1-1) [LW 14]
W 4-0 @ Int’l Falls, W 9-2 @ Virginia, L 1-3 vs Alexandria, T 2-2 @ TRF, W 7-3 @ Crookston
The Flyers float up a few slots after dispatching some lesser competition with ease and showing well against two stronger opponents. As noted above, LF couldn't claw back after yielding three early tallies to Alex, but it was a close contest down the stretch. And the Flyers outplayed TRF for much of their game, including a dominating third period. This is still a very young team that should continue to improve through the season. Little Falls should pick up two easy wins this week before heading into some stiffer competition again.
Next: 12/5 @ Wadena, 12/7 @ Fergus Falls

13. Monticello (1-1-0) [LW 16]
W 5-2 vs Pine City, L 2-3 vs Orono
The Moose mosey up into the top 15 after a convincing sectional victory over a Pine City group expected to be near the top of 5A, followed by a close loss to new #6 Orono. Monticello put a serious scare into the Spartans with two first period goals, but could not sustain the momentum and ultimately fell under an avalanche of shots. Two more home games are coming up, including another 5A/Miss 8 contest.
Next: 12/5 vs Chisago Lakes, 12/7 vs Champlin Park

14. Delano (1-2-0) [LW 13]
L 2-3 vs Alexandria, L 1-5 vs EGF, W 4-1 vs Breck
The Tigers were who I thought they were, which is a team that could compete respectably against better opponents , but not quite pull off wins. Of course, this was a team that started slowly last year and eventually ended up at the X. After two losses against top ten teams during the opening weekend, Delano bounced back with a solid win over 2A rival Breck. The schedule this week is not particularly daunting, either.
Next: 12/5 @ Kennedy, 12/7 vs Buffalo

15. Eveleth-Gilbert (3-1-0) [LW 17]
W 6-0 vs Red Wing, W 8-2 vs Minnehaha, L 2-5 @ Hermantown, W 6-2 @ Int’l Falls
After opening up with two convincing wins over mediocre teams traveling up to the Hippodrome, the Golden Bears split against two 7A opponents this past week. Though badly outshot by Hermantown, E-G made the Hawks earn the win by scoring an early goal and holding it to 2-1 through two. Three third-period goals in about two minutes salted the game away, but the Bears look to be a force to be reckoned with in 7A. Next weekend brings a trip to the Twin Cities, including a return engagement against a Chaska team whom they upset in Eveleth last year.
Next: 12/6 @ Chaska, 12/7 @ Holy Angels

16. St. Paul Johnson (2-0-0) [LW NR]
W 9-4 @ Red Lake Falls, W 3-0 @ TRF

17. Marshall (2-1-0) [LW NR]
W 4-3 @ Albert Lea (OT), W 4-0 vs Pine City, L 1-4 vs Fargo Davies

18. Tartan (1-1-0) [LW 15]
W 6-2 @ Minneapolis, L 0-4 @ Roseville

19. St. Paul Academy (2-1-0) [LW 19]
L 1-3 @ St. Louis Park, W 4-2 vs Kennedy, W 6-1 vs Somerset

20. Simley (1-1) [LW NR]
W 3-1 vs Dodge County, L 3-4 vs North Branch

Out: Mankato East (0-2-1) [LW 12], Sartell (0-1-0) [LW 18], Breck (0-1-0) [LW 20]
Last edited by Stang5280 on Mon Dec 02, 2019 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

TheNightman
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by TheNightman » Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:35 pm

Anyone know where Owen Meeker has been for Warroad? He's on the roster but hasn't played yet. Hurt?

elliott70
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by elliott70 » Mon Dec 02, 2019 2:16 pm

TheNightman wrote:
Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:35 pm
Anyone know where Owen Meeker has been for Warroad? He's on the roster but hasn't played yet. Hurt?
He had to sit out the first two games.

Section 8 guy
Posts: 540
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Re: Single A top 20 12/1/19

Post by Section 8 guy » Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:57 pm

So when Warroad beat Cathedral Sluykinskis sidekick wasn’t in the lineup? Aye, aye, aye.

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