AA Rankings for 1/8/23

[karl(east)]

We’ve now eased our way to the midway point of the season, with more good hockey and also more snow being the central themes. After the top few, who have been pretty stable for a little while now, it gets challenging, as I try to weigh overall body of work against who’s doing well right now and who isn’t. So, my effort:

1. Wayzata (10-1-1)
-The Trojans’ hiatus out of the top spot lasted just one week before Will Ingemann’s stellar goaltending performance puts them right back in the top spot. They may not be able to bury teams like Minnetonka, but they just keep on doing their thing. The week ahead offers a bit of a reprieve, so I don’t think they’re going anywhere anytime soon.
This week: Thurs vs. St. Michael-Albertville, Sat at Hopkins

2. Maple Grove (11-2)
-The win streak has hit nine for the Crimson, who pushed past Andover to gain partial revenge for last year’s state championship game and showed they can smother another team’s elite line; I’m sliding them up because I like the quality of their wins a little more than I like Minnetonka’s. It should reach ten this week before they tangle with Rogers in a big Northwest Suburban showdown.
This week: Thurs at Armstrong/Copper, Sat vs. #8 Rogers

3. Minnetonka (9-2)
-The Skippers continue to show they can control a game against anyone, but have lost both of their games with current top five teams now. The week ahead includes two East-ish teams who have shown flashes of quality this season.
This week: Tues at Eastview, Thurs at Buffalo, Sat vs. #14 Duluth East

4. Chanhassen (12-1)
-The Storm handled Waconia and St. Louis Park, and while it is hard to move up against that competition when the top three are playing front-line opponents, they are further solidifying their positioning. That won’t change this week, though neither game is a total free pass, as they get one of Class A’s better offerings and a Prior Lake team that has proven competitive.
This week: Tues vs. Orono, Thurs at Prior Lake

5. Edina (8-3-1)
-The Hornets’ heater slowed some this past week when they coughed up a lead against Lakeville South and settled for a tie; since Chanhassen has beaten South, they slide behind the Storm. They now aim to beat St. Thomas for a second time this season.
This week: Fri vs. #11 St. Thomas Academy, Sat vs. Buffalo

6. Andover (8-5-1)
-Lost to Maple Grove, but they fall upward after St. Thomas dropped one to a Benilde team the Huskies just toasted. The narrative here is becoming clear: they’re a team with a top line that can go off and wreck just about anyone, but if those three get shut down, wins are there for the taking. We’ll see what they
This week: Thurs vs. #12 Centennial, Sat at Totino-Grace

7. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (8-4)
-The Red Knights had their best week of the season, beating two top fifteen teams in St. Thomas and Moorhead, and containing both of them pretty well, too. In a chaotic ranking week, that earns them a little boost. A home-and-home with Chaska is next.
This week: Tues vs. Chaska, Sat at Chaska


8. Rogers (8-2-2)
-Sliding back up as they get wins while others lose. The week ahead is a huge one, with two of their chief section rivals leading the way. Does this team belong in the conversation at the top of the rankings, as they were a few weeks ago, or are they further back in the chase pack.
This week: Thurs vs. #15 Champlin Park, Sat at #2 Maple Grove

9. Lakeville South (5-3-1)
-The Edina tie changes the narrative a bit for a team that had still been finding its way; all of their losses are to teams above them, and they now have that quality result, too. They now dive into conference play and will go a few weeks before they play another ranked opponent.
This week: Tues vs. Farmington, Thurs at Rosemount

10. Cretin-Derham Hall (9-4-1)
-The Raiders were comeback kids this past week, battling back to beat Stillwater (which is solid), then salvaged a tie with Roseville (which is less so). They now enter a somewhat more forgiving stretch of the schedule, with Mahtomedi posing this week’s bigger test.
This week: Tues at Mahtomedi, Thurs at Mounds View

11. St. Thomas Academy (9-4-1)
-The Cadets are sliding backward after losses to Benilde and Mahtomedi, which were not the sorts of games they were dropping last month. A couple of bluebloods that have been going in opposite directions are up this week.
This week: Thurs vs. Hill-Murray, Sat at #5 Edina

12. Centennial (6-3-1)
-The Cougars took care of business against Spring Lake Park and Coon Rapids. The week ahead is a huge one, as they duel with Champlin for 5AA positioning and try to make a rankings statement against Andover.
This week: Mon vs. #15 Champlin Park, Thurs at #6 Andover, Sat at Blaine

13. Stillwater (6-2-1)
-The Ponies can certainly score goals, as they proved by hanging five on both Cretin and Duluth East; they can also give them up, as they lost to Cretin and needed a late goal to pull out the East tie. They’re fun to watch, but how will that style hold up in the playoffs? They’ve got a four-game week now, and while on paper they should win them all, all of them have at least some chance to be interesting if the schedule takes any toll.
This week: Mon vs. Cloquet, Tues at Lakeville North, Thurs at Roseville, Sat vs. Mounds View

14. Duluth East (7-5-1)
-The Hounds surge back into the top 15 after a three-year hiatus following a convincing win over Grand Rapids and a strong tie with Stillwater. They’ve shown they can be potent and are atoning for some of those early losses; the question this week is just how well their depth can hold up against Minnetonka.
This week: Thurs vs. Brainerd, Sat at #3 Minnetonka

15. Champlin Park (9-2)
-Like White Bear, the Rebels are winning games they should win, and usually with authority; I decided to reward that instead of one of the teams puttering along just below them. They roll into this week’s 5AA rumbles with Centennial and Rogers looking like they can give them serious games, but now it’s time to really put them to the test.
This week: Mon at #12 Centennial, Thurs at #8 Rogers, Sat vs. Elk River

The Next Ten

Moorhead (6-6)
-The losses are starting to mount here as the Spuds remain competitive but fail to beat many of the top teams. The schedule eases up some now, though it isn’t exactly easy, and this week includes a section game with St. Cloud and a visit from Grand Rapids.

Eastview (7-3)
-A clunker against Rosemount is the Lightning’s first real negative result on the season and could trouble them in the 3AA seeding discussion, too. They have the joy of playing Minnetonka next.

White Bear Lake (9-2)
-Beating teams they should beat, albeit with some trouble against Tartan. They now plow deep into the middle tier of the Suburban East, with East Ridge and Park up this week.

Shakopee (6-3)
-The Sabers got a solid win over Prior Lake to further solidify their spot around here in the rankings. A three-game week ahead includes a Rosemount team fresh off a win over Eastview.

Blake (7-4)
-Putting together a decent season and not doing anything shocking, beating teams they should beat and occasionally being competitive with the better ones out there. Providence headlines their upcoming run of private school opponents.

Eden Prairie (5-7-1)
-Continue to do some quality things, but the losses are mounting. They’ll try to right the ship this week against Holy Family (a significant section game) and St. Michael-Albertville.

Grand Rapids (8-5)
-Suddenly there are some alarm bells here: the loss to Duluth East was ugly, and their only real quality win, besides East early on, is over Roseau, plus they have a loss to Elk River. With this team’s offense, they’re not one likely to come back if they fall behind. Moorhead gives them a chance to prove something this week.

Roseau (9-4)
-Handled Sartell to further solidify their hold on a top two seed in 8AA. Rival Warroad is up next, followed by a Brainerd team that has been on the upswing a bit, too.

Holy Family (8-5)
-Had a rough road trip northwest, losing to Grand Forks Red River and East Grand Forks; PageStat has loved this team so far, but I’m guessing they’ll come back to earth some now. The Eden Prairie game this week will be significant in this part of the rankings.

Hill-Murray (4-7)
-Broke their losing streak against Two Rivers, but the Minnetonka affair was not pretty for a team that had otherwise been pretty competitive in its losses. I still have some faith that they are better than the likes of mostly-untested Cloquet or four-wins-with-worse-losses Rosemount or a very okay Prior Lake, who are the first teams out, but they need to prove it soon. St. Thomas this week provides an opportunity.

[WestMetro]

Good work Karl

Perhaps we need a new Top 3 Team, called Will Ingemann ?

[BodyShots]

Wait a minute. A 9-2 WBL team is ranked lower than a 7-5-1 Duluth team who WBL also beat head to head? They both have one quality win (WBL beat Cent and Duluth beat Andover). I’m confused .

WBL didn’t struggle against Tartan. The shots were 50-16. It’s called hot goaltending which can turn any 8-1 romp into a 2-1 barn burner.

[elliott70]

I don’t see hill as a top 25 team.

[elliott70]

SBLive ?????
Top 25
1 Chanhassen
2 Wayzata
3 Maple Grove
4 Minnetonka
5 Edina
6 Cretin
7 White Bear
8 STA
9 Warroad
10 Hermantown
11 Rogers
12 Andover
13 Stillwater
14 Lakeville S
15 New Ulm
16 Benilde
17 Mahtomedi
18 Eastview
19 Champln Park
20 Centennial
21 Park of Cottage
22 Orono
23 Gentry
24 Roseville
25 Woodbury

[elliott70]

compared to Karl
SBLive ?????
Top 25
1 Chanhassen 4
2 Wayzata 1
3 Maple Grove 2
4 Minnetonka 3
5 Edina 5
6 Cretin 10
7 White Bear 18
8 STA 11
9 Warroad A
10 Hermantown A
11 Rogers 8
12 Andover 6
13 Stillwater 13
14 Lakeville S 9
15 New Ulm A
16 Benilde 7
17 Mahtomedi A
18 Eastview 17
19 Champln Park 15
20 Centennial 12
21 Park of Cottage NR
22 Orono A
23 Gentry NR
24 Roseville NR
25 Woodbury NR

RATED BY KARL NOT ON THIS LIS
deAST 14
Mhead 16
Shakopee 19
Blake 20
Eden P 21
Grand Rap 22
Roseau 23
Holy Fam 24
Hill 25

[ClassAGuy]

SBLive ?????
Top 25
1 Chanhassen
2 Wayzata
3 Maple Grove
4 Minnetonka
5 Edina
6 Cretin
7 White Bear
8 STA
9 Warroad
10 Hermantown
11 Rogers
12 Andover
13 Stillwater
14 Lakeville S
15 New Ulm
16 Benilde
17 Mahtomedi
18 Eastview
19 Champln Park
20 Centennial
21 Park of Cottage
22 Orono
23 Gentry
24 Roseville
25 Woodbury

I love New Ulm being 15th overall in the state!

[elliott70]

compared to pagestat
SBLive ?????
Top 25
1 Chanhassen 4
2 Wayzata 3
3 Maple Grove 2
4 Minnetonka 1
5 Edina 8
6 Cretin 10
7 White Bear 16
8 STA 11
9 Warroad 9
10 Hermantown 5
11 Rogers 15
12 Andover 7
13 Stillwater 13
14 Lakeville S 24
15 New Ulm 79
16 Benilde 6
17 Mahtomedi 21
18 Eastview 23
19 Champlin Park 22
20 Centennial 12
21 Park of Cottage 33
22 Orono 34
23 Gentry 26
24 Roseville 46
25 Woodbury 37

others
14 HOLY FAMILY 2AA 8 5 0 0.615 67 36 2
17 DULUTH EAST 7AA 7 5 1 0.577 60 39 20.69
18 MOORHEAD 8AA 6 6 0 0.500 31 31 20.50
19 SHAKOPEE 2AA 7 3 0 0.700 41 27 20.44
20 EDEN PRAIRIE 2AA 5 7 1 0.423 41 36 20.30
23 EASTVIEW 3AA 7 4 0 0.636 43 27 20.16
25 ROSEAU 8AA 9 5 0 0.643 74 40 19.61
27 HILL MURRAY 4AA 4 7 0 0.364 24 31 19.24
28 BLAKE 6AA 8 4 0 0.667 48 45 19.14
29 PRIOR LAKE 2AA 7 6 0 0.538 39 38 19.05
30 CLOQUET 7AA 8 3 0 0.727 46 23 18.96
31 ROSEMOUNT 3AA 4 9 0 0.308 44 53 18.88
32 GRAND RAPIDS 7AA 9 5 0 0.643 34 29 18.64
35 EAST GRAND FORKS 8A

[Smooth]

What is sb live? They look less biased than yhh.

[elliott70]

What is sb live? They look less biased than yhh.

From what I gather a national internet sight covering high school sports.

[elliott70]

From their webpage:

"SBLive Sports is the digital destination for high school sports fans and a technology partner of state associations, coaches and administrators. Our platform celebrates high school sports, making it possible for the next generation of fans to follow their favorite teams and players just like they follow the pros."

[Smooth]

From their webpage:

"SBLive Sports is the digital destination for high school sports fans and a technology partner of state associations, coaches and administrators. Our platform celebrates high school sports, making it possible for the next generation of fans to follow their favorite teams and players just like they follow the pros."

Thanks have to keep an eye on that one.

[OtterPuck]

compared to pagestat
SBLive ?????
Top 25
1 Chanhassen 4
2 Wayzata 3
3 Maple Grove 2
4 Minnetonka 1
5 Edina 8
6 Cretin 10
7 White Bear 16
8 STA 11
9 Warroad 9
10 Hermantown 5
11 Rogers 15
12 Andover 7
13 Stillwater 13
14 Lakeville S 24
15 New Ulm 79
16 Benilde 6
17 Mahtomedi 21
18 Eastview 23
19 Champlin Park 22
20 Centennial 12
21 Park of Cottage 33
22 Orono 34
23 Gentry 26
24 Roseville 46
25 Woodbury 37

others
14 HOLY FAMILY 2AA 8 5 0 0.615 67 36 2
17 DULUTH EAST 7AA 7 5 1 0.577 60 39 20.69
18 MOORHEAD 8AA 6 6 0 0.500 31 31 20.50
19 SHAKOPEE 2AA 7 3 0 0.700 41 27 20.44
20 EDEN PRAIRIE 2AA 5 7 1 0.423 41 36 20.30
23 EASTVIEW 3AA 7 4 0 0.636 43 27 20.16
25 ROSEAU 8AA 9 5 0 0.643 74 40 19.61
27 HILL MURRAY 4AA 4 7 0 0.364 24 31 19.24
28 BLAKE 6AA 8 4 0 0.667 48 45 19.14
29 PRIOR LAKE 2AA 7 6 0 0.538 39 38 19.05
30 CLOQUET 7AA 8 3 0 0.727 46 23 18.96
31 ROSEMOUNT 3AA 4 9 0 0.308 44 53 18.88
32 GRAND RAPIDS 7AA 9 5 0 0.643 34 29 18.64
35 EAST GRAND FORKS 8A

New Ulm at 15?

[elliott70]

New Ulm at 15?

"New Ulm continued to take care of business, winning another two games as it preserved their one loss season. Despite having no ranked wins, New Ulm is still undoubtedly impressive due to their record and conference standings."

PER SBLIVE WEB PAGE

[east hockey]

New Ulm at 15?

"New Ulm continued to take care of business, winning another two games as it preserved their one loss season. Despite having no ranked wins, New Ulm is still undoubtedly impressive due to their record and conference standings."

PER SBLIVE WEB PAGE

New Ulm 15th in the state?? Uhhh....okay

Lee

[elliott70]

New Ulm at 15?

"New Ulm continued to take care of business, winning another two games as it preserved their one loss season. Despite having no ranked wins, New Ulm is still undoubtedly impressive due to their record and conference standings."

PER SBLIVE WEB PAGE

New Ulm 15th in the state?? Uhhh....okay

Lee

pagestat apparently needs a bit of tweaking.

[east hockey]

"New Ulm continued to take care of business, winning another two games as it preserved their one loss season. Despite having no ranked wins, New Ulm is still undoubtedly impressive due to their record and conference standings."

PER SBLIVE WEB PAGE

New Ulm 15th in the state?? Uhhh....okay

Lee

pagestat apparently needs a bit of tweaking.

I asked PageStat if it was perfect.

It said it was.

Good enough

Lee

[elliott70]