What does the new top 5 look like?

[King of the Pond]

I would go with this

1. Centennial (im a total homer)
2. Bloomington Jefferson
3. Edina
4. Blaine
5. Eden Prairie

[theoneandonly1]

1. Bloomington Jefferson
2. Centennial
3. Edina
4. Blaine
5. Eden Prairie

[scoreboard33]

1. Bloomington Jefferson
2. Centennial
3. Edina
4. EP
5. Blaine

I still think that Edina will get back on its horse and be the team to beat come tourney time. Also, if these were "power" rankings where the team playing the best in the last few games gets the nod, I'd go

1. Centennial
2. Jefferson
3. Minnetonka
4. Blaine
5. Edina

[northhockey23]

1.Jefferson-Still the team to beat.
2.Centennial-This win really proved that they have what it takes.
3.Edina-They ran into 2 hot goalies, but they have enough wins against top 15 teams to remain in the top 3.
4.Blaine-Tied Cent, only loss was to Edina.
5.EP-Played Jefferson/Edina until the end, could really beat anyone if they play their best.

[karl(east)]

1.Jefferson-Still the team to beat.
2.Centennial-This win really proved that they have what it takes.
3.Edina-They ran into 2 hot goalies, but they have enough wins against top 15 teams to remain in the top 3.
4.Blaine-Tied Cent, only loss was to Edina.
5.EP-Played Jefferson/Edina until the end, could really beat anyone if they play their best.

This is probably the way I'd go...for now.

[gopherhockey99]

1.Jefferson-Still the team to beat.
2.Centennial-This win really proved that they have what it takes.
3.Edina-They ran into 2 hot goalies, but they have enough wins against top 15 teams to remain in the top 3.
4.Blaine-Tied Cent, only loss was to Edina.
5.EP-Played Jefferson/Edina until the end, could really beat anyone if they play their best.

I would agree with these rankings too.

[MNHockey75]

Jefferson
Centennial
Edina
Eden Prairie
Blaine

[Lakeviewing]

Jefferson
Centennial
Edina
Eden Prairie
Blaine

I like Centennial here as #1 as they have proven they are playing at a high level. Edina as a #2 is probably fit. A couple of poor losses to bring them to reality. Giles needs to not depend on his 1st line and rest them for section play. EP has played a tough schedule. We will see what happens against Jefferson on 2-10. The Blaine team is over-rated. They have a good team, but should not be recogized in the top 5 team, top 10 for sure. As for Jefferson, their whole schedule was rather weak by not playing top 10 rated teams. The only real team in the Lake schedule is EP.

Personally, I like:
1) Centennial
2) Edina
3) Duluth East
4) Jefferson
5) Eden Prairie
6) Holy Angels
7) Blaine
Benlide
9) Minnetonka
10) Wayzata
And close, Hill. Hopkins, White Bear

Just my thoughts.

[Maple Grove Crimson#1]

1: Jefferson
2: Centennial
3: Blaine
4: Eden Prairie
5: Edina
6: Duluth East
7: Maple grove
8: Minnetonka
9: Holy Angels
10: Wayzata

[HShockeywatcher]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

[Mr.swampdonky]

1 though 5 are really close I think.


1)Jefferson
2)Centennial
3)Edina
4)Eden Prairie
5)Blaine

[Blaze]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

I could not have said it any better myself.

[karl(east)]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

I could not have said it any better myself.

It's not a bad argument, and one that should certainly be considered.

I'd have to ask, then, why Holy Angels is also top 5. Their list of quality wins is comparable to Jefferson's, and they have a few losses and a tie.

[Doglover]

I think King of the Pond got it right from the start.

Centennial
Jefferson
Edina
Blaine
Eden Prairie

Can't bring myself to give Jefferson top spot with their schedule. Still need to prove themselves number one.

[sn1per]

These are not my opinions on who is the best team in the state, just where they I rank them as of now.

1. Bloomington Jefferson(16-0)
Although their schedule is weak, they've beaten everybody on it, and haven't given up more than 3 goals in a game yet. Defense is always what wins championships, and they look to be playing some pretty solid D, even against the good competition. Still unbeaten, remain #1.

2. Centennial(14-1-2)
Have only been beaten once, and only by a goal. They have good depth at FW, and a solid young goaltender. They have proven they can hang with and beat anybody, after the recent victory of Edina, they are #2.

3. Edina(15-3)
Arguably the best Top-End talent in the state, but I question if they have the depth and goaltending to get to the top come march. As of right now, #3.

4. Eden Prairie(14-3)
Only losses are to teams ahead of them, all by a single goal. This may be the 2nd best team in the state. But without a victory over a top 5 team, I can't put them any higher than 4th.

5. Blaine(16-1-1)
Very solid team, they have played their way into the top 5. Are they a legit top 5 team... That is up for debate, but they deserve to be here for now. #5.

Outside looking in...
6. Duluth East -
7. Minnetonka
8. AHA
9. BSM
10. Wayzata

[jagopher21]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

I dont think jefferson should be number one but i just dont see how you can rank ep ahead of them right now. other than minnetonka they havent beaten anyone jefferson hasnt also beaten and they lost head to head.

[HShockeywatcher]

Karl,
Holy Angels plays in the Missota, we all know this, so this is one comparison, although not perfect, I am using.

-They have played each conference team once this year thus far. So far they have 64 GF and 6 GA in 7 games. That is better than 41 GF and 5 GA last year and even better than the 57 GF and GA two years ago when they went 26-1-1. While not a perfect science, it gives a picture.

-I have seen them play. I saw them play against Edina and St Thomas. They handled St Thomas and played competitively against Edina. It looked like they had an off game against Edina, but still were competitive at times. They have all the pieces of a top team, along with possibly the best forward in the game right now.

-They do have a one goal loss to a good Tonka team, but that and their loss against Edina are their only MSHSL losses. They have also beaten Culver Academy, Mount St Charles, and win or lose, they play Shattuck and will get experience no other team will playing that caliber of team. They beat Elk River by the same Margin as East, Edina, Blaine and EP did, Centennial and Maple Grove also beat them, just by 1 more goal. Team comparisons do not work, but with a team who plays few top MSHSL teams, it is needed.

In the end, they will probably get a #3 seed. While I would give them a #2 seed, the difference between 2 and 3 in their section is the side of the ice they sit on and their jersey color, I like their away jerseys better, so #3 is okay with me.

[breakout]

These are not my opinions on who is the best team in the state, just where they I rank them as of now.

1. Bloomington Jefferson(16-0)
Although their schedule is weak, they've beaten everybody on it, and haven't given up more than 3 goals in a game yet. Defense is always what wins championships, and they look to be playing some pretty solid D, even against the good competition. Still unbeaten, remain #1.

2. Centennial(14-1-2)
Have only been beaten once, and only by a goal. They have good depth at FW, and a solid young goaltender. They have proven they can hang with and beat anybody, after the recent victory of Edina, they are #2.

3. Edina(15-3)
Arguably the best Top-End talent in the state, but I question if they have the depth and goaltending to get to the top come march. As of right now, #3.

4. Eden Prairie(14-3)
Only losses are to teams ahead of them, all by a single goal. This may be the 2nd best team in the state. But without a victory over a top 5 team, I can't put them any higher than 4th.

5. Blaine(16-1-1)
Very solid team, they have played their way into the top 5. Are they a legit top 5 team... That is up for debate, but they deserve to be here for now. #5.

Outside looking in...
6. Duluth East -
7. Minnetonka
8. AHA
9. BSM
10. Wayzata

I like your positioning of the teams.

[karl(east)]

Karl,
Holy Angels plays in the Missota, we all know this, so this is one comparison, although not perfect, I am using.

-They have played each conference team once this year thus far. So far they have 64 GF and 6 GA in 7 games. That is better than 41 GF and 5 GA last year and even better than the 57 GF and GA two years ago when they went 26-1-1. While not a perfect science, it gives a picture.

-I have seen them play. I saw them play against Edina and St Thomas. They handled St Thomas and played competitively against Edina. It looked like they had an off game against Edina, but still were competitive at times. They have all the pieces of a top team, along with possibly the best forward in the game right now.

-They do have a one goal loss to a good Tonka team, but that and their loss against Edina are their only MSHSL losses. They have also beaten Culver Academy, Mount St Charles, and win or lose, they play Shattuck and will get experience no other team will playing that caliber of team. They beat Elk River by the same Margin as East, Edina, Blaine and EP did, Centennial and Maple Grove also beat them, just by 1 more goal. Team comparisons do not work, but with a team who plays few top MSHSL teams, it is needed.

In the end, they will probably get a #3 seed. While I would give them a #2 seed, the difference between 2 and 3 in their section is the side of the ice they sit on and their jersey color, I like their away jerseys better, so #3 is okay with me.

What you say certainly makes some sense. It just surprised me a bit that you ranked AHA so highly, having read what you say on the Single-A thread and the amount of weight you put on SOS (which I agree with quite a bit).

The problem with ranking AHA is that we don't really know how much weight to give the Mt. St. Charles and Culver wins, since we have nothing else to really measure those two teams against. I'm very interested in seeing how they do against Shattuck this weekend, and though it's an imprefect art, comparing their performance to Benilde's.

While their run through the Missota is impressive, a lot of those games get to the point where the score is rather irrelevant. Is there really that much of a difference between 8-0 and 11-0?

I think they're very good, but at this point I'd for sure put Edina, EP, Centennial, Jefferson, and Blaine ahead of them. Also, probably Minnetonka, who's played a very hard schedule and is very hot right now. I'll let the Shattuck game help decide where BSM should factor in to this. And Duluth East is hovering in there as a wild card too. They probably have more talent than all but 3 or 4 teams in the state, but the ugly losses prevent them from being ranked where they should be.

I'm not really on the Jefferson bandwagon either, but I do see at least in the top 4. I couldn't really rate EP ahead of them in good faith; both play Lake schedules, Jefferson beat EP, and Minnetonka is EP's only really impressive win. Jefferson has had some ugly wins, like anyone, but they've also absolutely pounded a few decent teams (Burnsville, which has shown improvement and recently beat Wayzata; and Grand Rapids, who at least gave Edina and EP decent games back in December).

Should be fun to watch however we look at it. I'll issue new rankings on Sunday as usual.

[Lucia4President]

These are not my opinions on who is the best team in the state, just where they I rank them as of now.

1. Bloomington Jefferson(16-0)
Although their schedule is weak, they've beaten everybody on it, and haven't given up more than 3 goals in a game yet. Defense is always what wins championships, and they look to be playing some pretty solid D, even against the good competition. Still unbeaten, remain #1.

2. Centennial(14-1-2)
Have only been beaten once, and only by a goal. They have good depth at FW, and a solid young goaltender. They have proven they can hang with and beat anybody, after the recent victory of Edina, they are #2.

3. Edina(15-3)
Arguably the best Top-End talent in the state, but I question if they have the depth and goaltending to get to the top come march. As of right now, #3.

4. Eden Prairie(14-3)
Only losses are to teams ahead of them, all by a single goal. This may be the 2nd best team in the state. But without a victory over a top 5 team, I can't put them any higher than 4th.

5. Blaine(16-1-1)
Very solid team, they have played their way into the top 5. Are they a legit top 5 team... That is up for debate, but they deserve to be here for now. #5.

Outside looking in...
6. Duluth East -
7. Minnetonka
8. AHA
9. BSM
10. Wayzata

Well done. The "bored" members should put together a poll for ranking each week or so. Everyone can vote on the rankings, and then we can sticky the top 10/15 up top for the week.

[karl(east)]

These are not my opinions on who is the best team in the state, just where they I rank them as of now.

1. Bloomington Jefferson(16-0)
Although their schedule is weak, they've beaten everybody on it, and haven't given up more than 3 goals in a game yet. Defense is always what wins championships, and they look to be playing some pretty solid D, even against the good competition. Still unbeaten, remain #1.

2. Centennial(14-1-2)
Have only been beaten once, and only by a goal. They have good depth at FW, and a solid young goaltender. They have proven they can hang with and beat anybody, after the recent victory of Edina, they are #2.

3. Edina(15-3)
Arguably the best Top-End talent in the state, but I question if they have the depth and goaltending to get to the top come march. As of right now, #3.

4. Eden Prairie(14-3)
Only losses are to teams ahead of them, all by a single goal. This may be the 2nd best team in the state. But without a victory over a top 5 team, I can't put them any higher than 4th.

5. Blaine(16-1-1)
Very solid team, they have played their way into the top 5. Are they a legit top 5 team... That is up for debate, but they deserve to be here for now. #5.

Outside looking in...
6. Duluth East -
7. Minnetonka
8. AHA
9. BSM
10. Wayzata

Well done. The "bored" members should put together a poll for ranking each week or so. Everyone can vote on the rankings, and then we can sticky the top 10/15 up top for the week.

Interesting idea. I will definitely submit mine.

I think I will continue to post my own rankings every week, though. I enjoy doing it, and it allows for give-and-take with the ranker that is not possible when it's a committee of people's numbers being lumped together.

We're creating some good alternatives to LPH, which provide for new, interesting perspectives and tend to lead to good discussion. Seems like a positive development for the bored.

[HShockeywatcher]

Eden Prairie:
With the exception of the 2-1 win over Lakeville South, Eden Prairie doesn't have many close games. By just looking at the score, they were in control of all the games they won. While the Edina games are losses, they are both one goal losses, one in OT, and they have more experience playing the better quality teams. You grow more as a player getting beat by a better opponent than beating up on a lesser opponent. One head to head away win by one goal doesn't decide anything during the season. That's my rational.

Holy Angels:
Yes, I do look a lot at SOS. PS2 has them at #7 in the state. All things considered, they have one of the all around toughest non-conference schedules too. They got 2nd in the Schwan Cup to a team who was at the time thought of by everyone as the best team in state. The Minnetonka loss makes things tough, even if they win out, but losing to a quality team away by one goal doesn't make you less of a team in my opinion.

Comparing blowouts isn't a science or anything, it simply implies they have firepower and can stop pucks. They have what I think Little Falls doesn't. Little Falls is winning all their easy games because they are scoring more goals than the other team, not because they are stopping the other team from scoring. Holy Angels would win their easy games with 3 goals, where Little Falls wouldn't.

The bias I bring to my rankings is that I've seen them and a few others teams play. Whether it be in person or on tv I've seen Hill, Edina, Holy Angels, East, Tonka and Centennial play. So I use what I've seen in those games and scores of their games with other teams to do the best job I can comparing. Jefferson is the hardest team to place, in my opinion, not because of their strength of schedule, but because of their lack of common quality opponents. In the end, they could really be anywhere from 1-8 in my opinion, as could a handful of those top teams if they all played the same schedule, played every other top team twice, etc, etc.

[karl(east)]

Eden Prairie:
With the exception of the 2-1 win over Lakeville South, Eden Prairie doesn't have many close games. By just looking at the score, they were in control of all the games they won. While the Edina games are losses, they are both one goal losses, one in OT, and they have more experience playing the better quality teams. You grow more as a player getting beat by a better opponent than beating up on a lesser opponent. One head to head away win by one goal doesn't decide anything during the season. That's my rational.

Holy Angels:
Yes, I do look a lot at SOS. PS2 has them at #7 in the state. All things considered, they have one of the all around toughest non-conference schedules too. They got 2nd in the Schwan Cup to a team who was at the time thought of by everyone as the best team in state. The Minnetonka loss makes things tough, even if they win out, but losing to a quality team away by one goal doesn't make you less of a team in my opinion.

Comparing blowouts isn't a science or anything, it simply implies they have firepower and can stop pucks. They have what I think Little Falls doesn't. Little Falls is winning all their easy games because they are scoring more goals than the other team, not because they are stopping the other team from scoring. Holy Angels would win their easy games with 3 goals, where Little Falls wouldn't.

The bias I bring to my rankings is that I've seen them and a few others teams play. Whether it be in person or on tv I've seen Hill, Edina, Holy Angels, East, Tonka and Centennial play. So I use what I've seen in those games and scores of their games with other teams to do the best job I can comparing. Jefferson is the hardest team to place, in my opinion, not because of their strength of schedule, but because of their lack of common quality opponents. In the end, they could really be anywhere from 1-8 in my opinion, as could a handful of those top teams if they all played the same schedule, played every other top team twice, etc, etc.

I think you can use the same rationale from EP on Jefferson too, though. The only embarrassingly close game they've had was Lakeville North (incidentally, on the same night as EP's close call with South). They probably should have beaten Burnsville the first time and Kennedy by more, but this argument is getting slippery. And I'd add 2-0 over Eagan as an ugly one for EP. They can resolve this argument for us on the 10th, though.

On AHA: Correct me if I'm wrong, Lee, but I believe that PS2 assigns a value for SOS to their outstate opponents, which I personally am not comfortable using to judge them against otherr MN teams. Same thing with SSM, though at least we have a little to compare them to there.
Also, I wasn't overly impressed with their run to the Schwan Cup. If you rank the teams in the cup, other than them:

Centennial
Edina
Tonka
---(bit of a dropoff here)--
Hill (back then...)
STA (could be switched with Hill, maybe)
WBL
Moorhead

They got a rather lucky draw. Also, they tied WBL, and only got through that in a shootout.

We all have the bias in what we've seen. I've only seen East live, and the ones you listed on TV, plus Blaine, BSM, and Wayzata. I wish myfoxhockey would have scheduled one of the Jefferson-EP games.

[theoneandonly1]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

Eden Prairie only beat Burnsville by 2, beating Wayzata, a team you list in your top ten by 1 early in the season is a weak game? The Lakeville North game teams have off games, on that same night EP only beat Lakeville South by 1. Oh and whats wrong with giving your third line a ton of playing time in a game and still winning with ease. Jefferson may not be #1 worthy, but they should be atleast top 3.

[Lakeviewing]

Jefferson, like Little Falls, has no business being number one. They have a cake schedule compared to other top teams. They play a few good team, who they've done well against, but they've done poorly against bottom teams. Beating Burnsville by 2, Wayzata and Lakeville North by only 1 and Kennedy by 4 (possibly taking it easy because they're another Bloomington team) just doesn't cut it in my book.

Jefferson played Wayzata, but that's it. Play Tonka, Hopkins, Edina, Hill. Blaine, Woodbury, Stillwater, Cennential, Benidle to figure it they are real or not.

My top 10

1. Centennial
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Eden Prairie
5. Holy Angels
6. Bloomington Jefferson
7. Duluth East
8. Minnetonka
9. Wayzata
10. Maple Grove

Eden Prairie only beat Burnsville by 2, beating Wayzata, a team you list in your top ten by 1 early in the season is a weak game? The Lakeville North game teams have off games, on that same night EP only beat Lakeville South by 1. Oh and whats wrong with giving your third line a ton of playing time in a game and still winning with ease. Jefferson may not be #1 worthy, but they should be atlest top 3.