Class A rankings (2-16-09)

dueling21 · Post by **dueling21** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:50 am

Here's the latest and greatest...

1. Little Falls (23-0-0)
The Flyers are now the only unbeaten team remaining in the state after winning three relatively easy games last week. But after exploding for goals in bunches, including a 10-2 romp at St. Cloud Tech last Tuesday, Little Falls ran into some tough goaltending in its final two games (a 4-0 win at Prairie Centre and a 5-2 win over River Lakes). Sure, the Flyers still had nine goals in the two games, but had to take 74 and 44 shots to get them. Ben Hanowski’s quest for the all-time state scoring record also slowed down slightly, as he had three goals and eight assists in the three games. He’s now at 53 goals and 48 assists on the season, bringing his career total to 371 points, just seven behind Red Wing’s Johnny Pohl. Barring injury, if he keeps up his pace, Hanowski could surpass the record at home in the regular season finale against Apollo.

This week: Tuesday at Willmar (7pm), Thursday vs. St. Cloud Apollo (7pm).

2. Warroad (22-2-0)
It took a big rally for the Warriors to stay in the No. 2 spot in the rankings. Trailing Grand Forks Central (N.D.) 5-1 after two periods on Tuesday, the Warriors stormed back with five unanswered goals in the final 17 minutes to win 6-5. Brett Hebel (15-34-49) and Brock Nelson (34-21-56) each scored two goals and linemate Dane Shaugabay (18-32-50) added the other and kept up their potent offensive seasons. “They’re good hockey players,” Central coach Tony Bina told the Grand Forks Herald after the game. “If you leave them room to operate, they’re going to bury it on you.” Warroad also clobbered Bemidji (7-2) in a Section 8A tune-up for both teams.

This week: Tuesday vs. Lake of the Woods (7:30pm).

3. St. Thomas Academy (18-4-1)
It’s a big week for the Cadets to show they’re the class of Section 4A – and of the Classic Suburban – as they visit two of the contenders to knock off them off their perch. The games will be a tune-up (and a chance to sort out the section seeding) for the sections, which begin the following week. Speaking of big weeks, St. Thomas Academy romped to two victories by a combined 22-1 score last week over Richfield and Henry Sibley. Christian Isackson (16-32-48) and Matt Kroksa (7-9-16) each had a hat trick, but plenty of Cadets contributed to the routs.

This week: Tuesday at South St. Paul (7:30pm), Friday at Mahtomedi (7:30pm).

4. Breck (19-3-1)
News flash! Breck finally gave up a goal. After posting five straight shutouts in the last two weeks, the Mustangs actually gave up two goals to St. Paul Como, but still won handily, 11-2. For perspective, the Mustangs had allowed more than one goal just once in the previous 14 games. Breck also beat St. Paul Academy (7-0) earlier in the week to cap a five-game stretch in which they outscored their Tri-Metro Conference opponents by a combined 33-0. Check out these goaltending numbers for John Russell (13-3-1, 1.62 GAA, .933 save % and four shutouts) and backup Max McCormick (6-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .946 save % and four shutouts). Breck has allowed just 32 goals in 23 games this season – but will they be ready for the playoffs with a soft conference schedule?

This week: Tuesday at St. Paul Saints (8pm), Saturday vs. Blake (1pm).

5. St. Cloud Cathedral (19-2-1)
In their first game in 10 days, the Crusaders shook off the rust to beat Delano/Rockford (5-2) Friday night. The Tigers actually led 2-0 late in the first period, but two goals each from Jordan Palusky (23-14-37) and Jon Larkin (5-11-16) powered Cathedral to victory and the Wright County Conference title. Even with two league games remaining, no one can catch the Crusaders. Cathedral’s strength is its defense, led by junior University of Minnesota recruit Nate Schmidt (17-21-38), seniors Joe Nessler (5-22-27) and Jon Rowe (3-6-9) and sophomore Bret Schwinghammer. They support junior goalie Nick Maiers (16-2-1, 1.54 GAA, .919 save %) quite well and have helped him to seven shutouts on the season.

This week: Tuesday at Mound-Westonka (7pm), Thursday vs. Waconia (7pm), Saturday vs. Duluth Marshall (1pm).

6. Virginia/MI-B (19-5-0)
Only one game this week for Virginia, but it’s a doozy. The Blue Devils host Iron Range Conference rival Hibbing/Chisholm in our game of the week – and likely the game that decides the top seed in the Section 7A playoffs to follow. Virginia held serve by beating Duluth Marshall 4-3 last Tuesday, keeping the defending section champions from earning the top spot. Now they have to beat the Bluejackets, the same program that beat them earlier this year, in order to pull into a dead heat with Hibbing. It’s not a stretch to say it’s going to take a big game from the high-powered, odd-company line of senior Chris Westin (28-38-66), junior Andrew Judnick (12-21-33) and sophomore Garrett Hendrickson (20-33-53) to lead the way.

This week: Tuesday vs. Hibbing (7:30pm).

7. Hermantown (20-3-0)
After romping over Section 5A and Lake Superior Conference rival Duluth Denfeld (7-0) on Tuesday, the Hawks hit a speed bump Saturday, falling 4-1 way down the road in Red Wing. It was enough to knock them down a few spots in the rankings (and pull the Wingers up a few) and throw more doubt into their state tournament bid. Cody Christopherson (22-18-40) netted the lone Hermantown goal against Red Wing and is tied for the team’s goal-scoring lead with Adam Krause (22-28-50). Hermantown is still dangerous because of its offensive balance, however, as four more players are in double figures in goals: Kurt Peterson (12-20-32), Charlie Comnick (12-12-24), Branden Perrault (12-11-23) and Grant Huttel (13-6-19).

This week: Tuesday vs. Duluth Central (7:30pm), Friday at Hibbing (7:30pm).

8. Thief River Falls (18-4-2)
The Prowlers had the kind of week that makes the teams in Section 8A (Warroad anyone?) stand up and take notice, beating Bemidji (3-1), Roseau (4-3) and Park Rapids (5-0) in succession. They’re a legitimate contender to knock off the Warriors and get to state, particularly if junior goalie Zane Gothberg (17-4-2, 1.46 GAA, .940 save %) continues his stellar play. Against Roseau, he stopped 51-of-54 shots, including 21 in the third period alone. The three goals against were the only time in the last six games that he’s given up more than one. Three of the six games were shutouts (Gothberg split the first one with backup Ryan Sagstuen).

This week: Tuesday vs. East Grand Forks (7:30pm).

9. South St. Paul (16-4-3)
The Packers survived a scare on Valentine’s night, as Corey McGinn (9-12-21) scored 44 seconds into overtime to give them a 4-3 win over North St. Paul and stretch their winning streak to five in a row. It was an odd game, scoreless through two periods before the two teams combined for six goals (three each) in a span of 5:04 midway through the third. North actually outshot South St. Paul, but Adam Wilcox (14-4-3, 2.14 GAA, .917 save %) made 30 saves to get the victory. Wilcox also shut out Simley (5-0) on Thursday night. We may get a preview of the Section 4A finals this Tuesday night as South St. Paul hosts defending state champion St. Thomas Academy.

This week: Tuesday vs. St. Thomas Academy (7:30pm), Thursday vs. Richfield (7:30pm).

10. Alexandria (18-3-1)
Goalie Matt Hemingway (18-3-1, 1.47 GAA, .937 save %) continued his outstanding season by allowing a single goal in two victories last week, as the Cardinals beat Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-0) and Fergus Falls (8-1) in Central Minnesota Conference action. Now in the final week, it’s time to gear up for the Section 6A showdown with top-ranked Little Falls, which appears to be what everyone in the area is expecting. A regular season-ender with Moorhead should be a great test, as the Spuds can roll out depth that not many Class A schools can match.

This week: Tuesday at River Lakes (7:30pm), Thursday vs. Moorhead (7pm).

11. Red Wing (16-7-0)
The Wingers made the biggest jump in the rankings, courtesy of their 4-1 victory against Hermantown on Valentine’s Day. The Wingers took advantage of a penalty-laden Hawks’ club by going 2-for-8 on the power play and outshooting the Hawks 26-23. George Noesen (14-15-29), Mark Giorgi, Patrick Noesen (19-22-41) and Josh Mensing (13-18-31) netted goals for the Wingers. Coach George Nemanich’s club could take another big step up in the eyes of many with big home games this week against New Prague and Hutchinson, two of the other top teams in the Missota. Red Wing hasn’t lost to a Class A team since falling at South St. Paul on Jan. 13.

This week: Tuesday vs. New Prague (7pm), Thursday vs. Hutchinson (6pm).

12. International Falls (16-6-2)
Talk about balance. Eight Broncos have between 10 and 19 goals and a baker’s dozen have at least 12 points, led by Will Corrin (19-20-39) and Jace Baldwin (12-24-36). Glenn Walls (3-1-1, 1.21 GAA, .910 save %) has taken over in nets, at least temporarily, starting each of the last three games since Mike Hart was pulled in the third period against Silver Bay on Feb. 6. Last week, Walls and I-Falls won twice (6-0 over Greenway and 4-1 over Lake of the Woods) and tied (2-all to Grand Rapids). He made 50-of-53 saves in the three games.

This week: Tuesday at Roseau (7:30pm).

13. Hibbing/Chisholm (14-7-1)
The top seed in Section 7A is up for grabs this Tuesday when the Bluejackets travel to Virginia in our game of the week. Hibbing has the leg up courtesy of its 4-2 win on Jan. 17, but Virginia is hot on its heels. Last week, the Bluejackets stumbled in a 2-0 loss to Grand Rapids but recovered to rout Eveleth (8-1). Senior Aaron Jamnick (26-21-47) is the leader on offense and has also netted eight of the team’s amazing 13 shorthanded goals this winter. Hibbing has hitched its wagon to sophomore goalie Nate Tromp (14-7-1, 2.62 GAA, .890 save %).

This week: Tuesday at Virginia (7:30pm), Friday vs. Hermantown (7:30pm).

14. Duluth Marshall (13-8-1)
The Hilltoppers make a couple of trips south this week to face fellow private schools (Cretin on Tuesday and Cathedral on Saturday) who have their sights set on the state tournament, as well. After a rough patch, Marshall has come on recently with the welcoming back of scorer Zach Mausolf. He has six goals in three games since his return, including a hat trick in an 8-5 win against Superior (Wisc.) on Valentine’s Day. He’ll help power up an offense that has averaged 4.1 goals a game, led by Pat Mahoney (12-24-36), Joe Kozlak (12-19-31), Derek Stauber (12-17-29) and Dane Morin (14-7-21).

This week: Tuesday at Cretin-Derham Hall (7pm), Thursday vs. Proctor (7:30pm), Saturday at St. Cloud Cathedral (1pm).

15. New Ulm (18-4-1)
The Eagles stretched their unbeaten streak against in-state foes to 18 games (17-0-1) with three more victories last week, defeating St. Peter (8-1), Litchfield/D-C (3-1) and Dodge County (3-1). Sure, it isn’t the toughest schedule around – and there are those two holiday losses to Superior (Wisc.) and Fort Frances (Ont.) – but the Eagles are a good club deserving of mention in the top-15. Kyle Reinerts (31-30-61) leads the team in scoring and had a big week, netting four goals and four assists in the three games. Goalies Justin Wiggins (12-2-0, 2.06 GAA, .902 save %) and Blake Burgau (6-2-1, 1.86 GAA, .918 save %) allowed just one goal a game in the three games.

This week: Tuesday vs. Waseca (7:30pm), Thursday at Windom Area (7pm).

dherman8 · Post by **dherman8** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:11 am

New Ulm.....Nice.....First I ever heard of them.

Lucia4President · Post by **Lucia4President** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:44 pm

dherman8 wrote:New Ulm.....Nice.....First I ever heard of them.

I think they could give Small Falls a run for their money.

Koolice · Post by **Koolice** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:24 pm

Nice to see a new team in the top 15

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:54 pm

2/15

1. St. Thomas Academy 18-4-1
2. Little Falls 23-0
3. St. Cloud Cathedral 18-2-1
4. Warroad 22-2
5. Breck 19-3-1
6. Hermantown 20-3
7. South St. Paul 16-4-3
8. Thief River Falls 18-4-2
9. Mahtomedi 16-6-1
10. Virginia 18-5
11. Red Wing 16-7
12. Alexandria 19-3-1
13. International Falls 16-6-2
14. Duluth Marshall 13-8-1
15. Totino-Grace 16-6-2
ORV: Rochester Lourdes, Hibbing, Duluth Denfeld, New Prague, Albert Lea

warriors41 · Post by **warriors41** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:29 pm

Duelings rankings looked spot on to me. I didn't notice any differences I would have. Great Job!!

Love4Hockey · Post by **Love4Hockey** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:23 pm

until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A

warriors41 · Post by **warriors41** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:59 am

Love4Hockey wrote:until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A

Amen to that

dherman8 · Post by **dherman8** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:06 pm

Lucia4President wrote:
dherman8 wrote:New Ulm.....Nice.....First I ever heard of them.
I think they could give Small Falls a run for their money.

Haha.

Keep up the good work dueling. You are my Class A Minnesota High School Hockey insider.

GopherHockey · Post by **GopherHockey** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:19 pm

New Ulm 15th c'mon. Lets get serious, they play in that brutal Section 3A, which probably compares to a mediocre PeeWee level.

letsgowild · Post by **letsgowild** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:08 am

GopherHockey your team must not have made the top 15 so your a little crabby. Sorry but thats the way it is!!

DotaDangler · Post by **DotaDangler** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:30 am

GopherHockey wrote:New Ulm 15th c'mon. Lets get serious, they play in that brutal Section 3A, which probably compares to a mediocre PeeWee level.

Hey dont worry, the number one team has only a slightly harder schedule.

GopherHockey · Post by **GopherHockey** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:14 pm

letsgowild wrote:GopherHockey your team must not have made the top 15 so your a little crabby. Sorry but thats the way it is!!

My team is in AA, you stain

hockeykid15 · Post by **hockeykid15** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:23 pm

Love4Hockey wrote:until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A

k honestly little falls plays absolutely noone. they may be in for a rude awakening once they get down to st. paul

DotaDangler · Post by **DotaDangler** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:59 pm

Love4Hockey wrote:until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A

False. Until Little Falls plays and beats some better competition they will not be number one.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:13 pm

Although I don't believe they're #1, I don't think they'll have a "rude awakening" when they get to state. Of the three teams to State Champions played last year, Little Falls played the best. I would think another year of experience would only make them better as they graduated few seniors last year and are mostly seniors this year.

Hopefully they have a chance to prove how good they really are on the winner's side of the bracket.

State-of-Hockey · Post by **State-of-Hockey** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:29 pm

looks like an accurate ranking, but i think hutchinson, mahtomedi, or rochester lourdes should be somewhere in the 11-15 range

GopherHockey · Post by **GopherHockey** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:10 am

State-of-Hockey wrote:looks like an accurate ranking, but i think hutchinson, mahtomedi, or rochester lourdes should be somewhere in the 11-15 range

Hutchinson hahaha, stand up comedian.

scarface · Post by **scarface** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:45 am

Dont agree that TRF and SSP should be rated above Alex when 2 of their losses are to the No 1 ranked team and the other loss is to the No. 5 team. All of their losses were 1 goal games and could have gone either way.

But since we are talking OPINIONS here anything goes.

DotaDangler · Post by **DotaDangler** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:16 pm

scarface wrote:Dont agree that TRF and SSP should be rated above Alex when 2 of their losses are to the No 1 ranked team and the other loss is to the No. 5 team. All of their losses were 1 goal games and could have gone either way.

But since we are talking OPINIONS here anything goes.

True but Alexandria also hasnt beaten anyone good except for Roseau and maybe Tech. SSP has beaten Hill, Mahtomedi twice, Red Wing, and tied woodbury and STA.

beaverhawk · Post by **beaverhawk** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:33 pm

hockeykid15 wrote:
Love4Hockey wrote:until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A
k honestly little falls plays absolutely noone. they may be in for a rude awakening once they get down to st. paul

Look at the Flyers' schedule:

they beat Cathedral (5th on this ranking); Virginia (6th on this ranking)
and Alex twice (10th on this ranking). That would be 4 wins against some
pretty tough competition. If I were a fan of any of these teams I would be
questioning you're "logic" as to who exactly "noone" is....

defense · Post by **defense** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:30 pm

beaverhawk wrote:
hockeykid15 wrote:
Love4Hockey wrote:until someone beats little falls, little falls is the best team in class A
k honestly little falls plays absolutely noone. they may be in for a rude awakening once they get down to st. paul
Look at the Flyers' schedule:

they beat Cathedral (5th on this ranking); Virginia (6th on this ranking)
and Alex twice (10th on this ranking). That would be 4 wins against some
pretty tough competition. If I were a fan of any of these teams I would be
questioning you're "logic" as to who exactly "noone" is....

Not a fan of the Flyers but after I saw them play, I know they are for real.
I would be questioning all night long the logic of these people but it get's old....
Just because they don't play games in the twin cities doesn't mean they don't play tough teams. Outside of the 3 teams in the rankings that they've played and beaten, the Central Lakes Conference is where they play (alex is in the CLC). Although the CLC is not great outside of the top 2 teams (alex and LF), it is NO pushover conference. In the 2003-2004 season when Wadena went undefeated, this "weak schedule" hasn't played anyone" BS DID work because it WAS true(check it out and see) Wadena also wasn't ranked this highly. What the Flyers need to do this year is NOT choke and win a State Championship, not just for themselves, but for the section and conference. It is the only way more people will take notice. They are definitely good enough to win a title this year.

DotaDangler · Post by **DotaDangler** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:04 pm

defense wrote:
Not a fan of the Flyers but after I saw them play, I know they are for real.
I would be questioning all night long the logic of these people but it get's old....
Just because they don't play games in the twin cities doesn't mean they don't play tough teams. Outside of the 3 teams in the rankings that they've played and beaten, the Central Lakes Conference is where they play (alex is in the CLC). Although the CLC is not great outside of the top 2 teams (alex and LF), it is NO pushover conference. In the 2003-2004 season when Wadena went undefeated, this "weak schedule" hasn't played anyone" BS DID work because it WAS true(check it out and see) Wadena also wasn't ranked this highly. What the Flyers need to do this year is NOT choke and win a State Championship, not just for themselves, but for the section and conference. It is the only way more people will take notice. They are definitely good enough to win a title this year.

Little Falls is one of the top teams no doubt, but the CLC is horrible this year.

defense · Post by **defense** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:37 pm

DotaDangler wrote:
defense wrote:
Not a fan of the Flyers but after I saw them play, I know they are for real.
I would be questioning all night long the logic of these people but it get's old....
Just because they don't play games in the twin cities doesn't mean they don't play tough teams. Outside of the 3 teams in the rankings that they've played and beaten, the Central Lakes Conference is where they play (alex is in the CLC). Although the CLC is not great outside of the top 2 teams (alex and LF), it is NO pushover conference. In the 2003-2004 season when Wadena went undefeated, this "weak schedule" hasn't played anyone" BS DID work because it WAS true(check it out and see) Wadena also wasn't ranked this highly. What the Flyers need to do this year is NOT choke and win a State Championship, not just for themselves, but for the section and conference. It is the only way more people will take notice. They are definitely good enough to win a title this year.
Little Falls is one of the top teams no doubt, but the CLC is horrible this year.

I don't think that was the point. Obviously it is down, aside from having the top team in the state as well as Alex, which is something most of the other conferences have, and not much more. My whole problem here is that people make the Central Lakes Conference into a handfull of absolutely nowhere teams that anyone could dominate, wich is simply not true. The Mid-State is that type of conference, as well as the Southwest, Southcentral,Northwest. Honestly, I would put the CLC in the same level with Lake Superior, Wright County,Marriucci..... below some of those and above others. Down this year??? yes. pushover conference?? no