Rankings - Regular Season

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:49 pm

November 13, 2013

Class AA
1 BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S
2 Minnetonka
3 Hill-Murray
4 Eden Prairie
5 Edina
6 Hopkins
7 Wayzata
8 Lakeville North
9 Mounds View
10 Buffalo
11 Andover
12 Roseville Area
13 North Wright County
14 Cretin-Derham Hall
15 Armstrong/Cooper
16 Blaine
17 Dodge County
18 Lakeville South
19 Eagan
20 Irondale

Class A
1 WARROAD
2 Blake
3 Red Wing
4 Breck
5 South St. Paul
6 Thief River Falls
7 Orono
8 Mound Westonka
9 Proctor/Hermantown
10 Hibbing/Chisholm
11 St. Paul United
12 Mankato East/Loyola
13 Achiever Academy
14 Totino-Grace
15 Alexandria
16 East Grand Forks
17 New Prague
18 Northfield
19 Crookston
20 Princeton

DmanDad1980 · Post by **DmanDad1980** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:38 am

Hummm...

Some thoughts on looking at this very early...

- No Burnsville in Top 20

, after nice early start to season... I guess we shall see tonight.

- Achiever Academy is way too low at #13 in A

- Dodge County will end the season with a higher rank than both Lakeville schools this year... One goal away from State (1AA) last year... Stronger this year...

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 11:41 am

Dman, can't disagree with much, although not sure about Lakeville North ending below Dodge. With I think most everyone back and plenty of motivation, LN they lost to a re-tooled Tonka team by 2. Yes, lots of penalties and both goals PP, but Tonka was a bit timid after the early 2-0 lead. Maybe LN only plays really well when they face Tonka at State? So maybe I just convinced myself that LN won't be as highly ranked as Dodge by season's end. Burnsville does have a nice first line, but we'll see how they fare against Tonka's D and G tonight. Agree AA will likely move up the ranks, whether people like it or not.

It will be interesting to see how much SoS comes into effect. I assume we'll see some KRACH rankings soon, but with BSM's easy schedule, they'll likely remain at the top, but we also all recall the MV debabcle from last season. That's why they have the rankings, right, so people like us can debate them. Have fun, folks.

blondegirlsdad · Post by **blondegirlsdad** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:54 pm

BSM has an easy schedule?

Well, what we were told is that Tonka didn't want to play BSM... Maybe in the EP tourney...

But BSM plays almost 75% of the ranked AA teams, and 3 of the ranked A teams. There are a couple games in the conference against teams still establishing themselves, but I wouldn't call it an easy schedule.

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:52 pm

I should say relatively easy (considering their conference) and certainly easier than any team in the Lake conference. I suppose I relied on last year's SoS, somewhat, too. Certainly not "Moundsview easy", though, I will grant your that. Also, I think Tonka has fared quite well playing BSM the past 3 seasons, perhaps losing some meaningless regular-season games, but winning every game that truly mattered.

Nimrod · Post by **Nimrod** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:00 pm

I would be interested in knowing why Tonka wouldn't play BSM this year? I realize they aren't looking to make their schedule any harder but I think hiding was a bad idea. Their coach has shown an ability to adapt and learn from the regular season losses to BSM and pull out some very tight games in sections when it really counted. Tonka may have out smarted themselves this time.

DmanDad1980 · Post by **DmanDad1980** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:30 pm

I may have overlooked Wayzata's nice start to the season as well. They have pounded some teams early... It looks like they can put the puck in the net very well. They will look to move up from #7 soon...

It's very fun to have hockey back again. Should be enjoyed again...

And once the boys start, double the fun!

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:28 pm

DmanDad1980 wrote:Hummm...

Some thoughts on looking at this very early...

- No Burnsville in Top 20 , after nice early start to season... I guess we shall see tonight.

Looks like Burnsville gave Tonka all they wanted. They forced the Skippers to come from behind and score the last three goals of the game in the 3rd period to get a 5-3 win. Shots on goal favored Tonka 28-22, but the Blaze was clearly in this one until the end.

http://www.mngirlshockeyhub.com/game/sh ... rer=982399

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 11:32 pm

Yep, and Tonka EN'er at the end.

36Guy · Post by **36Guy** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:05 am

MNHockeyFan wrote:
DmanDad1980 wrote:Hummm...

Some thoughts on looking at this very early...

- No Burnsville in Top 20 , after nice early start to season... I guess we shall see tonight.
Looks like Burnsville gave Tonka all they wanted. They forced the Skippers to come from behind and score the last three goals of the game in the 3rd period to get a 5-3 win. Shots on goal favored Tonka 28-22, but the Blaze was clearly in this one until the end.

http://www.mngirlshockeyhub.com/game/sh ... rer=982399

I attended this game and I would agree with everyone that Burnsville has stepped it up quite a bit this year and would be in my top twenty, they have some girls that control the puck well and seemed to have a plan and were coached well. Their power play was executed very well!!

I would caution on a few things...first, evaluating a game from a score sheet and stats is not always indicative of how the game progressed.
In addition, posturing for top 20 votes after wins over Hastings and Rosemount is probably...well....jumping the gun a bit. And last, since when does keeping a game close anoint a team. Tonka may win a lot of games or lose a lot of games but I can assure you most games will be close.

As far as rankings go...who knows? Tonka wins it 3 years in a row and is not ranked first the following year, even before they lose one game?? I understand it is a new year, but from what I understand, it is a new year for everybody.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:29 am

36Guy wrote:As far as rankings go...who knows? Tonka wins it 3 years in a row and is not ranked first the following year, even before they lose one game?? I understand it is a new year, but from what I understand, it is a new year for everybody.

I agree that Tonka should be ranked No. 1 until they stumble. And even then they might still deserve the top spot if others just behind them also stumble.

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:04 pm

I think Tonka has been quite content to be ranked #1 at season's end, no matter what mid-season rankings looked like. They've had a target on their back for 3+ straight years. A bit odd that BSM started the year ranked #1, since it's normally an automatic rollover until the #1 team loses, but I don't think Tonka is losing sleep over it. Only February matters.

AAA Dad · Post by **AAA Dad** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 1:01 am

sinbin wrote:I think Tonka has been quite content to be ranked #1 at season's end, no matter what mid-season rankings looked like. They've had a target on their back for 3+ straight years. A bit odd that BSM started the year ranked #1, since it's normally an automatic rollover until the #1 team loses, but I don't think Tonka is losing sleep over it. Only February matters.

Totally agree Sinbin

Who gets worked up about early rankings and why?? Ego related issues?? I love that my squad is underranked and unloved!! The cream will rise to the top! Let the girls do the talking on the ice!!

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:20 am

I don't want to be a buzzkill, because for almost all teams, it really is or would be "very cool" (not sure if this is a phrase the girls still use in this day and age) for them to be ranked #1 at any point in the season, particularly those who start ranked lower and work their way up. So they can always say "I was ranked #1 in state at one point in my life". And, I hope that would inspire most girls and make them even hungrier to keep that ranking. Much cooler, though, to say you won one or more state championships.

luckyEPDad · Post by **luckyEPDad** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:06 pm

sinbin wrote:I don't want to be a buzzkill, because for almost all teams, it really is or would be "very cool" (not sure if this is a phrase the girls still use in this day and age) for them to be ranked #1 at any point in the season, particularly those who start ranked lower and work their way up. So they can always say "I was ranked #1 in state at one point in my life". And, I hope that would inspire most girls and make them even hungrier to keep that ranking. Much cooler, though, to say you won one or more state championships.

It would be "sick" or "so sick" to be ranked #1.

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:06 pm

Not "phat"? OK, I think I got it, as in "that dangle by Jenny was so sick"

allhoc11 · Post by **allhoc11** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:22 pm

sinbin wrote:Not "phat"? OK, I think I got it, as in "that dangle by Jenny was so sick"

Not usually the grammar police, however if you are going to try to get the lingo correct, I believe it is "sic", come on let's get it right.

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 4:54 pm

The older I get, the more I realize I have to learn . . .

Nimrod · Post by **Nimrod** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:02 am

sinbin wrote:I think Tonka has been quite content to be ranked #1 at season's end, no matter what mid-season rankings looked like. They've had a target on their back for 3+ straight years. A bit odd that BSM started the year ranked #1, since it's normally an automatic rollover until the #1 team loses, but I don't think Tonka is losing sleep over it. Only February matters.

I agree that Tonka has earned the right to be No. 1 coming into the season after 3 consecutive state championships. I would have given them that if for no other reason than they have earned and are owed that much respect. I suppose if people are putting more thought into it than what has happened in the past, its easy to justify not doing that after losing 4 or 5 D 1 players to graduation but still, they will be in the hunt until the end. What matters anyway is where you are ranked at the end of the season. They will lose some regular season games but when the chips are down i wouldn't bet against them.

SECoach · Post by **SECoach** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 2:40 am

How does a team earn number 1 in 2013-2014 by winning it in 2012-2013? If you lose something valuable you might not be number 1 anymore. By winning in 2012-2013, you earn being number 1 in that year, and nothing more.

AAA Dad · Post by **AAA Dad** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:16 pm

SECoach wrote:How does a team earn number 1 in 2013-2014 by winning it in 2012-2013? If you lose something valuable you might not be number 1 anymore. By winning in 2012-2013, you earn being number 1 in that year, and nothing more.

Amen SE

allhoc11 · Post by **allhoc11** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:09 pm

SECoach wrote:How does a team earn number 1 in 2013-2014 by winning it in 2012-2013? If you lose something valuable you might not be number 1 anymore. By winning in 2012-2013, you earn being number 1 in that year, and nothing more.

In most years that championship team gets the pre-season nod as the number #1 team, but after that you have to evaluate the teams/talent on the ice. While Tonka is still a solid club, they are not the #1 team in the state anymore.

MNHockeyFan · Post by **MNHockeyFan** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:48 pm

allhoc11 wrote:In most years that championship team gets the pre-season nod as the number #1 team, but after that you have to evaluate the teams/talent on the ice.

Agree 100%, and especially true when you're talking about the three-time defending state champs.

allhoc11 wrote:While Tonka is still a solid club, they are not the #1 team in the state anymore.

On paper, maybe, but someone has to beat them first.

Slap Shot · Post by **Slap Shot** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:59 pm

allhoc11 wrote:While Tonka is still a solid club, they are not the #1 team in the state anymore.

Who knows what will happen, but defending champs at 5-0 with 4.4 GF vs 1.4 GA...

sinbin · Post by **sinbin** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:21 am

Interesting to see what the BSM/Wayzata tie will do to the rankings.