Class A Rankings 1-25-15

[HShockeywatcher]

This week showed us that some teams are not as invincible as their start showed us and likewise that some teams aren't as bad as their start showed us. There wasn't much moving this week and won't be drastic shifts from here on out, but there are definitely important games to be played.

Is there someone you think is a dark horse in their section and I missed? Point them out, let me know.

Enjoy!

1. [1] Hermantown (17-2)
The Hawks are on a 12 game winning streak, with 6 more regular season games and have not lost to a Class A team this season. There is a section opponent who would like to take them down and a bunch who'd like to play them at state, but they should have the top seed at state unless they seriously stumble in the next couple weeks.
This week: Tues vs Virgina, Thurs @ Cloquet, Sat @ Rogers

2. [2] Mahtomedi (17-2-1)
The Zephyrs just shut out Hill-Murray at home and still haven't lost to a Class A team this season. While the tie to Duluth Marshall is what differentiates them from Hermantown on paper, they have a very good shot at playing with them and winning. Can they keep up their winning this Tues in hosting a good Stillwater team?
This week: Tues vs Stillwater, Sat @ Hastings

3. [4] East Grand Forks (15-3)
The Green Wave are playing quality hockey as of late, recently beating by a combined score of 8-2 two teams who earlier beat them by a conbined scored of 7-1. Hermantown is the only team who has beaten East Grand Forks that hasn't also lost to them now. It will be a real toss up between them and the Zephyrs if both teams continue to win.
This week: Tues @ Crookston, Thurs vs Kittson Central, Sat @ Warroad

4. [3] Duluth Marshall (13-3-2)
The Hilltoppers have been struggling as of late, but they have only lost one game to a team not named Hermantown. This week they host a Denfeld team who has been doing very well as of late. They are in a position where rising in the rankings is going to require someone above them to mess up and any losses from here on out will drop them.
This week: Tues @ Cloquet, Thurs vs Duluth Denfeld, Sat @ Eveleth-Gilbert

5. [5] Alexandria (15-2-1)
The Cardinals picked up their first loss of the season and followed that up with another loss on Saturday, both at home. They are in a unique position where they have similar results as the teams below them and still are tied with all ranked teams for the fewest losses. Like Marshall, though, if they stumble again, they will be falling.
This week: Tues @ St Cloud Tech, Thurs vs Brainerd, Fri vs Little Falls

6. [6] Delano (16-3)
The Tigers have been doing nothing but winning recently and it isn't likely to stop with their Wright County schedule. Can they beat Holy Family again to stay undefeated in conference play?
This week: Tues @ Hutichinson, Thurs vs Holy Family

7. [7] Duluth Denfeld (15-5)
The Hunters took their annual trip up north and came away with two 1 goal wins. They play at Mars this week with an opportunity to continue their winning and rise in both section and state standings. Thursday's game will likely decide the 2 seed for section 7A.
This week: Tues vs Eveleth-Gilbert, Thurs @ Duluth Marshall, Fri vs South St Paul

8. [9] Breck (15-6)
The Mustangs had 3 road games this week and won them all, including beating a St Paul Academy team they previously lost to. They are currently on a 6 game winning streak, with 4 shut outs in that time. Their next 3 games are against AA teams, 2 who will likely give them a run for their money. With 4 sections ranked ahead of them, it'll be interesting to see how they are ranked if they make it to state.
This week: Tues vs Rogers, Thurs @ St Michael-Albertville

9. [8] St. Paul Academy (15-3)
The Spartans lost to Breck last week by the same margin they beat Breck by earlier in the season. With losses only to Denfeld, Mahtomedi and Breck, they are sitting right behind two teams who have beaten them at the moment. They will be the favorite to win all their remaining regular season games and will likely be the 2 seed in section 4A.
This week: Tues @ Blake, Thurs @ St Paul Johnson, Sat vs Rochester John Marshall

10. [10] St. Cloud Cathedral [10-8]
The Crusaders have 8 losses this season but 6 of those are to teams ahead of them in the rankings. They still have their only section loss to Alexandria and can only lose the 2 seed in the section. They are a team who wouldn't be surprising to see win in the first round at state but also wouldn't be surprising to see them lose in the semifinals of sections.
This week: Tues @ Little Falls, Fri vs Virginia

11. [11] St Cloud Apollo (13-3-2)
The Eagles have lost 1 game in their last 13 games, allowing 11 goals and shutting out 5 teams in the process. They have one more game they won't be the favorite in this season and that is their next game against a Fergus Falls team they lost to on the road this year.
This week: Tues vs Fergus Falls, Thurs @ St Cloud Tech, Sat vs Virginia

12. [17] Fergus Falls (14-4-3)
The Otters have won their last 4 games, which includes a win in Alexandria, but also have a recent loss to St Cloud Tech as well as other questionable ties and losses. They have already beaten Apollo, so another win on Tuesday would lock up the 3 seed in their section.
This week: Tues @ St Cloud Apollo

13. [12] Thief River Falls (9-9)
The Prowlers have lost their last 3 games, but they were against the 3, 4 and 7 ranked teams. Warroad and Detroit Lakes are their quality wins, but they have played a lot of good teams this season and, while they will likely be the 3 seed in the section, have a good shot at making it to the section final.
This week: Tues @ Lake of the Woods, Thurs vs Crookston

14. [14] Warroad (11-10-1)
The Warriors picked up a quality win over Duluth Marshall last weekend, but that doesn't supersede the 6 losses they have in their last 8 games. After battling injuries this season, how sections goes for them will depend on how healthy they are. They lost to Roseau at home early; can they win on the road?
This week: Tues @ Roseau, Sat vs East Grand Forks

15. [18] Orono (10-8-1)
The Spartans picked up their another notable win of the season over Cathedral, with their first two being shut outs of the two teams ranked directly below them. They will likely be the 3 seed in section 2A with a third chance at Delano. Can they pick up two more home wins this week?
This week: Tues vs New Prague, Fri vs Mound Westonka

16. [13] Detroit Lakes (11-5-2)
The Lakers have some very close games with some good teams this season and have only 4 losses to MN teams, 3 of them by 1 goal. They are the clear favorite in their remaining regular season games and will likely end up with the 4 seed in section 8A. They will likely on a roll going into their game in the quarterfinals; it would be great to see them make it to the finals.
This week: Tues vs Red Lake Falls, Thurs @ Wadena-Deer Creek, Fri vs Greenway

17. [15] Hibbing (9-7-3)
After losing to Denfeld and tying Grand Rapids and Marshall, the Bluejackets have 5 games they should win before playing Hermantown to close out the season. Likely the 3 seed in section 7A, can they beat Duluth Marshall the second time around and compete with Hermantown?
This week: Mon @ Proctor, Thurs @ International Falls

18. [16] Sartell-St. Stephen (11-5-1)
The Sabres have no notable wins and close losses to Apollo and Cathedral. They will likely be the 5 seed in their section and will be playing a couple of the section teams between now and then. Can they prepare to win a few section games?
This week: Tues vs Willmar, Thurs @ Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sat vs Prairie Center

19. [19] New Prague (13-5)
The Trojans haven't done anything special this season, but they still only have 3 losses to Class A team this season and if Cathedral can upset their way to state, the early win over the Crusaders should help for seeding. Continuing to win against their remaining Class A opponents will help them.
This week: Tues @ Orono, Fri vs Litchfield

20. [20] Bloomington Kennedy (12-6)
The Eagles have won their last 9 games but Luverne is their only notable opponent in that time. This week they host a Benilde team who will give them their biggest challenge yet. After this week is 3 more games they will be favored in.
This week: Tues @ Providence Academy, Thurs vs Benilde-St Margarets, Sat @ Bloomington Jefferson


Teams to watch

Crookston (10-8-1)
The Pirates recently beat Warroad but followed that up with a 3 goal loss to Detroit Lakes. They aren't a favorite, but can they surprise someone?
This week: Mon @ Kittson Central, Tues vs East Grand Forks, Thurs @ Thief River Falls

St Paul Johnson (12-5-2)
The Governors tied a lesser Minnehaha Academy team; how will they do against the Spartans on Tuesday?
This week: Tues vs St Paul Academy, Sat vs Providence Academy

Luverne (17-3)
The Cardinals picked up only their third shut out of the season. They play their last home game of the regular season on Tuesday and will close out the season with 4 road games. Can they prepare for a first round win at the X?
This week: Tues vs Worthington, Fri @ New Ulm

Faribault (12-3-1)
The Falcons have played a very interesting schedule this year and while they haven't played the most difficult teams, they are winning games and play in a section they could do well in. They have 9 games left this season and if they can win most of them, they could be a high seed in the section.
This week: Mon @ Northfield, Tues vs Rochester Century, Thurs @ Albert Lea, Sat vs Owatonna

[greenway1969]

Hibbing will be the 4 seed as they were beaten soundly by Denfeld 6-2. So it will be Hermantown, Marshall and Denfeld in the first three spots. That would set up a meeting with Hermantown in the semis.

[urban iceman]

I think Cathedral is too high.

[preferhockey]

I think Cathedral is too high.

Definitely, 8 losses should not be in top ten!

[Shortshift]

I was thinking that also... But those 8 losses are to teams ranked on this post. And if you look at their schedule it might be one of the toughest in class A. Yes a couple are weak section games but it is a very good prep for a section run...

[RRubberbeeskit]

This week showed us that some teams are not as invincible as their start showed us and likewise that some teams aren't as bad as their start showed us. There wasn't much moving this week and won't be drastic shifts from here on out, but there are definitely important games to be played.

Is there someone you think is a dark horse in their section and I missed? Point them out, let me know.

Enjoy!

1. [1] Hermantown (17-2)
The Hawks are on a 12 game winning streak, with 6 more regular season games and have not lost to a Class A team this season. There is a section opponent who would like to take them down and a bunch who'd like to play them at state, but they should have the top seed at state unless they seriously stumble in the next couple weeks.
This week: Tues vs Virgina, Thurs @ Cloquet, Sat @ Rogers

2. [2] Mahtomedi (17-2-1)
The Zephyrs just shut out Hill-Murray at home and still haven't lost to a Class A team this season. While the tie to Duluth Marshall is what differentiates them from Hermantown on paper, they have a very good shot at playing with them and winning. Can they keep up their winning this Tues in hosting a good Stillwater team?
This week: Tues vs Stillwater, Sat @ Hastings

3. [4] East Grand Forks (15-3)
The Green Wave are playing quality hockey as of late, recently beating by a combined score of 8-2 two teams who earlier beat them by a conbined scored of 7-1. Hermantown is the only team who has beaten East Grand Forks that hasn't also lost to them now. It will be a real toss up between them and the Zephyrs if both teams continue to win.
This week: Tues @ Crookston, Thurs vs Kittson Central, Sat @ Warroad

4. [3] Duluth Marshall (13-3-2)
The Hilltoppers have been struggling as of late, but they have only lost one game to a team not named Hermantown. This week they host a Denfeld team who has been doing very well as of late. They are in a position where rising in the rankings is going to require someone above them to mess up and any losses from here on out will drop them.
This week: Tues @ Cloquet, Thurs vs Duluth Denfeld, Sat @ Eveleth-Gilbert

5. [5] Alexandria (15-2-1)
The Cardinals picked up their first loss of the season and followed that up with another loss on Saturday, both at home. They are in a unique position where they have similar results as the teams below them and still are tied with all ranked teams for the fewest losses. Like Marshall, though, if they stumble again, they will be falling.
This week: Tues @ St Cloud Tech, Thurs vs Brainerd, Fri vs Little Falls

6. [6] Delano (16-3)
The Tigers have been doing nothing but winning recently and it isn't likely to stop with their Wright County schedule. Can they beat Holy Family again to stay undefeated in conference play?
This week: Tues @ Hutichinson, Thurs vs Holy Family

7. [7] Duluth Denfeld (15-5)
The Hunters took their annual trip up north and came away with two 1 goal wins. They play at Mars this week with an opportunity to continue their winning and rise in both section and state standings. Thursday's game will likely decide the 2 seed for section 7A.
This week: Tues vs Eveleth-Gilbert, Thurs @ Duluth Marshall, Fri vs South St Paul

8. [9] Breck (15-6)
The Mustangs had 3 road games this week and won them all, including beating a St Paul Academy team they previously lost to. They are currently on a 6 game winning streak, with 4 shut outs in that time. Their next 3 games are against AA teams, 2 who will likely give them a run for their money. With 4 sections ranked ahead of them, it'll be interesting to see how they are ranked if they make it to state.
This week: Tues vs Rogers, Thurs @ St Michael-Albertville

9. [8] St. Paul Academy (15-3)
The Spartans lost to Breck last week by the same margin they beat Breck by earlier in the season. With losses only to Denfeld, Mahtomedi and Breck, they are sitting right behind two teams who have beaten them at the moment. They will be the favorite to win all their remaining regular season games and will likely be the 2 seed in section 4A.
This week: Tues @ Blake, Thurs @ St Paul Johnson, Sat vs Rochester John Marshall

10. [10] St. Cloud Cathedral [10-8]
The Crusaders have 8 losses this season but 6 of those are to teams ahead of them in the rankings. They still have their only section loss to Alexandria and can only lose the 2 seed in the section. They are a team who wouldn't be surprising to see win in the first round at state but also wouldn't be surprising to see them lose in the semifinals of sections.
This week: Tues @ Little Falls, Fri vs Virginia

11. [11] St Cloud Apollo (13-3-2)
The Eagles have lost 1 game in their last 13 games, allowing 11 goals and shutting out 5 teams in the process. They have one more game they won't be the favorite in this season and that is their next game against a Fergus Falls team they lost to on the road this year.
This week: Tues vs Fergus Falls, Thurs @ St Cloud Tech, Sat vs Virginia

12. [17] Fergus Falls (14-4-3)
The Otters have won their last 4 games, which includes a win in Alexandria, but also have a recent loss to St Cloud Tech as well as other questionable ties and losses. They have already beaten Apollo, so another win on Tuesday would lock up the 3 seed in their section.
This week: Tues @ St Cloud Apollo

13. [12] Thief River Falls (9-9)
The Prowlers have lost their last 3 games, but they were against the 3, 4 and 7 ranked teams. Warroad and Detroit Lakes are their quality wins, but they have played a lot of good teams this season and, while they will likely be the 3 seed in the section, have a good shot at making it to the section final.
This week: Tues @ Lake of the Woods, Thurs vs Crookston

14. [14] Warroad (11-10-1)
The Warriors picked up a quality win over Duluth Marshall last weekend, but that doesn't supersede the 6 losses they have in their last 8 games. After battling injuries this season, how sections goes for them will depend on how healthy they are. They lost to Roseau at home early; can they win on the road?
This week: Tues @ Roseau, Sat vs East Grand Forks

15. [18] Orono (10-8-1)
The Spartans picked up their another notable win of the season over Cathedral, with their first two being shut outs of the two teams ranked directly below them. They will likely be the 3 seed in section 2A with a third chance at Delano. Can they pick up two more home wins this week?
This week: Tues vs New Prague, Fri vs Mound Westonka

16. [13] Detroit Lakes (11-5-2)
The Lakers have some very close games with some good teams this season and have only 4 losses to MN teams, 3 of them by 1 goal. They are the clear favorite in their remaining regular season games and will likely end up with the 4 seed in section 8A. They will likely on a roll going into their game in the quarterfinals; it would be great to see them make it to the finals.
This week: Tues vs Red Lake Falls, Thurs @ Wadena-Deer Creek, Fri vs Greenway

17. [15] Hibbing (9-7-3)
After losing to Denfeld and tying Grand Rapids and Marshall, the Bluejackets have 5 games they should win before playing Hermantown to close out the season. Likely the 3 seed in section 7A, can they beat Duluth Marshall the second time around and compete with Hermantown?
This week: Mon @ Proctor, Thurs @ International Falls

18. [16] Sartell-St. Stephen (11-5-1)
The Sabres have no notable wins and close losses to Apollo and Cathedral. They will likely be the 5 seed in their section and will be playing a couple of the section teams between now and then. Can they prepare to win a few section games?
This week: Tues vs Willmar, Thurs @ Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sat vs Prairie Center

19. [19] New Prague (13-5)
The Trojans haven't done anything special this season, but they still only have 3 losses to Class A team this season and if Cathedral can upset their way to state, the early win over the Crusaders should help for seeding. Continuing to win against their remaining Class A opponents will help them.
This week: Tues @ Orono, Fri vs Litchfield



20. [20] Bloomington Kennedy (12-6)
The Eagles have won their last 9 games but Luverne is their only notable opponent in that time. This week they host a Benilde team who will give them their biggest challenge yet. After this week is 3 more games they will be favored in.
This week: Tues @ Providence Academy, Thurs vs Benilde-St Margarets, Sat @ Bloomington Jefferson


Teams to watch

Crookston (10-8-1)
The Pirates recently beat Warroad but followed that up with a 3 goal loss to Detroit Lakes. They aren't a favorite, but can they surprise someone?
This week: Mon @ Kittson Central, Tues vs East Grand Forks, Thurs @ Thief River Falls

St Paul Johnson (12-5-2)
The Governors tied a lesser Minnehaha Academy team; how will they do against the Spartans on Tuesday?
This week: Tues vs St Paul Academy, Sat vs Providence Academy

Luverne (17-3)
The Cardinals picked up only their third shut out of the season. They play their last home game of the regular season on Tuesday and will close out the season with 4 road games. Can they prepare for a first round win at the X?
This week: Tues vs Worthington, Fri @ New Ulm

Faribault (12-3-1)
The Falcons have played a very interesting schedule this year and while they haven't played the most difficult teams, they are winning games and play in a section they could do well in. They have 9 games left this season and if they can win most of them, they could be a high seed in the section.
This week: Mon @ Northfield, Tues vs Rochester Century, Thurs @ Albert Lea, Sat vs Owatonna

Hey where's HSHW we miss your top 20 man. Look forward to you minus the wining criticizm from OLE 3A. Rack em and stack em. Your stacks are nice.

[pats12]

Little Falls is more than likely moving into the top 10 next week.

[rainier]

Little Falls is more than likely moving into the top 10 next week.

No dice, Cheech.

LF is terrible.

[pats12]

Little Falls is more than likely moving into the top 10 next week.

No dice, Cheech.

LF is terrible.

Anyone that beats SCC is worthy of a top 10 spot.

[rainier]

Little Falls is more than likely moving into the top 10 next week.

No dice, Cheech.

LF is terrible.

Anyone that beats SCC is worthy of a top 10 spot.

Wrong answer. LF is not top 20 worthy much less top 10. They lost 9-0 to Hibbing, a team that struggles to stay in the top 15.

Lindbergh may not like it, but the the Flyers aren't miles within the top 20.

[redwhiteandblue]

After Cathedral's loss to Little Falls I would think they would drop down below 15. You can't justify them any higher with NO quality wins.

[HShockeywatcher]

After Cathedral's loss to Little Falls I would think they would drop down below 15. You can't justify them any higher with NO quality wins.

They will drop, yes. My guess is the folks in at Apollo, Warroad, Denfeld and Fergus Falls would have issue with your statement.

It is interesting that they got shut out 3-0 by a Little Falls team they previously shut out 6-0. Anyone know what's going on there?

[RRubberbeeskit]

After Cathedral's loss to Little Falls I would think they would drop down below 15. You can't justify them any higher with NO quality wins.

They will drop, yes. My guess is the folks in at Apollo, Warroad, Denfeld and Fergus Falls would have issue with your statement.

It is interesting that they got shut out 3-0 by a Little Falls team they previously shut out 6-0. Anyone know what's going on there?

HSHW: My .02$ says they ran into a hot goalie vs The Flyers as per the box stats.
In looking at the results around the state, this past Thurs was an evening of many OT games and closely contested games. It appears as though many teams have improved significantly and others have dropped off and may have peaked. To name a few The Hawks vs CEC, the Cardinals vs Brainerd, Sauk vs Sartell. It looks like the Lumberjacks are back on track also. The mighty Otters are playing some fine hockey right now and are focused on making a solid run to the X however many of the above teams are solid Sec 6A contenders and will put up a sound battle.
The fun is only going to get better. GO OTTERS!

[HShockeywatcher]

Warroad has a 26 game schedule; anyone know how that happened?
Any one else in a weird situation like that?

[mn miracle man]

Warroad has a 26 game schedule; anyone know how that happened?
Any one else in a weird situation like that?

Kittson Central was hurting for scheduling a full slate so the MSHSL stepped in and said any team willing to add them could play a "bonus" 26th game. I believe Warroad, EGF, and TRF are among those that added the extra game after this came out.

[HShockeywatcher]

Warroad has a 26 game schedule; anyone know how that happened?
Any one else in a weird situation like that?

Kittson Central was hurting for scheduling a full slate so the MSHSL stepped in and said any team willing to add them could play a "bonus" 26th game. I believe Warroad, EGF, and TRF are among those that added the extra game after this came out.

That is quite cool. Kittson has has a full 25 game schedule; it's great the MSHSL allows that.