Class A Rankings 2-7-2016

[HShockeywatcher]

Unlike in AA where there are multiple games between ranked teams and there's virtually never a week without an upset, Class A features many games with unranked teams and fewer upsets on a weekly basis. There was one move last week and the only change this week is adding an extra team in a tie at the last spot. The last week of the season has a handful of games with the possibility of stirring things up this week.
How much change will there be for next week?

1. [1] Hermantown (19-2-1) [10-0]
The Hawks won their one game this week. As good as they've been this season, their last game of the season will likely determine the top section seed. Can they win 2 at home this week?
Tues 2/9 vs Superior, Thurs 2/11 vs Hibbing

2. [2] Breck (20-3) [13-0]
The Mustangs have locked up the top seed in the section and will likely ride easily to the section final, but they have one more big test before then this week on the road.
Tues 2/9 @ Mahtomedi, Sat 2/13 @ Blake

3. [3] St Cloud Apollo (21-2) [20-1]
The Eagles had a stretch of 8 shut outs in 10 games but have allowed just over 2 GA per game over the last 6 games. There are two more games before sections, can they get another shut out this week?
Tues 2/9 @ Hutchinson, Thurs 2/11 @ River Lakes

4. [4] Mahtomedi (14-6-2) [6-1]
The Zephyrs got another conference tie and dispelled any doubts there might have been about being the top seed in sections by shutting out Totino. Tuesday's game has state tournament implications as well as the possibility of moving up for next week's rankings.
Tues 2/9 vs Breck, Thurs 2/11 vs Simley, Sat 2/13 vs Holy Angels

5. [5] Hibbing (21-2) [16-1]
The Bluejackets won the second battle with Greenway. This week they host a Virginia team they beat by 1 on the road then go on the road for the opportunity to earn the top seed for sections. Can they win two more this week?
Tues vs Virginia, Thurs @ Hermantown

6. [6] Thief River Falls (18-5) [13-3]
The Prowlers got two shut outs this week. Can they keep that going and win in East Grand Forks and in Bemidji?
Tues 2/9 @ East Grand Forks, Fri 2/12 @ Bemidji

7. [7] Delano (16-6) [13-2]
The Tigers have three more conference games this week before sections.
Mon 2/8 vs Waconia, Tues 2/9 @Orono, Fri 2/12 vs Mound-Westonka

8. [8] St Cloud Cathedral (17-6) [16-6]
The Crusaders played their first AA opponent of the season and got a win. Can they get two more going into sections?
Tues 2/9 @ Monticello, Thurs 2/11 @ Holy Family

9. [9] Blake (13-10) [9-6]
The Bears have been surging to end the season but they'll have two tough games this week. They beat SPA the first time around; can they put up a better fight against Breck to close the season?
Tues 2/9 vs St Paul Academy, Sat 2/13 vs Breck

10. [10] St Paul Academy (16-5) [12-5]
The Spartans have more games this week than any other Class A team. They lost to Blake the first time around, but all of their games this week are winable.
Tues 2/9 @ Blake, Thurs 2/11 vs Holy Angels, Fri 2/12 @ South St Paul, Sat 2/13 vs Providence Academy

11. [11] Greenway (20-4) [19-4]
The Raiders lost the second game against Hibbing but won their two follow up games. They have one game this week before sections starts.
Thurs 2/11 @ Northern Lakes

12. [12] East Grand Forks (13-9-2) [12-4]
The Green Wave lost and tied this week but neither to Class A teams. They have at least a 2 seed after beating Warroad twice and got shut out by TRF the first time around; can they do better the second time around?
Tues 2/9 vs Thief River Falls

13. [13] Warroad (9-15) [6-9]
The Warriors recently lost a close one to TRF on the road and now to EGF on the road. They will have to beat both teams consecutively but they won't go down easy.
Tues 2/9 vs Lake of the Woods

14. [14] Duluth Denfeld (11-11-1) [8-6]
The Hunters have a game to not overlook this week followed by two AA games next week to prepare them for sections.
Tues 2/9 vs Duluth Marshall, Fri 2/12 vs Grand Rapids

15. [15] Little Falls (16-6-1) [13-6-1]
The Fliers lost to Cathedral but scored 4 in the process. Tuesday's game has huge section implications as a win probably puts them in the 3 seed while a loss, along with the recent Alexandria loss could be reason for them to be 5.
Tues 2/9 vs Sartell-St Stephen, Thurs vs Detroit Lakes

15. [-] New Prague (9-13-1) [8-8-1]
Despite the record, the Trojans have played some close games with good teams and have recent wins over Luverne and Litchfield.
Tues 2/9 vs Mound Westonka, Fri 2/12 @ Hutchinson

[bardown27]

I dont see why the early losses for New Prague against Lourdes and West have any implications on seeding, sine they aren't in the same section.

[elliott70]

15. [-] New Prague (9-13-1) [8-8-1]
Despite the record, the Trojans have played some close games with good teams and have recent wins over Luverne and Litchfield. With early close losses to West and Lourdes, it'll be interesting to see who gets the top seed but it wouldn't be surprising to see them at the X.
Tues 2/9 vs Mound Westonka, Fri 2/12 @ Hutchinson

It would not be a surprise. It would be a shock.
It will be a surprise, maybe not a big one, to see them in section semis.

[HShockeywatcher]

I dont see why the early losses for New Prague against Lourdes and West have any implications on seeding, sine they aren't in the same section.

You are right, New Prague is no longer in section 1A. Well, they won't matter then.
They're 0-1-1 to Orono, 0-2 to Delano and 0-1 to Blake and I would not expect to see them at state

[hockeyguy272]

So Breck and Maht end in a 4-4 stalemate . . . What does this mean for rankings and possible state seedings? I would think IF Maht Breck and Apollo all make it to the Tournament Maht should get the 3 seed over Apollo due to a better finish over Breck and sos, with Hermantown and Breck being the 1 and 2 seeds

[elliott70]

So Breck and Maht end in a 4-4 stalemate . . . What does this mean for rankings and possible state seedings? I would think IF Maht Breck and Apollo all make it to the Tournament Maht should get the 3 seed over Apollo due to a better finish over Breck and sos, with Hermantown and Breck being the 1 and 2 seeds

I don't think the coaches are going to give much credence to this.
Apollo has a better record, losses are to good teams (Bemidji and Breck in OT).
I think it depends entirely on what teams qualify and what their coached thought process is (that is, who they played).