Polls and Rankings

[State Champ 97]

That looks a lot better, yet I still don't get moving Irondale up, nor Andover moving in. Last I recall, both teams are 1 or 2 player teams, is there no team more note worthy?

I agree but I still think Edina is too high. I would put them around 5. As far as your comment on Irondale and Andover, its early but I think teams such as Maple Grove, Burnsville, Eastview, Hastings, and Lakeville South might be candidates for the Top 20 in the future. Bemidji was pretty good last year. I haven't seen them play. Does anyone know how they look this year? I see that their only loss was to a strong Roseau team 5-3.

Andover, Irondale, and Centennial all appear to be in this poll still based on what the voters hope they are rather than their performance so far. Andover had a nice win against Anoka, and so they may be turning a corner, but you have to consider their losses and the opponents. These teams have been talked up over the summer, so it is logical that it sticks. It's real early to worry too much about the rankings.

Your question about Bemidji is a good one. I went and looked at their roster. 12 seniors on that team. Their only wins so far are against weaker opponents. Looking at their schedule, they will not play alot of top teams, so it will be somewhat difficult to gauge them as well. Looks like there troubles were in the D end of the ice last year and there does not look like a lot of new names on that end.

Don't play a lot of top teams?
#1 A Roseau twice(beat #15 AA Holy Angels and #6 AA Minnetonka),
#3 A Warroad twice(beat #15 AA Holy Angels and #6 AA Minnetonka),
#7 AA Grand Rapids twice,
#17 AA Cloquet,
Elk River (defending section 8 AA Champ)
Moorhead twice(usually strong and always competitive)
#6 A and Defending state champ Alexandria,
#5A Crookston (and its Crookston/Red Lake Falls not Red Lake, Big difference).
#9 A Hibbing/Chisolm
The one trip to the metro is in #20 AA Andover for a Christmas Tournment along with Anoka and Eagan.
Bemidji doesn't play teams from the cities a lot due to location and most of the coaching staff's preference so I guess that makes them not as good. Is that your logic?
Yeah they have some cupcakes on the schedule because the girls' hockey team is in the Greater MN Conf. which has a couple of weak teams as well as a couple of weak section 8AA teams they have to play. The problem is, Bemidji is forced to play a bunch of blow out games vs Central Lakes Conf. teams due to... lord knows why.
I am not arguing Bemidji's schedule could be tougher. Get rid of some of these "mandatory" games that are non conference and non-section and bring on some more of the "ranked" teams. I would love to see them play P/H/M, or Duluth but the schedule gets filled up with weak teams because they are conf. or section teams. As well as some non-conference weak teams because A) the boys play them or B) Some other sport plays in that conference so those are conference rules.
I do know for a fact that most of the coaching staff do not like running down to the metro for a game when there are quality teams to play a whole lot shorter distance away.
Chickendance, I believe you are from Bemidji. If so you have a pretty good idea who I am. Lets discuss this face to face over a favorite beverage instead of on some message board.

[hockeygroupie]

Let's Play Hockey Ranking
November 26, 2008

AA
11/26-11/20 Ranks

1/1 EDINA 2-0-0
2/3 Roseville 3-0-0
3/4 Hopkins 3-0-0 (have outscored opponents 26-3)
4/2 Stillwater - 3-1-0 Down 2 (lost head to head 4-2 to HM)
5/8 Hill-Murray - 2-0 Up Three
6/5 Minnetonka - 2-2-0 (have scored 8 and given up
7/6 Grand Rapids/Greenway 2-1-0
8/7 Centennial 1-2-0 (have given up 14 goals and scored
9/9 White Bear Lake 2-2-0 (socred 11 and given up 11)
10/14 Irondale - 2-1-0 Up 4
11/15 Proctor/Hermantown - 3-0-0 Up 4 (beat Irondale 7-2)
12/12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13/13 Blaine 1-1-0
14/19 Eagan - 4-1-0 Up 5! (have socred 23 and given up
15/11 Holy Angels - Down 4
16/16 Duluth
17/18 Cloquet
18/20 Wayzata - Up 2
19/10 Eden Prairie
20 Andover - NEW 1-3-0


A
1 ROSEAU
2 Blake
3 Warroad
4 Breck
5 Crookston/Red Lake
6 Alexandria
7 Mankato West
8 South St. Paul
9 Hibbing/Chisholm
10 Mound Westonka
11 Hutchinson
12 Henry Sibley
13 Totino-Grace
14 East Grand Forks
15 New Prague
16 Eveleth-Gilbert
17 Fergus Falls
18 Visitation/SPA United
19 Northfield
20 Faribault

Are you kidding me? New Prague even rated...they haven't won a game yet 0-4 I believe, and they have only scored 1 goal it was against Northfield and they are rated below then! Are these rankers even in the STATE? Not sure if I can ever pick up a copy of this newspaper (LPH)again...

[hockeygroupie]

Is anyone else having trouble getting on the MN girls hockey coaching association website> www.mghca.com
I got on this am but can't now...anyone else having problems?

[Melvin44]

Let's Play Hockey Ranking
November 26, 2008

AA
11/26-11/20 Ranks

1/1 EDINA 2-0-0
2/3 Roseville 3-0-0
3/4 Hopkins 3-0-0 (have outscored opponents 26-3)
4/2 Stillwater - 3-1-0 Down 2 (lost head to head 4-2 to HM)
5/8 Hill-Murray - 2-0 Up Three
6/5 Minnetonka - 2-2-0 (have scored 8 and given up
7/6 Grand Rapids/Greenway 2-1-0
8/7 Centennial 1-2-0 (have given up 14 goals and scored
9/9 White Bear Lake 2-2-0 (socred 11 and given up 11)
10/14 Irondale - 2-1-0 Up 4
11/15 Proctor/Hermantown - 3-0-0 Up 4 (beat Irondale 7-2)
12/12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13/13 Blaine 1-1-0
14/19 Eagan - 4-1-0 Up 5! (have socred 23 and given up
15/11 Holy Angels - Down 4
16/16 Duluth
17/18 Cloquet
18/20 Wayzata - Up 2
19/10 Eden Prairie
20 Andover - NEW 1-3-0


A
1 ROSEAU
2 Blake
3 Warroad
4 Breck
5 Crookston/Red Lake
6 Alexandria
7 Mankato West
8 South St. Paul
9 Hibbing/Chisholm
10 Mound Westonka
11 Hutchinson
12 Henry Sibley
13 Totino-Grace
14 East Grand Forks
15 New Prague
16 Eveleth-Gilbert
17 Fergus Falls
18 Visitation/SPA United
19 Northfield
20 Faribault

Not bad, but how does HM not move up above Stillwater. I still like Hopkins #1, Roseville #2, HM #3, Centennial will be better and I believe worthy of top 10.

My WBL squad is fortunate to be at #9. Let me just say penalties are a problem 7 against HM, 11 against GRG, 7 against Hibbing, and yes 16 against Forest Lake (Must be the refs )Coach is working on it. Hope he can fix it.

[chickendance]

State Champ,

Sorry to have offended you. If you did know me, you would know I support northern hockey and girls hockey religiously. You would not be so offended by my comment, if you knew me. But, that is the problem with a forum, it's just text on a page and no context.

But, I certainly will not pass up sharing a beverage.

Lesson learned...again sorry.

[MNHockeyFan]

Not bad, but how does HM not move up above Stillwater. I still like Hopkins #1, Roseville #2, HM #3, Centennial will be better and I believe worthy of top 10.

I agree that Hill Murray should be ranked ahead of Stillwater. Not only did they beat them but they outshot them, and from what I've heard they outplayed them after the first few minutes.

I can't agree with you yet, however, in your ranking of Hopkins as No. 1. If they manage to beat Roseville on Friday, then they obviously deserve to move up to No. 2, and maybe move to No. 1 if Edina loses either of their two challenging games this weekend.

Right now, depending on what happens, there are at least four teams that could take over the No. 1 AA ranking by next Thursday. After EP's dominance last year, this is getting very interesting!

[joehockey]

I think this will all come up to speed and fall in line over the next 10 days - we will tell a lot more by EOD 12/6.

- Irondale is still a dangerous team don't forget against Proctor they had five players gone - including gunners Gina McDonald, Ashley Bye & two key D.
- If Edina is still undefeated by 10 PM next Tuesday they are good.
- Andover, Eden Prairie....might fight to stay in top 20.
- Centennial is probably a top 20 but maybe not top 10.

[joehockey]

The Associated Press
Updated: 11/26/2008 09:15:24 AM CST

This week's Associated Press poll for Minnesota girls' high school hockey, provided by Let's Play Hockey newspaper. First-place votes are in parentheses.

Class 2A
1. Edina (6)
2. Roseville
3. Hopkins (1)
4. Stillwater
5. Hill-Murray
6. Minnetonka
7. Grand Rapids/Greenway
8. Centennial
9. White Bear Lake
10. Irondale
11. Proctor/Hermantown/Marshall School
12. Benilde-St. Margaret's
13. Blaine
14. Eagan
15. Holy Angels

Class 1A
1. Roseau (6)
2. Blake (1)
3. Warroad
4. Breck
5. Crookston/Red Lake Falls
6. Alexandria
7. Mankato West
8. South St. Paul
9. Hibbing/Chisholm
10. Mound Westonka
11. Hutchinson
12. Henry Sibley
13. Totino-Grace
14. East Grand Forks
15. New Prague

[northshore guy]

Let's Play Hockey Ranking
November 26, 2008

AA
11/26-11/20 Ranks

1/1 EDINA 2-0-0
2/3 Roseville 3-0-0
3/4 Hopkins 3-0-0 (have outscored opponents 26-3)
4/2 Stillwater - 3-1-0 Down 2 (lost head to head 4-2 to HM)
5/8 Hill-Murray - 2-0 Up Three
6/5 Minnetonka - 2-2-0 (have scored 8 and given up
7/6 Grand Rapids/Greenway 2-1-0
8/7 Centennial 1-2-0 (have given up 14 goals and scored
9/9 White Bear Lake 2-2-0 (socred 11 and given up 11)
10/14 Irondale - 2-1-0 Up 4
11/15 Proctor/Hermantown - 3-0-0 Up 4 (beat Irondale 7-2)
12/12 Benilde-St. Margaret’s
13/13 Blaine 1-1-0
14/19 Eagan - 4-1-0 Up 5! (have socred 23 and given up
15/11 Holy Angels - Down 4
16/16 Duluth
17/18 Cloquet
18/20 Wayzata - Up 2
19/10 Eden Prairie
20 Andover - NEW 1-3-0


A
1 ROSEAU
2 Blake
3 Warroad
4 Breck
5 Crookston/Red Lake
6 Alexandria
7 Mankato West
8 South St. Paul
9 Hibbing/Chisholm
10 Mound Westonka
11 Hutchinson
12 Henry Sibley
13 Totino-Grace
14 East Grand Forks
15 New Prague
16 Eveleth-Gilbert
17 Fergus Falls
18 Visitation/SPA United
19 Northfield
20 Faribault

Are you kidding me? New Prague even rated...they haven't won a game yet 0-4 I believe, and they have only scored 1 goal it was against Northfield and they are rated below then! Are these rankers even in the STATE? Not sure if I can ever pick up a copy of this newspaper (LPH)again...

I'm wondering if they had the rankings done before Tuesday's game as they went to print earlier than normal. Not sure

[State Champ 97]

State Champ,

Sorry to have offended you. If you did know me, you would know I support northern hockey and girls hockey religiously. You would not be so offended by my comment, if you knew me. But, that is the problem with a forum, it's just text on a page and no context.

But, I certainly will not pass up sharing a beverage.

Lesson learned...again sorry.

A bit of a caffiene induced tirade this afternoon after the late trip to Roseau to watch the game. No blood no foul , or penalty or whatever.

[Thunderbird77]

How does A vs AA compare.?

Henry Sibley #12 for A was beaten 8 to 1 by Wayzata, #18 for AA.

Three possible explanations;

A. Wayzata is under ranked

B. Henry Sibley is over ranked

C. The rankings are correct and there is that big of a difference between A and AA.

Anyone care to provide a perspective?

[joehockey]

I don't think outside of the top 4 - they are unique a appear to be very strong - that you can compare or draw a lot of conclussions -

1 ROSEAU
2 Blake
3 Warroad
4 Breck

A does not have teams that beat the top ranked AA. The lists are seperate for a reason the classes and teams are different. I think it is great that there is a lot of cross over in conference and holiday tournament play as it gives you a good sense of the top teams on the lists but I am not sure you can save a ranked A team is better than an unranked AA team.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[Melvin44]

Blake would be a top 5 AA team in my opinion. I don't know much about Rosseau or Warroad but feel they also could compete against top AA teams. Other A teams just don't have the numbers but there are a ton of top players playing on A teams and on any given night could compete.

I also feel Blake should step up and play AA.

[ghshockeyfan]

I'm guessing that the Wed rankings were supplied to the papers Tue afternoon and the latest deadline for rankers to vote would have been noon on Tue so Tue games did not get consideration for this ranking.

IMHO the top 5 teams in AA are likely reflected in the ranking this week (although it's VERY early)... These teams are all well coached, have tremendous talent and depth, and should be at the top come the end of the season. I don't know if the current ordering is correct, but I think HM could easily be #1 and they're at #5 as of now...

Class 2A
1. Edina
2. Roseville
3. Hopkins
4. Stillwater
5. Hill-Murray

You can't compare Class A to AA. Blake and maybe a select few other teams from A can compete with average to better (top 25-30) AA teams. After that, most A teams belong in A. AHA & BSM have moved up in recent years while Blake and Breck have opted to stay down. Hard choice to make and because it's a 4-year agreement it's tough to project that far into the future. I believe this is what kept SSP in Class A when they had to decide to re-opt-up a few years back. If the MSHSL made it a year-to-year or 2-year agreement we may see some teams move up as it's easier to project strength of team over that period vs. 4-years...

[brookyone]

IMHO the top 5 teams in AA are likely reflected in the ranking this week (although it's VERY early)... These teams are all well coached, have tremendous talent and depth, and should be at the top come the end of the season. I don't know if the current ordering is correct, but I think HM could easily be #1 and they're at #5 as of now...

Class 2A
1. Edina
2. Roseville
3. Hopkins
4. Stillwater
5. Hill-Murray

We'll get a better idea perhaps, on how a couple currently in the top 5 stack up when the Hornets and Ponies face off next Tues. at the St. Croix Rec Center. Last seasons meeting at Braemar was an excellent game.

I haven't bothered to check on what's ahead for the rest of the top five.

[Bensonmum]

Hopkins-Roseville tonight should be a barnburner. Sounds like it may be won or lost on Hopkins goaltending. I don't know how deep Hopkins is after their two stars and standout goalie, but Roseville should be solid top to bottom.

By the way, welcome back ghs

[hockeyrube7]

Woodbury is at 4-0 and plays Hastings next Tuesday and Tartan on Thursday could go to 6-0.

Goes back to SOS. I guess we could say the same for several teams, should they have played the same competition. Creative scheduling is in effect here I would think.

[hockeyrube7]

I'm guessing that the Wed rankings were supplied to the papers Tue afternoon and the latest deadline for rankers to vote would have been noon on Tue so Tue games did not get consideration for this ranking.

IMHO the top 5 teams in AA are likely reflected in the ranking this week (although it's VERY early)... These teams are all well coached, have tremendous talent and depth, and should be at the top come the end of the season. I don't know if the current ordering is correct, but I think HM could easily be #1 and they're at #5 as of now...

Class 2A
1. Edina
2. Roseville
3. Hopkins
4. Stillwater
5. Hill-Murray

You can't compare Class A to AA. Blake and maybe a select few other teams from A can compete with average to better (top 25-30) AA teams. After that, most A teams belong in A. AHA & BSM have moved up in recent years while Blake and Breck have opted to stay down. Hard choice to make and because it's a 4-year agreement it's tough to project that far into the future. I believe this is what kept SSP in Class A when they had to decide to re-opt-up a few years back. If the MSHSL made it a year-to-year or 2-year agreement we may see some teams move up as it's easier to project strength of team over that period vs. 4-years...

I will add that Roseau may be every bit as good as Blake, guess we'll have to wait and see? Don't see Breck or even Warroad in that same mix. Tonight should be a good tell for Blake and Breck as that play each other in the Edina tourney. What a great draw this tourney is!

[Joethehockeydad]

Hopkins is working hard for that #1 spot that should have already been theirs. They beat Centennial (8AA) 8-2, then a decent Shakopee squad 7-0, and just today beat Roseville (2AA) 3-0. They play many top teams in AA and A this season and WILL be ready for sections this year!! They'll have several matches against Edina but I too think Edina is over-rated, and Hopkins will prove this.

Not bad, but how does HM not move up above Stillwater. I still like Hopkins #1, Roseville #2, HM #3, Centennial will be better and I believe worthy of top 10.

I agree that Hill Murray should be ranked ahead of Stillwater. Not only did they beat them but they outshot them, and from what I've heard they outplayed them after the first few minutes.

I can't agree with you yet, however, in your ranking of Hopkins as No. 1. If they manage to beat Roseville on Friday, then they obviously deserve to move up to No. 2, and maybe move to No. 1 if Edina loses either of their two challenging games this weekend.

Right now, depending on what happens, there are at least four teams that could take over the No. 1 AA ranking by next Thursday. After EP's dominance last year, this is getting very interesting!

[joehockey]

So if Edina vs BSM is a tie.....how do polls change....still early...

1) Edina 2-0-1 (still have to play Blake today and Stillwater next Tuesday)
2) Roseville 2-1-0
3) Hopkins 3-0-0
4) Stillwater 3-1-0
5) Hill Murray 2-0

[MNHockeyFan]

So if Edina vs BSM is a tie.....how do polls change....still early...

1) Edina 2-0-1 (still have to play Blake today and Stillwater next Tuesday)
2) Roseville 2-1-0
3) Hopkins 3-0-0
4) Stillwater 3-1-0
5) Hill Murray 2-0

Edina will have to beat Blake today to stay No. 1, then it doesn't get any easier when they face Stillwater on Tuesday. If they manage to win both then they deserve to stay No. 1. You certainly have to give them credit for playing such a tough schedule!

Roseville will likely move down a notch or two (or three) after losing to Hopkins 0-3. You would expect Hopkins to beat Maple Grove today and Sibley on Tuesday, which would put them at 5-0, so they could possibly move up to No. 1 if Edina struggles against Blake and Stillwater.

If I had to guess how this will all shake out by Wednesday, I would go with:

1. Hopkins
2. Stillwater
3. Hill Murray
4. Edina
5. Roseville

GR/G could also move into the top 5 if they beat Blaine today and Cloquet on Tuesday.

[Joethehockeydad]

It's getting very interesting. If Edina wins over Blake and Stillwater, then they would probably stay at #1. Hopkins is building a strong case for that spot but may have to wait until after the 12/20 contest against Edina at Braemar if both teams remain unbeaten (I know that's a ways out and several games in between). I don't expect it to go that far, in fact, I believe Blake will beat Edina today 5-2.

So if Edina vs BSM is a tie.....how do polls change....still early...

1) Edina 2-0-1 (still have to play Blake today and Stillwater next Tuesday)
2) Roseville 2-1-0
3) Hopkins 3-0-0
4) Stillwater 3-1-0
5) Hill Murray 2-0

[Melvin44]

So if Edina vs BSM is a tie.....how do polls change....still early...

1) Edina 2-0-1 (still have to play Blake today and Stillwater next Tuesday)
2) Roseville 2-1-0
3) Hopkins 3-0-0
4) Stillwater 3-1-0
5) Hill Murray 2-0

1. Hopkins
2. Stillwater
3. Hill Murray
4. Edina
5. Roseville

My top 5 would be

1. Hopkins
2. Hill Murray (beat Stillwater 4-2)
3. Roseville (supposedly out shot Hopkins 2-1)
4. Edina (If they beat Blake would be #3)
5. Stillwater

[MNHockeyFan]

My top 5 would be

1. Hopkins
2. Hill Murray (beat Stillwater 4-2)
3. Roseville (supposedly out shot Hopkins 2-1)
4. Edina (If they beat Blake would be #3)
5. Stillwater

I moved Stillwater up only because I'm just guessing they might beat Edina, but this is far from a sure thing. Since losing to HM in their opening game they've also beaten three good teams in North St. Paul, Cloquet and Mounds View by a combined score of 17-6. If they were to beat Edina that would be 4 straight wins, whereas HM will have only played 2 games (for some reason there seems to be a big gap in their schedule). And it seems the pollsters already have HM's win over Stillwater figured into the current rankings, and for some reason they have Stillwater ahead #4 to #5 (?).

All of this is speculation, but speculating is what makes this poll talk kind of fun!

[Joethehockeydad]

I agree about the speculating being the most fun. I'm off to the Hopkins vs. Maple Grove game, but will be back on tonight.

My top 5 would be

1. Hopkins
2. Hill Murray (beat Stillwater 4-2)
3. Roseville (supposedly out shot Hopkins 2-1)
4. Edina (If they beat Blake would be #3)
5. Stillwater

I moved Stillwater up only because I'm just guessing they might beat Edina, but this is far from a sure thing. Since losing to HM in their opening game they've also beaten three good teams in North St. Paul, Cloquet and Mounds View by a combined score of 17-6. If they were to beat Edina that would be 4 straight wins, whereas HM will have only played 2 games (for some reason there seems to be a big gap in their schedule). And it seems the pollsters already have HM's win over Stillwater figured into the current rankings, and for some reason they have Stillwater ahead #4 to #5 (?).

All of this is speculation, but speculating is what makes this poll talk kind of fun!