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The top 10 are the most clear to me. Starting with 11, things get quite fuzzy. I often get complaints about this team or that team who isn't being watched. This week the only team I'm looking at is that only Class A team (I could find) that hasn't lost this calendar year.

I posed my poll question as I am really not sure where the Lions should be placed. I could justify into the top 10, but could also see reasons that it wouldn't work.

1. [1] St Thomas Academy (10-4)
The last two years the Cadets have beat the Mustangs during the regular season and the Mustangs have won state. Hopefully for them this isn’t a three peat. Thursday’s meeting will determine who of Hill Murray or St Thomas will be able to win the conference outright.
This week: Thurs @ Hill-Murray, Sat vs Richfield

2. [4] Breck (9-5)
I dropped Breck prematurely last week. Their only losses have been to Hill Murray and East and by 1 goal to each of WBL, Delbarton and St Thomas. Play Totino and Blake both away this week, will be a good test to see where each should be ranked.
This week: Tues @ Totino-Grace, Thurs @ Blake, Sat vs St Paul Saints

3. [2] Blake (14-2-1)
The only thing Breck has on Blake right now is playing the #1 team away. Playing Breck at home this week, can the Bears improve to 13-0 against Class A teams?
This week: Thurs vs Breck, Sat vs St Paul Johnson

4. [3] Hermantown (15-1-1)
The Hawks showed they are beatable. Huge 5A game this Tuesday in Proctor, could seal the top seed for them, or make things very interesting for sections.
This week: Tues @ Proctor, Sat @ New Prague

5. [5] Totino-Grace (12-2)
Three big games this week, a top 5 team in both classes and a home section game. If the chips fall the right way, the Eagles could jump as high as #2 this week.
This week: Tues vs Breck, Thurs vs Spring Lake Park, Sat @ Edina

6. [6] South St. Paul (11-5)
A loss to Prior Lake is odd, but the Lakers did beat Jefferson recently as well. The Packers play both a section and conference game this week.
This week: Tues vs Spring Lake Park, Sat @ North St Paul

7. [9] Duluth Marshall (9-7-1)
Marshall falls into this spot from not playing games last week and Little Falls losing. It’s going to be a tough week for the Hilltoppers playing 3 away games against 3 very good teams.
This week: Tues @ Cloquet, Fri @ Warroad, Sat @ Thief River Falls

8. [13] Thief River Falls (10-5-1)
Since their loss to Warroad 4 days before Christmas, the Prowlers are 6-1-1, with their loss to Moorhead and tying Hermantown. Three quality opponents this week, two of them home games.
This week: Tues @ East Grand Forks, Fri vs Duluth Central, Sat vs Marshall

9. [16] Chisago Lakes Area (12-3)
A 1 goal loss to Totino is still difficult to tell with the Wildcats’ schedule. They lost to Hibbing by 5 at home, got shut out by Benilde, lose to Totino by 1 away and beat everyone else. They could be a bad team that played up to Totino, or could be a good team with an off game. If Totino beats St Thomas by more than a goal, are the Wildcats the #2 seed in 4A?
This week: Tues vs St Paul Academy, Thurs vs Irondale, Sat @ Spring Lake Park

10. [8] Hibbing/Chisholm (12-6-2)
It’s hard only “dropping” Hibbing one spot after they went 0-2 this week and them being idle this coming week doesn’t help things, but it’s hard to fault them for losing to a good Rapids team and a quality Central team, both away. Just ahead of two teams they beat, which may change with others winning during their off week.
This week: Idle

11. [7] Little Falls (12-2-2)
After losing to Wilmar, the stock of both teams is in question. The Fliers play 3 must win games this week for both section standing and state standing. A loss this week and they will fall quite far. Two quality wins this season are at Brainerd and Hibbing, but don’t have much of a schedule otherwise.
This week: Tues @ Sartell-St Stephen, Thurs @ Fergus Falls, Sat vs St Cloud Cathedral

12. [19] Duluth Central (9-8 )
Beating Hibbing this week was a great win. Their only losses are to AA teams, Virginia early in the season and Hermantown by 1. The week will be a good test.
This week: Tues @ Superior, Fri @ Thief River Falls, Sat @ Warroad

13. [10] Warroad (11-6)
A couple close losses this week drop the Warriors; 3 home wins will get them back up.
This week: Tues vs Crookston, Fri vs Duluth Marshall, Sat vs Duluth Central

14. [12] Mahtomedi (7-10-1)
A SSP loss is better than an International Falls loss. The Zephyrs need 2 wins this week to keep their shot of finishing the season above .500 alive.
This week: Thurs @ Simley, Sat @ Hill-Murray

15. [11] Virginia/MI-B (13-6)
Losing to International Falls is a bump in section 7A, but every decent team is allowed a couple losses.
This week: Fri vs Eveleth-Gilbert, Sat @ Silver Bay

16. [14] Rochester Lourdes (14-2)
They aren’t dropping for winning, but rather for what teams above them have done. Nothing to do this week aside from win games they should win easily. Have yet to play Breck, St Thomas and Totino.
This week: Tues @ New Prague, Thurs @ New Ulm, Sat @ Faribault

17. [15] St. Cloud Cathedral (8-6-1)
I’d probably have the Crusaders higher had they not tied Orono. They have two conference games and a game at Little Falls this week.
This week: Tues vs Litchfield, Thurs @ Holy Family Catholic, Sat @ Little Falls

18. [17] Delano (12-4-1)
Having lost to Cathedral and Lourdes, I couldn’t put them any higher.
This week: Tues @ Holy Family Catholic, Fri vs Waconia

19. [-] Orono (9-6-1)
Orono’s in a fishy situation; their only close to quality win is over Litchfield.
This week: Thurs @ Mound-Westonka, Sat @ Hutchinson

20. [20] Providence Academy (12-4)
The Lions are probably better than #20 but it is difficult to place them with their schedule. Losing to Breck by 2 and Blake by 4 looks good but losing to Coon Rapids and Superior isn’t great.

21. [18] East Grand Forks (8-9)
The Green Wave are difficult to assess. They are 3-1 in their section with all their 9 losses to Hermantown by 1, OT loss to Crookston, OT loss to GF Central and losses to 6 AA teams. Despite their record, I could justify having them in the top 10, it is really hard to tell.
This week: Tues vs Thief River Falls, Thurs @ Grand Forks Red River

What did they change?

Wilmar (8-5-3)
The Cardinals started the season 1-5 (including a two goal loss to Blaine) and since Christmas are 7-0-1; the only Class A team not to lose since returning from Christmas break. In that span they have beat both Fergus and Little Falls as well at tying Tech.
This week: Tues vs Alexandria, Thurs vs Wadena-Deer Creek, Fri vs Hutchinson

Section Seedings

1A
Rochecter Lourdes (14-2)
Mankato West (11-5-1)
Albert Lea (11-6)
Red Wing (4-12)
Lourdes beat West by 1 and shut out Albert Lea, West beat Albert Lea by 1, and Red Wing lost to Lourdes in OT and Albert Lea by 1. There should be some really great hockey come sections.

2A
Breck (9-5)
Blake (14-2-1)
Providence Academy (12-4)
Delano (12-4-1)
Orono (9-6-1)
The section is a mess. Providence lost to both of Blake and Breck but play both again. Delano lost to Blake early but beat Orono and play only them again. Why Orono only plays Delano is beyond me. Finally Blake and Breck play this week.

3A
Litchfield (10-4-1)
New Ulm (12-2-2)
Hutchinson (5-10)
Marshall (11-4-2)
Litchfield gets the nod now with their win over New Ulm, but anyone could come out of this section with the games being so close.

4A
St Thomas (10-4)
South St Paul (11-5)
Totino-Grace (12-2)
Chisago Lakes Area (12-3)
Mahtomedi (7-10-1)
Chisago losing to Totino by only 1 brings them up above Mahtomedi. Figuring out who will be 2nd or 3rd in this section will be tough.

5A
Hermantown (15-1-1)
Rogers (8-6-1)
St Cloud Cathedral (8-6-1)
Proctor (10-5-1)
Proctor and Hermantown finally tip off this week. Proctor and Rogers also play in two weeks.

6A
Little Falls (12-2-2)
Sartell-St Stephen (9-6-1)
Wilmar (8-5-3)
Fergus Falls (7-4-3)
Detroit Lakes (9-8 )
I don’t think simply beating Little Falls gives you the top spot, but being that the two don’t meet again, Wilmar is in the driver’s seat. If they keep winning, they could get the #1 seed in the section.

7A
Duluth Marshall (10-7-1)
Duluth Central (9-8 )
Hibbing (12-6-1)
International Falls (7-8-1)
Virginia (13-6)
Marshall plays Central next week and Virginia the following week which should drop things into place. The Broncos started the season 2-7-1 but are 5-1 since December. They don’t play the Hilltoppers, but if they win out against 7A, they could slowly rise in the rankings.

8A
Thief River Falls (10-5-1)
East Grand Forks (8-9)
Warroad (11-6)
Crookston (8-9-1)
Lake of the Woods (9-5-2)
Warroad still haven’t proven they should be above EGF, but they will get that opportunity next week. Both EGF and TRF are in control of their 8A destiny.

State Seeding if Section Top Seeds Won Their Section Today
#1 St Thomas
#2 Breck
#3 Hermantown
#4 Thief River Falls
[5] Little Falls
[6] Duluth Marshall
[7] Rochester Lourdes
[8] Litchfield

I'm not saying that I disagree with the rankings, but it's funny how Hibbing beats Chisago by 5 in Chisago, but is ranked lower. The same thing happened with Little Falls and Hibbing.

Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

A couple years ago (and other years too) I remember someone coming up with a 15 team chain of this team beat that team to say that some Class A team not in the top 100 teams was better than the best team in Class AA. It simply doesn't work that way. Even the best players have off games.

MHGr8ness wrote:I'm not saying that I disagree with the rankings, but it's funny how Hibbing beats Chisago by 5 in Chisago, but is ranked lower. The same thing happened with Little Falls and Hibbing.

Just like how Crookston beat Warroad and isn't ranked anymore. Those games happened more than 10 games ago, things change a lot on teams.

But as for Chisago specifically, they are hard to judge, with 3 quality opponents on their schedule, being their 3 losses. They play Totino and Benilde again.

Hibbing also tied Marshall and isn't right next to them, TRF tied Hermantown, etc, etc. You have to judge what's happened more recently and weigh wins and losses against each other.

chubbs wrote:Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

Little Falls beat Hibbing (while ago), Hibbing beat Virgina (recently), and Virginia beat Little falls (while ago). What does this tell us? Not much. You have to weigh how they do against other teams. Virginia was the one game holding the Fliers back from the #5 spot. This loss brings them down a little more. Their schedule leaves little room for error, which this week will make them drop even farther.

Section 6
Just when we almost settled in, someone else threw their hat in the ring.

1- Little Falls keeps rollin, lost to Willmar
2- Sartell Still has their wins over Fergus Falls, Willmar, and Alexandria
3- Willmar Someone tell me what happened. Willmar is the hottest team in the section right now. recently they tied Sartell, beat FF in OT, beat LF...also tied Tech
4- Fergus Falls Otters again avoided complete disaster with route of Apollo after losing to Willmar in OT and Tech
5- Alexandria Starting with a shot at sweeping Willmar on Tue. The defending champs have a chance at moving up with return games against LF, FF, and Sartell left this season. 9 losses won't let them get too high though.
These are my seeds for the section tournement, not a "ranking".
Power rankings would likely go:
1 Willmar
2 Little Falls
3 Fergus Falls
4 Sartell
5 Alexandria

HShockeywatcher wrote: 1. [1] St Thomas Academy (10-4)
Thursday’s meeting will determine who of Hill Murray or St Thomas will be able to win the conference outright.
This week: Thurs @ Hill-Murray, Sat vs Richfield

But a tie could throw a wrinkle into that....

Regardless of the outcome on Thurs., the re-scheduling meeting of 2nd conference match up as the last regular season game for both teams will be the "big game" and what a way to end the regular season before both teams head off thier seperate ways to the play offs.

I like it!!!!

I'm just wondering, wasn't Sartell a top 15 team when Little Falls beat them??? And Fergus Falls lost to them in OT???
Little Falls plays section and conference rivals Sartell and Fergus Falls this week as well as St. Cloud Cathedral, a top 15 team. Fergus Falls is a pretty big rivalry game.
Little Falls beat Sartell 3-1 earlier. Sartell beat Cathedral this year. Little Falls should beat Sartell, but it likely will be close either way.
Little Falls tied Fergus Falls earlier. Fergus Falls had one stolen from them against Sartell and Willmar. This should be a real good game. I don't know why it would be a "must win" against a team they tied.
St. Cloud Cathedral is considered a top 15 team, evidently they play some decent hockey.
Little Falls is already sitting at #11, I don't have a problem with that or if they fell, just wondering. how can losing any one of these games drop them considerably. Ya, they lost to Willmar, Willmar is one of the hottest teams in the state right now.
Just interested in the disscussion.
What happens if Willmar wins out the year???? are they not a "quality team" ??? It wasn't as if Willmar broke a losing streak against LF is it?? What defines a "quality win??"

Chisago Area should not be in the top 10.
They are not a top 20 team.
They have one win (Cambridge 9-7-3 and are not a good team) over a team with a winning record. (not counting the Wisconsin teams - 3 of their wins).

Their nine MN opponents that they have beat have 46 wins (total).
The WI teams they have beat are ranked 40, 59 & 85 in WI.

At best they are #21 in single A.
I would be hard presseed to put them in the top 25.

How is mahtomedi ranked? There 3 games under. 500

1. St. Thomas Academy 10-4
2. Breck 9-5
3. Blake 13-2-2
4. Hermantown 15-1-1
5. Totino-Grace 12-2
6. Hibbing 12-6-1
7. Duluth Marshall 10-7-1
8. South St. Paul 11-5
9. Warroad 11-6
10. Thief River Falls 10-5-1
11. Little Falls 12-2-2
12. Rochester Lourdes 14-2
13. Virginia 13-6
14. Duluth Central 9-8
15. Mahtomedi 7-10-1
16. Delano 12-4-1
17. St. Cloud Cathedral 8-6-1
18. Providence Academy 12-4
19. East Grand Forks 8-9
20. Willmar 8-5-3
Watch list: Chisago Lakes, Sartell, Proctor, Orono, Fergus Falls.

HShockeywatcher wrote:A couple years ago (and other years too) I remember someone coming up with a 15 team chain of this team beat that team to say that some Class A team not in the top 100 teams was better than the best team in Class AA. It simply doesn't work that way. Even the best players have off games.

MHGr8ness wrote:I'm not saying that I disagree with the rankings, but it's funny how Hibbing beats Chisago by 5 in Chisago, but is ranked lower. The same thing happened with Little Falls and Hibbing.

Just like how Crookston beat Warroad and isn't ranked anymore. Those games happened more than 10 games ago, things change a lot on teams.

But as for Chisago specifically, they are hard to judge, with 3 quality opponents on their schedule, being their 3 losses. They play Totino and Benilde again.

Hibbing also tied Marshall and isn't right next to them, TRF tied Hermantown, etc, etc. You have to judge what's happened more recently and weigh wins and losses against each other.

chubbs wrote:Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

Little Falls beat Hibbing (while ago), Hibbing beat Virgina (recently), and Virginia beat Little falls (while ago). What does this tell us? Not much. You have to weigh how they do against other teams. Virginia was the one game holding the Fliers back from the #5 spot. This loss brings them down a little more. Their schedule leaves little room for error, which this week will make them drop even farther.

I understand. I just find it funny, too

Don't forget about I Falls, they are not a team to take lightly. They are starting to form a decent team. Sec 7 is up for grabs, with the team that is playing the best hockey will most likely win it. We have a month to play so anything can happen.

elliot, where would you rank Bemidji? The best result on their schedule is a tie with Moorhead and even I would have them pretty high, say top 12, in AA. Teams don't choose their schedule. Do you also disagree with my placing of Totino as well?

Had I put back at #4 like last week, I know people would've complained "they just lost to your #1, why aren't they #2?." Chisago loses to my #5 by 1 away and instead of complaining "why isn't Chisago #6?" you say they should be #26 or lower?

wblhcky24 wrote:How is mahtomedi ranked? There 3 games under. 500

If teams were ranked based on record, karl and I wouldn't wouldn't have anything to do each week. I'll be the first to admit that the Shakopee tie is quite questionable, but all of their losses are against good teams. In my opinion (example here) have 10 losses to each of the top 10 teams doesn't bring you any lower than 11th.

They play a tough schedule. That shouldn't be held against them. Of their 10 losses, 9 are to teams in my top 10 or karl's top 15, the 10th is to Tartan early in the season by 1, and they just beat Tartan in Oakdale 7-3 in their 6th game on the road in a row.

If you think I enjoy ranking a conference rival who is under .500, you are wrong. They are a top 15 team. Period.


I haven't forgotten International Falls, as my section comments indicate, but they are still under .500 and have proven little.

19. [-] Orono (9-6-1)
Orono’s in a fishy situation; their only close to quality win is over Litchfield.
This week: Thurs @ Mound-Westonka, Sat @ Hutchinson


They did beat Sartell 6-3, who lots of people have up up there if they could've gotten wins against Cathedral (who they tied) Moundsview (OT loss) or Lake of the Woods (OT loss played by backup goalie) they would be doing great.

HShockeywatcher wrote:elliot, where would you rank Bemidji? The best result on their schedule is a tie with Moorhead and even I would have them pretty high, say top 12, in AA. Teams don't choose their schedule. Do you also disagree with my placing of Totino as well?

Had I put back at #4 like last week, I know people would've complained "they just lost to your #1, why aren't they #2?." Chisago loses to my #5 by 1 away and instead of complaining "why isn't Chisago #6?" you say they should be #26 or lower?

Bemidji????
HUH???

Yes, teams (their AD) choose their schedule.
But that is not the point.
Chisago has no wins against their better opponents.
A 1 goal loss is a loss.
Totino... how they are ranked is another matter.
Normally I do not comment nor care about these rankings, but moving this team up 10 spots or based on a loss, discredits all the work you put into it.
And the fact that your rankings are based on numbers and not watching games does not help.
Chisago may have a nice team for their school, but odds are they will not even make it to the finals and perhaps not even the semifinals of their section.

Please do not take this as a big negative because everyone appreciates what you do. But rather just take it as constructive criticism.

wblhcky24 wrote:How is mahtomedi ranked? There 3 games under. 500

Look at there schedule...

Rankings are primarily entertainment by those that don't coach or play. don't know of any coach or player that remembers last seasons rankings or brags that they were once ranked "10th" in state.

These rankings really do not make a difference when the kids hit the ice for the next game, sectionals or state. Hot hand, cold streak, goalie stands on his head, pure determination and desire. So many intangibles to impact the game!

Last I looked this is not BCS College Football. Everyone gets a chance at the trophy and only the winners keep playing.

The only important thing here is which 8 teams are representing the Sections come mid March and for some teams getting there is not enough either.

chubbs wrote:Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

Yeah well virginia also took Detroit Lakes into overtime at there own place maybe virginia needs to move down as well

Celihockey88 wrote:

chubbs wrote:Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

Yeah well virginia also took Detroit Lakes into overtime at there own place maybe virginia needs to move down as well

Virginia did drop, as they should have. But don't forget, a win is a win and good teams find ways to win on off nights which is what happened with Detroit Lakes. But since have had two losses they shouldn't have, losing both in the last minute of play, so for now, they are where they should be I think.

MHGr8ness wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:A couple years ago (and other years too) I remember someone coming up with a 15 team chain of this team beat that team to say that some Class A team not in the top 100 teams was better than the best team in Class AA. It simply doesn't work that way. Even the best players have off games.

MHGr8ness wrote:I'm not saying that I disagree with the rankings, but it's funny how Hibbing beats Chisago by 5 in Chisago, but is ranked lower. The same thing happened with Little Falls and Hibbing.

Just like how Crookston beat Warroad and isn't ranked anymore. Those games happened more than 10 games ago, things change a lot on teams.

But as for Chisago specifically, they are hard to judge, with 3 quality opponents on their schedule, being their 3 losses. They play Totino and Benilde again.

Hibbing also tied Marshall and isn't right next to them, TRF tied Hermantown, etc, etc. You have to judge what's happened more recently and weigh wins and losses against each other.

chubbs wrote:Virginia also pounded little falls. Not saying virginia needs to move up, just little falls and chisago do not belong up there

Little Falls beat Hibbing (while ago), Hibbing beat Virgina (recently), and Virginia beat Little falls (while ago). What does this tell us? Not much. You have to weigh how they do against other teams. Virginia was the one game holding the Fliers back from the #5 spot. This loss brings them down a little more. Their schedule leaves little room for error, which this week will make them drop even farther.

I understand. I just find it funny, too

crookston beat warroad? check your stats.

Warrior#4 wrote:

MHGr8ness wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:A couple years ago (and other years too) I remember someone coming up with a 15 team chain of this team beat that team to say that some Class A team not in the top 100 teams was better than the best team in Class AA. It simply doesn't work that way. Even the best players have off games.
Just like how Crookston beat Warroad and isn't ranked anymore. Those games happened more than 10 games ago, things change a lot on teams.

But as for Chisago specifically, they are hard to judge, with 3 quality opponents on their schedule, being their 3 losses. They play Totino and Benilde again.

Hibbing also tied Marshall and isn't right next to them, TRF tied Hermantown, etc, etc. You have to judge what's happened more recently and weigh wins and losses against each other.
Little Falls beat Hibbing (while ago), Hibbing beat Virgina (recently), and Virginia beat Little falls (while ago). What does this tell us? Not much. You have to weigh how they do against other teams. Virginia was the one game holding the Fliers back from the #5 spot. This loss brings them down a little more. Their schedule leaves little room for error, which this week will make them drop even farther.

I understand. I just find it funny, too

crookston beat warroad? check your stats.

Maybe tonight?.................

Maybe not!!!!!..........

Probably not...
Warroad by 4

2. [4] Breck (9-5)
I dropped Breck prematurely last week. Their only losses have been to Hill Murray and East and by 1 goal to each of WBL, Delbarton and St Thomas. Play Totino and Blake both away this week, will be a good test to see where each should be ranked.
This week: Tues @ Totino-Grace, Thurs @ Blake, Sat vs St Paul Saints

It doesn't look like it was premature at all. I think its time for everyone to realize this years version of the Mustangs are a far cry from years past. These guys don't have one real quality win all season, if fact they have only won two games against teams with winning records! And I wouldn't exactly call Providence and SC Catherdral powerhouses. I can think of at least 5 or six teams that are clearly better this year. Breck now has more losses than they had in the last two years combined and they still haven't played Lourdes or Blake (twice). Until they beat one of those teams they shouldn't even be in the top ten.

On a similar note, Mahtomedi is also living on past years success as far as the rankings go. This is not a strong team this year and their sad record shows it.

Top 10 should look more like;

STA
Hermantown
Blake
Totino
SSP
Little Falls
Chisago
TRF
Lourdes

Breck loss tonight to Totino should shuffle the rankings around. Add that and the Blake vs. Breck game on Thursday, we could see some new rankings comes Sunday.