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Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 6:58 pm
by Stang5280
Well, that was a messy week. I honestly don’t have much confidence in these rankings beyond the top five. Hopefully next week will help bring some more clarity, because I spent way too long moving teams around and beating my head against the wall. Send any complaints to Elliott :lol:

1. Hermantown (2-2-0) (LW 1)
W 5-3 vs Eden Prairie, L 2-3 vs BSM
Another week, another split against two ranked AA teams. My heart wants to bump the Hawks down to #2, but my head says that I would still favor them slightly over SCC. We’ll find out when they play at the MAC Jan. 4.

2. St. Cloud Cathedral (5-0-0) (LW 2)
W 5-3 @ Greenway, W 3-2 (OT) @ TRF
Didn’t put up the video game numbers from last week, but still took down two ranked opponents. Hung a five spot on Greenway in the 2nd, including four unanswered goals, to put the game away. Host Alex Tuesday in a huge 6A game.

3. Mahtomedi (3-1-0) (LW 4)
L 3-4 vs Hill-Murray, W 3-0 @ Owatonna
Put a scare into HM, going up 3-1 before ultimately falling. No reason to drop the Zephyrs behind the next few teams, so everyone bumps up one spot from last week.

4. Alexandria (4-0-0) (LW 5)
W 10-0 vs Sauk Rapids, W 5-1 @ River Lakes
Romped over two overmatched conference foes. Huge week looming with road games against Cathedral and EGF, which will help flesh out this area of the rankings.

5. East Grand Forks (6-1-0) (LW 6)
W 9-1 @ Park Rapids, W 4-2 vs Greenway
Finished off a weary Greenway squad in a penalty-filled affair. Cathedral blowout loss seems like an aberration, as a Wave have held other six opponents to two goals or fewer.

6. Orono (3-2-0) (LW 11)
W 7-1 @ Minneapolis, W 1-0 vs Monticello
Back up over .500 after dismantling Minneapolis and squeaking by the Moose. Big game against 2A rival Brebck on Thursday.

7. Greenway (2-3-0) (LW 3)
L 3-4 (OT) vs Denfeld, L 3-5 vs Cathedral, L 2-4 @ EGF
Just a disastrous week for the Raiders. The EGF loss was understandable given the travel schedule, but they let the Cathedral game get away and threw up a stinker against Denfeld. Something seems off with this team, and they need to figure things out soon, as the schedule is relentless. I feel like this isn’t far enough of a drop, but there just aren’t many other teams I trust.

8. Warroad (3-3-0) (LW 13)
W 6-4 vs Crookston, W 6-2 @ Virginia, L 0-3 @ Grand Rapids
Warriors continue to be all over the map, taking care of business against Crookston and dominating VMIB on the road before going down meekly against Rapids, mustering only 11 shots. Still, they move up a bit basically by default based on how poorly other teams have played.

9. Sartell-St. Stephen (3-1-0) (LW 14)
W 5-1 @ River Lakes, W 3-1 @ Chaska
A nice week for the Sabres in picking up two road wins, including one against a talented (but deeply flawed) AA team. No major Class A tests until their holiday tournament.

10. Thief River Falls (3-3-1) [LW 8]
L 0-3 vs Tartan, L 2-3 (OT) vs Cathedral
Tartan loss was a head-scratcher, but Prowlers turned around and gave Cathedral their toughest test of the year. Lacking offensive firepower, but defense and goaltending have been excellent.

11. Mankato East (3-2-0) (LW 12)
W 5-4 vs Northfield
Mounted two-goal comeback to defeat Northfield in only action of the week.

12. Duluth Denfeld (4-0-0) (LW NR)
W 4-3 (OT) @ Greenway
Greenway win feels a bit fluky, as the Hunters were outshot by more than a 2-1 ratio. Still, they did take advantage of scoring opportunities and remain undefeated. Ranking spot likely on the line right away Tuesday against Virginia.

13. Chisago Lakes (6-0-0) (LW NR)
W 3-2 @ River Falls, W 5-3 vs Monticello
Looking like the best team in 5A so far. Schedule had been soft, but passed test against Monticello with flying colors.

14. Northfield (1-1-0) (LW 9)
L 4-5 @ Mankato East
Have still only played two games. Thoroughly outshot in loss to East, so down they go. Three games this week against teams they should beat.

15. Marshall (5-1-0) (LW NR)
W 6-2 @ Luverne, W 5-2 vs New Ulm, W 6-3 @ Hutchinson
Welcome to the jungle, Tigers! After vanquishing three of their 3A nemeses with relative ease, these kitties should cruise through a pillow soft schedule over the next few weeks.

Out: Virginia-MIB (LW 7), Eveleth-Gilbert (LW 10), Monticello (LW 15)

Honorable mentions (alphabetical order):

Eveleth-Gilbert (4-2-0)
W 5-0 @ I-Falls, W 5-2 @ Northern Lakes, L 0-2 @ Princeton

Minnesota River (5-1-0)
W 11-0 @ Fairmont, W 6-4 @ Windom

Monticello (2-3-1)
W 7-6 vs Princeton, L 3-5 @ Chisago, L 0-1 @ Orono

North Branch (5-1-1)
W 5-2 @ Gentry, W 4-3 @ Princeton, T 3-3 vs North Shore

Virginia-MIB (2-3-0)
L 3-4 @ Grand Rapids, L 2-6 vs Warroad

A few notes:

- There is a big drop off after the top five at this point
- After the big dog of Hermantown, the next several teams in 7A are a toss up, and may not actually be that good
- Virginia apparently decided that they weren’t interested in playing the first two periods of their games this week
- 5A is similarly confusing, but unlike 7A may be sneaky good
- Breck and LDC dropped out of the honorable mentions for now, the former after coughing up a four goal lead to AHA and losing in OT
- Rankings are still volatile, but should soon start to stabilize to the point where one big win or loss will not be so impactful

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:09 pm
by elliott70
Will add mine but just got home from what else, day long hockey meeting in St Cloud.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:25 pm
by elliott70
I am thinking Denfeld needs to be a bit higher, but need some time to evaluate. Maybe something tomorrow. MH meetings take all my energy.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:36 pm
by Stang5280
elliott70 wrote: Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:09 pm Will add mine but just got home from what else, day long hockey meeting in St Cloud.
I’m just glad we have people like you actively participating in MH to continue making it a great organization. I can’t imagine how much time you spend on hockey-related stuff both inside and outside the rink.

(And yes, Denfeld might be too low, but I’m just struggling to fit 7A into statewide perspective with the crazy upsets)

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:18 pm
by elliott70
Yes the hours add up.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:53 pm
by oldtimer64
Just a shot at each section top 4

Section 1

Mankato East
Minnesota River
Rochester Lourdes
Mankato West

Section 2

Orono
Breck
Waconia
Delano

Section 3

Marshall
LDC
?
?

Section 4

Mahtomedi
Totino-Grace
Northfield
South St. Paul

Section 5

North Branch
Monticello
Chisago Lakes
Princeton

Section 6

St. Cloud Cathedral
Alexandria
Little Falls
Fergus Falls

Section 7

Hermantown
Denfeld
Greenway
Eveleth

Section 8

East Grand Forks
Thief River
Warroad
Crookston

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:46 pm
by blueblood
OT64:

Did you forget about Sartell in 6A? [-X

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:52 pm
by oldtimer64
oldtimer64 wrote: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:53 pm Just a shot at each section top 4

Section 1

Mankato East
Minnesota River
Rochester Lourdes
Mankato West

Section 2

Orono
Breck
Waconia
Delano

Section 3

Marshall
LDC
?
?

Section 4

Mahtomedi
Totino-Grace
Northfield
South St. Paul

Section 5

North Branch
Monticello
Chisago Lakes
Princeton

Section 6

St. Cloud Cathedral
Alexandria
Sartell
Little Falls


Section 7

Hermantown
Denfeld
Greenway
Eveleth

Section 8

East Grand Forks
Thief River
Warroad
Crookston

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 10:19 pm
by Stang5280
I forgot to add a new segment, the WHAT result of the week. While there many worthy candidates this week, the one that truly stood out was Bloomington Kennedy 4, Mound-Westonka 3. This was a Kennedy team that had lost its first four games by a combined score of 28-3, and had just come off an 11-1 drubbing at the hands of Delano. This win was completely out of left field.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 7:39 am
by elliott70
Well now everything seems to be perfectly clear/

1. Hermantown (2-2-0)
2. St. Cloud Cathedral (5-0-0)
3. East Grand Forks (6-1-0)
4. Mahtomedi (3-1-0)
5. Alexandria (4-0-0)
6. Duluth Denfeld (4-0-0)
7. Greenway (2-3-0)
8. Thief River Falls (3-3-1)
9. Warroad (3-3-0)
10. Sartell-St. Stephen (3-1-0)
11. Orono (3-2-0) (LW 11)
12. Chisago Lakes (6-0-0)
13. Mankato East (3-2-0) (LW 12)
14. Northfield (1-1-0)
15. Marshall (5-1-0) (LW NR)
16. Virginia-MIB (2-3-0)
17. Litchfield 2-1-0
18. Minnesota River (5-1-0)
19. Eveleth-Gilbert (4-2-0)
20. Breck 2-3-0

Others:
Monticello
North Branch
Minnehaha
Mound
Waconia

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 8:12 am
by elliott70
Section 1
Mankato East
Minnesota River
Two team race but throw in
Lourdes
Albert Lea

Section 2
Orono because of experience then in no order
Waconia Mound Minneapolis Breck and even Southwest Christian

Section 3
Marshall
LDC
New Ulm
Hutchinson
Luverne because of recent success

Section 4
Mahtomedi
Totino-Grace
Northfield
South St. Paul
Johnson Minnehaha and Henry-sibley

Section 5
Chisago
North Branch
Monticello
Princeton

Section 6
St. Cloud Cathedral
Alexandria
Sartell
Little Falls

Section 7
Hermantown
Denfeld
Greenway
Virginia
Eveleth

Section 8
East Grand Forks
Thief River
Warroad
Detroit Lakes
[/quote]

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am
by elliott70
The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:35 am
by zooomx
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...
Well, I think the Alex vs Cathedral game might be a bigger game. Big week as a whole for Alex with SCC, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo, and EGF.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:23 am
by elliott70
Yeah overlooked that one.
Will Alex stay with them, beat them?

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 12:46 pm
by BSUBeaver
zooomx wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:35 am
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...
Well, I think the Alex vs Cathedral game might be a bigger game. Big week as a whole for Alex with SCC, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo, and EGF.
I agree, big week for the Cardinals. I would love to make the trip to St. Cloud on Tuesday, but it just isn't in the plans.....

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 2:30 pm
by Stang5280
zooomx wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:35 am
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...
Well, I think the Alex vs Cathedral game might be a bigger game. Big week as a whole for Alex with SCC, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo, and EGF.
For sure. Alex hasn’t really played anyone yet, then suddenly gets thrown into the deep end of the pool this week. Of course, the Cardinals were pretty mediocre last year during the regular season, then tore off five straight playoff wins. I’m not sure playoff seeding will make a big difference in that section.

Speaking of 6A teams, Little Falls definitely deserves consideration near the tail end of the rankings. I need to remember to look at them closely this week.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 2:59 pm
by elliott70
Stang5280 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 2:30 pm
zooomx wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:35 am
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...
Well, I think the Alex vs Cathedral game might be a bigger game. Big week as a whole for Alex with SCC, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo, and EGF.
For sure. Alex hasn’t really played anyone yet, then suddenly gets thrown into the deep end of the pool this week. Of course, the Cardinals were pretty mediocre last year during the regular season, then tore off five straight playoff wins. I’m not sure playoff seeding will make a big difference in that section.

Speaking of 6A teams, Little Falls definitely deserves consideration near the tail end of the rankings. I need to remember to look at them closely this week.
Use a microscope - they may end up being relevant but now they have 3 wins
Intl Falls by a goal - maybe #6 in section 7
beat Crookston #9 or #10 in section 8; beat Wadena lower level in section 6.
lost to Virginia by 3 - #4 in 7
lost to Alex
QRF has them at #29 not that QRF is anywhere close to tright this time of year.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:01 pm
by elliott70
QRF top 25 in single A
1 St. Cloud Cathedral (5-0) 55.3
2 Totino-Grace (3-2) 50.3
3 Duluth Denfeld (4-0) 47.5
4 Mahtomedi (3-1) 45.7
5 Marshall (5-1) 43.8
6 Alexandria (4-0) 43.4
7 Mankato East/Loyola (3-2) 42.8
8 Sartell-St. Stephen (3-1) 42.2
9 Hermantown (2-2) 41.4
10 East Grand Forks (6-1) 41.0
11 Detroit Lakes (4-0) 40.3
12 Chisago Lakes Area (6-0) 40.1
13 Red Lake Falls (2-0) 40.0
14 Orono (3-2) 39.7
15 Waconia (5-1) 37.9
16 North Branch (5-1-1) 37.3
17 Minnesota River (5-1) 36.4
18 Eveleth-Gilbert Area (4-2) 35.4
19 Rochester Lourdes/Dover-Eyota (3-3) 34.6
20 Princeton (3-2) 33.9
21 Mound Westonka/Watertown-Mayer (5-2) 33.5
22 Becker/Big Lake (4-1-1) 32.7
23 Greenway/Nash-Kee (2-3) 30.6
24 Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (2-1) 30.5
25 Minnehaha Academy (3-3)

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:37 am
by zooomx
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:23 am Yeah overlooked that one.
Will Alex stay with them, beat them?
I think they can play with them on most nights. First tougher opponent makes me a bit nervous. In terms of skaters, Alex lost one second (or third) line wing, and one very strong D from last years team. Also, a good goalie who is replaced by a good goalie. The senior class is very deep and very motivated to finish their run strong. I guess it wouldn't surprise me this early to see them go 0-3 or 3-0 this week.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:41 am
by zooomx
BSUBeaver wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 12:46 pm
zooomx wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:35 am
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:17 am The biggest game this coming week probably is EGF and Alex.
If its a close game won't change things much ...
Well, I think the Alex vs Cathedral game might be a bigger game. Big week as a whole for Alex with SCC, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo, and EGF.
I agree, big week for the Cardinals. I would love to make the trip to St. Cloud on Tuesday, but it just isn't in the plans.....
Yup, I have to work that night too. Also, with my son graduated out, I am mostly going to my daughters games this year.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 7:39 am
by BP
elliott70 wrote: Mon Dec 10, 2018 3:01 pm QRF top 25 in single A
1 St. Cloud Cathedral (5-0) 55.3
2 Totino-Grace (3-2) 50.3
3 Duluth Denfeld (4-0) 47.5
4 Mahtomedi (3-1) 45.7
5 Marshall (5-1) 43.8
6 Alexandria (4-0) 43.4
7 Mankato East/Loyola (3-2) 42.8
8 Sartell-St. Stephen (3-1) 42.2
9 Hermantown (2-2) 41.4
10 East Grand Forks (6-1) 41.0
11 Detroit Lakes (4-0) 40.3
12 Chisago Lakes Area (6-0) 40.1
13 Red Lake Falls (2-0) 40.0
14 Orono (3-2) 39.7
15 Waconia (5-1) 37.9
16 North Branch (5-1-1) 37.3
17 Minnesota River (5-1) 36.4
18 Eveleth-Gilbert Area (4-2) 35.4
19 Rochester Lourdes/Dover-Eyota (3-3) 34.6
20 Princeton (3-2) 33.9
21 Mound Westonka/Watertown-Mayer (5-2) 33.5
22 Becker/Big Lake (4-1-1) 32.7
23 Greenway/Nash-Kee (2-3) 30.6
24 Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (2-1) 30.5
25 Minnehaha Academy (3-3)
I know it will shake itself out and it's early - but this is why the MSHSL doesn't use QRF. Fun to look at though.

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:14 am
by elliott70
Class A games Tuesday with impact
Litchfield @ Bloomington Kennedy
Orono at Chaska (AA)
Lourdes at Minnehaha
Sartell at Hutchinson
Alex at St Cloud Cath *
Virginia at Duluth Denfeld *

*section games

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:26 am
by elliott70
Class A games Thursday with impact
Breck vs Orono *
Chisago vs Pine City *
Minn River vs Hutchinson
Totino vs Armstrong Cooper (AA)
Rochester Mayo (AA) vs Northfield
St Cloud (AA) vs Alex
Warroad vs TRF *


*section games

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 6:47 am
by elliott70
elliott70 wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:14 am Class A games Tuesday with impact
Litchfield @ Bloomington Kennedy
Orono at Chaska (AA)
Lourdes at Minnehaha
Sartell at Hutchinson
Alex at St Cloud Cath *
Virginia at Duluth Denfeld *

*section games
Kennedy wins starting to show signs of life (correction - tie)
Orono steam rolled by Chaska
Lourdes and Sartell win
Alex looked great in OT loss to Cathedral
7A ties

Re: Class A Top 20 Week 3

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 8:33 am
by bardown27
elliott70 wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 6:47 am
elliott70 wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:14 am Class A games Tuesday with impact
Litchfield @ Bloomington Kennedy
Orono at Chaska (AA)
Lourdes at Minnehaha
Sartell at Hutchinson
Alex at St Cloud Cath *
Virginia at Duluth Denfeld *

*section games
Kennedy wins starting to show signs of life
Orono steam rolled by Chaska
Lourdes and Sartell win
Alex looked great in OT loss to Cathedral
7A ties
Kennedy and LDC tied