Class A Rankings 12-16-2018

[HShockeywatcher]

There were quite a few exciting results last week with a some movement for a couple teams. There's still a few teams who haven't played a lot of Class A games and the rest of December and beginning of January are going to be super helpful. A couple distinct tiers are forming in Class A.
There's only a couple games this week among teams ranked/mentioned.

1. [2] Hermantown (4-2) (0-0)
The Hawks picked up a couple dominating wins last week. Their only losses are by 1 goal to good AA teams. Their only game this week is home against a Totino team that's been on a roll lately. 4 more games before they clash with Cathedral.
This week: Sat vs Totino-Grace

2. [1] Cathedral (7-0) (7-0)
The Crusaders beat Alexandria in OT this week. They went up to #1 when Hermantown lost a game and with Alex getting crushed by EGF this week, they may not be the top team. They likely won't be challenged this week or next as they prep for hosting Hermantown in January.
This week: Tues vs Chisago Lakes, Fri @ Luverne

3. [4] Mahtomedi (4-1) (1-0)
The Zephyrs picked up a conference win last week. This week they play two section opponents, which will be their second and third Class A opponents.
This week: Thurs vs South St Paul, Sat vs Northfield

4. [5] East Grand Forks (8-1) (7-1)
The Green Wave crushed a good Alexandria team this week. Having been crushed by Cathedral earlier and not playing Hermantown or Mahtomedi this regular season, EGF is going to be at the mercy of how the teams around them perform going forward.
This week: Tues @ Bemidji, Thurs vs Warroad

5. [3] Alexandria (5-2) (4-2)
The Cardinals lost to Cathedral in OT, then got crushed by EGF. Time will tell which game last week was more like who they are.
This week: Tues @ Fergus Falls, Thurs @ Brainerd

6. [11] Thief River Falls (6-3-2) (4-1-1)
The Prowlers' only Class A loss is to Cathedral in OT. They also tied a Minneapolis team they previously beat. They should rack up a few more wins over the next month.
This week: Thurs @ Crookston

7. [6] Orono (4-3) (4-1)
The Spartans pick up a nice win over Breck. Their only Class A loss is to EGF and they should still be favorite in 2A until beaten. Can they keep up with Holy Family this week?
This week: Tues vs Holy Family, Sat vs Kenneday

8. [7] Duluth Denfeld (4-1-1) (4-0-1)
The Hunters won their first 4 games, then tied Virginia and lost to New Prague last week. They still haven't lost a Class A game, which doesn't look like it'll be happening for a while. Can they win in Superior this week?
This week: Thurs @ Superior

9. [8] Greenway (2-5) (1-3)
The Raiders have now lost 5 in a row, but the first 3 of those were to Denfeld, Cathedral, and EGF all by 1 or 2 goals.
This week: Tues @ Eveleth-Gilbert, Fri vs Moorhead

10. [-] Minneapolis (4-3-1) (4-2-1)
Outside of their loss to Orono and loss and tie to TRF they're coming off, the Novas haven't played and won't play other teams ranked/mentioned until the end of January. It's great to see Minneapolis having a winning record. They are 2-1 in section play and have two section opponents this week.
This week: Tues @ Hopkins, Thurs @ Waconia, Sat vs Mound Westonka

11. [9] Warroad (3-4) (3-2)
The Warriors lost in TRF last week and play in EGF this week.
This week: Thurs @ East Grand Forks

12. [10] Sartell (5-1) (4-1)
The Sabres picked up two more Class A wins this week before hosting St Cloud this week.
This week: Tues vs St Cloud

13. [12] Mankato East (4-2-1) (2-0)
The Cougars allowed less than 2 goals for the first time on Saturday. They've only played two Class A games, but have three this coming week including two section games. Can they pick up three wins?
This week: Tues @ Albert Lea, Thurs vs Hutchinsoon, Sat @ Minnesota River

14. [13] Virginia (3-3-1) (3-2-1)
The Blue Devils have a 1 goal loss to Greenway, a tie with Denfeld, and a 4 goal loss to Warroad. It looks like they should be able to play with everyone, and they will have plenty of opportunities over the next couple weeks.
This week: Fri @ Jefferson, Sat @ Breck

15. [-] Totino-Grace (5-2) (0-1)
The Eagles started the season 0-2 getting crushed by EGF in their second game and since then have won 5 in a row. With Alex losing to EGF as well, the loss doesn't look so bad now. As has been the case the last couple seasons, as the only Class A team in their 13 team conference, Totino has 18 AA games on their schedule. Their Class A games are mainly top teams in EGF, Hermantown, and Mahtomedi as 3 of their 4 scheduled games.
This week: Thurs @ Osseo, Sat @ Hermantown


Others to watch

[14] Chisago Lakes (7-2) (5-1)
This week: Tues @ Cathedral, Thurs @ Princeton, Sat @ Proctor

Litchfield (3-1-1) (3-1-1)
This week: Tues @ Mound Westonka, Fri vs Redwood Valley

Marshall (8-1) (8-0)
This week: Thurs @ Fairmont

Minnesota River (8-1) (7-1)
This week: Tues vs Redwood Valley, Thurs @ New Ulm, Sat vs Mankato East

Monticello (4-3-1) (4-2-1)
This week: Tues vs Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sat @ North Branch

[15] Northfield (3-2) (3-1)
This week: Tues @ Owatonna, Thurs @ Holy Family, Sat @ Mahtomedi

[goldy313]

Minnesota River is, based on record, the best 1A team.
Northfield is not very good this year.