Please read these even though a certain podcast personality said not to trust anyone who didn't have East Grand Forks at the top to start the season. Wait a minute... the invincible Green Wave actually lost?!
1. Hermantown (2-0-0) [LW 1]
W 8-1 @ Superior, W 12-1 @ Eveleth
The Hawks absolutely destroyed two overmatched opponents and solidified their case as the class of Class A. Zam Plante has already racked up 10 points, though the scoring was spread around enough for nearly everyone to get in on the act. New goalie Opsahl was barely tested, facing 18 shots in five periods of work. The schedule will largely remain pillow soft until mid-February, and Hermantown should romp over the two 7A foes this week.
Next: Tue @ Hibbing, Thu @ Proctor
2. Gentry Academy (1-0-0) [LW 3]
W 8-2 vs Breck
It's only one game, but the Stars lived up to the preseason hype in dismantling a solid Breck team. Gentry spread around the scoring love, with former 16U team members Zach Reim and Nick Sajevic leading the way with two goals and an assist. This team looks very deep and skilled. The next few opponents on the schedule should be little more than speed bumps.
Next: Sat @ SPA
3. Warroad (2-0-0) [LW 4]
W 7-1 vs TRF, 6-0 vs Detroit Lakes
Not much to say here as the Warriors wiped the floor with two section foes. Jayson Shaugabay and defenseman Blake Norris have already racked up nine and eight points, respectively, while last year's backup goalie, Jack Orchard, has stepped in nicely. The winning ways should continue against a mediocre Bemidji bunch before a brutal stretch kicks in.
Next: Tue vs Bemidji
4. Mahtomedi (0-1-0) [LW 6]
L 1-2 vs Hill-Murray
In perhaps the most anticipated game of the first week, Mahtomedi acquitted themselves well in the matchup of defending champions. Dardis was spectacular as usual, but the offense was not able to convert their limited opportunities. Scoring may be an issue that will need to be remedied for this group to succeed. Things don't get any easier this week with road trips to #8 AA Benilde and Wisconsin powerhouse Hudson.
Next: Wed @ BSM, Sat @ Hudson
5. East Grand Forks (0-2-0) [LW 2]
L 1-6 @ GF Red River, L 4-7 vs GF Central
I typically don't like to overreact to a single weekend of results, particularly when facing out-of-state competition that has several games under their belts, but surrendering 13 games in two games is just plain ugly (and Roseau smashed Red River). The Green Wave have serious goaltending concerns, and trotted out a freshman Saturday who was just shellacked. EGF continues their North Dakota barnstorming tour with four games this week, including three days in a row. They will need to right the ship soon before starting the meat of the schedule.
Next: Mon vs Fargo South, Thu @ Fargo Davies, Fri @ GF Central, Sat vs GF Red River
6. Duluth Denfeld (0-0-1) [LW 7]
T 4-4 @ Duluth East
The Hunters still haven't defeated East since 2012-13, but can't feel too bad about coming out of their rivalry game with a draw. Denfeld's top line was dominant, particularly Kade Shea, and sophomore Sam Kartch was great in his first varsity action. If the defense can tighten up, this will be a formidable group. Denfeld should jump into the win column Saturday against a struggling Superior squad.
Next: Sat @ Superior
7. Little Falls (1-0-0) [LW 8]
W 4-2 vs TRF
Following the Breckenridge postponement, the Flyers registered what could best be described as a routine victory: not dominant, but fairly comfortable. They had a great first period, let TRF back into the game in the second, but scored a late goal to essentially seal the game. Couture was steady in net, and sophomore Matt Filippi was nearly unstoppable up front with two goals. The schedule is pretty light this week ahead of a big matchup with Sartell.
Next: Tue vs Princeton, Fri vs Morris
8. Delano (1-1-0) [LW 5]
L 2-4 vs Mound-Westonka, W 3-0 vs Bemidji
Notoriously a slow starting squad over the past few years, the Tigers continued that trend into 2021. Delano doomed themselves Thursday with a poor first period from which they could never claw back. The Bemidji win was a slog, and new goalie Huotari saved their bacon numerous times. We'll see if the offensive production can improve before the schedule becomes more tricky. I am still buying Delano for now, but they are on thin ice.
Tue @ Waconia, Fri. vs Hutchinson
9. St. Paul Johnson (0-0-0) [LW 9]
Idle
Nothing to see here. In fact, the next game on the Governors' schedule isn't until the 26th, which makes me think there may be a COVID issue.
Next: Idle
10. Mankato East (1-0-0) [LW 10]
W 9-0 vs Red Wing
The Cougars mauled Red Wing after their opener with Albert Lea was postponed. Shae Gavin had a hat trick in his first varsity game, with Liffrig adding two tallies. The schedule ramps up a bit, with East facing off against two of the better Big Nine teams.
Next: Tue vs Northfield, Sat @ Owatonna
11. Armstrong/Cooper (2-0-0) [LW 12]
W 4-2 vs Coon Rapids, W 6-1 @ Spring Lake Park
The Wings kicked off the season with two routine triumphs. They needed some time to pull away from Coon Rapids, while jumping all over SLP from the drop. In both cases Armstrong/Cooper handily outshot their opponents and controlled zone time. Scoring balance has been excellent so far, but Noah Weisjahn has stood out as the dominant offensive force. A/C will have to be at the top of their game to even keep things close against #2 AA Maple Grove.
Next: Thu @ Maple Grove
12. Dodge County (0-0-1) [LW 11]
T 5-5 vs Northfield
The Wildcats were not especially impressive in their opener, scraping out a tie against a mid-pack 1AA thanks to a late Brody Lamb goal. Dodge County trailed 4-1,before mounting a frenetic comeback. The Tuesday tilt with Highland Park was canceled, so DC won't be playing until the 26th barring a schedule change.
Next: Idle
13. Monticello (1-0-0) [LW 13]
W 5-3 vs Chisago Lakes
The Moose needed a third-period comeback to overcome Chisago Lakes in the season opener, tacking on an empty-netter for the final margin. Those two teams will square off again Saturday to cap off a busy week of action.
lurking as the primary conference and section challenger, and coincidentally the first up on the slate.
Next: Tue @ SCC, Thu vs St. Francis, Sat @ Chisago Lakes
14. Alexandria (1-0-0) [LW 15]
W 5-4 @ Fergus Falls
After a postponement, the Cardinals defeated upstart Fergus Falls in a rare Friday matinee. The Otters had clawed back from a two-goal deficit, but Payton Doty buried the winner late. Sophomore Tyler Kludt had two goals in his varsity debut. Alexandria can burnish its section resume with a win against Sartell.
Next: Tue @ Sartell, Thu vs Sauk Rapids
15. Mound Westonka (1-1-0) [LW 18]
W 4-2 @ Delano , T 3-3 @ Simley
A new year, another season of this team vexing me. The White Hawks jumped all over Delano in the first period and hung on for the win. Then they go out and tie a Simley squad that has been surprisingly spunky, but nowhere near the caliber of Delano., blowing a 3-0 lead. The top line is quite good, as is the defense and goaltending, but secondary scoring is an ongoing concern. The Tuesday test against Litchfield should be telling.
Next: Tue vs LDC, Thu vs Waconia
16. Breck (1-1-0) [LW 17]
W 9-3 @ SPA, L 2-8 @ Gentry
I feel dirty moving Breck up a spot after the Gentry beatdown, but that is more a result of the lackluster performances of the teams around them. The Mustangs started out well enough, thumping St. Paul Academy, but then came the buzzsaw known as Gentry Academy. Still, there are some positive signs to take away from the first week, like defenseman Carter Theissen stepping up and becoming more of an offensive catalyst. And I don't think that will be the last time Gentry makes mincemeat out of a decent team. Things lighten up for a bit until the calendar turns to February.
Next: Thu @ Providence
17. Chisago Lakes (0-1-0) [LW 19]
L 3-5 @ Monticello
The Wildcats outplayed Monticello for two periods, but couldn't hold on to their lead. Still a promising start, with a combination of young and experienced players contributing to the scoresheet. CL should collect a routine victory before the quick turnaround on the rematch with the Moose, this time on home ice.
Next: Tue @ Becker, Sat vs Monticello
18. Sartell-St. Stephen (1-1-0) [LW 16]
L 3-7 @ St. Cloud, W 2-1 @ Brainerd
The Sabres started out in wildly inconsistent fashion against two 8AA opponents. Sartell was the only 6A team to play Thursday evening, and probably wished their game had been postponed. Sartell was down 5-0 in the blink of an eye and never had a chance to recover. They bounced back nicely Saturday, with goalie Sigurdson stopping 25 of 26 shots for the victory. This is still a young team, so results like these aren't surprising. Sartell already faces one of its biggest weeks of the season, tangling with two of its main section foes.
Next: Tue vs Alexandria Thu vs Fergus Falls
19. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (1-0-0) [LW 20]
W 6-1 vs Willmar
Following postponement of the Orono game, the Dragons walloped Willmar in their only action, with six different players chipping in goals. This week is more interesting, with a tough test against Mound Westonka followed by an important section contest against New Ulm, one of LDC's primary competitors in 3A.
Next: Tue @ Mound, Thu @ New Ulm
20. Fergus Falls (1-1-0) [LW NR]
L 4-5 vs Alexandria, W 8-2 vs River Lakes
The Otters swim into the rankings after pushing Alex to the brink and dunking RL. The Alexandria loss stung, as they had scratched back from a two-goal deficit in the third and regained momentum. This is still a very young team, much like Sartell, and growing pains will happen given how much they rely on underclassmen. Speaking of which, Fergus Falls faces those Sabres in a Thursday night tussle.
Next: Thu @ Sartell
Out: Tartan
Others Considered: Orono, Hutchinson, Simley, SWC/Richfield, Virginia
