A Rankings for 1/26/20

[ClassAGuy]

Class A Rankings (1/26/20)
1. Hermantown
2. Warroad
3. St. Cloud Cathedral
4. East Grand Forks
5. Orono
6. Mahtomedi
7. Duluth Denfeld
8. Alexandria
9. Delano
10. Little Falls
11. Thief River Falls
12. Monticello
13. Gentry Academy
14. St Paul Johnson
15. Eveleth Gilbert
16. North Branch
17. Dodge County
18. Greenway
19. Hutchinson
20. Mound Westonka

[elliott70]

1/26/2020
1 Hermantown
2 St Cloud Cathedral
3 Warroad
4 East Grand Forks
5 Duluth Denfeld
6 Mahtomedi
7 Delano
8 Orono
9 Thief River Falls
10 Eveleth
11 ALEXANDRIA
12 Gentry
13 St Paul Johnson
14 Little Falls
15 Monticello
16 North Branch
17 Pine City
18 Greenway
19 Mound-Westonka
20 Mankato East

Consideration:
Mankato West, Faribault, Tartan, New Ulm, Princeton, So St Paul, Minneapolis, Dodge County, Hutchinson

[Stang5280]

Week 9 Rankings 1/26/20

Sorry for putting these out later than usual; I started updating scores late this week. There weren't too many matchups between the top teams this week, or any major upsets for that matter, so the top tier of teams remains stable. However, there was quite a bit of chaos among the middle tier, and a few new teams that jumped into the tail end of the rankings. Enjoy!

1. St. Cloud Cathedral (14-1-1) [LW 1]
W 7-3 @ Little Falls, W 5-4 (OT) vs Mahtomedi
The Crusaders found themselves in precarious positions twice this week, but managed to emerge unscathed and maintain their spot at the top of the rankings. They started flat at Little Falls, perhaps owing to the forced ten day break, and faced a 3-1 deficit midway through the second, before netting six unanswered goals en route to a routine victory. Mahtomedi tallied three goals in the second stanza, placing SCC in the same hole that they managed to wriggle out of again. The Crusaders will face a four-game week next, with the Monday and Thursday contests being the far more interesting ones.
Next: Mon @ Alexandria, Tue vs Wadena, Thu @ Monticello, Fri vs Lourdes

2. Hermantown (13-1-4) [LW 2]
W 8-1 vs Hibbing, W 6-0 vs Proctor, W 4-2 @ Holy Family
The Hawks pummeled two of the weaker teams in their section before heading down to Victoria for what turned out to be an entertaining affair. Hermantown pasted the HF goal with shots, but the Fire were able to hang around until a late shorthanded goal sealed the victory. The run of AA opponents continues this week, and the Hawks should be slight favorites in both, though the HM contest could be a slog given the Pioneers' recent tendencies.
Next: Thu vs Cloquet, Sat @ Hill-Murray

3. East Grand Forks (12-3-2) [LW 3]
10-1 vs Kittson
Not much to say here, as the Green Wave crushed poor Kittson in their only game action. EGF should continue to roll over two weaker section opponents this week before tangling with one of their cross-border rivals in a previously postponed contest.
Next: Tue vs Crookston, Fri @ LotW, Sat @ GF Red River

4. Warroad (18-1-0) [LW 4]
W 6-0 @ Hibbing, W 3-1 @ Denfeld
The Warriors took care of business without much trouble on their trip across to the northeastern portion of the state. Denfeld managed to keep things close, but the dam eventually broke and Warroad's top line was too much to handle. Next on deck for the Warriors are the two AA teams in their conference, including a chance to avenge their only loss of the season at the hands of rival Roseau. A sweep of both games would make a bold statement.
Next: Tue vs Roseau, Sat vs Moorhead

5. Orono (15-2-1) [LW 5]
L 2-3 @ Delano
The Spartans finally stumbled, with section nemesis Delano snapping their eight-game winning streak. While it does show that Orono is vulnerable come playoff time, I think this result says more about the surging Tigers. Plus, the Spartans just defeated Mahtomedi, so there is no room to drop them. Orono will be busy next week with three contests on the schedule, but is unlikely to be seriously challenged in any of them.
Next: Mon @ Waconia, Tue vs LDC, Fri @ New Prague

6. Mahtomedi (13-6-0) [LW 6]
W 8-0 vs SSP, W 2-0 vs Simley, L 4-5 (OT) @ Cathedral
The Zephyrs went from looking like chumps last Saturday to nearly knocking off the defending champs this weekend. Mahtomedi controlled the middle stanza and built a 3-1 lead, but couldn't hold off the lethal Crusader offense. Still, their performances this week show that the Zephyrs are back on track after stubbing their toes a few times. They take the ice only once this week, but it's a difficult bout with a ranked AA foe.
Next: Tue @ Stillwater

7. Duluth Denfeld (14-4-1) [LW 7]
W 4-2 vs TRF, L 1-3 vs Warroad
The Hunters hold tight after splitting with two of the top three teams from 8A. They acquitted themselves respectably against Warroad, despite a 40-14 shot disparity, showing that they can at least stay within striking distance of the elite group. The Tuesday tussle with a hot E-G group is huge for section seeding purposes.
Next: Tue @ Eveleth, Thu @ Hibbing

8. Delano (12-6-0) [LW 11]
W 3-2 vs Orono, W 1-0 @ Waconia
Much like last season, the Tigers have been a team that has significantly improved as the year has progressed. That was borne out Thursday in their defeat of Orono, a team who tamed the Tigers 5-1 last month. This is a group lacking in star power, and overall scoring punch for that matter, but they have found a way to scrape out close wins. Perhaps there was a letdown against Waconia, though I will cut them some slack there. A victory this week over Mound Westonka all but assures Delano of a top two seed in 2A.
Next: Tue vs Mound Westonka, Fri @ Hutchinson

9. Monticello (12-5-1) [LW 14]
W 6-3 @ Alexandria, W 7-0 vs Cambridge-Isanti
The Moose trampled Alexandria, and bagged their most impressive win to date. This is an experienced, deep squad that could be a threat to a seeded team at the X. Their power play is clicking at a ludicrous 43% rate, which leads all of Class A. As stated last week, Monticello has the most ambitious schedule in 5A, and they have another huge test Thursday versus Cathedral, sandwiched between two games that should be layups.
Next: Tue vs Sartell, Thu vs SCC, Sat @ Chisago

10. Thief River Falls (10-8-1) [LW 9]
L 2-4 @ Denfeld, W 6-0 @ Hibbing
Another week, another close loss to a superior squad for the Prowlers. It's hard to ding them too much for close losses to strong opposition, but at some point they need to start coming out on top in some of these games. Luckily for TRF, their schedule down the stretch is generally less challenging, particularly the two upcoming games.
Next: Tue vs LotW, Thu vs Crookston

11. Alexandria (12-5-0) [LW 8]
L 3-6 vs Monticello, W 2-1 @ River Lakes
The Cardinals had been wobbly since the holidays, and their wings were clipped against Monticello. Alexandria didn't help their cause by spending 30 minutes in the sin bin, and the Moose's potent power play cashed in four times. Leading scorer Caleb Strong was tossed midway through the third, and they narrowly escaped River Lakes without him. Things don't get any easier this week, with the annual Cathedral grudge match followed by a rematch with the Stars.
Next: Mon vs SCC, Tue vs River Lakes, Thu vs St. Cloud

12. Little Falls (15-4-1) [LW 10]
L 3-7 vs SCC, W 5-3 @ Princeton
The Flyers came out soaring against Cathedral, twice holding two-goal leads, but things quickly spiraled out of control. Little Falls could do, uh, little to stem the tidal wave of offensive firepower over the second half of the game. They rebounded with a decent win over a surging Princeton squad, albeit not without some difficulties. The remaining schedule is largely Charmin soft, including the two contests this week.
Next: Tue vs Fergus Falls, Sat vs Lourdes

13. Gentry Academy (15-3-0) [LW 12]
W 5-2 vs Owatonna
The Stars leashed the Huskies in their only action of the week. Owatonna had been playing well of late, including a 4-1 win over Farmington, so that is a solid victory for Gentry. The upcoming tilt with Johnson is the most important of the seven games remaining on their schedule.
Next: Fri vs SP Johnson, Sat vs Providence

14. Eveleth-Gilbert (14-6-0) [LW 13]
W 4-1 @ North Shore, W 4-1 vs Virginia
The Golden Bears posted two routine wins over 7A foes by identical counts, and in doing so stretched their winning streak to eight. E-G doesn't have any particularly impressive victories, the best being over Greenway, but also has avoided any bad losses. They have only five regular season games remaining, and none are bigger than the Tuesday showdown with Denfeld. A win could vault the Golden Bears into the #2 seed.
Next: Tue @ Denfeld, Thu @ Duluth Marshall

15. St. Paul Johnson (15-4-0) [LW 15]
W 5-2 vs Sibley, W 5-1 vs SPA
Much like Eveleth-Gilbert above, the Governors registered two straightforward victories over section opponents. Johnson's string of section games becomes much more challenging, with the two games this week being undoubtedly the most important remaining. The results could land Johnson anywhere between the two and four seeds.
Next: Tue vs SSP, Fri @ Gentry

16. Greenway (7-11-0) [LW 16]
W 6-1 @ Int'l Falls, W 7-1 @ Duluth Marshall
The Raiders finally had a brief respite from their relentless schedule and romped past two lesser foes. This team is always hard to rank; the high-end talent is still there, but they are paper thin, and it shows against the stronger opposition. Speaking of which, there's only one contest on deck, though it's against Karl's #8AA team.
Fri vs Wayzata

17. North Branch (14-4-0) [LW 17]
W 5-3 @ Pine City, W 4-2 vs St. Francis
The Vikings escaped with two narrow victories over section foes. Pine City outplayed them for large stretches of their contest, and St. Francis drew within one in the third before NB salted things away with an empty-netter. The talent is obvious when watching this team play, but unfortunately so is the lack of discipline. Penalties are a bugaboo, and the St. Francis game was especially ugly in that regard. The top line and goaltending make up for many sins, but over-reliance on those factors could haunt them. The upcoming week looks to be a snoozefest.
Next: Mon @ Becker, Fri vs Cambridge-Isanti

18. Pine City (14-4-0) [LW 19]
L 3-5 vs North Branch, W 5-0 vs Mora
As noted above, the Dragons gave North Branch a stout contest, with the ice being tilted in their favor for much of the game. It was my first time seeing Pine City play (and I also caught part of the Mora game), and I came away impressed. The schedule isn't much to write home about, and the Dragons should be favored in their three upcoming games, but they certainly pass the old eyeball test.
Next: Tue vs Chisago, Thu @ Northern Lakes, Sat vs Becker

19. Hutchinson (12-6-1) [LW NR]
W 5-2 vs Mound, W 4-3 vs New Ulm, W 5-1 @ New Prague
This is a group I had written off after a rough mid-season stretch, but the Tigers have come roaring back to life with four straight triumphs, including a sound thumping of Mound Westonka. The win over New Ulm all but locks down the top seed in the always wild 3A playoffs. The Delano game will be a good barometer of how far Hutch has come, though they did give the Tigers a close battle last time.
Next: Thu vs Redwood Valley, Fri vs Delano

20. Dodge County (14-5-0) [LW NR]
W 8-3 vs Tartan, W 5-3 vs Faribault, W 13-2 @ Moose Lake
Another team that has rounded into form after a midseason slump, the Wildcats have now reeled off seven straight wins. The two most impressive of those came last week, with convincing victories over solid Tartan and Faribault teams. The latter launched Dodge County into contender status in 1A (though unfortunately they don't play either Mankato), which has no clear favorite. A young group led by sophomore phenom Brody Lamb, the Wildcats may be arriving ahead of schedule. The stretch run schedule is pretty friendly as well.
Next: Thu vs Hopkins, Fri vs Windom

Out: Minneapolis (8-9-2) [LW 18], Mound Westonka (12-7-1) [LW 20]

Others Considered: Armstrong/Cooper (8-9-1), Breck (9-9-0), Faribault (12-4-2), Princeton (7-10-1), River Lakes (10-7-1)

[Puck8]

Gentry v Johnson will be . With Mahtomedi back on track, this is likely a battle for the 2 seed. Will be interesting to see which style prevails - Run and gun or physicality.

[Corn Cobb]

19. Hutchinson (12-6-1) [LW NR]
W 5-2 vs Mound, W 4-3 vs New Ulm, W 5-1 @ Hutchinson
This is a group I had written off after a rough mid-season stretch, but the Tigers have come roaring back to life with four straight triumphs, including a sound thumping of Mound Westonka. The win over New Ulm all but locks down the top seed in the always wild 3A playoffs. The Delano game will be a good barometer of how far Hutch has come, though they did give the Tigers a close battle last time.
Next: Thu vs Redwood Valley, Fri vs Delano

20. Dodge County (14-5-0) [LW NR]
W 8-3 vs Tartan, W 5-3 vs Faribault, W 13-2 @ Moose Lake
Another team that has rounded into form after a midseason slump, the Wildcats have now reeled off seven straight wins. The two most impressive of those came last week, with convincing victories over solid Tartan and Faribault teams. The latter launched Dodge County into contender status in 1A (though unfortunately they don't play either Mankato), which has no clear favorite. A young group led by freshman phenom Brody Lamb, the Wildcats may be arriving ahead of schedule. The stretch run schedule is pretty friendly as well.
Next: Thu vs Hopkins, Fri vs Windom

Great write up. Just wanted to point out that Hutch played New Prague in their last game and Brody Lamb is a sophomore.

[Duckguy13]

Geat review as always..

Highest I've ever seen Monticello, although in your defense..5 losses to Mahtomedi, Orono, Delano, Little Falls, and AA Champlin.
Only 5A team with 7 top 15 a teams on the schedule and AA buffalo, Champlin...the mighty SCC up this week. Good practice for the future.

Here's a thought..anyone who carries 4 or more D1 commits for more than 3 yrs in a row must go AA..good thought eh?

Might keep a few people from moving and chomping the #s...looked at this for a few minutes and the more I think about it the more it makes sense.

I'll copy to A vs AA post.

[ClassAGuy]

Geat review as always..

Highest I've ever seen Monticello, although in your defense..5 losses to Mahtomedi, Orono, Delano, Little Falls, and AA Champlin.
Only 5A team with 7 top 15 a teams on the schedule and AA buffalo, Champlin...the mighty SCC up this week. Good practice for the future.

Here's a thought..anyone who carries 4 or more D1 commits for more than 3 yrs in a row must go AA..good thought eh?

Might keep a few people from moving and chomping the #s...looked at this for a few minutes and the more I think about it the more it makes sense.

I'll copy to A vs AA post.

Monticello on the rise of late could see them knocking off some teams and will be someone no one wants to see at the X

[goldy313]

In 1A my top 3 seeds, in some order, would be Dodge County, Faribault, and Waseca......they are all 1-1 against each other. East lost to Faribault and doesn’t play the other two schools, West beat Faribault but lost to East and also doesn’t play the other two schools. So they, in some order would be #4 and #5.

The MSHSL is in all probability going back to counting all students in co-op schools for the 2021 season. It seems largely due to SMB in football but there are some others as well. If that does indeed happen Dodge County would be back in AA after this 2 year cycle. So, the Wildcats window might be short a year for this pretty talented sophomore class.

FWIW, Faribault doesn’t field a JV team and by my count they have 15 skaters and 3 goalies. They have an interesting game with Century on Tuesday, Century has drubbed all the 1A teams in conference play this year but really struggle defensively against teams in the top half of Lee’s rankings. Century beat Dodge County 4-1 but it was only 1-1 after two periods.

[Corn Cobb]

This is how I'd go in 1A for the top 8 right now........

1 - Mankato East
2 - Mankato West
3 - Dodge County
4 - Faribault
5 - Minnesota River
6 - Waseca
7 - Albert Lea
8 - Winona

[elliott70]

QRF Rankings: January 27, 2020
1 St. Cloud Cathedral (14-1-1)108.0
2 Hermantown (13-1-4) 98.2
3 Orono (15-2-1)91.4
4 Warroad (18-1) 88.7
5 East Grand Forks (12-3-2) 87.7
6 Gentry Academy (15-3) 85.6
7 Mahtomedi (13-6) 84.3
8 Alexandria (12-5) 73.5
9 Duluth Denfeld (14-4-1) 72.7
10 St. Paul Johnson (15-4) 71.5
11 Little Falls (15-4-1) 68.3
12 Delano (12-6) 67.4
13 Mound Westonka/Wa tertown-Mayer (12-7-1) 66.9
14 North Branch (14-4) 66.7
15 Monticello (12-5-1) 66.5
16 Pine City Area (14-4) 65.9
17 Thief River Falls (10-8-1) 65.5
18 Hutchinson (12-6-1) 61.7
19 New Ulm (12-6-1) 59.6
20 Breck (9-9) 59.5
21 Morris/Benson Area (14-3) 58.6
22 Tartan (10-9) 57.6
23 AC Wings (8-9-1) 57.1
T-24 Minneapolis (8-9-2) 56.6
T-24 Marshall (14-7) 56.6
26 Mankato East/Loyola (8-9-1)
56.3

[elliott70]

Pagestat 1-25-2020
7 HERMANTOWN 7A 13 1 4 0.833 103 37 21.13
8 ST CLOUD CATHEDRAL 6A 14 1 1 0.906 100 39 20.79
17 WARROAD 8A 18 1 0 0.947 109 28 19.94
18 EAST GRAND FORKS 8A 12 3 2 0.765 70 29 19.90
27 ORONO 2A 15 2 1 0.861 92 40 19.28

32 MAHTOMEDI 4A 13 6 0 0.684 78 47 18.93
42 THIEF RIVER FALLS 8A 10 8 1 0.553 64 38 17.80
43 DULUTH DENFELD 7A 14 4 1 0.763 81 44 17.78
48 DELANO 2A 12 6 0 0.667 58 39 17.47
49 LITTLE FALLS 6A 15 4 1 0.775 113 44 17.40

51 GENTRY ACADEMY 4A 15 3 0 0.833 88 41 17.36
58 GREENWAY 7A 7 11 0 0.389 50 63 16.67
59 MONTICELLO 5A 12 5 1 0.694 81 42 16.63
60 ALEXANDRIA 6A 12 5 0 0.706 71 41 16.62
61 ROBB ARMSTRONG/COOPER 2A 8 9 1 0.472 78 67 16.61

62 EVELETH GILBERT 7A 14 6 0 0.700 87 44 16.45
63 ST PAUL JOHNSON 4A 15 4 0 0.789 84 44 16.39
64 NORTH BRANCH 5A 14 4 0 0.778 90 41 16.37
69 PINE CITY 5A 14 4 0 0.778 89 36 16.09
70 MOUND WESTONKA 2A 12 7 1 0.625 80 59 16.04

72 BRECK_ 2A 9 9 0 0.500 55 67 15.91
73 HUTCHINSON 3A 12 6 1 0.658 68 54 15.90
74 RIVER LAKES 6A 10 7 1 0.583 60 42 15.81
76 TARTAN 4A 10 9 0 0.526 66 67 15.76
77 MINNEAPOLIS 2A 8 9 2 0.474 58 57 15.38

78 SOUTH ST PAUL 4A 7 9 3 0.447 46 69 15.30
79 MANKATO EAST 1A 8 9 1 0.472 66 70 15.26
82 SIMLEY 4A 9 11 0 0.450 62 70 14.98
84 DODGE COUNTY 1A 14 5 0 0.737 105 58 14.96

[Stang5280]

19. Hutchinson (12-6-1) [LW NR]
W 5-2 vs Mound, W 4-3 vs New Ulm, W 5-1 @ Hutchinson
This is a group I had written off after a rough mid-season stretch, but the Tigers have come roaring back to life with four straight triumphs, including a sound thumping of Mound Westonka. The win over New Ulm all but locks down the top seed in the always wild 3A playoffs. The Delano game will be a good barometer of how far Hutch has come, though they did give the Tigers a close battle last time.
Next: Thu vs Redwood Valley, Fri vs Delano

20. Dodge County (14-5-0) [LW NR]
W 8-3 vs Tartan, W 5-3 vs Faribault, W 13-2 @ Moose Lake
Another team that has rounded into form after a midseason slump, the Wildcats have now reeled off seven straight wins. The two most impressive of those came last week, with convincing victories over solid Tartan and Faribault teams. The latter launched Dodge County into contender status in 1A (though unfortunately they don't play either Mankato), which has no clear favorite. A young group led by freshman phenom Brody Lamb, the Wildcats may be arriving ahead of schedule. The stretch run schedule is pretty friendly as well.
Next: Thu vs Hopkins, Fri vs Windom

Great write up. Just wanted to point out that Hutch played New Prague in their last game and Brody Lamb is a sophomore.

Thanks for the corrections! I’m not sure why I had it in my head that Lamb was a freshman, and the New Prague one on Hutchinson’s schedule was just a brain fart.

[Stang5280]

I know Elliott just posted this above, but I was just about to post it myself and wanted to include some additional info.

PageStat Top 20
(Overall ranks in parentheses)

1. (7) HERMANTOWN 7A
2. (8) ST CLOUD CATHEDRAL 6A
3. (18) WARROAD 8A
4. (19) EAST GRAND FORKS 8A
5. (27) ORONO 2A
6. (32) MAHTOMEDI 4A
7. (42) THIEF RIVER FALLS 8A
8. (43) DULUTH DENFELD 7A
9. (48) DELANO 2A
10. (49) LITTLE FALLS 6A
11. (51) GENTRY ACADEMY 4A
12. (58) GREENWAY 7A (+4)
13. (59) MONTICELLO 5A (+6)
14. (60) ALEXANDRIA 6A (-2)
15. (61) ROBB ARMSTRONG/COOPER 2A (-2)
16. (62) EVELETH GILBERT 7A (-2)
17. (63) ST PAUL JOHNSON 4A (-2)
18. (64) NORTH BRANCH 5A (+?)
19. (69) PINE CITY 5A (+?)
20. (70) MOUND WESTONKA 2A

I also included the changes in rankings from last week, though I didn’t have info for teams that were outside of the top 20 last week. Interestingly, the top 11 teams all remained the same. Greenway and Monticello were the big risers, and I think you can also put North Branch and Pine City into that category.

[elliott70]

Thanks for making it easier to read but I am confused by the numbering??

15. (61) ROBB ARMSTRONG/COOPER 2A (-2)
14. (62) EVELETH GILBERT 7A (-2)
15. (63) ST PAUL JOHNSON 4A (-2)
16. (64) NORTH BRANCH 5A (+?)
17. (69) PINE CITY 5A (+?)
18. (70) MOUND WESTONKA 2A
19. (72) BRECK 2A (-2)
20. (73) HUTCHINSON 3A (+

[Stang5280]

Geat review as always..

Highest I've ever seen Monticello, although in your defense..5 losses to Mahtomedi, Orono, Delano, Little Falls, and AA Champlin.
Only 5A team with 7 top 15 a teams on the schedule and AA buffalo, Champlin...the mighty SCC up this week. Good practice for the future.

Yeah, #9 felt a little aggressive for Monticello, but I couldn’t figure out exactly where to fit them since the teams in that 9 to 13 range are all flawed in some respect. I have a feeling that I may be reconsidering that ranking after the Cathedral game, but we’ll see how they fare.

[Stang5280]

Thanks for making it easier to read but I am confused by the numbering??

15. (61) ROBB ARMSTRONG/COOPER 2A (-2)
14. (62) EVELETH GILBERT 7A (-2)
15. (63) ST PAUL JOHNSON 4A (-2)
16. (64) NORTH BRANCH 5A (+?)
17. (69) PINE CITY 5A (+?)
18. (70) MOUND WESTONKA 2A
19. (72) BRECK 2A (-2)
20. (73) HUTCHINSON 3A (+

Oops, I was using an app with auto-numbering and messed up that bottom portion. Will post a corrected version.

[stateofhawkey]

In 1A my top 3 seeds, in some order, would be Dodge County, Faribault, and Waseca......they are all 1-1 against each other. East lost to Faribault and doesn’t play the other two schools, West beat Faribault but lost to East and also doesn’t play the other two schools. So they, in some order would be #4 and #5.

The MSHSL is in all probability going back to counting all students in co-op schools for the 2021 season. It seems largely due to SMB in football but there are some others as well. If that does indeed happen Dodge County would be back in AA after this 2 year cycle. So, the Wildcats window might be short a year for this pretty talented sophomore class.

FWIW, Faribault doesn’t field a JV team and by my count they have 15 skaters and 3 goalies. They have an interesting game with Century on Tuesday, Century has drubbed all the 1A teams in conference play this year but really struggle defensively against teams in the top half of Lee’s rankings. Century beat Dodge County 4-1 but it was only 1-1 after two periods.

I'm sorry goldy, but putting Waseca in the top 3 is just a little bonkers. Look at their wins. They beat winless Lourdes by one goal. They've beaten Austin, 1 win; Fairmont, 3 wins; Worthington, 3 wins; and it goes on. Sure, beating Luverne is solid, and Winona is ok. But their schedule simply is way too soft to place them that high. Waseca doesn't play Mankato West or East, but I'm confident they would lose both of those matchups if they did.

[goldy313]

I think I have Waseca high as well, but East has a losing record and lost to Faribault. The Big Nine is not very good and the bottom of the conference is awful with 6 team ranked #117 or below. East has a nice win over Hutch but really that is it. I think at some point you have to win some games, East should go 5-2 the rest of the way. If they drop even 1 of the 5 they will be a .500 team. No way a .500 team gets a #1 seed in 1A, and even if they go 5-2 they’ll have a hard time catching Faribault in the conference standings meaning they won’t be #1.

I think East is the best team in 1A, I just don’t think at this time they deserve a top 3 seed. In the end I think they will be #2 or #3.

[bardown27]

I think I have Waseca high as well, but East has a losing record and lost to Faribault. The Big Nine is not very good and the bottom of the conference is awful with 6 team ranked #117 or below. East has a nice win over Hutch but really that is it. I think at some point you have to win some games, East should go 5-2 the rest of the way. If they drop even 1 of the 5 they will be a .500 team. No way a .500 team gets a #1 seed in 1A, and even if they go 5-2 they’ll have a hard time catching Faribault in the conference standings meaning they won’t be #1.

I think East is the best team in 1A, I just don’t think at this time they deserve a top 3 seed. In the end I think they will be #2 or #3.

Just want to throw this out there. Strength of Schedule is out of 149 teams. So because East has a losing record, who have a SOS of 78 (which is 20th among class A teams, first in 1A with the next closest being Lourdes @ 103) should be seeded behind Waseca (146), Dodge County (128) and Faribault (140). The other three mentioned may all be 4-6 games above .500, but they don't play ANYBODY.

If I were East, I would gladly take the 4 seed, play a home quarterfinal game, then get the 1 seed in the semis, and absolutely blow their doors off kind of like South did to Hastings last year in 1AA at the Rec.

[GopherPuck15]

I think I have Waseca high as well, but East has a losing record and lost to Faribault. The Big Nine is not very good and the bottom of the conference is awful with 6 team ranked #117 or below. East has a nice win over Hutch but really that is it. I think at some point you have to win some games, East should go 5-2 the rest of the way. If they drop even 1 of the 5 they will be a .500 team. No way a .500 team gets a #1 seed in 1A, and even if they go 5-2 they’ll have a hard time catching Faribault in the conference standings meaning they won’t be #1.

I think East is the best team in 1A, I just don’t think at this time they deserve a top 3 seed. In the end I think they will be #2 or #3.

L O L. C’mon, Waseca isn’t going to be a top 3 seed.

After West beat East last night, I see the top 5 as follows..

1. West(split with East, beat Faribault)
2. East(split with West, lost to Faribault)
3. Dodge County(beat Faribault, lost to Waseca)
4. Faribault (Beat East, lost to DC, lost to West, tied AL and Winona)
5. Waseca (Lost to Faribault 8-2, lost to MN River, beat Albert Lea despite being outshot 60-15, beat DC)

Faribault at Mankato West is a big game tomorrow night, I’d flip East/West if Faribault knocks off West.

[elliott70]

combining 3 COMPUERIZED RANKINGS - TOP 20 1-29-20
1 Hermantown
2 St. Cloud Cathedral
3 Warroad
4 East Grand Forks
5 Orono
6 Mahtomedi
7 Gentry
8 tie Little Falls
8 tie Duluth Denfeld
10 Delano
11 Thief River Falls
12 Alexandria
13 tie St Paul Johnson
13 tie Monticello
15 North Branch
16 Mound westonka
17 Armstrong/Cooper
18 Pine City
19 Breck
20 Eveleth

[elliott70]

The Hub
Class 1A | Jan. 29, 2020
rank team record prev
1. St. Cloud Cathedral 16-1-1 1
2. Hermantown 13-1-4 2
3. Warroad 18-2-03
4. Orono 17-2-1 4
5. East Grand Forks 13-3-2 5
6. Mahtomedi 13-7-0 6
7. Duluth Denfeld 15-4-1 7
8. Alexandria 13-6-0 9
9. Delano 13-6-0
10. Little Falls 16-4-1 8

[goldy313]

I had East finishing out 5-2 with the losses to Owatonna and Gentry. Since then East lost to West and Albert Lea, they may gladly take a 4 seed.

They may be good on paper and their SOS may be the highest but are 7th in the ratty Big Nine, behind 1A Faribault, West, and Albert Lea; and 3-8 in their last 11 games.

[Mite-dad]

Looks like it was a rough night for the Moose.

[Stang5280]

I had East finishing out 5-2 with the losses to Owatonna and Gentry. Since then East lost to West and Albert Lea, they may gladly take a 4 seed.

They may be good on paper and their SOS may be the highest but are 7th in the ratty Big Nine, behind 1A Faribault, West, and Albert Lea; and 3-8 in their last 11 games.

East is a confounding team, and has definitely been one of the biggest disappointments in Class A, barring a big playoff run. So I assume that 1A seeding will be:
1) Mankato West
2) Faribault
3) Dodge County
4) Mankato East

Or would DC possibly be the #2 based on the recent win over Faribault?