AA Rankings for 1/24/09

[toptitty96]

theoneandonly is correct:

Only quality win for AHA this year is vs. the Elkaholics.

They are not worthy of a #2 seed based on a 4-4 tie with Edina.

C'mon HSHW, I like your passion, but your logic is flawed. Give us something else to consider.

But don't start with they are playing better hockey now than the Schwan Cup tourney. Playing better doesn't cut it with seeding. RESULTS get it done.

You're kidding, right? You give one team the #1 seed, the only other team to tie them doesn't get the #2 seed? How do you figure? This isn't the NHL where we play 82 games against equal competition, we play 25 games, and in AHA's situation, 9 against comparable competition. The one in their section they tied the #1 seed. How do you put them anywhere else?

Simple, you look at some of the terrible games they've had i.e. the WBL loss. I highly doubt any logical voter would look at ONE TIE to determine AHA's seeding. Come on. With your logic I might expect Jefferson to get the 1 seed just because they beat Wayzata and Wayzata beat Edina two times. If AHA is as good as you seem to think, maybe they'll do something in 2AA this year. I mean going against Edina in the semifinals this year isn't as bad as going against Lee, Everson, Baker, and Gaarder like they had to last year. I still see Jags Hornets rematch at the Target Center.

[schwang17]

I still see Jags Hornets rematch at the Target Center.

hopefully with a little different result.

[Lakeviewing]

Nice breakdown No agreements here. Sections are pretty much set here.

No meandering paragraph to start the rankings this week. I’ll just deliver the goods:

1. Minnetonka (18-0)
-A perfect record, a healthy Max Gardiner, and a shock-and-awe performance against Edina. Oh, to be young and a Skipper. Face the only team that might--might--be capable of beating them this week that they haven’t seen yet.
This week: Thurs vs. Armstrong, Sat at #4 Wayzata

2. Eden Prairie (13-2)
-Took care of business against Jefferson to all but clinch the Lake title and survived some ugly conditions to beat one of the finest teams in class A. A very complete team that’s hitting its stride at the right time; an important game on Tuesday.
This week: Tues at #7 Eagan, Thurs vs. Chaska, Sat vs. Lakeville North

3. Hill-Murray (15-1-1)
-The win over Holy Angels was a bit close for comfort, but with Edina tying AHA recently, it’s enough to slide them up for now. As I’ve said a couple times with Hill this year, this feels a little artificially high, but they’re playing well and have avoided doing anything stupid.
This week: Thurs at South St. Paul, Sat vs. Simley

4. Wayzata (13-2-1)
-Prestige of the Edina win took a hit when Tonka came out and whacked Edina. Regardless, it’s an important win for this team, and now they get the first of two shots at Minnetonka. All they need to do is keep it close to hold this spot in the rankings (or perhaps even move up).
This week: Tues vs. Champlin Park, Sat vs. #1 Minnetonka

5. Edina (12-4-1)
-The Hornets were humbled by the Tonka and are in a bit of a rut with only one win in their past 4 games. This is when they hit the wall last year too, if memory serves. The good news is that they get something of a respite this week, though both of their opponents will have a shot if they can’t shore up their defense a bit.
This week: Tues vs. Cretin-Derham Hall, Thurs vs. Hopkins

6. Blaine (11-3-3)
-Got an important win over Andover, then took care of Coon Rapids. The lack of clarity in the rest of the conference actually hurts their SOS some since no one is really stepping up to challenge them. The losses to Edina don’t look nearly as good in the aftermath of that Tonka-Edina game, but they will definitely move up if those ahead of them fall, and there is a sizeable gap between them and #7.
This week: Thurs vs. #15 Osseo, Sat vs. Anoka

7. Eagan (13-2-1)
-Once again I must express my discomfort at putting them this high, but they got an important win over LVS this week and are holding the course for now. The next four games represent their moment of truth as they take on EP, Burnsville, and Jefferson. Time for them to either prove their mettle or find themselves plummeting in the rankings.
This week: Tues vs. #2 Eden Prairie, Thurs at Lakeville North, Sat at Burnsville

8. Bloomington Jefferson (12-3-2)
-Fell to EP but responded by taking out their anger on the bottom level of the Lake. If they play well, they’re in good position to move up. An interesting week ahead of them, as these are the sorts of games that have held Jefferson back this year.
This week: Thurs vs. Lakeville South, Sat at Apple Valley

9. Elk River (10-5-2)
-I spent a lot of time waffling over what to do here, but ultimately arrived upon the Improperly Pluralized Deer as my #9. Why? They took control of their section with a win over Duluth East, for one, and they’re also 6-1-1 in their last eight, the only loss coming against Blaine; against the NWSC and a strong non-conference schedule, that’s worth something. They get a chance to avenge the one result on their schedule that looks a bit out of place as they host Maple Grove on Saturday.
This week: Thurs vs. Anoka, Sat vs. Maple Grove

10. Duluth East (10-5-2)
-Drop behind ER due to the loss, but they’ve won over many of the teams just behind them and therefore stay up here. This team’s been walking a fine line all year, and now head into a crucial week of 7AA play. A slip-up will cost them dearly and relegate them to a #3 seed or lower for the first time in over a decade.
This week: Tues at Forest Lake, Fri vs. Andover

11. Holy Angels (9-6-1)
-Move up despite losing this past week, but no one can deny that they’ve been playing well lately. They now launch into the meat of the mighty Missota, meaning they’ll be adding seven wins to this record in no time. Only difficult games remaining are against Shattuck and the season finale at Benilde.
This week: Tues at Red Wing, Thurs vs. Farmington

12. Benilde (11-3-2)
-I continue to not know exactly what to do with this team. The tie against Osseo doesn’t look as good now with the Orioles beginning to plummet, and they’re giving up a decent number of goals to some bad NSC teams. But there are still enough positive results on the schedule to maintain a decent ranking. I’m curious to see what happens when Moorhead comes down to visit.
This week: Tues at Cooper, Fri vs. Moorhead, Sat at Chisago Lakes

13. Roseau (13-2-1)
-Only game last week postponed due to weather. I’m still not sure where to go with the Rams; maybe they should be in the top ten, maybe they shouldn’t be ranked at all. I’ll continue to take the middle ground until something convinces me to do otherwise. The Moorhead re-match will be a good barometer.
This week: Tues vs. Moorhead

14. Centennial (9-5-2)
-Continue their streakiness as they gather steam through the NWSC, going 3-0-1 in their past 4, three of which were quality teams. In this week’s version of ranking roulette, that’s enough to buy a top-15 spot. Face their last big non-conference opponent this week, and it’s one that could conceivably give them problems.
This week: Thurs vs. Coon Rapids, Sat vs. Moorhead

15. Osseo (10-4-2)
-The birds come crashing back to earth after an 0-2-1 week; we’re seeing now what a nice benefit that weak early schedule was. The good news: 4 of the next 5 are against the underbelly of the NWSC, though the Blaine re-match is in there as well.
This week: Tues at North Metro, Thurs at #6 Blaine, Sat at Champlin Park

On the Bubble
Burnsville (8-6-3)
-Once again I have difficulty not ranking them, but with a big week ahead including Apple Valley and Eagan, they’ll have their chance. I would not be at all shocked to see them make a leap.
Andover (12-4-1)
-Got the big win I’ve been waiting for by knocking off Osseo; I now consider them a serious threat, and things will get very messy if they can bring down Duluth East this week.
Maple Grove (9-5-3)
-Languishing a bit as other teams around them pick up big wins. Visit Elk River this week.
Apple Valley (12-5)
-Continue their steady march through the Lake; huge week ahead of them with Burnsville and Jefferson.
Moorhead (6-6-2)
-Lest anyone had forgotten about the Spuds, they do have some decent results on that schedule, and they have a monster week ahead of them with road games against Roseau, Benilde, and Centennial. A win against any of them would be a big boost to the defending runners-up.
Lakeville South (10-7)
-A decidedly mixed week; they whipped Rochester Century to seize control of 1AA, but fell by 3 goals to two of the better Lake teams, showing they still have a ways to go to be considered for a ranking.
Woodbury (11-6-1)
-A one goal win over Park is hardly confidence-inspiring, but it’s an improvement over the first meeting, and that’s six in a row for the Royals. Interesting games ahead vs. Stilly and Flake.
White Bear Lake (9-7-1)
-After essentially ignoring them for the past two weeks, we can finally go back to ranking them properly now that the suspensions are over.
Stillwater (9-7-1)
-Gathering steam as they head into the home stretch and could disrupt the SEC.
Forest Lake (10-3-2)
-Quietly putting together a very strong record.
Brainerd (13-2)
-Great record, but lost 6-0 to Moorhead.
Grand Rapids (7-10-1)
-Ugly record, but have proved they can stick with just about anyone in the state.
Bemidji (11-6)
-Lurking in 8AA as a possible spoiler.

I should probably stop there before I end up ranking the entire class.


Forgive the lack of bells and whistles this week; section-by-section run-throughs and something else creative will re-appear next week. There are some good games out there over the next seven days; get yourself to a hockey rink and have fun.

[HShockeywatcher]

Eagan has now beaten every team they've played. Personally, I think this maybe moves EP down one but only solidifies where Eagan is, doesn't move them up. Beating a team, in OT at home, who beat you by 6 away doesn't show much.

Is Cretin legit with a few bad games, or is Edina not the top team we thought?

[karl(east)]

Is Cretin legit with a few bad games, or is Edina not the top team we thought?

3 losses in a row for Edina...I can think of a couple possible explanations. One, this is about the time they hit a rut last year; maybe it's just the wear and tear of their brutal schedule. Two, they're a pretty young and inexperienced team; maybe that is starting to show through now. It'll be interesting to see how they handle a little adversity. I'm now willing to declare 2AA wide open.

Cretin is a paradox. They started the season strong and even beat BSM, but then went into a freefall starting with the holiday tourney. Now they go pull out this; the rest of the SEC schedule should help show us if they've rediscovered their winning ways, or if this was just a fluke. I could see them going either way.

Does CDH still get all of its production from that one line, or have they broken it up? Comments on that?

[hockeyfan893]

CDH over Edina, Eagan over EP,

It's only Tuesday?

All I can say is good luck next week Karl, if rankings were difficult this week.. my lord.

[karl(east)]

CDH over Edina, Eagan over EP,

It's only Tuesday?

All I can say is good luck next week Karl, if rankings were difficult this week.. my lord.

Thanks.

As I saw some of the scores start to roll in, my thought was "oh. It's going to be one of those weeks."

[BrainerdHockey]

With moorhead beating Roseau tonight, does that mean ur gonna stop hating on brainerd for losing to them in one of their first games of the season? Or ws their something else holding them back too?

[BrainerdHockey]

I dont mean that sarcastically either, just wondering ur point of view?

[schwang17]

So far I would say Eagan solidifies their spot but I'm still not sold. We shall see how the rest of the week goes.

Edina falls at least 2 spots.

Roseau falls to the bubble.

[LASERBLUE135]

2. Eden Prairie (13-2)
-Took care of business against Jefferson to all but clinch the Lake title and survived some ugly conditions to beat one of the finest teams in class A. A very complete team that’s hitting its stride at the right time; an important game on Tuesday.
This week: Tues at #7 Eagan, Thurs vs. Chaska, Sat vs. Lakeville North


6. Blaine (11-3-3)
...and there is a sizeable gap between them and #7.
This week: Thurs vs. #15 Osseo, Sat vs. Anoka

7. Eagan (13-2-1)
-Once again I must express my discomfort at putting them this high, but they got an important win over LVS this week and are holding the course for now. The next four games represent their moment of truth as they take on EP, Burnsville, and Jefferson. Time for them to either prove their mettle or find themselves plummeting in the rankings.
This week: Tues vs. #2 Eden Prairie, Thurs at Lakeville North, Sat at Burnsville

I wouldn't call it "sizeable" LOL.

[HShockeywatcher]

With moorhead beating Roseau tonight, does that mean ur gonna stop hating on brainerd for losing to them in one of their first games of the season? Or ws their something else holding them back too?

I can't speak for Karl, but the issue with Brainerd is they have only played Cloquet and St Cloud and Rochester AA teams outside of getting whooped by Moorhead. They do have Roseau, Moorhead and Rapids left, but they'll need at least one win and still that won't show much as far as the AA state scene goes because they play a "good Class A schedule."

[Doglover]

Wow there must be a full moon or something! Good luck making sense of all of this karl. Can't wait till Sunday. Gotta love mid season.

[Roseauverrated]

Well at least we can all agree on who number 1 is. It's spots 2-15 where things get complicated.

[slapstkhound]

Is Cretin legit with a few bad games, or is Edina not the top team we thought?

3 losses in a row for Edina...I can think of a couple possible explanations. One, this is about the time they hit a rut last year; maybe it's just the wear and tear of their brutal schedule. Two, they're a pretty young and inexperienced team; maybe that is starting to show through now. It'll be interesting to see how they handle a little adversity. I'm now willing to declare 2AA wide open.

Cretin is a paradox. They started the season strong and even beat BSM, but then went into a freefall starting with the holiday tourney. Now they go pull out this; the rest of the SEC schedule should help show us if they've rediscovered their winning ways, or if this was just a fluke. I could see them going either way.

Does CDH still get all of its production from that one line, or have they broken it up? Comments on that?

My take on Cretin is that the Edina win was an "on any given night" win. They still have majority of production from their top line, which as we just saw with EP can be a challenge. CDH taking Mounds View to overtime and losses to Woodbury (an improving team) and Stillwater balance this win. So far as Eagan goes, their record is solid and wins over BJ and EP don't hurt, but I'd look at the overall strength of their schedule and the absolute drubbing that they took at EP.

[karl(east)]

Answering several questions:

-Brainerd. Yes, the Moorhead win makes their earlier loss look better. But as HSHW said, it's hard to call them a great team when their biggest wins were by 1 goal over Bemidji and by 2 over Rochester Century. They're definitely worth keeping an eye on, but they won't jump into the top 20 until they can get a real big win (Moorhead or Roseau; perhaps GR). It doesn't help them that 8AA doesn't have a top-15 team right now.

-Roseau. Yes, they'll be back into the bubble. Where they fall in relation to Moorhead will depend on what Moorhead does in its 2 other big games this week.

-The gap between 6 and 7. Yes, it's gone, as will be my pandering comments on Eagan (saying, "I don't really feel comfortable about this, but..."). I am now glad I ranked them based on their record instead of by my expectations.

-Edina. I'm glad that I dropped them as far as I did last week; some still have them higher, but I think I had them pegged well. They will probably drop a little more, depending on what goes on around them. And their upcoming Hopkins game shouldn't be taken for granted; if Edina can't pull themselves together, Hopkins is strong enough to steal one, especially since Edina's problem seems to be scoring and Hopkins has a great goalie.

[Goldfishdude]

Well at least we can all agree on who number 1 is. It's spots 2-15 where things get complicated.

I am glad there is SOMEONE, FINALLY, with a voice of reason on this site!!!

[HappyHockeyFan]

To comment on those who downplay Eagan's schedule, I really dont think you can call wins over Lakeville south twice, Burnsville, Applevalley, Jefferson at BIG, SSP at Wakota and EP a soft schedule, there may be tougher schedules out there but this is not weak. Still have significant games against Lakeville North at Ames, Burnsville at Burnsville, Jefferson at Eagan and AppleValley at Applevalley. Not exactly a cake walk...IMO.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Hey "happy gilmore" nice win over EP! Now put the pom poms down for a bit, take a break, have a cold one, rest and relax and enjoy the season instead of constantly talking up your teams accolades. You have a cupcake schedule no matter how you wish to spin it, the numbers do not lie when talking SOS. Next year your coach can ramp up the schedule, good luck.

[HappyHockeyFan]

Hey "happy gilmore" nice win over EP! Now put the pom poms down for a bit, take a break, have a cold one, rest and relax and enjoy the season instead of constantly talking up your teams accolades. You have a cupcake schedule no matter how you wish to spin it, the numbers do not lie when talking SOS. Next year your coach can ramp up the schedule, good luck.

Thanks...I did have a cold one already and I am relaxed and I will continue defending the Cats as long as there are naysayers. By the way who is YOUR team? Or do you keep that a secret while you rip everyone else's?

[northwoods oldtimer]

Happy Gilmore I do not hate on the 'mildcats' just like giving you the business. You are the Zamman of Eagan no doubt. I do not have kids playing so the teams I go out to watch and or cheer for are Grand Rapids Indians, Roseau Rams, Moorhead Spuds, Bemidji Lumberjacks. Just like chatting about hockey and giving you a hard time.

[Papa Bergundy]

At this rate Wayzata might just beat Tonka this Saturday

Wouldn't that be something

[HappyHockeyFan]

Happy Gilmore I do not hate on the 'mildcats' just like giving you the business. You are the Zamman of Eagan no doubt. I do not have kids playing so the teams I go out to watch and or cheer for are Grand Rapids Indians, Roseau Rams, Moorhead Spuds, Bemidji Lumberjacks. Just like chatting about hockey and giving you a hard time.

It's all good, I have gotten so much flack on here I dont know who's just ribbing me and who seriously has issues...I guess I am suppose to be sorry for cheering my hometown team on, apparently that is a bad thing. I admit I was excited about this team coming into the season, I watched our young sophs during their bantam years and knew they were a talented bunch and looked forward to seeing them at the varsity level. The early season win over Jefferson fueled my excitement and wanted them to be recognized for it. I guess perhaps I came on too strong for some people. As you would guess I am a HUGE hockey fan and especially love the High School level. I have season tickets to the tournment, ten years now, and never miss a game like so many others on this forum. We all want our Home team or favorite team to make it to state so we can watch them on the Excel ice and on tv and have a chance to play for a Championship. In reality I have spent way more time on here defending myself or the team than actually bragging them up. And bragging them up really isnt my intention, just excited for them to be recognized as a very good team in the Lake Conference and the State. Ok, nuff said..

[HappyHockeyFan]

At this rate Wayzata might just beat Tonka this Saturday

Wouldn't that be something

I wouldnt be surprised...

[playerplayer1]

Is Cretin legit with a few bad games, or is Edina not the top team we thought?

Does CDH still get all of its production from that one line, or have they broken it up? Comments on that?[/quote]

Karl,
It is my understanding that Cretin has just started to mix up the lines. I think it started the Mounds View game. Kinney has moved off that line at times but still works with them throughout the game. It worked well against Edina but the verdict is out still out. We'll see what the future holds.