Class A Rankings 1-9-11

[PuckRanger]

I disagree, Mahtomedi killed Virginia 5-1/ they out played Blake and lost to them in ot. They can play with the top teams in the state. They just to start clicking. I see by the time of sections they will be playing some very good hockey

They did not "kill" Virginia by any means. The actual score was 5-2, and they were outshot by a pretty good margin, but their goalie kept them in it. Shots on goal in the first period alone were 21-6 in favor of Virginia, but they managed to squeak out of that period in a 2-2 tie. They were very fortunate to get a win in that game, and it certainly was not a dominating performance by any stretch of the imagination.

You can also see that the penalty's were 12-2 I believe in favor for Virginia? I would say for a team that played short all game they played well

Penalties were 8-2... and thats what happens when your bottled up in your own end for extended periods of time. If you notice, the bulk of those penalties all came at the end of the first period after Virginia had them pinned back for the entire period. After that, Virginia only spent 4 minutes more on the powerplay than Mahtomedi did, and two of those minutes were due to too many men on the ice.

Anyway, that wasn't my point. You can say Mahtomedi played well, and I'll agree with that for the 2nd and 3rd periods -- especially Sawyer Marshall and Tanner Jordan. They didn't "kill" them though, and that was the point.

[HShockeywatcher]

1-STA (beat White Bear)
2-Breck (lost to White Bear)
3-Blake (beat Thief River Falls)
4-Totino (beat Thief River, lost to Blake)

5-Hermantown (tied Thief River)

Good point. So we could theoretically have an undefeated team not get a top 2 seed. Interesting...

Why all the focus on the Mahtomedi vs. Virginia game. Is this Mahtomedi's only meaningfull win?

Yes

If they do not rise above 500 - then they do not belong on any top 10 or 20 list.

They have 9 losses now and a tie. They will likely lose to St Thomas and Hill again and SSP twice. That's 2-4 more losses for sure. If they win all others, that'd put them at 11-13-1 or 13-11-1. Either way, they should be a top 4 seed in the section. After that, anything can happen.

[HShockeywatcher]

6 Breck
4 Cathedral

[goalieguy_14]

If rapids goes on to beat east tommorrow night then hermantown to me is the clear number one, and even if rapids doesn't that was still a very convincing win for h-town over a very good AA team. After that win i can't see how anyone can justify putting them any lower than 3.

[scarlethockey33]

just an idea, you should include what the team was ranked last week in your thread, would be useful to see the drops and rises of teams in your rankings. also hermantown is proving themselves to be a very good team after beating a good grand rapids squad

After that win i can't see how anyone can justify putting them any lower than 3.

completely agree.

[HShockeywatcher]

If rapids goes on to beat east tommorrow night then hermantown to me is the clear number one, and even if rapids doesn't that was still a very convincing win for h-town over a very good AA team. After that win i can't see how anyone can justify putting them any lower than 3.

With Breck's close win, there many be some people dropping this week. That being said, with Blake AND Totino beating the team that Hermantown tied, it's tough to say they're ahead from one win, as impressive as it is. Great team, who right now, is victim to their schedule

[High Flyer]

If rapids goes on to beat east tommorrow night then hermantown to me is the clear number one, and even if rapids doesn't that was still a very convincing win for h-town over a very good AA team. After that win i can't see how anyone can justify putting them any lower than 3.

With Breck's close win, there many be some people dropping this week. That being said, with Blake AND Totino beating the team that Hermantown tied, it's tough to say they're ahead from one win, as impressive as it is. Great team, who right now, is victim to their schedule

I think Totino was ranked too low last week and as previously discussed should be @ #4. Assuming the ranked teams don’t lose or tie any unranked teams this week, your top four will be easy to figure out over the next three weeks with all the head to head match ups:

1/22 Breck @ STA

1/25 Breck @ Totino
1/27 Breck @ Blake

2/1 Totino @ STA

While Hermantown’s schedule & tie to Thief River hurts them, pending the results of those teams ranked above them, they will have the opportunity to move up, that is, assuming they don’t lose or tie any more unranked class “A” teams that they should beat.

[KICKED-IN-THE-PRIVATES]

After survivng the assualt in Brainerd Last Tuesday, Little Falls has proven they are a top 10 Class A school. I know they do not have a strong schedule, but when you look at how they faired against good competition
6-1 victory over Hibbing IN HIBBING
3-2 victory over Brainerd IN BRAINERD
3-1 Victory over Tech IN ST. CLOUD

They have shown they can compete with very good teams, not saying they're top 5 or 6 in class A (Yet), but they are a very good defensive team with good goaltending. They held Decenzo/Adam Johnson from Hibbing to 1 point and Archibald from Brainerd to 1 pt. The leading point scores in the state, that has to account for something.....

[High Flyer]

After survivng the assualt in Brainerd Last Tuesday, Little Falls has proven they are a top 10 Class A school. I know they do not have a strong schedule, but when you look at how they faired against good competition
6-1 victory over Hibbing IN HIBBING
3-2 victory over Brainerd IN BRAINERD
3-1 Victory over Tech IN ST. CLOUD

They have shown they can compete with very good teams, not saying they're top 5 or 6 in class A (Yet), but they are a very good defensive team with good goaltending. They held Decenzo/Adam Johnson from Hibbing to 1 point and Archibald from Brainerd to 1 pt. The leading point scores in the state, that has to account for something.....

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF. They may find a way to justify it, if teams like Lourdes, DM, SSP, Virgina & Hibbing start falter down the stretch. There schedule sets them selves of to finish without any more losses or ties, then again, they still have to play FF again?

[DanglinDMan27]

Back up goalie played in the ff game and Virginia game. Both would have been different with #1 in net!!

[High Flyer]

Back up goalie played in the ff game and Virginia game. Both would have been different with #1 in net!!

...and the top ten ranked LF could only manage 20 SOG in three periods of regulation on FF? 17 SOG vs Virg.? Seems to me the tie & loss was a little more than goal tending, that is, unless the starting forwards and defensemen where also on the bench with the starting goalie

[shins]

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF.

I hear you and see what you are saying, but if you are going to pick one game out (FF) as your reason against Little Falls, then it would make as much sense to pick out the 6-1 win against Hibbing on the range.

[KICKED-IN-THE-PRIVATES]

After survivng the assualt in Brainerd Last Tuesday, Little Falls has proven they are a top 10 Class A school. I know they do not have a strong schedule, but when you look at how they faired against good competition
6-1 victory over Hibbing IN HIBBING
3-2 victory over Brainerd IN BRAINERD
3-1 Victory over Tech IN ST. CLOUD

They have shown they can compete with very good teams, not saying they're top 5 or 6 in class A (Yet), but they are a very good defensive team with good goaltending. They held Decenzo/Adam Johnson from Hibbing to 1 point and Archibald from Brainerd to 1 pt. The leading point scores in the state, that has to account for something.....

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF. They may find a way to justify it, if teams like Lourdes, DM, SSP, Virgina & Hibbing start falter down the stretch. There schedule sets them selves of to finish without any more losses or ties, then again, they still have to play FF again?

First----
Little Falls Never lost to Sartell. Little Falls has yet to play River Lakes???
As for the Fergus Tie, Fergus played really well and deserves credit for their effort, but the fact is that the back-up LF goalie played the whole game... Let in a really weak goal that tied the game, and the flyers were not playing "team" hockey that game....

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

After survivng the assualt in Brainerd Last Tuesday, Little Falls has proven they are a top 10 Class A school. I know they do not have a strong schedule, but when you look at how they faired against good competition
6-1 victory over Hibbing IN HIBBING
3-2 victory over Brainerd IN BRAINERD
3-1 Victory over Tech IN ST. CLOUD

They have shown they can compete with very good teams, not saying they're top 5 or 6 in class A (Yet), but they are a very good defensive team with good goaltending. They held Decenzo/Adam Johnson from Hibbing to 1 point and Archibald from Brainerd to 1 pt. The leading point scores in the state, that has to account for something.....

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF. They may find a way to justify it, if teams like Lourdes, DM, SSP, Virgina & Hibbing start falter down the stretch. There schedule sets them selves of to finish without any more losses or ties, then again, they still have to play FF again?

First----
Little Falls Never lost to Sartell. Little Falls has yet to play River Lakes???
As for the Fergus Tie, Fergus played really well and deserves credit for their effort, but the fact is that the back-up LF goalie played the whole game... Let in a really weak goal that tied the game, and the flyers were not playing "team" hockey that game....

Re-read the post, its not saying that Little falls lost to Sartell or River Lakes. It is saying that Fergus Falls did, and that's why the FF tie looks so bad. Just trying to be helpful, correct me if I'm the one who misread.

[KICKED-IN-THE-PRIVATES]

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF. They may find a way to justify it, if teams like Lourdes, DM, SSP, Virgina & Hibbing start falter down the stretch. There schedule sets them selves of to finish without any more losses or ties, then again, they still have to play FF again?

First----
Little Falls Never lost to Sartell. Little Falls has yet to play River Lakes???
As for the Fergus Tie, Fergus played really well and deserves credit for their effort, but the fact is that the back-up LF goalie played the whole game... Let in a really weak goal that tied the game, and the flyers were not playing "team" hockey that game....

Re-read the post, its not saying that Little falls lost to Sartell or River Lakes. It is saying that Fergus Falls did, and that's why the FF tie looks so bad. Just trying to be helpful, correct me if I'm the one who misread.

My bad, thanks for the correction. I need to leave the pen in the holster a little longer next time

[goalieguy_14]

In your rankings what effects a teams ranking more, a big win over a better maybe AA or higher ranked team or a tie/loss to a lesser team? Curious what you think because everyone on this seems to be very stuck on team's ties or losses to a team maybe they shouldnt have tied or lost to and they don't pay attention to a game where they're playing their best hockey and beat a good/better team.

[MNHockey75]

Can you take Crookston off the board yet?

[Topgun12]

Can you take Crookston off the board yet?

Please.

[High Flyer]

Forgot about this guys rankings:

http://myhockeyrankings.com/rank.php?y= ... &a=1&v=703

3 SSP
4 Delano
7 Warroad

[High Flyer]

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF.

I hear you and see what you are saying, but if you are going to pick one game out (FF) as your reason against Little Falls, then it would make as much sense to pick out the 6-1 win against Hibbing on the range.

And what is the point of scheduling non-conf. games vs. these teams?

Wadena W 21-0
Northern W 3-2
Morris/Benson W 5-1
Prarie Cent W 7-0

Weak conference (and not dominating in it) and weak non conf. schedule. A top ten team could only manage a 3-2 win vs. Northern, River Lakes & Alex? The FF tie was just one of many reasons as for why I don't think Little Falls is a top ten team

[mn miracle man]

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF.

I hear you and see what you are saying, but if you are going to pick one game out (FF) as your reason against Little Falls, then it would make as much sense to pick out the 6-1 win against Hibbing on the range.

And what is the point of scheduling non-conf. games vs. these teams?

Wadena W 21-0
Northern W 3-2
Morris/Benson W 5-1
Prarie Cent W 7-0

Weak conference (and not dominating in it) and weak non conf. schedule. A top ten team could only manage a 3-2 win vs. Northern, River Lakes & Alex? The FF tie was just one of many reasons as for why I don't think Little Falls is a top ten team

If Little Falls has to complain about their weak schedule, then why are they playing their backup goalie against a team that losing to can come back to haunt them when taking out of conference games into account. I know if they were to make it to state, come seeding purposes, it could be something that hurts them later down the road. I know scheduling sometimes can't be taken care of, you get what you get, but at least make the best out of it and don't give your team a chance to be ridiculed. As for saying "we didn't play that well," it doesn't cut it while good teams find a way to win even when they aren't at their best, especially against lowly opponents.

[KICKED-IN-THE-PRIVATES]

And how do you explain the tie to Fergus Falls, who lost to Sartell and tied with River Lakes? Does not pass the smell test.

Not sure LF is a top 10 team and thier schedule may not allow them to prove it prior to sections. I would like to put them ahead of Hibbing, but I just cant get by that tie to FF.

I hear you and see what you are saying, but if you are going to pick one game out (FF) as your reason against Little Falls, then it would make as much sense to pick out the 6-1 win against Hibbing on the range.

And what is the point of scheduling non-conf. games vs. these teams?

Wadena W 21-0
Northern W 3-2
Morris/Benson W 5-1
Prarie Cent W 7-0

Weak conference (and not dominating in it) and weak non conf. schedule. A top ten team could only manage a 3-2 win vs. Northern, River Lakes & Alex? The FF tie was just one of many reasons as for why I don't think Little Falls is a top ten team

These are all section opponents, Little Falls has always tried to schedule their section opponents for at least one game. You'll notice that each of these teams is only scheduled once....

As for not dominating in a weak conference, they are 7-0-1.

A tie to FF means that LF is not a top 10 team? Give Fergus a little Credit as they can and have played good hockey. And if we are looking at LF like this (not a top 10 team)because of a tie to a Good Fergus Falls team, what does this say about Hibbing who lost 6-1 to Little Falls in Hibbing??

[defense]

I hear you and see what you are saying, but if you are going to pick one game out (FF) as your reason against Little Falls, then it would make as much sense to pick out the 6-1 win against Hibbing on the range.

And what is the point of scheduling non-conf. games vs. these teams?

Wadena W 21-0
Northern W 3-2
Morris/Benson W 5-1
Prarie Cent W 7-0

Weak conference (and not dominating in it) and weak non conf. schedule. A top ten team could only manage a 3-2 win vs. Northern, River Lakes & Alex? The FF tie was just one of many reasons as for why I don't think Little Falls is a top ten team

These are all section opponents, Little Falls has always tried to schedule their section opponents for at least one game. You'll notice that each of these teams is only scheduled once....

As for not dominating in a weak conference, they are 7-0-1.

A tie to FF means that LF is not a top 10 team? Give Fergus a little Credit as they can and have played good hockey. And if we are looking at LF like this (not a top 10 team)because of a tie to a Good Fergus Falls team, what does this say about Hibbing who lost 6-1 to Little Falls in Hibbing??

Exactly. And I'm not exactly positive that the CLC is "weak" this year.

[HShockeywatcher]

Back up goalie played in the ff game and Virginia game. Both would have been different with #1 in net!!

Fact is they lost. Plain and simple. Look at the top teams in state. They play their back up against lower quality teams and still shut them out. Little Falls is not in that category. Good team, but plays the schedule they have and doesn't deserve to be much higher with what they've done with their schedule.

That being said, most recent games matter most. If they dominate FF the second time around, most will be forgotten. Not to say they have the schedule to get top 4 at state, with it's possible.

If rapids goes on to beat east tommorrow night then hermantown to me is the clear number one, and even if rapids doesn't that was still a very convincing win for h-town over a very good AA team. After that win i can't see how anyone can justify putting them any lower than 3.

Hermantown beat Cathedral by the same score Breck did. It was the first time Cathedral allowed more than 3 goals all season. I will need to see what happens today, but right now, that helps Blake more than either of these two teams.

Can you take Crookston off the board yet?

As I said in the last week, this week things are going to get confusing. The loss to TRF doesn't look good and we'll have to see what happens against Warroad tonight.

In your rankings what effects a teams ranking more, a big win over a better maybe AA or higher ranked team or a tie/loss to a lesser team? Curious what you think because everyone on this seems to be very stuck on team's ties or losses to a team maybe they shouldnt have tied or lost to and they don't pay attention to a game where they're playing their best hockey and beat a good/better team.

Do you have a specific example to question me on? Both are tricky. Ties aren't wins but they aren't losses.

I was thinking of moving H-town up a few notches, but tying a team not on my top 10 radar didn't help with that. Had it been a loss, they would've probably dropped, but since it was a tie, they stayed.

Wins or losses to AA teams with little common opponents are tough. Breck went 0-3 over break while others went 2-1 beating up on good competition. Should they drop? I didn't think much. Rapids beat Edina, 2-1, Marshall 5-2, went to OT with Mahtomedi, and lost in Hermantown. I think this game shows more about Rapids than Hermantown, but also shows how close in ability many teams are this year.

So, I can't give a simple answer but would say that winning usually helps and tying rarely hurts, but doesn't help if the team is worse.