AA Rankings for 2/1/15

[karl(east)]

It’s February, which means we’re coming down to the wire here. Just two weeks left for teams to improve their position heading into sections. Your rankings:

1. Lakeville North (21-0)
-With the pressure mounting down the stretch, the Panthers only seem to be upping their game, blasting Rosemount and Lakeville South by even larger margins than the first go-around. I had a thought in the back of my mind to put Edina at #1 even without a North loss if they were showing signs of vulnerability down the stretch, but if they’re playing like this, there’s no chance of that. Prior Lake is the last regular season opponent who looks to have any chance of giving them a game, though Eagan did manage to hang in there pretty well in their first meeting.
This week: Thurs at #12 Prior Lake, Sat vs. Eagan

2. Edina (18-1-2)
-In Edina’s three recent championship seasons, they lost 7, 6, and 4 games, respectively. This year, they have lost one, and are in the process of dominating the Lake Conference in a way no team ever has before. This could be an all-time great team…and yet, for now, they are not #1. They start their second trip through the Lake—which is, admittedly, not quite as strong as the past few years—this week, including a road game against Wayzata, which was the site of a November tie between the two.
This week: Thurs at #11 Wayzata, Sat at Hopkins

3. St. Thomas Academy (18-2)
-A solid 5-2 win over Cretin secures the top seed in 3AA for the Cadets. This week is a big one; they roughed up Mahtomedi in the first meeting, but the Zephyrs are on a roll, and they get a chance to avenge their loss to Hill.
This week: Tues at Mahtomedi, Sat at #4 Hill-Murray

4. Hill-Murray (15-6)
-The Pioneers pulled out a narrow win over White Bear, doing just enough defensively to maintain their dominance in the rivalry. Their hold on a top-5 spot seems tenuous, but a second win over the Cadets would certainly show they belong.
This week: Thurs at Hastings, Sat vs. #3 St. Thomas Academy

5. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (12-7-2)
-The Red Knights are quietly taking care of business in Metro West play and have now won seven of their last eight to sneak their way back up the rankings. They do have two big 6AA games left, and a win in one probably has them in great position for the top seed in 6AA. The first one is Tuesday, when they look to take down Eden Prairie for a second time.
This week: Tues vs. #9 Eden Prairie, Thurs vs. Chaska

6. Elk River (16-4-1)
-Got a nice shutout over Centennial, but a tie against Duluth East in an even game shows how wide open 7AA is, despite the apparent ranking gap between the Elks and the rest of the field. Jake Jaremko is a dominant player, but he’s going to need some help from the supporting cast to get this team to the Xcel Center. It should be easy pickings from now until the section semifinals.
This week: Tues vs. Totino-Grace, Thurs at Osseo, Sat vs. Irondale

7. Blaine (13-5-1)
-Cut it close in a 3-2 win over Andover, but it’s enough to stay afloat here in the top ten. Duluth East poses the only threat of any magnitude left on their schedule.
This week: Tues vs. Osseo, Thurs vs. Duluth East, Sat vs. Coon Rapids

8. White Bear Lake (15-5)
-With no one else behind them doing quite enough to rise, I’m going to hold the Bears steady at #8 despite the Hill loss. They played the Pioneers tight enough to show they belong. They did need overtime to beat Stillwater, suggesting they’ll have to win a tough one just to get a crack at Hill in the section final, but the talent is there. Now they just need to take care of business against Suburban East teams the rest of the way.
This week: Tues at Park, Thurs at East Ridge, Sat vs. Roseville

9. Eden Prairie (13-8)
-A week of life in the Lake Conference: the Eagles were overpowered by Edina, but bounced back with a solid win over Wayzata to get themselves back into possible 6AA seeding relevance. Win two of their last three in the section, and they could yet scrape out a top-3 seed. This week is a very tough one, though, as they’re on the road against two teams that have already beaten them.
This week: Tues at #5 Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Thurs at #X Minnetonka

10. Bemidji (18-3-1)
-The Lumberjacks keep rolling along, taking down Roseau for a second time and inching their way toward a 20-win season. Just one game this week; they handled Warroad back in December, but the Warriors do seem to be playing better of late.
This week: Fri at Warroad

11. Wayzata (10-9-2)
-The Trojans show flashes, but just can’t seem to string two wins in a row together these days. They handled Hopkins with ease, but dropped their rematch with Eden Prairie. This coming week is pivotal, as they get Edina at home and then play Minnetonka in a game they may need to win to have a crack at the top seed in the section.
This week: Thurs vs. #2 Edina, Sat vs. #X Minnetonka

12. Prior Lake (14-6-1)
-The Lakers made a statement with a 5-2 victory over Minnetonka, and put up 19 goals in their other two games this week. They seem to be peaking at the right time, which is a good thing: they are the last ranked team that will get a regular season crack at Lakeville North, and also have to visit limping Farmington this week, who beat them in the first meeting.
This week: Thurs vs. #1 Lakeville North, Sat at Farmington

13. Holy Family Catholic (12-6-2)
-Continued their romp through Wright County play, including a convincing win over a Delano team that had beaten them earlier. The week ahead is a busy one, as they look to avenge their poor loss to New Prague, face Hopkins in a 6AA game, and take on a quality Duluth Marshall team. Given the Minnetonka’s recent fall back to earth, a win over Hopkins this week gives the Fire a very real shot at a top-3 seed, depending on how the rest of the 6AA season plays out.
This week: Tues at New Prague, Thurs vs. Hopkins, Sat vs. Duluth Marshall

14. Minnetonka (11-9-1)
-Remember all that excitement about the surging Skippers a few weeks ago? It all disappeared in a hurry, as they lost to Prior Lake and Hopkins to drop their losing streak to four. For now, I’m giving them some benefit of the doubt in this muddled tier of near-.500 teams. It could turn around in a hurry if they could get a win in one of their two huge 6AA games this week, while losses would effectively categorize that little run they had as a flash in the pan.
This week: Thurs vs. #9 Eden Prairie, Sat at #11 Wayzata

15. Grand Rapids (11-10-2)
-Shut out Moorhead in their lone game this past week; one could certainly argue that they’ve got the highest ceiling of anyone in 7AA at the moment. Still, until they prove it on a consistent basis, there will be questions. They won’t get a chance to do that until the playoffs, really.
This week: Fri vs. International Falls

The Next Ten

Burnsville (10-10-1)
-The Blaze are stumbling some down the stretch, with this past week’s loss to Eastview driving them from the top 15 for the first time all season. They should be able to rebound against Shakopee and Rosemount this week.

Moorhead (12-7-2)
-Dropped a close one to Grand Rapids, though they did do a good job of carrying play, and there’s enough turmoil around them that they don’t drop at all here. They play a couple of A teams this week, including a very tough home game against East Grand Forks.

Lakeville South (12-7-1)
-Locked up the 2-seed in 1AA with second a win over Farmington, for whatever it’s worth; they’ll get the Tigers again in the semifinals, and with a six-goal loss to North, anything beyond the section final looks like an impossible dream at the moment. They play Jefferson and Apple Valley this week.

Eastview (11-10)
-A solid win over Burnsville has the Lightning on the rise again. If they can turn around another lopsided result from their first trip through the SSC by beating Farmington, they might have cause for an even greater rise.

Anoka (11-7-2)
-The Tornadoes had a nice week, with wins over Duluth East and Maple Grove. The Andover tie leaves some lingering doubts, but it’s a rivalry game and the Huskies have given a bunch of good teams real tests behind Maddie Rooney. They have three games this coming week, though all look pretty winnable.

Farmington (14-7)
-The Tigers are slumping a bit, losing to South for a second time; they’ve lost four of their last six. They beat both Eastview and Prior Lake in their first meetings, so their two rematches this week are a perfect opportunity to get going in the right direction again.

Cretin-Derham Hall (12-5-4)
-The Raiders had a down week, as St. Thomas Academy rolled past them and they somehow managed to tie Mounds View for a second time. They’re not bad, but I’m not sure why they’re getting all the hype they are in some other human rankings. Two decent SEC teams, Roseville and East Ridge, are up next.

Duluth East (10-9-2)
-Just when it seemed like the Hounds should perhaps be written off in the rankings after the Anoka loss, they bounced back to play Elk River even in a tie that blew 7AA wide open. Two huge games against archrival Cloquet and top-10 Blaine should give us a more definitive answer about this team’s direction.

Centennial (11-9)
-Shut out by Elk River, but responded with a big win over Champlin Park. Like the other NWSC contenders, they have a fairly easy road through the last two weeks.

Hopkins (12-8-1)
-Finally scored a Lake Conference win by taking down Minnetonka, and climb back into the top 25. Holy Family looms this week in a big section game, as does a rematch with Edina.

And beyond: Stillwater, Bloomington Jefferson, Cloquet, St. Michael-Albertville

[elliott70]

No argument here except 10 & 1 could be swapped.

[Zamman]

Been watching and reading for many years, but this is the first time I need to comment. You have BSM "quietly taking care of business in the West Metro". There is no business there, no one in that conference can come close. It should read BSM handily taking care of business. As AHA should have been out of the Missota years ago, BSM should not be in the West Metro. Just MHO.
Otherwise, love the posts....

[OTB987]

Been watching and reading for many years, but this is the first time I need to comment. You have BSM "quietly taking care of business in the West Metro". There is no business there, no one in that conference can come close. It should read BSM handily taking care of business. As AHA should have been out of the Missota years ago, BSM should not be in the West Metro. Just MHO.
Otherwise, love the posts....

I doubt BSM Hockey had a choice. The choice to join a conference is not usually sport specific. It may seem a illogical decision for Hockey but my guess would be the Metro West is not illogical for all of the other sports teams at BSM.

Maybe BSM hockey can go independent next year?

Someone can correct me if I am out of touch on this one -

[Zamman]

Been watching and reading for many years, but this is the first time I need to comment. You have BSM "quietly taking care of business in the West Metro". There is no business there, no one in that conference can come close. It should read BSM handily taking care of business. As AHA should have been out of the Missota years ago, BSM should not be in the West Metro. Just MHO.
Otherwise, love the posts....

I doubt BSM Hockey had a choice. The choice to join a conference is not usually sport specific. It may seem a illogical decision for Hockey but my guess would be the Metro West is not illogical for all of the other sports teams at BSM.

Maybe BSM hockey can go independent next year?

Someone can correct me if I am out of touch on this one -

Your point is off the topic of this discussion, my point was the way he wrote it, not on BSM's status.

I know first hand about being the power team in a weak conference. But as long as you bring it up. Yes BSM had no choice I find it more funny that BSM was placed in this conference and not AHA which would have been a better fit for this conference. But there may be a couple of AD's that did not want AHA in this conference.

[Rich Clarke]

Benilde is playing an independent schedule this year in that they are not playing the full Metro West conference slate. They do play Jefferson and Chanhassen twice, which is reasonable, but each of the other teams except Richfield only once--they don't play the Spartans at all. Twelve of their twenty-five games are against teams Karl has ranked in the top ten at one point this year, with another five against teams in his top fifteen. I don't recall if Karl has ranked Jefferson in the top 15--if so, add those two games. No disrespect to Zamman, but this is nothing like playing a full slate of Missota games. Also, yes, Benilde was actually voted out of the conference and put back in by the MSHSL (who was called upon to place them). Too bad they weren't added to the Lake, but as someone else said, other sports were the problem.

[mulefarm]

Gotta give Anoka a little more love! Not a top 10 but should be in top 15.

[OTB987]

Been watching and reading for many years, but this is the first time I need to comment. You have BSM "quietly taking care of business in the West Metro". There is no business there, no one in that conference can come close. It should read BSM handily taking care of business. As AHA should have been out of the Missota years ago, BSM should not be in the West Metro. Just MHO.
Otherwise, love the posts....

I doubt BSM Hockey had a choice. The choice to join a conference is not usually sport specific. It may seem a illogical decision for Hockey but my guess would be the Metro West is not illogical for all of the other sports teams at BSM.

Maybe BSM hockey can go independent next year?

Someone can correct me if I am out of touch on this one -

Your point is off the topic of this discussion, my point was the way he wrote it, not on BSM's status.

I know first hand about being the power team in a weak conference. But as long as you bring it up. Yes BSM had no choice I find it more funny that BSM was placed in this conference and not AHA which would have been a better fit for this conference. But there may be a couple of AD's that did not want AHA in this conference.

Zam,

AHA would be a better fit than BSM to be in this conference because??? If your answer will be solely based upon hockey than I am not sure you are looking at the entire picture.

Also, are you implying certain schools blackballed AHA from joining the Metro West or any other conference? If yes, why?

[karl(east)]

My main point with BSM was to show that they've been one of the strongest teams in recent weeks, and haven't gotten a whole lot of attention for that. Yes, the easier conference games help, though Jefferson is no pushover (though they haven't cracked the top 15 at any point) and that run also includes a win over STA. They have the Blaine loss in there too, so it's not all great, but I think they've emerged as the default frontrunner in 6AA. For now.

Re: Anoka, they have done very well to go 1-0-1 against Blaine, but nothing else they've done screams "top 15." Beating East is nice, but that doesn't mean what it does in other years, and they're 0-2 against Centennial, were blown out twice by Elk River, and have losses to STMA and Rogers, plus a tie with Andover just this past week. They're moving in the right direction, but not top 15 material at the moment.

[hockey59]

There is no disputing Anoka sharted down their leg twice against ER...but since then are 3-0-2 against 4 quality opponents and an improving CP squad.

With the (possible) exception of emerging sophomore center Isaac Johnson...Anoka has no stars...but are varsity experienced, 3 lines deep at forward, solid on D and have a quality Goalie. I'll leave the rankings up to Karl.

[Sparlimb]

No argument here except 10 & 1 could be swapped.

Better they are underappreciated before shocking the world.

[elliott70]

No argument here except 10 & 1 could be swapped.

Better they are underappreciated before shocking the world.

True.
And they still need to win the 3 games to get there.

[crw]

There is no disputing Anoka sharted down their leg twice against ER...but since then are 3-0-2 against 4 quality opponents and an improving CP squad.

With the (possible) exception of emerging sophomore center Isaac Johnson...Anoka has no stars...but are varsity experienced, 3 lines deep at forward, solid on D and have a quality Goalie. I'll leave the rankings up to Karl.

Your not really trying to sell it by saying Champlin Park is an improving squad are you? They have 2 wins in last 15 games what are they improving on

Keep selling though, there are always buyers

[hockey59]

There is no disputing Anoka sharted down their leg twice against ER...but since then are 3-0-2 against 4 quality opponents and an improving CP squad.

With the (possible) exception of emerging sophomore center Isaac Johnson...Anoka has no stars...but are varsity experienced, 3 lines deep at forward, solid on D and have a quality Goalie. I'll leave the rankings up to Karl.

Your not really trying to sell it by saying Champlin Park is an improving squad are you? They have 2 wins in last 15 games what are they improving on

Keep selling though, there are always buyers

crw...clearly you missed the gist of my post...Selling? I'll take a tie with Blaine and Andover and wins over DE & MG in an 8 day period plus a win over CP a week earlier any time, it's a nice little run for an Anoka team that hasn't been relevant since 2007-2008. And CP has a recent win over Andover, to me that's improving (re: CP)

[crw]

There is no disputing Anoka sharted down their leg twice against ER...but since then are 3-0-2 against 4 quality opponents and an improving CP squad.

With the (possible) exception of emerging sophomore center Isaac Johnson...Anoka has no stars...but are varsity experienced, 3 lines deep at forward, solid on D and have a quality Goalie. I'll leave the rankings up to Karl.

Your not really trying to sell it by saying Champlin Park is an improving squad are you? They have 2 wins in last 15 games what are they improving on

Keep selling though, there are always buyers

crw...clearly you missed the gist of my post...Selling? I'll take a tie with Blaine and Andover and wins over DE & MG in an 8 day period plus a win over CP a week earlier any time, it's a nice little run for an Anoka team that hasn't been relevant since 2007-2008. And CP has a recent win over Andover, to me that's improving (re: CP)

Are you now counting a win or tie vs. sub par Andover team as Quality? I will give you the Blaine, East and MG... But not the others

Anoka is a decent team and those Are some nice games but maybe you should have stopped after those 3 teams is all I'm saying.