A Rankings for 12/18/22

[ClassAGuy]

Class A Rankings Week #4 (12/18/2022)

Minnesota weather wreaked havoc on an important week in Class A wiping out many critical Section Matchups and game that would have helped bring clarity to these rankings. Instead we were left with a small sample of games to choose from, four of the top 20 were idle, and while the Top 5 remain the same 6-25 continues to be challenge as teams continue their interesting up and down results from one week to the next.

1- Hermantown (7A) (3-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 8-1 Duluth Marshall
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ #9 Duluth Denfeld, 12/22 @ #4 Orono
The Hawks blew out a struggling Toppers team to start their week in a game that was surprisingly tied 1-1 but a seven goal 2nd period put an end to any chance of an upset and Hermatown cruised to the win. The other game vs Rosemount was postponed so another small sample size week for the Hawks. This week they play their first Class A competition of the year and they have two good ones facing off against 7A ranked Denfeld before hitting the road for a huge Class A Pre-Christmas showdown with unbeaten Orono.

2- Warroad (8A) (5-0-0)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ #13 Thief River Falls
The Warriors did not play their highly anticipated game with East Grand Forks due to weather. The Warriors and Greenwave will now face off in a rare Monday/Tuesday Home and Home right before 8A Playoffs in a series that will more then likely determine the number 1 seed. This week Warroad has just one contest, a game at ranked Thief River Falls in an important Section 8A game.

3- Mahtomedi (4A) (5-1-0)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs Stillwater
The Zephyrs had their only game of the week vs Hill Murray snowed out so they were idle. This week they faceoff with the AA team they share the rink with in Stillwater. This one should be a very good test for the Zephyrs as Stillwater is a surprise team in 4AA this year and it will take a very good game from Mahtomedi to get the win. Another good test as they prepare to be ultimately battle tested reach the X this March.

4- Orono (2A) (7-0-0)
Past Week Results: W 3-1 #6 Northfield, W 3-2 Minneapolis, W 3-2 OT Waconia
Upcoming Schedule: 12/22 vs #1 Hermantown
The Spartans got off to a great start with a win over Section 1A favorites Northfield at home to start their week to pick up another very good resume building win for this group. Orono then struggled but found a way against Section 2A teams the rest of the week. First knocking off the defending 2A Champions Minneapolis to pick up a road section win in the middle part of their week. They followed that with another tough game against 2A Waconia at home as they struggled to solve the Wildcat goaltender. However, after nearly 50 shots they were able to win the game in OT and stay unbeaten and this week they welcome the defending Class A Champions to town which will be a great test before christmas for this veteran group.

5- East Grand Forks (8A) (5-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 3-2 #19 Alexandria
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs Bemidji, 12/22 @ Grand Forks Red River
The Greenwave only had one game due to weather and they went to Defending 6A Champion Alexandria and picked up a nice win on the road. They jumped out to a three goal lead and held on for the win over a better than their record Alexandria team. This week the Greenwave take on AA Bemidji before they head across the border to take on Grand Forks Red River in a Gambucci Cup Game.

6- Northfield (1A) (6-2-0)
Past Week Results: L 1-3 #4 Orono, W 4-3 Osseo, W 6-1 Spring Lake Park
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ #15 New Prague
The Raiders got out of the gate very slow in their big match up with Orono to start the week and they fell behind 3-0 before showing some life in the third period which was too late and they dropped their second game of the year. They did rebound to pick up a win, while more interesting than it needed to be, over AA Osseo. They followed that up with a convincing win over Spring Lake Park to finish off the weekend with two wins. Raiders for now stay at six as their only two losses are to the #4 and #3 teams in Class A. This week they have a huge 1A game when they travel to defending 1A Champion New Prague.

7- Detroit Lakes (8A) (5-1-1)
Past Week Results: W 8-1 Crookston
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ Morris/Benson
The Lakers had two games snowed out before finally getting to play an important Section 8A Crookston on the road. The Lakers took care of business and scored early and often in their 8-2 rout on the road. It was an impressive enough result vs some of the others in the Top 10 who faltered to move them up a few spots. This week they have a very winnable game at Morris/Benson to stay hot heading into the Holiday break.

8- Hibbing (7A) (5-3-1)
Past Week Results: W 7-0 Greenway
Upcoming Schedule: 12/22 vs Proctor
Hibbing did exactly what they needed to do this week as they took care of business in their only game winning a very important Section 7A game on the road at Greenway. The Bluejackets blew open a 2-0 lead with a five goal third period displaying some needed offensive fire power behind the big nights of Broden Fawcett and Beau Frider. Hibbing has been solid within their five Class A games this year which they are unbeaten going (4-0-1) and deserve to make the move up this week up. Only one game again on the schedule this week and it's another important one vs. 7A Proctor at home.

9- Duluth Denfeld (7A) (4-2-1)
Past Week Results: W 5-3 Rock Ridge, W 3-1 Superior
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs #1 Hermantown, 12/22 @ Grand Rapids
The Hunters had a very nice week they picked up a very important Section 7A 5-3 win over Rock Ridge, who showed over the weekend they are a tough team, to start their week to stay in control of the #3 seed for Sectional purposes behind Andrew Larson’s big 4 goal night. Then they avenged a loss from last week when they took down Superior 3-1 to win both games on the week. The Hunter are currently unbeaten in Class A competition, and this ranking maybe stretching it, but the schedule ramps up significantly this week as the Hunters play the beasts of Northeast Minnesota when they take on Hermantown and Grand Rapids.

10- Little Falls (5A) (3-2-1)
Past Week Results: T 2-2 Rock Ridge
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ Brainerd
The Flyers had their first two games of the week snowed out and looked like a rusty team when they played their only game of the week at Rock Ridge. The Flyers were outworked and outshot heavily on the night 48-29 and had to overcome a 2 goal deficit just to be lucky to tie. Not the impressive result you were looking for for a team coming off such a good week one week prior. They will look for a better outcome this week when they take on nearby AA rival Brainerd.

11- Delano (2A) (2-3-0)
Past Week Results:W 3-1 #16 Hutchinson
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ St Cloud Cathedral, 12/22 @ Holy Family
Delano’s had two of their important 2A games this week wiped out due to weather but they were able to play Hutchinson in a key early season Section 2A Game on Saturday. Delano showed the type of hockey we are accustomed to when thinking of their program as they won a very good 3-1 game at home. They methodically wore down Hutchinson and played their structure and system perfectly to pick up another good section win after a slow start to the season Delano is starting to shape into form. This week they have a big game at St Cloud Cathedral before they head to AA Holy Family, a program they historically are never able to beat.

12- Litchfield Dassel/Cokato (2A) (5-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 7-4 Breck
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ Waconia, 12/22 @ Marshall
The Dragons picked up a critical Section 2A win over Breck in their only game of the week. They jumped out to a quick 3 goal lead and never gave it up to stay unbeaten on the year. This week they have two more games. They play a Section 2A game at Waconia and then head south to play Marshall. A team that has not gotten a ton of attention but has been very solid in the games they have played to start the year.

13- Thief River Falls (8A) (2-4-1)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 OT Gentry Academy, L 3-6 Totino Grace
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs. #2 Warroad
The Prowlers were on the verge a very big win as they were up one on a solid AA Gentry Academy team before the Stars scored 1:20 left in the game and then won it in OT. The next day again the Prowlers were in a one goal game with a solid AA Totino Grace squad before a late power play and empty net goal let the Eagles pull away. Yes the record is not great but they showed in their Class A games they are a tough team but their schedule stays extremely tough this week as they take on Warroad in their only game of the week.

14- Two Rivers (4A) (8-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 8-1 St Paul Johnson, W 3-1 South St Paul
Upcoming Schedule: 12/22 vs. Rochester John Marshall
The Warriors continued their great start to the year and burst into the rankings this week with 2 more wins that were important as they were also Section 4A wins. Two Rivers took care of St Paul Johnson easily to start the week and eventually putting away South St Paul to end it; they are the first Class A team to reach 8 wins on the young season. This team should continue to win heading into the New Year looking at their schedule this week just one game when they host AA Rochester John Marshall.

15- New Prague (1A) (3-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 4-3 Faribault,, L 1-7 Chaska
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs #6 Northfield, 12/22 @ Rochester Lourdes
The Trojans picked up a surprisingly tight win over 1A Faribault in a game they struggled and where they needed to score in the last 2 minutes of the third to pull out the 1 goal win. They followed that up by getting routed at AA Chaska in a Metro West Conference Game. Not the best week for the Trojans but all those bad vibes can be erased this coming week when they take on 1A Favorite Northfield at home and then 1A Rochester Lourdes on the road in two critical 1A seeding games.

16- Hutchinson (2A) (4-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 7-1 Sauk Rapids, L 1-3 #11 Delano
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs New Ulm
The Tigers started their week by jumping out to a quick 4 goal lead against Sauk Rapids to stay hot and took care of business on the road. However, in their big Section 2A matchup on the road Hutchinson ran into a better hockey team as Delano was able to take care of business and beat the Tigers in a critical 2A seeding game. This week Hutchinson has an interesting one as they take on New Ulm who is unbeaten but yet to play a non-Big South Conference team. How that game goes will give a better feel for both teams.

17- Providence Academy (2A) (5-2-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-9 Armstrong/Cooper, W 7-1 Duluth Marshall
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs Holy Family
The Lions got routed on the road by Armstrong/Cooper giving up 8 first period goals and they went crashing out of the the Top Ten this week. They did rebound to beat a struggling Duluth Marshall team but the first game of the week really raises legitimate questions about this team's defense and goaltending as those concerns appear to be very real. This week it does not get any easier as they have a game vs solid AA Holy Family at home.

18- Chisago Lakes (4A) (0-1-1)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 12/19 @ Osseo, 12/20 vs Roseville, 12/22 vs Forest Lake
The Wildcats have still only played two games this season after four weeks! Winter weather knocked out two more of their games this week for Chisago Lakes. I have no idea what to make of this team with such a small sample size but this week they play 3 games in 4 days and they are all against AA teams. We will see how they fare to hopefully get a better idea on this 4A team.

19- Alexandria (6A) (0-4-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 #5 East Grand Forks
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ Northern Lakes, 12/12 vs St Cloud
The Cardinals showed against against #5 East Grand Forks in their only game of the week why it's hard to throw this team out of the rankings even though they have a winless start. They played the Greenwave tough and their four losses are to to the #4, #5, #10 in Class A and to a (4-1-0) AA team so far this year. Would any of the teams below them have any better record then (0-4-0) on their schedule I don’t think so. They have a ton of talent on this roster and I think still end up winning Section 6A. Let's see how they do in their first Section 6A game this week at Northern Lakes.

20- Fergus Falls (6A) (2-2-0)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 vs River Lakes
The Otters had both of their games wiped out due to weather and were idle for the week. This week they have just one game but it will be one to keep an eye on. They play CLC River Lakes, a team that cannot be overlooked but also a game the Otters need to win if they want to be thinking they are contenders in a very weak 6A this year. Should be a low scoring physical game this week.

The Next 5 in Class A Week #4-
New Ulm (3A) (6-0-0)- The Eagles won another Big South Conference game this week and now (6-0) in Conference play. We know they can win in their weak conference games but can they beat anyone else? Big test vs #16 Hutchinson this week.

Mankato East (3A) (3-4-0)- The Cougars have now won three in a row and are starting to round into form to show they are still the favorite to win Section 3A.

Monticello (5A) (2-3-1)- The Moose pick up another win in Section 5A and the defending Section 5A Champions are another team looking better and better each passing week.

Albert Lea (1A) (4-3-0)- The Tigers pick up 2 wins this week and are in the mix for the top three seeds in Section 1A. Their win over Rock Ridge looks better a week later.

Rock Ridge (7A) (3-3-1)- A solid (1-1-1) week with a tough Section 7A loss to Denfeld but then outplayed Little Falls but tied before taking down Cathedral shows the Wolverines are not to be overlooked.

[Corn Cobb]

Two Rivers at #14? lol.

[ClassAGuy]

Two Rivers at #14? lol.

Yep gonna reward their (8-0-1) start and look at the rankings right now Corn Cobb can't continue to ignore a team that is on track for 17-20 win season and be the #2 seed in Section 4A. Do I think they end up here no. But in week 4 of this year they deserve a nice mention for their great start. They lose to Rochester John Marshall this week and they drop but for now why no give them some love. I wasn't going to go crazy and put them in the Top 10... However, I thought 14 or 15 was a nice landing spot for their very nice start this year. I am sure you have a better ranking be great to share. Again, giving a program some love that is off to a nice start during a quiet week due to MN weather.

[ClassAGuy]

PageStat Ratings Class A Top 20 (12/18/22)
1- Hermantown
2- Warroad
3- Mahtomedi
4- Northfield
5- Orono
6- Providence Academy
7- Hibbing
8- Delano
9- Duluth Denfeld
10- Little Falls
11- East Grand Forks
12- Monticello
13- Alexandria
14- Minneapolis
15- Litchfield Dassel Cokato
16- Detroit Lakes
17- Chisago Lakes
18- Waconia
19- Thief River Falls
20- Cambridge Isanti

[Corn Cobb]

Two Rivers at #14? lol.

Yep gonna reward their (8-0-1) start and look at the rankings right now Corn Cobb can't continue to ignore a team that is on track for 17-20 win season and be the #2 seed in Section 4A. Do I think they end up here no. But in week 4 of this year they deserve a nice mention for their great start. They loss to Rochester John Marshall this week and they drop but for now why no give them some love. I wasnt going to go crazy and put them in the Top 10... However, I thought 14 or 15 was a nice landing spot for their very nice start this year. I am sure you have a better ranking be great to share. Again, giving a program some love that is off to a nice start during a quiet week due to MN weather.

Eric: Heck, you may as well put Winona Cotter in the Top 20. I hear they're undefeated so far this year. lol.

[ClassAGuy]

Two Rivers at #14? lol.

Yep gonna reward their (8-0-1) start and look at the rankings right now Corn Cobb can't continue to ignore a team that is on track for 17-20 win season and be the #2 seed in Section 4A. Do I think they end up here no. But in week 4 of this year they deserve a nice mention for their great start. They loss to Rochester John Marshall this week and they drop but for now why no give them some love. I wasnt going to go crazy and put them in the Top 10... However, I thought 14 or 15 was a nice landing spot for their very nice start this year. I am sure you have a better ranking be great to share. Again, giving a program some love that is off to a nice start during a quiet week due to MN weather.

Eric: Heck, you may as well put Winona Cotter in the Top 20. I hear they're undefeated so far this year. lol.

Agree to disagree but at least burn me on that fact I ranked Two Rivers 14 and not New Ulm who is unbeaten and has better result in their common opponent of Luverne. Again, once Two Rivers losses they will drop I am too low on Monticello and Alexandria right now I know also.

[ClassAGuy]

Class A 2022-23 Section Break Downs (12/18/22)

Section 1A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Northfield (6-2-0)
2- New Prague (3-2-0)
3- Albert Lea (4-3-0)
4- Dodge County (4-4-0)
5- La Crescent (7-2-0)
6- Faribault (2-5-0)
7- Rochester Lourdes (2-4-0)
8- Waseca (4-3-0)
9- Winona (0-4-1)
10- Red Wing (1-8-1)
11- Austin (0-5-0)

Section 1A Outlook- Northfield picked up two wins over AA teams over the weekend. New Prague & Albert Lea picked up tough head to head Section 1A wins over Faribault. Dodge County went .500 with a win over MN River. La Crescent stayed hot and picked up a big Section win over Waseca. Rochester Lourdes got routed by Luverne and may have lost a top forward for the year to injury. Red Wing & Winona tied and Austin continued to have a tough start to the season.

Section 2A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Orono (7-0-0)
2- Delano (2-3-0)
3- Litchfield Dassel-Cokato (5-0-1)
4- Hutchinson (4-2-0)
5- Providence Academy (5-2-0)
6- Minneapolis (1-4-0)
7- Waconia (5-3-0)
8- Breck (3-4-0)
9- Southwest Christian (3-2-0)
10- Mound Westonka (2-6-0)
11- Bloomington Kennedy (0-5-0)

Section 2A Outlook- Orono picked up 2 important Section wins over Minneapolis & Waconia. Delano got a big Section 2A win over Hutchinson. Litchfield Dassel Cokato stayed unbeaten and picked up a Section 2A win over Breck. Providence Academy rebounded after a blowout to Armstrong/Cooper to beat Duluth Marshall. Southwest Christian picked up a 2A win over Bloomington Kennedy. Mound Westonka continues to have a rough rebuilding year.

Section 3A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- New Ulm (6-0-0)
2- Mankato East (3-4-0)
3- Luverne (3-1-1)
4- Mankato West (3-2-1)
5- Windom (2-3-0)
6- Marshall (1-5-0)
7- Minnesota River (2-3-0)
8- Fairmont (0-4-0)
9- Worthington (0-3-0)
10- Redwood Valley (0-5-0)

Section 3A Outlook- New Ulm continued its Big South domination. Mankato East has now won 3 in a row. Meanwhile, Mankato West picked up its first two losses. Luverne blew out Rochester Lourdes on the road. Minnesota River lost to Dodge County and Redwood Valley lost to Willmar. Worthington, Fairmont, Windom & Marshall all had their games knocked out due to MN weather.

Section 4A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Mahtomedi (5-1-0)
2- Two Rivers (8-0-1)
3- Chisago Lakes (0-1-1)
4- St Paul Highland Park (5-3-0)
5- Simley (3-4-0)
6- St Paul Academy (1-4-0)
7- South St Paul (1-5-1)
8- St Paul Johnson (1-5-0)
9- Northern Edge (1-6-0)

Section 4A Outlook- Mahtomedi & Chisago Lakes both were idle this week due to MN weather. Two Rivers stayed hot improving to (8-0-1) to start the year and picked up 4A wins over St Paul Johnson & South St Paul. St. Paul Highland Park picked up a nice head to head win over Simley to move past them in the 4A rankings. Meanwhile, St Paul Academy lost to 2A SWC and Northern Edge got their game wiped out by MN weather.

Section 5A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Little Falls (3-2-1)
2- Monticello (2-3-1)
3- Cambridge Isanti (3-2-0)
4- St Cloud Cathedral (2-4-0)
5- River Lakes (1-3-1)
6- Pine City (3-1-0)
7- Princeton (1-4-0)
8- Mora (3-3-0)
9- Becker/Big Lake (4-2-0)
10- Sauk Rapids (1-4-0)

Section 5A Outlook- Little Falls had a ugly tie up north with middle of the pack 7A Rock Ridge who then beat St Cloud Cathedral the next night. Monticello picked up another Section 5A win over Becker/Big Lake. Cambridge Isanti picked up a section 5A win over Princeton. Mora got blown out by 4A St Paul Highland Park. Sauk Rapids got beat up by 2A Hutchinson. River Lakes & Pine City had their games wiped out due to MN weather this week.

Section 6A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Alexandria (0-4-0)
2- Fergus Falls (2-2-0)
3- Northern Lakes (2-2-0)
4- Wadena Deer Creek (5-2-0)
5- Prairie Centre (1-4-0)
6- Willmar (4-2-0)
7- Morris Benson (1-5-0)
8- Breckenridge/Wahpeton (0-5-0)

Section 6A Outlook- Alexandria lost a tight game to top ranked EGF and will finally play a section game this week. Wadena Deer Creek struggled with lower tier 8A Bagley Fosston before winning and Prairie Centre lost to the 8A Flyers. Willmar knocked off struggling Redwood Valley. Fergus Falls, Northern Lakes, Morris/Benson & Breckenridge/Wahpeton all had their games wiped out this week due to MN weather.

Section 7A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Hermantown (3-0-1)
2- Hibbing (5-3-1)
3- Duluth Denfeld (4-2-1)
4- Rock Ridge (3-3-1)
5- Greenway (2-4-0)
6- Proctor (2-5-0)
7- International Falls (2-4-0)
8- Moose Lake (3-3-0)
9- North Shore (1-3-1)
10- Ely (3-5-0)

Section 7A Outlook- Hermantown dominated AA Duluth Marshall in their only game. Hibbing picked up a big win head to head over Greenway. Duluth Denfeld picked up a big head to head win over Rock Ridge. International Falls picked up a head to head win over Ely. Proctor lost a tight game to AA Cloquet. Moose Lake moved up the 8 seed now with a head to head OT win over North Shore.

Section 8A Rankings (12/18/22)
1- Warroad (5-0-0)
2- East Grand Forks (5-2-0)
3- Detroit Lakes (5-1-1)
4- Thief River Falls (2-4-1)
5- Kittson County Central (4-4-0)
6- Red Lake Falls (2-2-0)
7- Crookston (1-5-0)
8- Bagley/Fosston (3-3-0)
9- Park Rapids (2-2-0)
10- Lake of the Woods (1-3-0)

Section 8A Outlook- Warroad was idle during the week. East Grand Forks had a good non Section win over Alexandria. Detroit Lakes picked up a solid win over Crookston. Thief River Falls lost two tight games on the road to solid AA programs. Kittson County Central picked up the big 1st meeting head to head win over Red Lake Falls. Meanwhile, Bagley/Fosston went .500 but played WDC tough and MN weather knocked both Park Rapids & Lake of the Woods out of action this week.

[ClassAGuy]

Legacy Hockey Class A Rankings (12/19/22)
1. Hermantown
2. Warroad
3. Mahtomedi
4. Orono
5. East Grand Forks
6. Northfield
7. Hibbing/Chisholm
8. Providence Academy
9. Detroit Lakes
10. Little Falls
11. Thief River Falls
12. New Prague
13. Delano
14. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
15. Hutchinson
16. Duluth Denfeld
17. Alexandria
18. Two Rivers
19. Chisago Lakes
20. Albert Lea

[skiumah]

Thanks, ClassAGuy, for all your time and effort! I look forward to your insights and all your posts.

[ClassAGuy]

Kare 11 Top 11 Class A Ranking (12/20/22)
1. Warroad
2. Hermantown
3. Mahtomedi
4. Orono
5. East Grand Forks
6. Two Rivers
7. Detroit Lakes
8. Northfield
9. New Ulm
10. Litchfield Dassel Cokato
11. Luverne

[ClassAGuy]

Lets Play Hockey Class A Ranking (12/22/22)
1. Warroad
2. Hermantown
3. Orono
4. Mahtomedi
5. Northfield
6. Providence Academy
7. Detroit Lakes
8. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
9. East Grand Forks
10. Two Rivers
11. Little Falls
12. Duluth Denfeld
13. Hibbing-Chisholm
14. New Ulm
15. Fergus Falls
16. Delano/Rockford
17. Waconia
18. Monticello
19. Luverne
20. Rock Ridge
Other teams receiving votes: Breck, Wadena-Deer Creek, Kittson County Central, Mankato East/Loyola, Minneapolis, St. Paul Highland Park/Central, St. Cloud Cathedral, Thief River Falls, Chisago Lakes Area.