A Rankings for 1/11/26

[ClassAGuy]

The Range can rejoice as they got their flip at the top of the rankings this week, but how long will it last? As the #1 vs #2 matchup looms. Beyond that, it was one of the most chaotic weeks in Class A memory. My best effort to reorder with the Week #8 Rankings Below:

1. Hibbing/Chisholm (12-1-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-1 #14 Northern Lakes, W 4-2 #25 International Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ #2 Hermantown, 1/17 vs #19 Orono
Hibbing jumps back to the top of the rankings this week as their 7A rival faltered. The Bluejackets were able to survive a surprising scare from Northern Lakes on the road, but did then take care of business vs previously unbeaten International Falls for a section win. Now they jump up into the top spot, but for how long? This week, they head to Hermantown for the much-anticipated #1 vs #2 matchup with the winner claiming the top spot in Class A.

2. Hermantown (12-1-3)
Past Week Results: L 3-4 #13 Proctor, W 2-1 #11 St Cloud Cathedral, T 3-3 OT #4 Warroad
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs #1 Hibbing/Chisholm, 1/17 @ Shakopee
The Hawks are dealing with some illnesses and injuries, but regardless, they had a rather pedestrian week. The upset loss to Proctor was shocking, but then needing to just slip by Cathedral before coughing up a three-goal lead to Warroad for a tie just fell far below normal Hermantown standards, all of which led to them falling out of the top spot this week. The week ahead is a big one, as they finally get their chance at redemption when they host now top-ranked Hibbing in a game that gives them a chance to make a move back to the top of the rankings.

3. Sartell (11-3-0)
Past Week Results: W 9-3 Alexandria
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ St Cloud Public, 1/15 vs River Lakes
The Sabres blasted past Alexandria on the road in their only action of the week as they continued to cruise through their conference slate of games. While the teams around them continue to collect some losses, Sartell remains unbeaten within Class A. They move up into the highest ranking they have been and, looking at their schedule ahead, they should only rack up more wins for the month of January. This week, there are two more CLC games that, on paper, they are heavily favored to win.

4. Warroad (11-4-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-1 Roseau, L 0-1 #7 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, T 3-3 OT #2 Hermantown
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ #21 Detroit Lakes, 1/17 @ West Fargo Sheyenne (N.D.)
Warroad started the week well as they took care of their archrival, the Rams, on the road. However, the loss to Cloquet shows the Warriors are still susceptible to struggling against physical teams, but to battle back down three in Hermantown and carry the play later shows the high ceiling of this young team. Yes, they lost head-to-head to Delano in the first game of the year, but they also beat Mahtomedi, and I think the overall potential of this team keeps them at the 4 spot for now. More physical hockey this week on the road.

5. Mahtomedi (8-6-2)
Past Week Results: W 3-2 #8 Northfield, W 5-3 #6 Delano, W 2-0 Tartan/North
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ Academy of Holy Angels, 1/17 @ South St Paul
The Zephyrs had themselves a great week as they were able to pick up two Top 10 wins in Class A over Northfield and Delano, and they jumped back up into the Top 5 of the rankings, where the eye test always felt they were at, but now we have the results to justify their rise. They were also able to get a 4A shutout over Tartan/North, and this week they will have a great test with a good Holy Angels team before finishing with another section game at South St Paul.

6. Delano (11-4-1)
Past Week Results: W 9-0 Hutchinson, L 3-5 #5 Mahtomedi, W 5-4 OT Holy Family
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ Hutchinson
Delano took a tough loss to Mahtomedi that will have a long-term impact on their team. As in the loss to the Zephyrs, they lost their 2nd string goalie to a season-ending injury. That leaves the Tigers now with having to go with their 3rd string goalie for the foreseeable future, but there is hope they may get their main starter back, who was hurt in the 1st game of the year before playoff time. To their credit, they took the tough news in stride and picked up a wild comeback OT win over Holy Family to end the week, but how long will they be able to overcome the injuries in the net? This week is a quiet one as they will look to get the 2A sweep of winless Hutchinson.

7. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (9-7-0)
Past Week Results: W 4-2 Duluth Marshall, W 1-0 #4 Warroad
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs Grand Rapids, 1/16 vs #19 Orono
The Lumberjacks keep logging their workmanlike efforts, as they had themselves a terrific week going on the road and taking down one of the 7AA front-runners, and then coming back home the next night and upsetting a highly ranked Warroad. This team is a menace to face as they give up little time and space and play a great physical brand of hockey, and with a 95% PK unit, they can afford to play on the edge. They beat the Warriors and Zephyrs now, but lost to Cathedral and Monticello, so will slot them here for now, and this will not be a fun team to face in the 7A Playoffs. They will look to continue their recent stretch of good play when they host Rapids and Orono this week.

8. Northfield (11-2-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 #5 Mahtomedi, W 7-2 Rochester Century/JM, W 4-0 Owatonna
Upcoming Schedule: 1/15 vs Austin, 1/17 @ Red Wing
Northfield gave Mahtomedi a good fight but lost to another State Contender on the road to open the week. They did rebound nicely as they handled a pair of Big Nine Conference teams with ease. The loss to the Zephyrs, though, drops them back into their normal slot in their rankings as they always seem to hold firm at #7 or #8 spots these past few years. More conference action this week, with two games they should cruise to victories in.

9. Blake (10-5-2)
Past Week Results: W 6-1 #22 Minneapolis, W 6-2 Providence Academy, T 2-2 OT #10 Breck
Upcoming Schedule: 1/15 @ St Paul Academy, 1/17 vs Providence Academy
The Bears held steady this week, taking care of some Section 2A teams, beating Minneapolis and Providence Academy with ease before finding a way late to tie rival Breck, which will give them the nod in seeding due to beating the Mustangs earlier this year. All those results should now help Blake have a top-two seed on lockdown, which will be key in such a deep section. This week, it's two winnable Conference Games as the Bears will look to stay hot.

10. Breck (9-4-1)
Past Week Results: W 7-1 Providence Academy, T 2-2 OT #9 Blake
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs Southwest Christian/Richfield, 1/15 @ Providence Academy, 1/17 vs Gentry Academy
Breck had another solid week as they were able to blitz Providence Academy for a Section 2A win, and while they are disappointed to have to settle for a tie with Blake, they have shown that they can skate right with the Bears. Overall, they have the head-to-head win over Cathedral, and they have three tough one-goal losses to ranked Class A teams. The resume feels like one of a Top Ten Team and they will look to continue to rack up Section 2A wins this week before an interesting test with Gentry to end the week.

11. St Cloud Cathedral (7-8-0)
Past Week Results: L 1-2 #2 Hermantown, W 3-1 #12 Monticello
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs #14 Northern Lakes, 1/17 vs #18 East Grand Forks
The Crusaders showed again this week that, despite the ugly record, this is a very dangerous hockey team. They were able to hang around with the Hawks to start the week and then went on the road and took down Monticello, which puts them in the driver's seat for the #1 seed in Section 5A. Despite being below .500, they have Top 10 wins over both CEC and Northfield, which will put them just on the outside looking in below Breck, as they also have a head-to-head loss to them. More challenges await this week as they host ranked Northern Lakes and East Grand Forks.

12. Monticello (10-3-2)
Past Week Results: W 4-1 #19 Orono, W 5-1 Becker/Big Lake, L 1-3 #11 St Cloud Cathedral
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs Pine City Area, 1/16 @ #15 Chisago Lakes
The Moose’s loss to Cathedral snapped a nine-game winning streak for Monticello and most likely cost them the #1 seed in Section 5A. The loss also shows that while they are a very good team, they are currently (1-3-1) vs Top 15 Class A teams this year. This is still a team that can do damage, but they will need to figure out how to beat the Crusaders and win consistently against top teams to be the contender many thought they were to start the year. For now, they drop outside the Top Ten but can take a big step forward by winning the Conference this week when they take on Pine City Area and Chisago Lakes.

13. Proctor (9-6-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-3 #2 Hermantown, W 5-0 Little Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ Superior (Wis.), 1/15 vs Rock Ridge, 1/17 vs #14 Northern Lakes
The Rails have made a historic rise in the rankings as they went from unranked to just outside the Top Ten in only two weeks. This doesn’t feel like an overreaction to the biggest upset of the year when they took down Hermantown this week. A deeper look shows Proctor is now unbeaten in their last seven games, and their only Class A losses are to the teams ranked above them. This upcoming week is a busy one with a trip to Wisconsin before hosting a tough 7AA crew, and then a nice test vs a team ranked just beneath them in Northern Lakes to finish the week.

14. Northern Lakes (7-5-1)
Past Week Results: L 1-4 #1 Hibbing/Chisholm, W 3-1 Fergus Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs Little Falls, 1/16 @ #11 St Cloud Cathedral, 1/17 @ #13 Proctor
The Lightning didn’t win against Hibbing at the start of the week, but they did make a statement, hanging right in there with the talent-rich Bluejackets and giving them a scare. They then came back and picked up an important 6A win over Fergus Falls as this team continues to trend upwards of late. They will be tested this week with a section game vs Little Falls and two ranked Class A opponents on the road.

15. Chisago Lakes (9-4-2)
Past Week Results: W 5-0 Pine City Area, W 8-3 Princeton, W 8-3 St Paul
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ Cambridge-Isanti, 1/16 vs #7 Monticello
The Wildcats took care of business this week, finishing off a couple of middling opponents and getting a Section 4A win in the process. They aren’t overwhelming these opponents, but they do have some dynamic players and enough pieces to make a run in a thin section and be on the doorstep of state again. This week, they can make amends for their worst loss of the season when they take on Cambridge-Isanti before a big match-up with the Moose with the Conference Title on the line.

16. Luverne (14-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 7-3 Minnesota River
Upcoming Schedule: 1/12 @ Windom, 1/17 @ #20 Waseca
Roll Cards Roll took down Section 3A opponent Minnesota River at home in their only action to keep a firm grip on the #1 seed. As was noted last week, Luverne should have a great chance to win out heading into the playoffs, as they will be the favorite in all their remaining games. They will look to avoid any slip-ups as they hit the road this week with a trip to Windom and then probably their toughest remaining regular-season game left when they finish the week at Waseca with the Conference Title on the line.

17. Rochester Lourdes (11-3-1)
Past Week Results: W 3-2 Owatonna, W 5-1 Dodge County
Upcoming Schedule: 1/15 @ #20 Waseca
Lourdes marched their way to two more road wins this week, with the more important one being the victory at Dodge County, which helped build their resume for a top seed in Section 1A. There is a lot to like about this Eagles group that plays fantastic team defense, and now they will hit the road again this week as the Rochester Road Warriors will hope to get a big win over Waseca in a game that will most likely determine the #2 seed for sectional play in a month.

18. East Grand Forks (6-8-1)
Past Week Results: W 7-0 Crookston, L 2-3 Bemidji
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 vs Roseau, 1/17 @ #11 St Cloud Cathedral
The Greenwave started the week well as they went on the road and routed Crookston for a section win. However, they ran out of gas vs Bemidji as they were unable to hold a third-period lead, and they suffered a season sweep to the Lumberjacks, which still raises some questions about this team. Overall, they have been playing better hockey of late, and this week they will have two winnable but challenging games as they host Roseau before a trip to St Cloud for a State Title Game Rematch with the Crusaders to end the week.

19. Orono (4-7-3)
Past Week Results: L 1-4 #12 Monticello, W 6-4 Westonka
Upcoming Schedule: 1/13 @ Sauk Rapids-Rice, 1/16 @ #7 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, 1/17 @ #1 Hibbing/Chisholm
Orono’s one-sided loss to Monticello and then needing late heroics to pull out a 2A win over Westonka continued 2 to 3 weeks of poor play, and as a result, it was a backward ranking drift for the Spartans, who have a few quality wins but just can't justify holding them so high with the level of play on display of late. The week ahead gives them a chance to do something, as they play a struggling Sauk Rapids-Rice team before a trip up into 7A country for two Top 10 games.

20. Waseca (8-4-1)
Past Week Results: W 6-4 New Ulm, W 17-0 Redwood Valley
Upcoming Schedule: 1/15 vs #17 Rochester Lourdes, 1/17 vs #16 Luverne
The Bluejays marched past New Ulm before doing some unspeakable things to Redwood Valley, continuing their tenuous cling to a Top 20 ranking as the teams just below them continue to push and win their games. This is a make-or-break week for Waseca as far as these rankings are concerned, as they have two ranked home games, the first being the battle for the #2 seed in 1A vs Lourdes, and then a rematch for the shot at the Conference Title with Luverne. It's time for this team to prove it can win a big game.

Next Five Notable Teams
Detroit Lakes (8-7-0)
The Lakers have now fully regrouped after a tough stretch over the holidays. They have now won three games in a row, beating two conference opponents this past week, River Lakes and Brainerd. This week, they’ll aim to make a push in the Section 8A standings as they can solidify their top-three seed as they take on a sneaky Red Lake Falls before a big matchup with the current top seed, Warroad.

Minneapolis (7-6-1)
The 612 crew was not very competitive vs Blake to start the week, as they just could not keep up with the Bears after taking an early lead. They were able to come back and beat Southwest Christian/Richfield, and they currently control their fate for the #3 seed in 2A. However, if you take away the Orono win, which doesn't feel as big with how the Spartans have played of late, this team just doesn't feel like Top 20 at the moment. Will drop them back out and let them play their way back in.

St Louis Park (8-7-0)
The Orioles took care of Waconia for a Section 2A win, and then dispatched of Hopkins, winning games they needed to win to keep edging their way upward here. This week, they have some West Metro Conference action as they hit the road to take on a skidding New Prague before a good test with Chanhassen to end the week.

Mankato West (9-4-2)
The Scarlets continued their winning ways this week, picking up three Big Nine Conference wins, and they have now won six games in a row. They are a talented young group that is finding its groove, and they will look to continue their hot streak this week with two more winnable games. Their matchup vs Mankato East is the bigger of the two games, as there will be city bragging rights and Section 3A seeding on the line, and it's been quite some time since the Cougars have been able to beat West.

International Falls (10-1-2)
The Broncos suffered their first loss of the year this week when they fell to Hibbing. They did take care of business in their other two games, defeating Ely and Kittson County Central. Unfortunately, for them, in other 7A action this week, a historic upset sealed their fate that they will be the #5 seed and have a road Quarterfinal Playoff Game. All they can do now is win games that they should, which should happen this week.

Class A Section by Section Rankings Week #8
Section 1A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Northfield Raiders (11-2-0)
2- Rochester Lourdes Eagles (11-3-1)
3- Waseca Bluejays (8-4-1)
4- Dodge County Wildcats (8-4-0)
5- Winona Winhawks (8-4-0)
6- Albert Lea Tigers (9-5-0)
7- Red Wing Wingers (7-6-0)
8- La Crescent-Hokah Lancers (5-7-0)
9- Faribault Falcons (4-12-0)

1A Summary -Northfield went (2-1-0) and Waseca went (2-0-0) outside of the section. Rochester Lourdes got a Section 1A win over Dodge County. Winona got a Section 1A wins over Albert Lea & Red Wing. The Wingers and La Crescent-Hokah got 1A wins over Faribault.

Section 2A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Delano Tigers (11-4-1)
2- Blake Bears (10-5-2)
3- Minneapolis (7-6-1)
4- Orono Spartans (4-7-3)
5- Breck Mustangs (9-4-1)
6- St Louis Park Orioles (8-7-0)
7- Waconia Wildcats (8-4-2)
8- Westonka White Hawks (6-7-1)
9- Providence Academy Lions (6-8-2)
10- Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars (4-8-0)
11- Hutchinson Tigers (0-13-0)

2A Summary- Delano & Southwest Christian/Richfield got a Section 2A win over Hutchinson. Blake got Section 2A tie with Breck and 2A wins over Providence Academy & Minneapolis. The 612 crew did get a section win over the Stars and the Mustangs got a 2A win over the Lions. Orono Section 2A win over Westonka. St Louis Park got a Section 2A win over Waconia.

Section 3A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Luverne Cardinals (14-2-0)
2- Mankato West Scarlets (9-4-2)
3- Mankato East Cougars (7-7-0)
4- Minnesota River Bulldogs (7-7-1)
5- New Ulm Eagles (7-6-0)
6- Marshall Tigers (3-10-0)
7- Fairmont Cardinals (4-6-0)
8- Windom Eagles (4-9-0)
9- Worthington Trojans (2-12-0)
10- Redwood Valley Cardinals (2-11-0)

3A Summary- Luverne got a Section 3A win over Minnesota River. New Ulm got Section 3A wins over Worthington & Redwood Valley but the RWV did get a 3A win over Windom. Marshall got a 3A win over Fairmont. Mankato West & Mankato East both went unbeaten outside the section.

Section 4A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Mahtomedi Zephyrs (8-6-2)
2- Chisago Lakes Wildcats (9-4-2)
3- Irondale Knights (7-4-1)
4- Hastings Raiders (8-7-0)
5- South St. Paul Packers (6-7-1)
5- Simley Spartans (5-8-0)
7- Tartan North Titans (6-9-0)
8- Osseo Orioles (2-13-0)
9- St. Paul Hockey (3-20-1)
10- St. Paul Academy Spartans (0-10-0)

4A Summary- Mahtomedi got a Section 4A win over Tartan/North. Chisago Lakes got a 4A win over St Paul but the 651 crew got a 4A win over St Paul Academy. Irondale got a 4A win over Hastings but the Raiders got a 4A win over South Paul but the Packers got a 4A win over Simley. Osseo went winless outside the section.

Section 5A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- St Cloud Cathedral Crusaders (7-8-0)
2- Monticello Moose (10-3-2)
3- Litchfield Dassel Cokato Dragons (7-7-0)
4- Pine City Area Dragons (8-5-1)
5- River Lakes Stars (5-8-0)
6- Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm (4-9-1)
7- Becker/Big Lake Eagles (6-6-0)
8- Princeton Tigers (0-13-1)
9- Mora/Milaca Mustangs (4-10-0)

5A Summary- St Cloud Cathedral got 5A wins over Monticello but the Moose did get a 5A win over Becker/Big Lake. River Lakes got 5A wins over Sauk Rapids Rice & Princeton. Pine City Area also got a 5A win over the Storm. Litchfield Dassel Cokato went (1-2-0) and Mora/Milaca went .500 outside the section.

Section 6A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Sartell Sabres (11-3-0)
2- Northern Lakes Lightning (7-5-1)
3- Fergus Falls Otters (5-7-0)
4- Little Falls Flyers (3-9-0)
5- Prairie Centre North Stars (10-4-0)
6- Willmar Cardinals (7-5-0)
7- Breckenridge/Wahpeton Blades (3-7-1)
8- Morris/Benson Storm (4-9-0)
9- Wadena Deer Creek Wolverines (3-11-0)

6A Summary- Sartell went (1-0-0) outside the section. Northern Lakes got a Section 6A win over Fergus Falls. Breckenridge/Wahpeton got 6A wins over Morris/Benson & Wadena Deer Creek and Prairie Centre completed the 6A sweep of MBA. Willmar went (1-2-0) outside the section and Little Falls went winless.

Section 7A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets (13-1-1)
2- Hermantown Hawks (12-1-3)
3- Cloquet/Esko/Carlton Lumberjacks (9-7-0)
4- Proctor Rails (9-6-1)
5- International Falls Broncos (10-1-2)
6- Greenway Raiders (7-6-0)
7- North Shore Storm (3-9-1)
8- Ely Timberwolves (4-7-0)
9- Moose Lake Area Rebels (1-10-0)

7A Summary- Hibbing/Chisholm got a 7A win over International Falls but the Broncos got a 7A win over Ely. Proctor got a massive 7A upset over Hermantown. North Shore won its only game outside the section and Moose Lake Area lost their only game. Greenway was idle this week.

Section 8A Ranking (1/11/26)
1- Warroad Warriors (11-4-1)
2- East Grand Forks Greenwave (6-8-1)
3- Detroit Lakes Lakers (8-7-0)
4- Thief River Falls Prowlers (7-7-0)
5- Crookston Pirates (8-4-1)
6- Red Lake Falls Eagles (11-3-0)
7- Bagley/Fosston Flyers (11-3-0)
8- Lake of the Woods Bears (1-12-0)
9- Kittson County Central Bearcats (5-9-0)
10- Park Rapids Area Panthers (2-10-0)

8A Summary- Warroad went (1-1-1) outside the Section. East Grand Forks & Thief River Falls got 8A wins over Crookston. Red Lake Falls got 8A wins over Kittson County Central & Park Rapids. Detroit Lakes went unbeaten outside the section and Lake of the Woods was idle.

[ClassAGuy]

One Note- Hibbing is now (13-1-1). I missed updating that when writing the recap. It is listed correctly in the Section 7A Standings piece. Unfortunately, you can no longer edit your main post on here.... Apologies to the Range on that one.

[ClassAGuy]

Class A PageStat Rankings (1/11/26)
1. Hibbing
2. Hermantown
3. Warroad
4. Sartell
5. Mahtomedi
6. Cloquet
7. Delano
8. Blake
9. Breck
10. Northfield
11. Monticello
12. International Falls
13. St Cloud Cathedral
14. Rochester Lourdes
15. East Grand Forks
16. Proctor
17. Northern Lakes
18. Chisago Lakes
19. Mankato West
20. Luverne

[ClassAGuy]

Legacy BHS Class A Rankings (1/11/26)
1. Hibbing/Chisholm
2. Hermantown
3. Delano
4. Warroad
5. Sartell
6. Mahtomedi
7. Northfield
8. Monticello
9. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton
10. Blake
11. Breck
12. East Grand Forks
13. Northern Lakes
14. St. Cloud Cathedral
15. Orono
16. Rochester Lourdes
17. Luverne
18. Chisago Lakes
19. Waseca
20. Proctor

[elliott70]

So Hermantown beat Hibbing.

[ClassAGuy]

LPH BHS Class A Coaches Rankings (1/13/26)
1. Hibbing/Chisholm
2. Hermantown
3. Sartell
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Delano
7. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton
8. Northfield
9. Blake
10. Breck
11. St Cloud Cathedral
12. Monticello
13. Northern Lakes
14. Proctor
15. Rochester Lourdes
16. Chisago Lakes
17. Luverne
18. Orono
19. East Grand Forks
20. Waseca