Team-[Overall Record (7A Record)]
1.
Hermantown- [5-0-1 (1-0)] The Hawks took care of business versus Denfeld and then against a good TRF squad. Of course Alander was the reason Denfeld was able to hang around so long, and for a split second when Denfeld cut it to 2-1, I thought they might have a chance for an upset. The Hawks quickly extinguished that hope as their depth completely took over and put them away. Hermantown won’t have a 7A game for a while, but they will get a good test from Minnetonka this week.
2.
Hibbing-[6-0 (1-0)] The Bluejackets traveled westward and beat EGF and Crookston by identical 3-2 scores. While EGF is no longer a top 3 A team (at least when Loven is out) it was nonetheless a great road win against what I feel is still a top 10 A team, a team that is likely better than any 7A team not named the Hawks. Hibbing hosts Mayo and Albert Lea this weekend, and they should be heavy favorites in both games. But the following Tuesday is the game most 7A fans will be waiting for, as Hibbing goes to Greenway.
Hibbing has been strong in goal and offensively, but they need their non-Perunovich defenseman to keep improving. Most of these kids are getting their first taste of varsity this season, so I am optimistic they will make significant strides. Top six forward Lescarbeau is just returning from injury, which will be a big boost.
They also need to get their power play going, as they look like they are using the Wild’s “pass around the perimeter for 2 minutes but never actually shoot” strategy. For Hibbing to level the ice with some of the deeper teams, they must be strong on the man advantage. Their top pp unit has 5 highly skilled kids, but they have to realize their potential.
3.
Denfeld-[4-3 2-1)] The Hunters suffered defeat at the hands of Hermantown, but they took down Virginia to solidify their spot at #3. Now that I finally saw Denfeld play, I was impressed at how good Alander was, and not so impressed by their forwards. Of course watching most teams play Hermantown would make them look less than great, so I take that into account. They play Superior Thursday before traveling to the border the next night to face an I-Falls team that will be well rested. Will this even the odds a bit for the Broncos?
4.
Greenway-[6-1 (3-1)] The Raiders absolutely pummeled Proctor 11-0 in the only game they played this week. Their only loss this season is the OT heartbreaker to Denfeld on the road, and overall they have outscored their opponents 43-8. Greenway has made it abundantly clear they are a top 4 team in 7A, and they will soon have a chance to move up a spot or two when Hibbing comes to town in nine days. But before that clash they get a re-match with E-G (who they beat 8-1 a few week ago), and then they head south to play a bunch of spoiled private school kids at Lourdes and Providence Academy.
I’m bullish on Greenway and feel their home game versus Hibbing is a pick ‘em. As long as both teams take care of business this week it will be a match up of a 9-1 team and an 8-0 team. Hodgins-Berardo Arena will be a madhouse!
5.
North Shore-[6-0 (2-0)] The Storm continue their unbeaten season and are doing what they should do against the weak teams they have played so far. This weekend they travel to the TC to take on Chaska and St. Louis Park, which should give them better competition. After a trip to Cheeseland to play Hayward, the Storm will ring in the new year by playing the first of nine consecutive games versus 7A opponents. Thus, it will be a while before we get to see how they stack up against 7A, but we’ll learn a lot in a short amount of time.
Now let’s dive into the jumbled world of teams 6-9.
6.
I Falls-[2-3-1 (1-2-1)] The Broncos somehow didn't play a game this week, and will come back from their long break to play Roseau and Denfeld, which won't be easy.
7.
Eveleth-Gilbert-[3-3-1 (2-2-1)] The Golden Bears tied Virginia and lost to Proctor in OT, but I feel like this team has been playing better as of late. They will get another crack at Greenway on Tuesday, followed by the Mayo/Albert Lea weekend they share with Hibbing.
8.
VMIB-[2-4-2 (0-2-2)] The Blue Devils got handled by Denfeld and tied E-G, thus they tumble to 8. What has already been a relatively tough schedule gets even worse as over the next four games they play AA teams Cloquet, Eagan, and Brainerd, which won’t help their ranking. I still see this young team making strides as the year goes along, but at this point moving past #5 seems impossible.
9.
Proctor-[5-4 (2-2)] The Rails did beat E-G in OT, but they got destroyed by Greenway 11-0, a loss so bad that it keeps them at #9. Upcoming games versus Superior and Princeton will not be easy.
10.
Ely-[3-2 (0-2)] The Timberwolves got trounced by E-G 9-1, and they stay at #10.
7A Game of the Week:
Denfeld-I-Falls. This is the game of the week more so because of a lack of 7A match ups than because this is really an intriguing game. That said, I-Falls has shown flashes of being a top 5 7A team and if they can take advantage of their fresh legs against Denfeld having to play the night before and then make the long journey north, then this could be a great game. If anyone is cheering for the Broncos, its Greenway fans, as an upset here vaults them back to #3 with a chance to snatch #2 with a win over Hibbing the following week.