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Only a handful of games left for all of our teams. There is a lot of movement this week.

1. St Thomas Academy (16-4)
The Cadets defeat the Pioneers to take hold of a share of the conference title and a 10 game winning streak. The Eagles will play them tight this week.
-This week: Rochester Lourdes (Tues, 7:30pm), Richfield (Thurs, 7:30pm), @Henry Sibley (Sat, 7:30pm)

2. Breck (18-2)
The Mustangs continue to dismantle their conference opponents while showing they are very beatable by playing Rochester Lourdes too close for comfort.
-This week: St Paul Academy (Thurs, 7:30pm), @St Paul Como Park (Sat, 2pm)

3. Hermantown (18-3)
All the Hawks’ losses this season have been by one goal, all to AA opponents.
-This week: @Duluth Denfeld (Tues, 7:30pm), Red Wing (Sat, 3pm)

4. Mahtomedi (16-5)
I would’ve moved them up if they had beaten Spring Lake Park by a bigger margin. Their only losses this season are to St Thomas, Breck and Hill Murray.
-This week: Henry Sibley (Thurs, 7:30pm), Tartan (Sat, 3pm)

5. Warroad (17-4)
The Warriors have been proving themselves lately. They crushed EGF and beat two good Duluth schools lately.
-This week: Grand Forks Red River (Tues, 7:30pm), Moorhead (Thurs, 6pm), Bemidji (Fri, 7:30pm)

6. International Falls (13-6-2)
Big jump, yes, but the Broncos beat Hibbing and tied Virginia lately. Their only loss this year has been to Hermantown by 3.
-This week: @Lake of the Woods (Thurs, 7:30pm), Grand Rapids (Fri, 7:30pm)

7. Sartell-St Stephen (14-6-2)
Alexandria was a little road bump, but Sartell beat Virginia today. Not a top 4 team if Warroad makes it, but in control of their own destiny in 6A.
-This week: @River Lakes (Tues, 7pm), St Cloud Apollo (Thurs, 7pm)

8. Virginia (14-6-3)
The Blue Devils definitely aren’t cruising toward the end of the season. I would say they still have the top seed in their hands, but they play two very losable section games to two teams who could take the top seed from them.
-This week: Duluth Marshall (Tues, 7:30pm)


9. Duluth Marshall (9-11-1)
Beating Thief River Falls helps the Hilltoppers out quite a bit. They have some very good games this week, games that could bring them to the top of their section and help them continue to rise in the rankings.
-This week: @Virginia (Tues, 7:30pm), Totino-Grace (Thurs, 7pm), @Superior (Sat, 2:30)

10. Thief River Falls (15-6)
Going 1-2 this past week doesn’t help them in the rankings and leave 8A up in the air at the moment. I would say losing to Crookston is worse than losing to EGF; Warroad probably has the edge back. This is a huge drop, yes, but teams around them keep winning while they lose to Crookston and a rising Duluth Marshall.
-This week: Red Lake Falls (Mon, 7:30pm), @Roseau (Fri, 7:30pm)

11. Blake (15-6)
This is an example of a team dropping not by any fault of their own. They haven’t beaten anyone worth mentioning all season and teams below them keep beating quality opponents while they have given up 2 goals to 3 of the last 4 conference opponents.
-This week: @Minnehaha Academy (Tues, 7pm), St Paul Johnson (Sat, 3pm)

12. Hibbing (10-8-2)
The Bluejackets are a good team that will be a threat to anyone they play in sections, but they haven’t beaten teams who are sitting ahead of them.
-This week: @Grand Rapids (Tues, 7:30pm), @Eveleth-Gilbert (Fri, 7:30pm)

13. St Cloud Cathedral (13-6)
Should the Crusaders be higher? If they go 2-0 this week they will definitely move up. If they don’t, Delano will probably see a spot a bit higher than them.
-This week: @Orono (Tues, 7pm), Delano (Fri, 7:15pm)

14. Sauk Rapids-Rice (11-8-1)
There are two VERY good opponents this week for the Storm, both away games. Winning both would be great for them. They are 10-1 in their last 11 games. Anyone know how old their new goalie is?
-This week: @Alexandria (Tues, 7pm), @Brainerd (Thurs, 7pm)

15. Alexandria (12-5-1)
They beat Sartell this week, which helps out a lot. They have Sauk Rapids this week, who beat them away in OT before, a big game for my rankings.
-This week: Sauk Rapids-Rice (Tues, 7pm), Fergus Falls (Thurs, 7pm)

16. Delano (14-7)
They have a big week this week, with a chance to take back a tie of the conference title.
-This week: Holy Family Catholic (Tues, 7:30pm), @St Cloud Cathedral (Fri, 7:15pm), @Meadow Creek Christian (Sat, 3pm)

17. Rochester Lourdes (12-6-3)
Tying New Prague and losing to Mound-Westonka hurt. The Eagles play New Ulm this week to try to raise their seed for 1A
-This week: @St Thomas (Tues, 7:30pm), New Ulm (Thurs, 7:30pm)

18. Spring Lake Park (16-5)
It is very possible this is too low for the Panthers after losing to Mahtomedi by 1, but they also have losses to Totino Grace and Chisago Lakes.
-This week: @St Louis Park (Tues, 7pm), @St Francis (Fri, 7pm)

19. Redwood Valley (15-2)
Not an exact science at all; although the Cardinals have not played New Ulm for Litchfield, they have beaten Marshall twice who has beaten both of those teams. It would be nice to find out a little bit about the Cardinals; is this a young team that will be back next year, or is it mostly seniors?
-This week: @Morris/Benson (Tues, 7pm)

20. Totino-Grace (11-8 )
Going 1-2 in a week is never good. They played Spring Lake Park close the first time. They meet again next week
-This week: Chisago Lakes (Mon, 7pm), @Duluth Marshall (Thurs, 7pm), @Benilde (Sat, 2:30pm)

Bubble Teams:

New Prague (13-7-1)
The Trojans have a very good shot at runners up in the Missota. They have lost one non-Holy Angels game since December.
-This week: @Shakopee (Tues, 7pm), Prior Lake (Thurs, 7pm)

Duluth Denfeld (11-9-2)
The Hunters are 1-6-1 in their last 8 games. Sure, all 8 of those games were against quality teams, but losing is losing.
-This week: Hermantown (Tues, 7:30pm), Princeton (Fri, 7:30pm)

Detroit Lakes (13-5-2)
The Lakers lost to Sartell by 1 this week. Of their 5 losses, two were in OT, 4 were by 1 goal and one was by 1 goal. Not a top team, but definitely not a team to overlook.
-This week: @Bagley (Tues, 7:30pm), Park Rapids (Thurs, 7:30pm), @Morris/Benson (Fri, 7:30pm)

East Grand Forks (10-11)
Beat Warroad at home by 1 earlier in the season and recently lost to Moorhead by only 1. Not a top team by any means, but definitely not a team to overlook come sections.
-This week: @Kiison Central (Tues, 7pm)

Faribault (15-6)
The only quality team they’ve beaten all season is New Ulm in their 5th game of the season.
-This week: @Winona (Thurs, 7:30pm), Holy Family Catholic (Sat, 2pm)

Is there another team outside of the top 20 you would like to see recognized I didn’t mention?

I think the 3-2 loss to Mahtomedi helps redeem the Panthers for their bad losses. Time will tell though, they play Totino again, and Brainerd at the end of the season.

RBKhockey77 wrote:I think the 3-2 loss to Mahtomedi helps redeem the Panthers for their bad losses. Time will tell though, they play Totino again, and Brainerd at the end of the season.

Agreed. Balancing a 1 goal loss to a top team with 3 one goal losses to two teams not even closed to being ranked and one to a team who's just barely ranked is tough.

1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Virginia
7. Thief River Falls
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Alexandria
10. Sartell
11. Rochester Lourdes
12. International Falls
13. Hibbing
14. Blake
15. Duluth Marshall
On watch: Duluth Denfeld, Mound-Westonka, Faribault, New Prague, Orono

I'm a little confused on Detroit Lakes, they lost to Little Falls last night. Faribault beat New Prague 5-1 this season, is that not a quality win? They also have some nice wins over Mank. West, Northfield, Century and Rogers. Do you really think Redwood Valley deserves to be in the top 20 or are you just showing some love for a program who has made some big strides? Because beating Marshall isn't nearly enough. Marshall lost to Luverne, among others.

MNHockey75 wrote:1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Virginia
7. Thief River Falls
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Alexandria
10. Sartell
11. Rochester Lourdes
12. International Falls
13. Hibbing
14. Blake
15. Duluth Marshall
On watch: Duluth Denfeld, Mound-Westonka, Faribault, New Prague, Orono

I'm a little confused on Detroit Lakes, they lost to Little Falls last night. Faribault beat New Prague 5-1 this season, is that not a quality win? They also have some nice wins over Mank. West, Northfield, Century and Rogers. Do you really think Redwood Valley deserves to be in the top 20 or are you just showing some love for a program who has made some big strides? Because beating Marshall isn't nearly enough. Marshall lost to Luverne, among others.

Detroit Lakes - The record does not reflect last night's game as it was not available to me when I looked. Probably the #3 team in 6A and still a threat to make it to the final.

Fairbault - Since New Ulm just dropped off my bubble teams, I guess you could say New Prague is the best team they've beaten, my bad. Whether you call them a quality team, I'm not sure.

Redwood Valley - I doubt they are a top 25 team right now. I also doubt we will be able to know for sure. I think there is a very real possibility they will go to state riding a 23 game winning streak. Depending who they get paired up with, they could play the game of their lives and end up playing 3 games.

HShockeywatcher wrote:

MNHockey75 wrote:1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Virginia
7. Thief River Falls
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Alexandria
10. Sartell
11. Rochester Lourdes
12. International Falls
13. Hibbing
14. Blake
15. Duluth Marshall
On watch: Duluth Denfeld, Mound-Westonka, Faribault, New Prague, Orono

I'm a little confused on Detroit Lakes, they lost to Little Falls last night. Faribault beat New Prague 5-1 this season, is that not a quality win? They also have some nice wins over Mank. West, Northfield, Century and Rogers. Do you really think Redwood Valley deserves to be in the top 20 or are you just showing some love for a program who has made some big strides? Because beating Marshall isn't nearly enough. Marshall lost to Luverne, among others.

Detroit Lakes - The record does not reflect last night's game as it was not available to me when I looked. Probably the #3 team in 6A and still a threat to make it to the final.

Fairbault - Since New Ulm just dropped off my bubble teams, I guess you could say New Prague is the best team they've beaten, my bad. Whether you call them a quality team, I'm not sure.

Redwood Valley - I doubt they are a top 25 team right now. I also doubt we will be able to know for sure. I think there is a very real possibility they will go to state riding a 23 game winning streak. Depending who they get paired up with, they could play the game of their lives and end up playing 3 games.

Detroit Lakes may get the #3 seed, it wouldn't be right but that's how it goes. Doesn't really matter anyway for a section that will produce a team that won't be a "threat to win more than a game at state" though. Nice job to try and shine the spotlight on a team for having a good year (Redwood Valley), but I kinda thought that's what your "watch" list was for.

HShockeywatcher wrote:

MNHockey75 wrote:1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Virginia
7. Thief River Falls
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Alexandria
10. Sartell
11. Rochester Lourdes
12. International Falls
13. Hibbing
14. Blake
15. Duluth Marshall
On watch: Duluth Denfeld, Mound-Westonka, Faribault, New Prague, Orono

I'm a little confused on Detroit Lakes, they lost to Little Falls last night. Faribault beat New Prague 5-1 this season, is that not a quality win? They also have some nice wins over Mank. West, Northfield, Century and Rogers. Do you really think Redwood Valley deserves to be in the top 20 or are you just showing some love for a program who has made some big strides? Because beating Marshall isn't nearly enough. Marshall lost to Luverne, among others.

Detroit Lakes - The record does not reflect last night's game as it was not available to me when I looked. Probably the #3 team in 6A and still a threat to make it to the final.

Fairbault - Since New Ulm just dropped off my bubble teams, I guess you could say New Prague is the best team they've beaten, my bad. Whether you call them a quality team, I'm not sure.

Redwood Valley - I doubt they are a top 25 team right now. I also doubt we will be able to know for sure. I think there is a very real possibility they will go to state riding a 23 game winning streak. Depending who they get paired up with, they could play the game of their lives and end up playing 3 games.

DL will be a factor in section 6, no doubt about that. The loss to Crookston isn't looking so bad right now. I actually really like Alex to win this section.

I personally don't think Redwood Valley has a good chance at a tourney appearance. I still like New Ulm or Litchfield to advance. I think Marshall and Hutch have better chances than RV despite the head-to-head records. Give me the team with the toughest schedule. If New Ulm can stop the puck, they advance and if Litchfield can score some goals, they advance. Bash it all you want, but it should be a very interesting and entertaining section tourney.

1. St Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Thief River Falls
7. International Falls
8. Sartell-St Stephen
9. Virginia
10.Alexandria
11. Blake
12. So St Paul
13. Hibbing
14. Spring Lake Park
15. Duluth Marshall

1. St Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Thief River Falls
7. International Falls
8. Alexandria
9. Virginia
10. Sartell/St. Stephen
11. Delano
12. Rochester Lourdes
13. Hibbing
14. South St. Paul
15. St. Cloud Cathedral
16. Mound-Westonka
17. Blake
18. Spring Lake Park
19. Duluth Denfeld
20. Duluth Marshall

1. St Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Mahtomedi
5. warroad
6. Thief River Falls
7. International Falls
8. Alexandria
9. Virginia
10. Sartell/St. Stephen
11. Delano
12. Rochester Lourdes
13. South St. Paul
14. St. Cloud Cathedral
15. Hibbing
16. Mound-Westonka
17. Blake
18. Spring Lake Park
19. Duluth Denfeld
20. Duluth Marshal

goingbardown13 wrote:1. St Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Mahtomedi
5. warroad
6. Thief River Falls
7. International Falls
8. Alexandria
9. Virginia
10. Sartell/St. Stephen
11. Delano
12. Rochester Lourdes
13. South St. Paul
14. St. Cloud Cathedral
15. Hibbing
16. Mound-Westonka
17. Blake
18. Spring Lake Park
19. Duluth Denfeld
20. Duluth Marshal

Haha you posted the same exact one as me except for Mahtomedi being ahead of Warroad

defense wrote:Nice job to try and shine the spotlight on a team for having a good year (Redwood Valley), but I kinda thought that's what your "watch" list was for.

Well, it's a "bubble" list, not a watch list. In my opinion, teams beyond what I'm ranking who are all very close to the same rank and very difficult to differentiate between.

That being said, Redwood Valley is a team much like Blake, who has proven less. They have played 16 games recently and have beaten no one worth mentioning, but have also lost no games they shouldn't lose. Which puts them on a list of about 4 other Class A teams (STA, Maht, Breck and Blake) and 3 Class AA teams (Tonka, Hill and Blaine). While they really won't have a chance to prove themselves until maybe sections and for sure state, maybe their core will stay around and get better and their AD will schedule their team some better teams for next year. Only time will tell.

Redwood Valley will fall off, still a bubble team though.

Alex has won 9 in a row, they'll move up.

Not sure the number means they need to move way down, but Blake will probably move down a bit.

Any other comments?

New Prague is coming on, they tied Lourdes who is playing some pretty good hockey now as witnessed by their 1 goal loss to #2 Breck and a pretty close game with St. Thomas. To that Lourdes dropped two of their last 3 but should probably move up a little as the 2 were to the top 2 teams in class A. A few weeks ago I didn't think much of Lordes but they have really improved over the course of the season.

Zane Gothberg (Thief River Falls) became just the 2nd Class A goalie to win the Frank Brimsek Award. I thought that was pretty cool. The other being Alec Richards of Breck.

Also, three very good Class A representitives for Mr. Hockey in Nelson, Isaackson, and Krause. But as I always say, if T.J. Oshie didn't win Mr. Hockey than nobody ever will (unless they're a Minnesota recruit who scores 100 points). **Johnny Pohl and Erik Rasmussen

HShockeywatcher wrote:

defense wrote:Nice job to try and shine the spotlight on a team for having a good year (Redwood Valley), but I kinda thought that's what your "watch" list was for.

Well, it's a "bubble" list, not a watch list. In my opinion, teams beyond what I'm ranking who are all very close to the same rank and very difficult to differentiate between.

That being said, Redwood Valley is a team much like Blake, who has proven less. They have played 16 games recently and have beaten no one worth mentioning, but have also lost no games they shouldn't lose. Which puts them on a list of about 4 other Class A teams (STA, Maht, Breck and Blake) and 3 Class AA teams (Tonka, Hill and Blaine). While they really won't have a chance to prove themselves until maybe sections and for sure state, maybe their core will stay around and get better and their AD will schedule their team some better teams for next year. Only time will tell.

I am pretty sure you shouldn't compare Redwood Valley to St. Thomas, Mahtomedi, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Hill Murray, and Blaine. I guess you have to use other parameters to gauge a team when they haven't beaten anyone....... it's you're ranking though, so do what you want.

defense wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:

defense wrote:Nice job to try and shine the spotlight on a team for having a good year (Redwood Valley), but I kinda thought that's what your "watch" list was for.

Well, it's a "bubble" list, not a watch list. In my opinion, teams beyond what I'm ranking who are all very close to the same rank and very difficult to differentiate between.

That being said, Redwood Valley is a team much like Blake, who has proven less. They have played 16 games recently and have beaten no one worth mentioning, but have also lost no games they shouldn't lose. Which puts them on a list of about 4 other Class A teams (STA, Maht, Breck and Blake) and 3 Class AA teams (Tonka, Hill and Blaine). While they really won't have a chance to prove themselves until maybe sections and for sure state, maybe their core will stay around and get better and their AD will schedule their team some better teams for next year. Only time will tell.

I am pretty sure you shouldn't compare Redwood Valley to St. Thomas, Mahtomedi, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Hill Murray, and Blaine. I guess you have to use other parameters to gauge a team when they haven't beaten anyone....... it's you're ranking though, so do what you want.

It's called comparing and contrasting. I've looked at all of the teams in state who are above .500 and those are the names that came up. The difference is the who they've beaten. After their last couples games, they will be dropped for sure. Every year there are teams who get ranked in both classes by many systems by the same criteria.

It's the same reason Blake's ranked high. AA teams, like Roseau, get ranked high despite not playing that many, or very good, AA teams throughout the season. The reason is that they do well and don't lose to teams they shouldn't.

When it comes down to it, a team like Redwood Valley could get to state in 3A playing their game and their team could play the game of their lives and make it to the top 4. Not likely, but it's possible. Regardless of the teams they play, a group of a couple dozen boys (at that point) was on a 16 games win streak; that is a great accomplishment for any team.

HShockeywatcher wrote:

defense wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote: Well, it's a "bubble" list, not a watch list. In my opinion, teams beyond what I'm ranking who are all very close to the same rank and very difficult to differentiate between.

That being said, Redwood Valley is a team much like Blake, who has proven less. They have played 16 games recently and have beaten no one worth mentioning, but have also lost no games they shouldn't lose. Which puts them on a list of about 4 other Class A teams (STA, Maht, Breck and Blake) and 3 Class AA teams (Tonka, Hill and Blaine). While they really won't have a chance to prove themselves until maybe sections and for sure state, maybe their core will stay around and get better and their AD will schedule their team some better teams for next year. Only time will tell.

I am pretty sure you shouldn't compare Redwood Valley to St. Thomas, Mahtomedi, Breck, Blake, Minnetonka, Hill Murray, and Blaine. I guess you have to use other parameters to gauge a team when they haven't beaten anyone....... it's you're ranking though, so do what you want.

It's called comparing and contrasting. I've looked at all of the teams in state who are above .500 and those are the names that came up. The difference is the who they've beaten. After their last couples games, they will be dropped for sure. Every year there are teams who get ranked in both classes by many systems by the same criteria.

It's the same reason Blake's ranked high. AA teams, like Roseau, get ranked high despite not playing that many, or very good, AA teams throughout the season. The reason is that they do well and don't lose to teams they shouldn't.

When it comes down to it, a team like Redwood Valley could get to state in 3A playing their game and their team could play the game of their lives and make it to the top 4. Not likely, but it's possible. Regardless of the teams they play, a group of a couple dozen boys (at that point) was on a 16 games win streak; that is a great accomplishment for any team.

Roseau and Redwood Valley??????????? NO.

It's apples and oranges to make a comparison. No, the two teams aren't on the same playing field, nor will the probably be any time soon. The 20th best Class AA team is usually around the 25th best team in the state, the 20th best Class A team is usually around the 50 or 60th best team. While I didn't think they were actually that good, it was very difficult the tell at the time. There are AA teams with similar situations.

MNHockey75 wrote:

HShockeywatcher wrote:

MNHockey75 wrote:1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Breck
3. Hermantown
4. Warroad
5. Mahtomedi
6. Virginia
7. Thief River Falls
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Alexandria
10. Sartell
11. Rochester Lourdes
12. International Falls
13. Hibbing
14. Blake
15. Duluth Marshall
On watch: Duluth Denfeld, Mound-Westonka, Faribault, New Prague, Orono

I'm a little confused on Detroit Lakes, they lost to Little Falls last night. Faribault beat New Prague 5-1 this season, is that not a quality win? They also have some nice wins over Mank. West, Northfield, Century and Rogers. Do you really think Redwood Valley deserves to be in the top 20 or are you just showing some love for a program who has made some big strides? Because beating Marshall isn't nearly enough. Marshall lost to Luverne, among others.

Detroit Lakes - The record does not reflect last night's game as it was not available to me when I looked. Probably the #3 team in 6A and still a threat to make it to the final.

Fairbault - Since New Ulm just dropped off my bubble teams, I guess you could say New Prague is the best team they've beaten, my bad. Whether you call them a quality team, I'm not sure.

Redwood Valley - I doubt they are a top 25 team right now. I also doubt we will be able to know for sure. I think there is a very real possibility they will go to state riding a 23 game winning streak. Depending who they get paired up with, they could play the game of their lives and end up playing 3 games.

DL will be a factor in section 6, no doubt about that. The loss to Crookston isn't looking so bad right now. I actually really like Alex to win this section.

I personally don't think Redwood Valley has a good chance at a tourney appearance. I still like New Ulm or Litchfield to advance. I think Marshall and Hutch have better chances than RV despite the head-to-head records. Give me the team with the toughest schedule. If New Ulm can stop the puck, they advance and if Litchfield can score some goals, they advance. Bash it all you want, but it should be a very interesting and entertaining section tourney.