Class A Rankings 1-30-11
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:23 am
There are still a handful of teams that are difficult to assess, they could be a top 10 team, or they could be off this list, many teams have low quality schedules. Some of these will be figured out during this week. My thought right now is to shorten the rankings over the next two and three weeks down to the 12-15 range in preparation for state as many teams will show us to not be able to compete on the state level.
1. [1] St Thomas Academy (11-5)
Losing to the team most think is the best in the state by 1 away is a positive. Now their 4 losses to AA teams are by a total of 5 goals, two in OT. Two section opponents this week, both should be great games. Totino beat Breck by more than St Thomas did and the Packers lost to the Cadets by 2 in Mendota Heights the first time around.
This week: Tues vs Totino-Grade, Thurs vs Henry Sibley, Sat @ South St Paul
2. [3] Blake (16-2-1)
Blake is a team that has shown they can play, but will only be tested once more playing Breck before sections. I’m guessing seeding will be in by then so they have probably wrapped up the top seed in the section. Beating TRF 5-1, who tied Hermantown, should get them a top 2 seed at state.
This week: Tues vs St Paul Academy, Sat @ Minnehaha Academy
3. [5] Totino-Grace (14-3)
Beating Breck this week shows the Eagles are a top 3 team, and this week they will play for the #1 seed in section 4A.
This week: Tues @ St Thomas Academy, Thurs @ St Louis Park
4. [2] Breck (10-7)
Of the 7 losses, one is to Delbarton, 3 are to AA teams and the other 3 are to the 3 Class A teams ranked above them. Without losing to anyone else, I cannot drop the two time defending champs any farther. The Mustangs have three away games this week, two may be challenges for them.
This week: Tues @ Providence Academy, Thurs @ St Paul Johnson, Sat @ Rochester Lourdes
5. [4] Hermantown (17-1-1)
The Hawks have fallen victim to their schedule the last two weeks. It would be crazy to see them get to state 22-2-1 and not be a top 2 seed, but that looks to be what will happen if they can get through this week with 1 loss or less.
This week: Tues @ Eden Prairie, Thurs vs Cloquet, Sat vs Monticello
6. [7] Duluth Marshall (13-7-1)
Beating TRF, a team who tied Hermantown, slides the Toppers right below the Hawks. Beating two teams Central lost to this weekend gives Marshall the upper hand for the match up at Mars this week, but should be a great game.
This week: Thurs vs Duluth Central
7. [8] Thief River Falls (12-6-1)
The Prowlers control their own destiny in their section and with their tie to Hermantown and close games with Totino and Marshall are probably a team that can play with anyone.
This week: Tues @ Lake of the Woods, Fri @ Crookston
8. [6] South St. Paul (12-6)
The losses to Prior Lake and now North St Paul are hard to comprehend, but they lost to both St Thomas and Hill by 2, both away games and beat Spring Lake Park by a competitive margin. They will likely finish the season with two more losses and get a seed of either 2 or 3 depending on the result of their game with St Thomas and the Cadets’ game with Totino.
This week: Tues vs Rochester John Marshall, Thurs vs Tartan, Sat vs St Thomas Academy
9. [9] Chisago Lakes Area (15-3)
I received negative remarks for having the Wildcats high last week and they are continuing to benefit from teams around them losing. Hopefully for them they can keep their game with Totino close next week. A win could get them a top 3 seed in the section.
This week: Tues @ Benilde, Sat vs St Francis
10. [13] Warroad (13-7)
The Warriors look to regain a top 2 rank in the section and possibly move up with two wins this week. Beating Central is good, but being shut out by Marshall at home isn’t great.
This week: Tues @ Roseau, Sat vs East Grand Forks
11. [12] Duluth Central (10-10)
A .500 team high up because of their recent win over Hibbing and a close loss in Warroad this weekend. The Trojans have two quality opponents this week.
This week: Tues vs Cloquet, Thurs @ Duluth Marshall
12. [10] Hibbing/Chisholm (12-6-1)
The Bluejackets fall during a week they were idle due to Central’s rank. Tying Marshall is good for seeding, but losing to Central complicates things for the section.
This week: Mon @ Proctor, Thurs @ International Falls
13. [14] Mahtomedi (8-11-1)
The Zephyrs are now unable to finish the season above .500 and to achieve .500 will need to beat St Thomas and Hill Murray. They have played 13 of their last 14 games away. All their losses are to teams ranked above them and Tartan/Hill.
This week: Wed vs North St Paul, Sat vs Henry Sibley
14. [15] Virginia/MI-B (15-6)
The Blue Devils are right below a Mahtomedi team who beat them earlier this season. I question the loss to International Falls but the 1 goal loss in Hibbing is a good sign. Their last 4 games are quality games that should prepare them well for sections.
This week: Tues vs Grand Rapids, Sat vs Sartell-St Stephen
15. [-] Rogers (11-6-1)
Since the new year, the Royals are 8-1 with their 1 loss to Maple Grove. They are falling up the rankings slowly because of others losing, which they could continue to do a little bit the rest of the way.
This week: Thurs @ Buffalo, Sat vs Proctor
16. [16] Rochester Lourdes (17-2)
I haven’t been a fan of what the Eagles have been doing with their opponents all season and their games this week were no different. We’ll see how they do hosting Breck this week.
This week: Tues vs Monticello, Sat vs Breck
17. [18] Delano (14-4-1)
If the Tigers can beat Orono again, they should be looking at a #3 seed in 2A pending a Providence Academy upset.
This week: Tues @ Orono, Thurs vs St Cloud Cathedral
18. [19] Orono (11-6-1)
Winning at home this Tuesday give the Spartans an opportunity to control their own destiny in the WCC.
This week: Tues vs Delano, Thurs @ Waconia, Sat @ Owatonna
19. [-] Sartell-St. Stephen (11-6-1)
Beating the Flyers recently by a great margin mixes things up in 6A. A game this week in Virginia will tell a good amount about both teams.
This week: Tues vs Fergus Falls, Thurs vs St Cloud Tech, Sat @ Virginia
20. [11] Little Falls (14-3-2)
Losing 2 of 4 is never good with their schedule; the Flyers can only go down. They are not a team I would be surprised to see playing at the X in March, but they’ll need to figure out what’s been going wrong recently.
This week: Tues vs Alexandria, Thurs vs Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sat @ Detroit Lakes
21. [21] East Grand Forks (8-11)
With their early win over the Warriors, the Green Wave could still get the #2 seed in their section, a lot will be found out this week.
This week: Tues vs Crookston, Sat @ Warroad
22. [17] St. Cloud Cathedral (10-7-1)
They have kept it close with some good teams, but losing to Holy Family and a struggling Little Falls team isn't good.
This week: Thurs @ Delano, Sat @ Mound-Westonka
23. [-] Proctor (11-6-1)
Two huge games this week. The Rails could be a top 10 team, but their schedule makes it hard to tell. If they don’t lose this week, they may up more than 10 spots higher next week.
This week: Mon vs Hibbing, Fri @ St Michael-Albertville, Sat @ Rogers
24. [-]Lake of the Woods (11-5-1)
With a low quality schedule, the quality of the Bears is difficult to assess, especially with the loss to St Paul Johnson. Tuesday’s game this week will help me decide if they should be kept around for next week or not.
This week: Tues vs Thief River Falls, Thurs @ Kittson Central, Sat vs Silver Bay
25. [-] International Falls (8-9-1)
Were the early losses a direct result of the suspended players not playing? Their only losses this calendar year have been to Hermantown by 2 and Rapids by 5 and they did beat Virginia. Playing Hibbing at home this week should paint a better picture.
This week: Tues vs Two Harbors, Thurs vs Hibbing, Fri vs Silver Bay
Section Seedings
1A
Rochecter Lourdes (17-2)
Mankato West (13-5-2)
Albert Lea (1-6)
Red Wing (6-13)
No changes from last week:“Lourdes beat West by 1 and shut out Albert Lea, West beat Albert Lea by 1, and Red Wing lost to Lourdes in OT and Albert Lea by 1. There should be some really great hockey come sections.”
2A
Blake (16-2-1)
Delano (14-4-1)
Breck (10-7)
Providence Academy (13-4-1)
Orono (11-6-1)
I would say that Delano slides above Breck by losing to Blake by less, although I don’t know that the coaches will see it that way. I fault teams equally for not scheduling each other. How do you compare Orono and Providence Academy? Not very well. Orono could beat Delano to change things up.
3A
Litchfield (11-6-1)
New Ulm (12-4-2)
Hutchinson (7-11)
Marshall (12-4-2)
Ditto from last week: “Litchfield gets the nod now with their win over New Ulm, but anyone could come out of this section with the games being so close.”
4A
St Thomas (11-5)
South St Paul (12-6)
Totino-Grace (14-3)
Chisago Lakes Area (152-3)
Mahtomedi (8-11-1)
The #2 spot will be made easier to determine with TG and STA playing this week. With all games at a neutral venue, it won’t matter much. I suspect Totino is the only team aside from St Thomas who could get the top seed in this section.
5A
Hermantown (17-1-1)
Rogers (8-6-1)
St Cloud Cathedral (8-6-1)
Proctor (11-6-1)
Proctor and Rogers play this week. With Proctor and Cathedral not playing, the game this week will have a lot to do with the top 4 seeds. With the first neutral game being the section final, seeding will be a huge advantage in this section.
6A
Sartell-St Stephen (11-6-1)
Wilmar (10-6-3)
Little Falls (13-4-2)
Fergus Falls (8-6-3)
Detroit Lakes (9-8 )
How are people looking at Wilmar? Losing to Hutchinson may not have much bearing on seeding; the early loss to Sartell puts them in the #2 spot for me. Sartell should be in control of their own destiny with seeding here.
7A
Duluth Marshall (13-7-1)
Duluth Central (10-10)
Hibbing (12-6-1)
International Falls (8-9-1)
Virginia (15-6)
Virginia still play Marshall and Hibbing again and International Falls still plays Hibbing. A lot could change by sections.
8A
Thief River Falls (12-6-1)
East Grand Forks (8-11)
Warroad (13-7)
Crookston (9-10-1)
Lake of the Woods (11-5-2)
This section is still up in the air. TRF wins out and they are the #1, while there is really no team that could not get at least the #2 seed by winning out.
State Seeding if Section Top Seeds Won Their Section Today
#1 St Thomas
#2 Blake
#3 Hermantown
#4 Duluth Marshall
[5] Thief River Falls
[6] Rochester Lourdes
[7] Sartell-St Stephen
[8] Litchfield
1. [1] St Thomas Academy (11-5)
Losing to the team most think is the best in the state by 1 away is a positive. Now their 4 losses to AA teams are by a total of 5 goals, two in OT. Two section opponents this week, both should be great games. Totino beat Breck by more than St Thomas did and the Packers lost to the Cadets by 2 in Mendota Heights the first time around.
This week: Tues vs Totino-Grade, Thurs vs Henry Sibley, Sat @ South St Paul
2. [3] Blake (16-2-1)
Blake is a team that has shown they can play, but will only be tested once more playing Breck before sections. I’m guessing seeding will be in by then so they have probably wrapped up the top seed in the section. Beating TRF 5-1, who tied Hermantown, should get them a top 2 seed at state.
This week: Tues vs St Paul Academy, Sat @ Minnehaha Academy
3. [5] Totino-Grace (14-3)
Beating Breck this week shows the Eagles are a top 3 team, and this week they will play for the #1 seed in section 4A.
This week: Tues @ St Thomas Academy, Thurs @ St Louis Park
4. [2] Breck (10-7)
Of the 7 losses, one is to Delbarton, 3 are to AA teams and the other 3 are to the 3 Class A teams ranked above them. Without losing to anyone else, I cannot drop the two time defending champs any farther. The Mustangs have three away games this week, two may be challenges for them.
This week: Tues @ Providence Academy, Thurs @ St Paul Johnson, Sat @ Rochester Lourdes
5. [4] Hermantown (17-1-1)
The Hawks have fallen victim to their schedule the last two weeks. It would be crazy to see them get to state 22-2-1 and not be a top 2 seed, but that looks to be what will happen if they can get through this week with 1 loss or less.
This week: Tues @ Eden Prairie, Thurs vs Cloquet, Sat vs Monticello
6. [7] Duluth Marshall (13-7-1)
Beating TRF, a team who tied Hermantown, slides the Toppers right below the Hawks. Beating two teams Central lost to this weekend gives Marshall the upper hand for the match up at Mars this week, but should be a great game.
This week: Thurs vs Duluth Central
7. [8] Thief River Falls (12-6-1)
The Prowlers control their own destiny in their section and with their tie to Hermantown and close games with Totino and Marshall are probably a team that can play with anyone.
This week: Tues @ Lake of the Woods, Fri @ Crookston
8. [6] South St. Paul (12-6)
The losses to Prior Lake and now North St Paul are hard to comprehend, but they lost to both St Thomas and Hill by 2, both away games and beat Spring Lake Park by a competitive margin. They will likely finish the season with two more losses and get a seed of either 2 or 3 depending on the result of their game with St Thomas and the Cadets’ game with Totino.
This week: Tues vs Rochester John Marshall, Thurs vs Tartan, Sat vs St Thomas Academy
9. [9] Chisago Lakes Area (15-3)
I received negative remarks for having the Wildcats high last week and they are continuing to benefit from teams around them losing. Hopefully for them they can keep their game with Totino close next week. A win could get them a top 3 seed in the section.
This week: Tues @ Benilde, Sat vs St Francis
10. [13] Warroad (13-7)
The Warriors look to regain a top 2 rank in the section and possibly move up with two wins this week. Beating Central is good, but being shut out by Marshall at home isn’t great.
This week: Tues @ Roseau, Sat vs East Grand Forks
11. [12] Duluth Central (10-10)
A .500 team high up because of their recent win over Hibbing and a close loss in Warroad this weekend. The Trojans have two quality opponents this week.
This week: Tues vs Cloquet, Thurs @ Duluth Marshall
12. [10] Hibbing/Chisholm (12-6-1)
The Bluejackets fall during a week they were idle due to Central’s rank. Tying Marshall is good for seeding, but losing to Central complicates things for the section.
This week: Mon @ Proctor, Thurs @ International Falls
13. [14] Mahtomedi (8-11-1)
The Zephyrs are now unable to finish the season above .500 and to achieve .500 will need to beat St Thomas and Hill Murray. They have played 13 of their last 14 games away. All their losses are to teams ranked above them and Tartan/Hill.
This week: Wed vs North St Paul, Sat vs Henry Sibley
14. [15] Virginia/MI-B (15-6)
The Blue Devils are right below a Mahtomedi team who beat them earlier this season. I question the loss to International Falls but the 1 goal loss in Hibbing is a good sign. Their last 4 games are quality games that should prepare them well for sections.
This week: Tues vs Grand Rapids, Sat vs Sartell-St Stephen
15. [-] Rogers (11-6-1)
Since the new year, the Royals are 8-1 with their 1 loss to Maple Grove. They are falling up the rankings slowly because of others losing, which they could continue to do a little bit the rest of the way.
This week: Thurs @ Buffalo, Sat vs Proctor
16. [16] Rochester Lourdes (17-2)
I haven’t been a fan of what the Eagles have been doing with their opponents all season and their games this week were no different. We’ll see how they do hosting Breck this week.
This week: Tues vs Monticello, Sat vs Breck
17. [18] Delano (14-4-1)
If the Tigers can beat Orono again, they should be looking at a #3 seed in 2A pending a Providence Academy upset.
This week: Tues @ Orono, Thurs vs St Cloud Cathedral
18. [19] Orono (11-6-1)
Winning at home this Tuesday give the Spartans an opportunity to control their own destiny in the WCC.
This week: Tues vs Delano, Thurs @ Waconia, Sat @ Owatonna
19. [-] Sartell-St. Stephen (11-6-1)
Beating the Flyers recently by a great margin mixes things up in 6A. A game this week in Virginia will tell a good amount about both teams.
This week: Tues vs Fergus Falls, Thurs vs St Cloud Tech, Sat @ Virginia
20. [11] Little Falls (14-3-2)
Losing 2 of 4 is never good with their schedule; the Flyers can only go down. They are not a team I would be surprised to see playing at the X in March, but they’ll need to figure out what’s been going wrong recently.
This week: Tues vs Alexandria, Thurs vs Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sat @ Detroit Lakes
21. [21] East Grand Forks (8-11)
With their early win over the Warriors, the Green Wave could still get the #2 seed in their section, a lot will be found out this week.
This week: Tues vs Crookston, Sat @ Warroad
22. [17] St. Cloud Cathedral (10-7-1)
They have kept it close with some good teams, but losing to Holy Family and a struggling Little Falls team isn't good.
This week: Thurs @ Delano, Sat @ Mound-Westonka
23. [-] Proctor (11-6-1)
Two huge games this week. The Rails could be a top 10 team, but their schedule makes it hard to tell. If they don’t lose this week, they may up more than 10 spots higher next week.
This week: Mon vs Hibbing, Fri @ St Michael-Albertville, Sat @ Rogers
24. [-]Lake of the Woods (11-5-1)
With a low quality schedule, the quality of the Bears is difficult to assess, especially with the loss to St Paul Johnson. Tuesday’s game this week will help me decide if they should be kept around for next week or not.
This week: Tues vs Thief River Falls, Thurs @ Kittson Central, Sat vs Silver Bay
25. [-] International Falls (8-9-1)
Were the early losses a direct result of the suspended players not playing? Their only losses this calendar year have been to Hermantown by 2 and Rapids by 5 and they did beat Virginia. Playing Hibbing at home this week should paint a better picture.
This week: Tues vs Two Harbors, Thurs vs Hibbing, Fri vs Silver Bay
Section Seedings
1A
Rochecter Lourdes (17-2)
Mankato West (13-5-2)
Albert Lea (1-6)
Red Wing (6-13)
No changes from last week:“Lourdes beat West by 1 and shut out Albert Lea, West beat Albert Lea by 1, and Red Wing lost to Lourdes in OT and Albert Lea by 1. There should be some really great hockey come sections.”
2A
Blake (16-2-1)
Delano (14-4-1)
Breck (10-7)
Providence Academy (13-4-1)
Orono (11-6-1)
I would say that Delano slides above Breck by losing to Blake by less, although I don’t know that the coaches will see it that way. I fault teams equally for not scheduling each other. How do you compare Orono and Providence Academy? Not very well. Orono could beat Delano to change things up.
3A
Litchfield (11-6-1)
New Ulm (12-4-2)
Hutchinson (7-11)
Marshall (12-4-2)
Ditto from last week: “Litchfield gets the nod now with their win over New Ulm, but anyone could come out of this section with the games being so close.”
4A
St Thomas (11-5)
South St Paul (12-6)
Totino-Grace (14-3)
Chisago Lakes Area (152-3)
Mahtomedi (8-11-1)
The #2 spot will be made easier to determine with TG and STA playing this week. With all games at a neutral venue, it won’t matter much. I suspect Totino is the only team aside from St Thomas who could get the top seed in this section.
5A
Hermantown (17-1-1)
Rogers (8-6-1)
St Cloud Cathedral (8-6-1)
Proctor (11-6-1)
Proctor and Rogers play this week. With Proctor and Cathedral not playing, the game this week will have a lot to do with the top 4 seeds. With the first neutral game being the section final, seeding will be a huge advantage in this section.
6A
Sartell-St Stephen (11-6-1)
Wilmar (10-6-3)
Little Falls (13-4-2)
Fergus Falls (8-6-3)
Detroit Lakes (9-8 )
How are people looking at Wilmar? Losing to Hutchinson may not have much bearing on seeding; the early loss to Sartell puts them in the #2 spot for me. Sartell should be in control of their own destiny with seeding here.
7A
Duluth Marshall (13-7-1)
Duluth Central (10-10)
Hibbing (12-6-1)
International Falls (8-9-1)
Virginia (15-6)
Virginia still play Marshall and Hibbing again and International Falls still plays Hibbing. A lot could change by sections.
8A
Thief River Falls (12-6-1)
East Grand Forks (8-11)
Warroad (13-7)
Crookston (9-10-1)
Lake of the Woods (11-5-2)
This section is still up in the air. TRF wins out and they are the #1, while there is really no team that could not get at least the #2 seed by winning out.
State Seeding if Section Top Seeds Won Their Section Today
#1 St Thomas
#2 Blake
#3 Hermantown
#4 Duluth Marshall
[5] Thief River Falls
[6] Rochester Lourdes
[7] Sartell-St Stephen
[8] Litchfield