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With the lack of games played by each team this week and alot of BIG games coming next week I am not making many changes in my rankings this week. The only movement I see necessary relates to the heavy loss Burnsville took to Eden Prairie this past week and Lakeville South's improved play. So here goes:

#1 - DULUTH EAST - Easily handled Centennial and continues as the #1 team, although an arguement can be made for Minnetonka to be in this spot. This week, The Schwan Cup with an opener against Burnsville who will be looking to redeem themselves after their ugly loss to EP.

#2 - MINNETONKA - Marched thru the week plowing over two unranked teams. I am tempted to co-rank them #1 with Duluth East. Next up, Hillmurray and The Schwan Cup.

#3 - MAPLE GROVE - Close game with Benilde SM this past week, a win is a win though so they remain in the 3rd spot. This week, Elk River and the St Louis Park Tournament.

#4 - EAGAN - Only one game on the schedule this past week, Apple Valley, they handled them decently so no reason to make a move here. Next week it's the So St Paul Premier Tournament with an opener against Hopkins. Anything less than Champs would be a major dissapointment.

#5 - EDINA - The Hornets keep climbing even though they did not play this week. Burnsville's loss move's them up a spot to #5. Coming up next week is Blaine and The Schwan Cup.

#6 - EDEN PRAIRIE - Also moves up a spot with a nice win over Burnsville, Next week its Moorhead and the St Louis Park Tournament.

#7 - BURNSVILLE - Drops a couple of spots after the tough loss to Eden Prairie. Duluth East up next in The Schwan Cup, a good showing in the tournament could get them back into the Top Five.

#8 - BENILDE ST MARGARET'S - 1 goal loss to Maple Grove keeps them where they are at. Need a couple of wins in the St Louis Park Tournament to make a move northward, first up, Centennial.

#9 - ELK RIVER - Did nothing to warrant a move either direction this week. Maple Grove up next in the St Louis Park Tournament, a real chance to make a move up with a solid showing.

#10 - GRAND RAPIDS - Win over Duluth Marshall was good but they need more to stay in the Top Ten next week. A loss in the Perpich North-South Challenge will surely drop them out. First game against St Francis.



#11 - BLAINE - Hanging on to this spot by a thread, close win over Anoka makes them suspect, we will see what they can do in The Schwan Cup, first game is against Edina.

#12 - WAYZATA - Remains at #12 but a good showing in the St Louis Park Tournament could sneak them into the Top Ten. Bloomington Jefferson is their first opponent.

#13 - MOORHEAD - Cruising along but I need to see them against some tougher opponents before moving them up. Eden Prairie their next opponent and the rest of the St Louis Park Tournament field will provide them with that.

#14 - CENTENNIAL - Close losses to top teams have kept them in the Top Fifteen but they need to start getting some wins against some of these teams or they will start to fall. First up in the St Louis Park Tournament is Benilde St Margaret's.

#15 - BRAINERD - I didn't like the loss to Bemidji but I will wait until next week to make a move here. Grand Forks Tournament next week does not provide them with top competition, they need to win this just to keep from slipping.

#16 - ROSEAU
#17 - ANDOVER
#18 - HILLMURRAY
#19 - LAKEVILLE SOUTH
#20 - BEMIDJI

Teams to Watch: Cloquet, Forest Lake, Stillwater, Roseville and White Bear Lake


ANY and ALL comments welcome...ENJOY and MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

pretty spot on! Schwans cup and St Louis Park tourney's should say allot.

I have East, Tonka, and Crimson as Tri #1's

I really don't think I could argue against you on that one ! MG has a solid record against some top teams, I wish my Eagan boys would step up their competition so we could see more what they are about.

I don't have Eagan very far behind at all. looks like they get a shot at Tonka on the 3rd. that will be huge!

Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

Happy, are you a Brainerd fan?

mulefarm wrote:Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

I'm not a Benilde fan, but they are a top 5 team in the state. The lopsided loss to Burnsville looks bad, though I think if they played 9 more times BSM would win the majority of them. They are better then Edina, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville, and right up there with DE, Tonka, MG, and Eagan.

Guru20 wrote:

mulefarm wrote:Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

I'm not a Benilde fan, but they are a top 5 team in the state. The lopsided loss to Burnsville looks bad, though I think if they played 9 more times BSM would win the majority of them. They are better then Edina, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville, and right up there with DE, Tonka, MG, and Eagan.

I don't know how you can say BSM is better than Burnsville, given that lopsided loss. You can argue that they have the tools to be up in that top group, but for now, based on actual results, I think No. 8 is about where they belong.

Guru20 wrote:

mulefarm wrote:Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

I'm not a Benilde fan, but they are a top 5 team in the state. The lopsided loss to Burnsville looks bad, though I think if they played 9 more times BSM would win the majority of them. They are better then Edina, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville, and right up there with DE, Tonka, MG, and Eagan.

They will probably get another chance at MG this week at the St. Louis Park Tourney and in that game, they will have to prove that they are a top 5 team. As of now, they haven't beaten anyone significant enough to be placed in there.

Guru20 wrote:

mulefarm wrote:Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

I'm not a Benilde fan, but they are a top 5 team in the state. The lopsided loss to Burnsville looks bad, though I think if they played 9 more times BSM would win the majority of them. They are better then Edina, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville, and right up there with DE, Tonka, MG, and Eagan.

If you are not a fan , how did you come to the conclusion they would beat Burnsville 9 out of 10. To say they are better than EP, Edina and Burnsville sounds like a fan to me. They may beat some good teams, but they haven't shown they are really a top 10 yet. They are probably gearing up for their conference games.

Having seen 7 of of HHF's Top 8; I'm in agreement. The December results have made it pretty easy to come to this ranking.

The Ep win over Happy’s Wildcats is the only circular reference since MG beat Edina, who beat Ep, who beat BV, who beat BSM.

Interesting to note that of HHF’s top 5, they are all in different sections (7AA, 6AA, 5AA, 3AA, 2AA). That would make one heck of a state tourney…

I still do not understand why you have Brainerd where they are.

MNHockeyFan wrote:

Guru20 wrote:

mulefarm wrote:Too much love for BSM, really haven't beat a top team.

I'm not a Benilde fan, but they are a top 5 team in the state. The lopsided loss to Burnsville looks bad, though I think if they played 9 more times BSM would win the majority of them. They are better then Edina, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville, and right up there with DE, Tonka, MG, and Eagan.

I don't know how you can say BSM is better than Burnsville, given that lopsided loss. You can argue that they have the tools to be up in that top group, but for now, based on actual results, I think No. 8 is about where they belong.

Watching many of these players for the last few years, and seeing both teams this year, I believe that BSM is the better team. The better team does not always win, I have no explanation for the lopsided loss as I was not at that game. I have no problem with where they are ranked, and after the loss probably should be behind Burnsville, even though I am very confident that BSM is the better team and will prove it by the end of the year. My original comment was to someone stating there was TOO much love for BSM.

mulefarm wrote:

If you are not a fan , how did you come to the conclusion they would beat Burnsville 9 out of 10. To say they are better than EP, Edina and Burnsville sounds like a fan to me. They may beat some good teams, but they haven't shown they are really a top 10 yet. They are probably gearing up for their conference games.[/quote]


Truth be told Benilde is one of my least favorite teams, and I'm not a fan of Coach Pauly, so I'm really not a fan. No where in my post did I say they would win 9 out of 10, I said they would win majority of the time. My conclusion is based on my belief that Benilde is the better team.

hockeyfan893 wrote:I still do not understand why you have Brainerd where they are.

I guess I have just been patient with them while waiting for them to play some better teams. I probably should have dropped them after the loss to Bemidji but decided to wait until after next week when I expect there will be some significant movement up and down the rankings.

[quote="Guru20"][quote="mulefarm"]

[/quote]
If you are not a fan , how did you come to the conclusion they would beat Burnsville 9 out of 10. To say they are better than EP, Edina and Burnsville sounds like a fan to me. They may beat some good teams, but they haven't shown they are really a top 10 yet. They are probably gearing up for their conference games.[/quote]


Truth be told Benilde is one of my least favorite teams, and I'm not a fan of Coach Pauly, so I'm really not a fan. No where in my post did I say they would win 9 out of 10, I said they would win majority of the time. My conclusion is based on my belief that Benilde is the better team.[/quote]

From a talent perspective BSM has what it takes to make a run, but it appears from their 2 losses that that they take undisiplined penalties (see the B'ville game 4 which = 4 goals), and give up atleast 6-8 breakways in 2 periods (see MG game = 4 goals). You can't hang your goalie out to dry like that. It doesn't matter who they play in net, with that kind support your done against top 10 teams. It appears the BSM strategy is try to outscore the other team and hope your goalie holds up, since it appears the don't teach team defense. If they don't change they will have issues in the Sections against Tonka, EP, or Wayzata.