Stang5280 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:37 pm
After weeks of stability near the top of the rankings, we finally had a significant shakeup thanks to one of the most exciting games of the regular season. There is still a pretty clearly defined top six teams, with chaos reigning after that. Can any of the interlopers step up and stake out their spot just outside of that group?
1. Warroad (13-0-0) [LW 2]
W 6-2 @ Fergus Falls, W 10-1 @ Detroit Lakes
The Warriors finally ascend to the top spot, thanks in part to the tie between the teams behind them, and continuing to run roughshod over the lightest stretch of their schedule. Warroad has been compiling obscene offensive stats in the process, with senior Grant Slukynsky leading the entire state in scoring. The week ahead is highlighted by a trip to historic rival Roseau.
Next: Thu @ Roseau, Sat vs Crookston
2. St. Cloud Cathedral (9-1-1) [LW 3]
T 5-5 @ Hermantown
The Crusaders pulled off a near-miraculous comeback against Hermantown, clawing their way back to score the final four goals of the game. While it is impossible to truly replace a player like Jack Smith, Warner and Perbix stepped up and took over the third stanza. In a strange scheduling quirk, Cathedral now faces the #1 AA team, followed by two more manageable contests.
Next: Tue @ Andover, Thu vs Delano, Sat vs Sartell
3. Hermantown (9-1-2) [LW 1]
T 5-5 vs SCC
The Hawks all but had the win wrapped up against St. Cloud Cathedral, but couldn't close the deal. I put them a tick behind SCC given that it was a home game against a team missing one of its best players. Hermantown jumps back into the AA pool with matchups against two ranked opponents.
Next: Tue vs Grand Rapids, Sat vs CDH
4. East Grand Forks (8-2-2) [LW 4]
L 0-1 vs GF Central
A bizarre situation for the Green Wave Thursday evening, as the power went out in much of EGF, and the game was stopped with Central leading 1-0 midway through the third. The game eventually was counted as a win for Central, with the two rivals splitting the season series. A difficult three-game slate awaits, capped off by a crucial section clash with Thief River Falls.
Next: Tue vs Moorhead, Thu @ Bemidji, Sat @ TRF
5. Orono (11-1-1) [LW 5]
W 7-1 @ LDC
Not much to say here, as the Spartans easily slayed the Dragons in their only action of the week. Orono should likewise be heavily favored in the next two contests.
Next: Tue vs New Prague, Fri vs Hutchinson
6. Mahtomedi (10-3-0) [LW 6]
W 7-1 vs Sibley, W 4-2 vs STA
Ben Dardis stood on his head and propelled the Zephyrs to an upset of St. Thomas. I'm not prepared to give Mahtomedi a rankings bump just yet given their recent decisive losses to the #3 and #4 teams above, but they have responded with two nice wins. It's basically rinse and repeat this week, with the highlight being a chance to avenge an ugly loss to HM earlier in the season.
Next: Thu @ Tartan, Sat vs Hill-Murray
7. Little Falls (12-2-1) [LW 11]
W 6-2 @ Monticello
The Flyers are one of my risers of the week after pulling away from Monticello for their fifth straight triumph. The young Flyers are a high-scoring bunch (3rd best goals per game in Class A), and have really been clicking on all cylinders lately. The upcoming schedule is pretty light, so Little Falls looks poised to continue their winning ways.
Next: Tue vs River Lakes
8. Gentry Academy (11-2-0) [LW 13]
Idle
Another big climber this week, the Stars sat back and watched as the chaos unfolded around them. Gentry is unlikely to be challenged by either of their upcoming opponents.
Next: Thu @ Proctor, Sat @ Sibley
9. Duluth Denfeld (10-2-1) [LW 10]
W 3-2 vs Kennedy
The Hunters labored to defeat a struggling Kennedy squad. Denfeld nonetheless steps up a spot thanks to the misfortunes of others. They have now won five straight since the Hermantown debacle, but haven't been particularly impressive in the process. The coming week leads off with the annual crosstown rivalry game against East, and Denfeld has a strong opportunity to claim their win in the series since 2013.
Next: Mon @ Duluth East, Fri vs Chanhassen
10. Alexandria (9-4-0) [LW 7]
L 1-4 vs Brainerd, W 5-3 @ Bemidji
The tough times continued to start the week, as the Cardinals suffered their second straight ugly loss. They did rebound against Bemidji, though nearly coughed up a four-goal third period lead. Sartell should provide a needed confidence boost before things become more challenging next week.
Next: Tue @ Sartell
11. Thief River Falls (7-5-1) [LW 8]
L 4-5 vs Rogers
The Prowlers are my rankings kryptonite; it's like being in a bad relationship with a cycle of drawing me back in and then breaking my heart. This time TRF coughed up a late lead to Rogers in an uncharacteristically high-scoring affair.
This weekend will be telling as to whether TRF can turn the corner to become a real contender in 8A, with the Green Wave paying a visit.
Next: Thu @ Park Rapids, Sat vs EGF
12. Delano (8-4-0) [LW 14]
W 2-0 @ Mound Westonka
Well, hello there old friend. Weren't you just up here in the rankings? The Tigers picked up a nice victory over a section and conference rival. This isn't a flashy group, but they are defensively sound and have avoided any bad losses. Unfortunately, Delano has not fared as well against elite teams, and they have a looming date with Cathedral, sandwiched around two winnable conference contests.
Next: Tue vs Hutchinson, Thu @ SCC, Sat @ LDC
13. St. Paul Johnson (9-3-0) [LW 16]
W 3-1 vs New Prague, W 4-2 vs Woodbury
The Governors grabbed two wins over decent AA foes en route to the consolation championship of the South St. Paul tournament. A three-game week awaits, with an interesting clash against Kittson Central to round it out.
Next: Mon @ Highland Park, Thu vs Mpls, Sat vs Kittson
14. Greenway (4-7-0) [LW 12]
W 3-2 (OT) @ Hibbing, L 1-5 vs Holy Family
Ouch, literally. With Troumbly and two defensemen out of the lineup, the Raiders needed extra time to shake previously winless Hibbing and were no match for Holy Family. I won't ding them too badly for now given the injury situation, but things could easily go south if the missing players, particularly Troumbly, don't return soon. Greenway's lengthy home stand continues with two challenging contests against ranked AA competitors.
Tue vs North Shore, Fri vs Roseau, Sat vs Grand Rapids
15. Mound Westonka (8-4-1) [LW 10]
L 0-2 vs Delano
The White Hawks plummet after a tough loss to Delano. Their signature win over Little Falls is fading into the rear view mirror, but it's still more than most teams in this range can boast. Mound Westonka has a good opportunity to pick up at least two, and perhaps three wins this week.
Next: Tue @ Waconia, Thu vs Providence, Sat vs New Prague
16. Eveleth-Gilbert (8-6-0) [LW 20]
W 5-1 vs Mayo
Next: Tue @ Hibbing, Sat vs Princeton
17. Monticello (8-5-1) [LW 15]
L 2-6 vs Little Falls
Next: Thu @ North Branch
18. North Branch (11-3-0) [LW NR]
W 6-2 vs Superior, W 5-2 @ Chisago Lakes
Next: Thu vs Monticello
19. Pine City (11-2-0) [LW 19]
Idle
Next: Tue @ Highland Park
20. Tartan (6-5-0) [LW 18]
W 4-3 vs Simley, W 3-2 @ Anoka
Next: Thu vs Mahtomedi, Sat @ Hastings
Out: South St. Paul (6-5-2) [LW 17],
Others Considered: Breck (6-7-0), Kittson Central (9-1-0), Mankato West (7-5-0)
I prefer to think that the top three are all within margin of error for the computations, and Hermantown deserves to drop after gagging away a big lead at home. (Plus it’s more fun as a story until they inevitably return to the top.)
