FollowThePuck.com's Minnesota Boys Hockey Rankings (01/28/08

Notes on the Class AA Top 10:

Roseau continues to roll. Their stifling defense and goaltending have only given up nine goals in 10 games. In those 10 games, it included quality wins over Warroad, Grand Forks Red River (#1-ranked in North Dakota), and Moorhead.

Edina went up north over the weekend and defeated Cloquet and Duluth East, the best Class AA teams the northeast can offer. They seem unstoppable but we'll see how true that is when they face the Minnetonka Skippers on Thursday this week. The game is on Fox Sports Net.

Minnetonka, ranked number 3 in Class AA, has won six in a row including three wins in a row against powerful teams Benilde-St. Margaret's, St. Thomas Academy, and Academy of Holy Angels.

Hill-Murray is as solid as ever having won their last three games by a combined score of 29 to ZERO. They did slip up against Academy of Holy Angels two weeks ago losing 5-4 but they a remain a solid candidate to win it all in March.

Benilde-St. Margaret's have lost three games this season but they have been against teams ahead of them in the rankings or a top Class A team. They include Hill-Murray, Minnetonka, and St. Thomas Academy. They deserve their spot at number five.

Hopkins is holding on to position number five. They have only lost to Edina once and tied an under-achieving Wayzata. They have defeated quality teams Minnetonka and Anoka. Yet, they have had some close calls with teams in Class A and teams with records below .500. It's hard to know how this team will do down the stretch. This is certainly a team to keep your eye on.

Rosemount, Burnsville, and Eden Prairie have been playing musical chairs in recent weeks. Each team is solid but each has to overcome a schedule each week where they face other tough opponents in the southwest part of the Twin Cities. Rosemount and Burnsville seem to be the stronger of three having better offenses. Eden Prairie seems to struggle to score at times. The Eagles have had seven overtime games this season going 3-2-2 in those games.

Anoka, at #10, has been slowly working themselves up the rankings. This is their highest point so far this season. They have won six games in a row including quality wins over Osseo, Champlin Park, Centennial, Elk River, and Grand Rapids. Right now, the Tornadoes look like the team to beat in order to represent Section 7AA. Granted, they did lose to Duluth East on December 22nd, 4-0. Anoka seems to be the hotter team right now.


Class AA Rankings

FollowThePuck.com
As of 01/28/08

1. Roseau (8AA) - 18-0-0
2. Edina (2AA) - 18-1-0
3. Minnetonka (6AA) - 17-2-0
4. Hill-Murray (4AA) - 16-3-0
5. Benilde-St. Margaret's (6AA) - 16-3-0
6. Hopkins (6AA) - 17-1-1
7. Rosemount (3AA) - 15-4-0
8. Burnsville (2AA) 14-5-0
9. Eden Prairie (6AA) - 13-4-2
10. Anoka (7AA) - 15-4-0
11. Bloomington Jefferson (2AA) -12-4-3
12. Blaine (5AA) - 12-5-0
13. White Bear Lake (4AA) - 14-5-0
14. Eastview (3AA) - 11-6-2
15. Academy of Holy Angels (2AA) - 11-5-1
16. Centennial (5AA) - 11-6-2
17. Duluth East (7AA) - 12-7-1
18. Grand Rapids (7AA) - 10-8-1
19. Brainerd/Pillager/Pierz (8AA) - 14-5-1
20. Woodbury (3AA) - 14-6-0

On Watch:

Osseo (5AA) - 12-6-0
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (7AA) - 10-8-2
Roseville Area (4AA) - 12-7-0
Tartan (4AA) - 12-5-1
Moorhead (8AA) - 8-8-3


Notes on the Class A Top 10:

International Falls moves into the top spot as they are the only team with an undefeated record against other Class A teams.

Even though Duluth Marshall lost a dramatic 3-2 game in overtime at Warroad, the loss was came very late in the game after being up by two goals. I think this game would have been a different story if played on neutral ice or in Duluth. Warroad had the same fate dealt to them having to travel to Duluth and losing to Duluth Denfeld. Warroad has two losses to Class A teams while Duluth Marshall still has only one. If Warroad would have defeated Denfeld, I would have put them in 2nd.

St. Thomas Academy is still very strong. They too have two games against Class A teams. I believe they have played a more different schedule than Mankato West and Warroad and they have defeated some very good teams. That is why I am keeping them in 3rd.

As for Mankato West, many people do not believe that they are worthy of a top ten ranking, not to mention 4th-ranked. I think they absolutely deserve to be there. Except for losing to a very good Albert Lea team by one goal, they have won their other 16 games by at least two or more goals. One of those 16 was by two goals, the other 15 were won by three or more goals. Other skeptics believe that they haven't played anyone. I will argue that they have. They defeated New Prague 7-1, who has defeated Duluth Denfeld and Rochester Lourdes, both ranked teams. They also defeated Owatonna, 7-0, who has defeated Albert Lea and a hot Blake School who, right now, looks like they will represent Section 2A. At 16-1-0, the Scarlets deserve to be in the 4th spot.

Warroad, again, would be higher if they wouldn't have lost to Duluth Denfeld. Warroad is still a very dangerous team and can beat anybody.

Little Falls has been extremely hot lately but it is difficult for them to crack the top five. Unless one of the 'fab five' lose a game to a non-ranked team, the Flyers will have continue to ride the sixth spot.

I am not ready to put the Panthers of Park Rapids ahead of St. Cloud Cathedral even though they had an impressive win over Thief River Falls. The Crusaders have had more impressive wins during the season over Rochester Lourdes, Duluth Denfeld, and Little Falls.

Albert Lea continues to win. They have won seven straight. There just is no where to go as most of the Class A teams above them continue to win.

Red Wing has won four in a row including quality wins over South St. Paul and New Prague. They overcame their struggles on their nine game home stand. They are still a very viable threat to win Section 1A.

Class A Rankings

FollowThePuck.com
As of 01/28/08

1. International Falls (7A) - 17-1-0
2. Duluth Marshall (7A) - 14-4-0
3. St. Thomas Academy (4A) - 16-4-0
4. Mankato West (1A) - 16-1-0
5. Warroad (8A) - 15-5-0
6. Little Falls (6A) - 16-3-0
7. St. Cloud Cathedral (5A) - 14-3-1
8. Park Rapids Area (8A) - 19-0-0
9. Albert Lea (1A) - 15-3-0
10. Red Wing (1A) - 12-5-2
11. South St. Paul (4A) - 12-5-1
12. Mahtomedi (4A) - 12-6-2
13. New Prague (1A) - 13-5-0
14. Duluth Denfeld (5A) - 14-7-0
15. Rochester Lourdes (1A) - 13-6-0
16. Hermantown (5A) - 12-8-0
17. Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl (7A)- 13-7-0
18. Blake School (2A) - 12-6-1
19. Totino-Grace (4A) - 9-8-1
20. Breck School (2A) - 9-9-1

On Watch:

Alexandria (6A) - 12-7-1
Mound-Westonka (2A) - 10-8-1