Class AA Top 10 - December 7th, 2009

1. Minnetonka Skippers (4-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Hibbing/Chisholm 8-0
Defeated: Virginia/MIB 7-0

Goal scorers this season (30 goals - 10 skaters):
Max Gardiner 6, Thomas Schutt 6, Andrew Prochno 4, Derek Frawley 3, Jake Thornberg 3, Justin Holl 2, Troy Hesketh 2, Connor Ryan 2, Max Coatta 1, Tommy Lindquist 1

Goaltending (4-0-0, 0.25 GAA, .984 Save %):
Jim Kruger | 3-0-0, 0.33 GAA, .980 Save %
Alex Glockner | 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 Save %

I went back and forth on deciding if the Skippers should dethrone Eden Prairie from the top ranked spot. Even though Eden Prairie has only had one game and Minnetonka four games, it has been the Skippers dominate play that made the move to number one the right decision.

The difference may be as many as one more key loss due to graduation for Eden Prairie than Minnetonka. Minnetonka's key loss was Sam Coatta. Eden Prairie graduated the blue line 'quarterback' and now Minnesota Gopher defenseman Nick Leddy along with Taylor Wolfe. It's most likely not as simple as that. It may come down to fact that it may just be Minnetonka's year.

In two games last year, Eden Prairie won both games by a score of 4-2. The shots were even in game one in a regular season match-up but Minnetonka actually outshot Eden Prairie in the Section 6AA championship game, 36-24.

Minnetonka averaged 7.5 goals per game in their first four games this season and have given up an average of 0.25 goals and 16.25 shots. Those four opponents, three Class A and one Class AA, are 8-4-0 against opponents other than Minnetonka.

Games this week: None: The Skippers next game is Tuesday, December 15th.
__________________________________________________________

2. Eden Prairie Eagles (1-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Eastview 6-0

Goal scorers this season (6 goals - 5 skaters):
Kyle Rau 2, Mike Erickson 1, Luc Gerdes 1, Mitch Rogge 1, Danny Thayer 1

Goaltending (1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 Save %):
Andrew Ford | 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 Save %

There is no logical reason to remove the defending Class AA Eagles from the top spot. They have a lot of talented depth back but, as I double-checked, so does Minnetonka. I do not expect Eden Prairie to give up their title as reigning state champions without an epic fight.

Eden Prairie averaged 6 goals per game in their first game this season and have given up an average of 0.00 goals and 14 shots. The one opponent, one Class AA team, is 0-2-0 against opponents other than Eden Prairie.

Games this week: 1
Thursday, December 10th: at Chaska/Chanhassen (2AA), 7:30PM | Victoria Arena
__________________________________________________________

3. Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars (3-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Chaska/Chanhassen 7-0
Defeated: Centennial 9-2

Goal scorers this season (23 goals - 10 skaters):
Tyler Dietzler 5, Caleb Herbert 5, Ryan Siiro 5, Nick Nielsen 2, Tim Donohue 1, Joe Faust 1, Zach Knight 1, Alex Nicholas 1, Jeffrey Pauluk 1, John Roisum 1

Goaltending (3-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .925 Save %):
Justin Woodley | 3-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .925 Save %

With all of the talk about Minnetonka, the Jaguars quietly ripped their first three opponents apart. Because of their dominance, I had to make the decision to move them up ahead of 2-0-0 Hill-Murray who I had ranked third last week and the preseason.

Jefferson did not have much depth coming back at the forward position but four to five solid defensemen are back. Three talented forwards did return in Tyler Dietzler, Caleb Herbert, and Zach Knight. Junior Ryan Siiro looks so far like he is filling the offensive need that A. J. Siiro (brother?) took with him when he graduated last spring. In goal, it looks like junior Justin Woodley is taking over just fine for the graduated Casey O'Connor, Minnesota's high school Goaltender of the Year for 2008-2009. Woodley is 3-0-0 with one shutout.

Bloomington Jefferson has averaged 7.67 goals per game in three games this season and have given up an average of 1.00 goals and 13 shots. The three opponents, all three in Class AA, are 2-3-0 against opponents other than Bloomington Jefferson.

Games this week: 2
Thursday, December 10th: at Lakeville South (1AA), 7:30PM | Hasse Arena
Saturday, December 12th: Apple Valley (3AA), 7:30PM | Bloomington Ice Garden
__________________________________________________________

4. Hill-Murray Pioneers (2-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Burnsville 5-2
Defeated: Duluth Marshall 3-1

Goal scorers this season (8 goals - 7 skaters):
David Bruchu 2, Kevin Becker 1, Chris Casto 1, J. D. Cotroneo 1, Willie Faust 1, Ryan Holler 1, Jack Walsh 1

Goaltending (2-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .932 Save %):
Tim Shaughnessy | 2-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .932 Save %

The only thing Hill-Murray did wrong this past week was not dominate their opponents like the three teams above them did. I like how this whole team can score and they do not and will not rely on one line or even two lines to score goals. In the first two games, seven different skaters put one puck in the net, only one skater with two goals. The defense gave up more shots than I expected this past week but Tim Shaughnessy was strong in goal.

Bloomington Jefferson have averaged 4 goals per game in two games this season and have given up an average of 1.50 goals and 22.5 shots. The two opponents, one in Class AA & one in Class A, are 1-4-0 against opponents other than Hill-Murray.

Games this week: 3
Tuesday, December 8th: Benilde-SM (6AA), 8:00PM | Aldrich Arena | ON FSN!
Thursday, December 10th: at Henry Sibley (3AA), 7:30PM | West St. Paul Arena
Saturday, December 12th: South St. Paul (4A), 8:00PM | Aldrich Arena
__________________________________________________________

5. Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights (2-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: St. Cloud Tech 4-1
Defeated: Stillwater Area 9-3

Goal scorers this season (13 goals - 6 skaters):
Grant Besse 4, Christian Horn 4, Patrick Steinhauser 2, Patrick Daly 1, John Duda 1, Jake Horton 1

Goaltending (2-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .920 Save %):
Jacob Meyers | 2-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .920 Save %

The Red Knights are young. Their two leading goal scorers are a freshman and a sophomore respectively. The other four scorers include three juniors and a sophomore (Horton). If this team sticks together the next couple of years and do not go off to the Juniors level, the Red Knights could be the the new titans of the Section 6AA and the state.

The Red Knights had no trouble with their first two Class AA opponents outscoring them 13-4. I moved them up one spot ahead of the Academy of Holy Angels because of the good week they had and I thought it would be nice to push them up right behind the team they will be playing on Tuesday night on TV on Fox Sports North.

Senior goaltender Jacob Meyers was the most outstanding goaltender in the Upper Midwest Elite League in September and October. It is carrying over nicely so far to the high school season.

Benilde-St. Margaret's has averaged 6.5 goals per game in two games this season and have given up an average of 2.00 goals and 25 shots. The two opponents, both in Class AA, are 1-1-0 against opponents other than Benilde-St. Margaret's.

Games this week: 2
Tuesday, December 8th: at Hill-Murray (4AA), 8:00PM | Aldrich Arena | ON FSN!
Saturday, December 12th: Irondale (5AA), 2:30PM | St. Louis Park Rec Center
__________________________________________________________

6. Academy of Holy Angels Stars (0-0-0)
Last week's results: None

Goal scorers this season (0 goals - 0 skaters):

Goaltending (0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 Save %):

Finally! The Stars will play their first game of the season on Friday, December 11th against Shakopee at Richfield Arena. It will be interesting to see how well Chaska transfer Jake Erickson plays with the Reillys and the rest of the Stars. Erickson was to be the best forward Chaska had coming back this year until the transfer.

Games this week: 1
Friday, December 11th: Shakopee (2AA), 7:30PM | Richfield Arena
__________________________________________________________

7. Blaine Bengals (1-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Roseau 5-4

Goal scorers this season (5 goals - 3 skaters):
Nick Bjugstad 3, Brad Benson 1, Jonny Brodzinski 1

Goaltending (1-0-0, 4.00 GAA, .875 Save %):
Dan Harper | 1-0-0, 4.00 GAA, .875 Save %

Blaine's first game of the year provided plenty of drama. The Bengals traveled 400-plus miles to play their first game of the year up where hockey is LIFE year around in Roseau. The Bengals star, Nick Bjugstad, broke through two defenders and knocked home the game-tying breakaway goal with 2:12 left in the game. That was goal number three for the University of Minnesota recruit and the hats flew over the glass from the Blaine faithful that made the trip up. They then went on, in State of Hockey fashion, to defeat the mighty Rams on their own ice with just 45 ticks left on the scoreboard. Junior Jonny Brodzinski put the game-winner in the net. Nice way to start the new season.

Blaine has averaged 5 goals per game in one game this season and have given up an average of 4.00 goals and 32 shots. The one opponent, in Class AA, is 2-0-0 against opponents other than Blaine.

Games this week: 2
Thursday, December 10th: at Osseo (5AA), 7:30PM | Dick Vraa Arena
Saturday, December 12th: Coon Rapids (5AA), 7:30PM | Fogerty Arena
__________________________________________________________

8. Elk River/Zimmerman Elks (1-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Andover 6-3

Goal scorers this season (5 goals - 3 skaters):
Ben Jaremko 2, Nash Bleyhl 1, Taylor Bryan 1, Nick Filipovich 1, Chad Hennum 1

Goaltending (1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, ??? Save %):
Anders Franke | 1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, ??? Save %

Down 1-0 going into the 2nd period, Elk River/Zimmerman scored four goals in the 2nd period and cruised to a 6-3 victory over Andover in the Elks first game of the year on Saturday night. I thought this game would be more defensive than it came out to be. Elk River/Zimmerman won both games last season by scores of 3-0 and 1-0 and neither team lost a lot defensively to graduation. It's a long season but I think Elk River/Zimmerman is the clear front-runner to win Section 7AA this year.

Elk River/Zimmerman has averaged 6 goals per game in one game this season and have given up an average of 3.00 goals and ?? shots. The one opponent, in Class AA, is 1-0-0 against opponents other than Elk River/Zimmerman.

Games this week: 2
Thursday, December 10th: at Anoka (5AA), 7:30PM | Anoka Arena
Saturday, December 12th: North Metro (5AA), 3:00PM | Elk River Arena
__________________________________________________________

9. Wayzata Trojans (4-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Centennial 4-2
Defeated: Duluth East 4-3 in overtime

Goal scorers this season (20 goals - 8 skaters):
Tony Cameranesi 5, Scott Holm 5, Mario Lucia 3, Tyler Klein 2, Lucas Whelan 2, Miles Death 1, Tanner Jensen 1, Kage Tiller 1

Goaltending (4-0-0, 2.22 GAA, .920 Save %):
Andrew McIntyre | 3-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .917 Save %
Alex Clayton | 1-0-0, 2.59 GAA, .925 Save %

Of the top nine Class AA teams, four, including Wayzata, are in Section 6AA. It looks like that three out of four very good teams that have a good shot of winning a state title will not even make the trip over to St. Paul next March.

Of the four victories so far for the Trojans, three opponents were ranked in the FollowThePuck.com Top 20. All three of those wins were hard fought, close games and it put Wayzata now on a short list of elite teams in Class AA.

I've mentioned it a couple of times on Twitter that Wayzata's Bantam A team were Minnesota state champions in 2008-2009. Will Wayzata's Bantam A title last year take them down the same road as Eden Prairie? In 2007-2008, Eden Prairie won the state Bantam A title. In 2008-2009, of course, Eden Prairie won the Class AA state high school championship.

Wayzata has averaged 5 goals per game in four game this season and have given up an average of 1.75 goals and 21.25 shots. The four opponents, all in Class AA, are 5-3-0 against opponents other than Wayzata.

Games this week: 1
Tuesday, December 8th: Osseo (5AA), 7:00PM | Plymouth Ice Center
__________________________________________________________

10. Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2-0-0)
Last week's results:
Defeated: Blake School 2-0
Defeated: Stillwater Area 4-1

Goal scorers this season (6 goals - ?? skaters):
Tony Barbato 1, Jesse Perron 1
Note: The game sheet vs. Stillwater Area on Saturday had not been posted at the time of this post.

Goaltending (1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 Save %):
Joe Schneider | 1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 Save %

Cretin-Derham Hall shutout a good Class A team in the Blake School for their first win of the year last Thursday. They allowed no goals on 21 shots. I expect the Raiders to be a strong, physical defensive team that won't typically score a lot of goals during the season but have the talented forwards in Jesse Perron, Tony Barbato, and Bob Kinne that can.

Cretin-Derham Hall has averaged 3 goals per game in two games this season and have given up an average of 0.50 goals and ?? shots. The two opponents, one in Class AA & one in Class A, are 3-1-0 against opponents other than Cretin-Derham Hall.

Games this week: 2
Thursday, December 10th: Mounds View (4AA), 7:30PM | Highland Arena
Saturday, December 12th: at Park (CG) (3AA), 7:30PM | Cottage Grove Ice Arena