Grace Laager, Centennial/Spring Lake Park
1. Minnetonka (16-2-1)
The Skippers edged previously top-ranked Edina 1-0 behind a 26-save performance from Layla Hemp, and a penalty kill unit that held the Hornet power play to zero goals on four chances. Wayzata and North Wright County are on the schedule for this week.
2. Benildle-St. Margaret’s (13-2-2)
The Red Knights bump up to No. 2 this week after beating top-10 Holy Family 4-3 and then blitzing Metro West Conference foe New Prague 13-1. Leading scorers Kendall Hassler and Talla Hansen each recorded a hat trick in the win over the Trojans.
3. Edina (15-3)
The Hornets won two games in three days before falling to the Skippers by that razor-thin margin. Lakeville North and Maple Grove are on deck for the Hornets.
4. Centennial/Spring Lake Park (16-2)
Centennial/Spring Lake Park made quick work of Elk River and Blake last week. The Cougars beat the Elks and Bears by a combined score of 12-2, nearly matching the wildlife carnage of my latest copy of National Geographic.
After the wins, St. Thomas commit Teagan Kulenkamp and Grace Laager have now reached the 30-point mark for the season.
5. Andover (11-5-1)
Had Moorhead played and beaten a top-10 Class AA team last week, the Huskies would have found themselves lower than fifth. As it stands, Andover remains in the No. 5 slot after a 1-1 tie with Maple Grove and a 5-1 win over Eden Prairie.
Mackenzie Jones (five goals, 15 assists) is the first Husky to reach the 20-point mark this season.
6. Moorhead (15-4-1)
The Spuds picked up routine wins over St. Cloud 5-1 and Bemidji 3-0 last week. Four of the Spuds’ previous five games will be against ranked opponents, beginning with Roseau and Orono this week.
7. Hill-Murray (13-5)
The Pioneers handled Metro East Conference business last week, downing Cretin-Derham Hall 4-1 and blanking Simley 7-0. Like Moorhead, the Pioneers will close the season with a litany of ranked opponents, facing seven Class AA and Class A powers in their last seven games.
This week, the Pioneers will take on Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Dodge County.
8. Holy Family (13-6)
With wins over Orono and Mound Westonka/Southwest Christian on back-to-back nights, the Fire move up to No. 8 this week, albeit with a 4-3 loss to Benilde-St. Margaret’s on the books. Hutchinson and Gentry Academy are on Holy Family’s docket this week.
9. Maple Grove (11-5-3)
The Crimson came within a goal of pocketing a second signature win in a 1-1 tie with No. 5AA Andover, then beat Alexandria 4-0. Bella Prosser (yeah, she’s getting mentioned again, if you don’t like it, text my attorney) continues to impress, stopping 39 of 40 shots in the tie with the Huskies, earning her fifth blank sheet of the season against the Cardinals.
10. Roseau (15-4)
A three-goal second period sunk the Rams in their 4-1 loss to Warroad last week. To add insult to injury, the Rams were outshot 40-17 by the Warriors. Crookston, Moorhead, and Brainerd/Little Falls are up this week for the Rams, with the games against the Spuds and Flyers carrying Section 8AA seeding implications.
Elliana Engelhardt, Hill-Murray
Dodge County moves up to No. 2 this week after wins over Proctor/Hermantown and Moose Lake Area.
1. Warroad (14-3)
With wins over Roseau, Crookston, and Fergus Falls last week, the Warriors’ winning streak has now reached seven games. The Warriors are hitting their stride defensively, having not allowed more than one goal in a game since before Christmas.
2. Dodge County (14-2-1)
The Wildcats made two separate trips to the north shore last week, first trekking to Proctor for a 3-0 win over the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage and then returning to shut out Moose Lake Area 2-0 on Saturday. The Wildcats will take on Eastview and No. 7AA Hill-Murray this week, with both games to be played at Dodge County Ice Arena.
3. Orono (10-5-3)
The sting from a 3-0 loss to Holy Family didn’t last long, as the Spartans turned around and beat Holy Angels 3-1 for a 1-1 mark last week. Minneapolis and Moorhead are up next for the Spartans.
4. Holy Angels (11-5-3)
The Stars benefit from losses below them this week after beating Minneapolis 8-0 and losing to Orono 3-1. Considering how structured the Stars are, it is mildly concerning that their worst period this season has been the third. They have allowed nearly as many goals in the final period of games (13) as they have in the first and second combined (15).
5. Proctor/Hermantown (14-5)
Wins over Chisago Lakes and Breck move the Mirage into the top five, even after losing at home to Dodge County. Class AA teams Brainerd/Little Falls and No. 2AA Benilde-St. Margaret’s are this week’s opponents.
6. Blake (10-6-1)
Despite losing to Centennial/Spring Lake Park, the Bears still firmly fit in the category of teams you do NOT want to face in a win-or-go-home scenario. It should be noted that the Bears and Cougars were tied 1-1 heading into the final twelve minutes of the game.
Goaltender Janie McGawn verbally committed to Dartmouth last week.
7. Breck (11-6)
The journey to 20 wins ended last week, as Proctor/Hermantown came out on top 3-1 in a road game for the Mustangs. Breck has now had five consecutive games decided one way or another by two or fewer goals.
8. Marshall (17-1-1)
A 13-0 win over Worthington provided the only game action for the Tigers last week. The state’s leading scorer still counts the Red Baron Arena as her home ice, as Brooklyn Mauch reached the 30-30 mark in the win over the Trojans. Mauch now has 36 goals and 66 points through 19 games this season.
9. Albert Lea (13-3-1)
The Tigers beat New Ulm and Red Wing by a combined score of 23-1, including a 17-0 win over the Wingers. Five players recorded four or more points for the Tigers in the victory. Albert Lea will face Luverne and Rochester Mayo this week.
10. Mound Westonka/Southwest Christian (10-7)
The White Hawks responded to a 7-0 loss to Holy Family with a 6-1 win over Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato for their 10th win of the season. MWSWC will get a second shot at Holy Family this week, in addition to a Tuesday tilt with Hutchinson.
Viv Anderson, Orono
#1 Chaska Chan wins the Duluth Icebreakers title in OT over ALEX
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Chaska Chan | 6 | WWWWW |
2 | Edina | 6 | WWWTLW |
3 | Alexandria | 15 | WWWWL |
4 | Minnetonka | 6 | WWWLWW |
5 | Wayzata | 3 | LLWWWL |
6 | Buffalo | 5 | TW |
7 | Duluth | 11 | LWWT |
8 | Woodbury Black | 8 | LLLW |
9 | Roseville/MAHT | 2 | WWWLL |
10 | North Wright County | 5 | TWW |
A crazy week in 15A...Chaska Chan needed OT to knock off Alexandria. The Stormhawks second straight tournament win in OT. Minnetonka goes 5-1 last week and Alex takes second to slide up a spot.
Willow Pecore, Wayzata Gold 15B
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Alexandria | 15 | WWWL |
2 | Cannon River | 9 | WWWW |
3 | Central MN Riverblades Black | 5 | WWW |
4 | Thief River Falls | 16 | WWWW |
5 | Wayzata Gold | 3 | WWWWL |
6 | Anoka/Rogers | 10 | WWWW |
7 | Eagan/Inver Grove Heights | 8 | WLW |
8 | Stillwater | 2 | WWLLW |
9 | Edina Green | 6 | WWWLL |
10 | Northern Tier | 10 | LW |
Alexandria soars ahead one spot to No. 1 this week, as the Cardinals have the best record at 31-2. Cannon River is on a seven-game win streak and takes a leap up two spots this week to No. 2. Thief River Falls had a huge week, improving their win streak to fourteen games. The Prowlers pounce ahead of No. 4 in this week's rankings.
Edina retakes #1 spot in the state with a Duluth Icebreakers championship win
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Edina | 6 | LWWLWW |
2 | Anoka-Rogers | 10 | WLWW |
3 | Minnetonka | 6 | WWWLWW |
4 | Osseo/Maple Grove | 3 | TL |
5 | Chaska Chan | 6 | LWWWL |
6 | Orono Westonka | 3 | WW |
7 | Centennial-SLP | 10 | TWT |
8 | Forest Lake | 2 | WWWW |
9 | Eden Prairie | 6 | WWLWT |
10 | Elk River | 10 | WWT |
It's anyone's guess on who the top team is this week. All five T5 teams suffered at least one loss.
Edina loses to Anoka-Rogers again, but sneaks into bracket play on a tiebreaker. The Hornets win another championship trophy.
Minnetonka beats Edina in district play, goes 3-0 in pool play, but loses in Duluth semis to Chaska Chan.
Former No. 1 OMG loses one and ties one in the same week after winning 22 consecutive games.
Kendall Wakefield, Forest Lake 12B
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Owatonna | 9 | WWWWW |
2 | Osseo/Maple Grove White | 3 | W |
3 | Hastings Gold | 8 | LWW |
4 | River Lakes | 5 | TWWWL |
5 | Edina Black | 6 | WW |
6 | Rochester Black | 9 | DNP |
7 | Roseville/Mahtomedi Navy | 2 | W |
8 | Forest Lake | 2 | WW |
9 | Orono Westonka | 3 | WL |
10 | Bloomington Jefferson | 6 | WWW |
Owatonna is the first team to hit 30 wins at the U12B level. The Huskies are the new top dog. Osseo/Maple Grove White takes a nice jump up to No. 2 this week. The Leafbirds are 4-1 in the new year. Bloomington Jefferson is on a current eight-game winning streak, and become a new addition to the rankings at No. 10 thanks to its recent success.
#1 Lakeville won Duluth Icebreakers on Sunday
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lakeville | 8 | TWWWW |
2 | IGH/Eagan | 8 | WW |
3 | Minnetonka | 6 | LWLWW |
4 | Stillwater | 2 | WWW |
5 | Chaska Chan | 6 | WT |
6 | Edina (Green) | 6 | WTWWL |
7 | Centennial-SLP | 10 | WWWLW |
8 | Anoka-Rogers | 10 | WLLW |
9 | White Bear Lake | 2 | WWWLL |
10 | Edina (White) | 6 | WT |
Lakeville win the coveted Duluth Icebreakers Sunday. The Cats have a 17 game unbeaten streak. Stillwater wins the Cabin Fever in Maple Grove Sunday...the Ponies have had a great season so far. Centennial/SLP moves up a couple spots after going 4-1 in Duluth.
Aliya Pavelich, Rock Ridge 10B
Rank | Team | District | Last Week |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Farmington Black | 8 | WW |
2 | Cannon River | 9 | DNP |
3 | Wayzata Gold | 3 | TW |
4 | Rock Ridge Black | 12 | DNP |
5 | Minnetonka Blue | 6 | WW |
6 | Hastings | 8 | WWWW |
7 | Chaska/Chanhassen | 6 | WL |
8 | River Lakes | 5 | W |
9 | Northern Lakes | 15 | LWL |
10 | Minnetonka Black | 6 | WLWWW |
No movement within the top four this week, but we welcome Minnetonka Blue to the top five this week. The Skippers (Blue) haven’t lost in a month. Staying in the same city, Minnetonka Black have won six of their last seven games and are the only new team in the rankings this week.