SBLive's Minnesota boys hockey Power 25 (Feb. 7)
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Minnesota boys and girls hockey top performers of the week (Jan. 31-Feb. 6)
Minnetonka boys hockey's strong second period leads it past Wayzata
1. Warroad (22-0)
Last week: 1
The top team for two weeks in a row, the Warriors have battled Class 1A and Class 2A opponents alike, accumulating multiple ranked wins and eight shutouts in these contests. As it stands now, Warroad is a cut above the rest.
2. Chanhassen (19-2)
Last Week: 2
The Lightning have stayed hot on the Warrior’s tracks, winning game after game en route to staying in the top three. While their schedule has been softer than some other teams on this list, it is still clear Chanhassen is one of the best teams in the state.
3. Minnetonka (19-2)
Last Week: 3
Minnetonka has lost to two teams, and both have hovered around the top five all year. Other than that, the Skippers have looked dominant, winning their last three games against all ranked opponents.
4. Rogers (14-3-3)
Last Week: 6
Rivalry week treated the Royals well, and they escaped with a 5-2 win against Maple Grove. Like Minnetonka, their only losses have been to ranked teams, so they will close in on the top three for the first time all season.
5. Edina (15-4-1)
Last Week: 7
Edina has reached the peak of its comeback story this far, rising all the way to the fifth spot after being unranked following its three game losing skid to start the year. The Hornets are fresh off a doubleheader sweep over Hill-Murray, and they will look to keep up the pace against Buffalo.
6. Maple Grove (16-5-1)
Last Week: 4
Rogers got its revenge, and the Crimson have fallen. Due to this loss, they dip behind their rival in the rankings for the first time all season. Fortunately, they have a redemption match against Andover on Saturday.
7. Andover (16-5-1)
Last Week: 10
Andover hasn’t played a close game since early January, and their nine game winning streak has solely consisted of beatdowns for the Huskies. A tune up game versus Blaine, followed by matches against Maple Grove and Centennial, will round out the defending state champion’s season.
8. White Bear Lake (14-5)
Last Week: 8
After falling to conference rival Cretin-Derham Hall, the Bears once again made it hard to make a climb in the rankings, and they will stay rooted in their lower half of the top 10.
9. Wayzata (14-5-2)
Last Week: 7
The Trojans faced a daunting Minnetonka team in a time when they were slumping, but they fought well, and the game was close. Wayzata will be fine, but as their record falls, so does their ranking.
10. St. Thomas Academy (16-5)
Last Week: 9
The Cadets won their lone game of the week 3-1 against Mahtomedi. Senior Colgate commit Tommy Cronin led the way for the Cadets with one goal and one assist.
11. Benilde-St. Margaret's (14-6)
Last Week: 11
One night, the Red Knights were winning 11-0 in an easy win against Waconia. A few short days later, they were blanked themselves, losing 0-2 to Eden Prairie. Their remaining schedule is chalked full of tough opponents, including Chanhassen, Orono, and Hermantown.
12. Hermantown (18-2-1)
Last Week: 13
Distance only seems to separate Hermantown and their Class 1A rival, but the Hawks have still played incredible hockey thus far this year. They will face Benilde-St. Margaret's on Friday for their last chance to showcase their skills against ranked 2A opponents.
13. Cretin-Derham Hall (15-7-1)
Last Week: 12
Cretin-Derham Hall finds itself diving down the rankings after it leveled out as the season went on. This team wins and loses in bunches, and it faces a tough final two game stretch against conference opponents Stillwater and White Bear.
14. Orono (18-3)
Last Week: 14
At long last, the toughest battles loom ahead for the Spartans. Benilde-St. Margaret's and Chanhassen await Orono in the final stretch, and if its comes out of this gauntlet undefeated, the sky's the limit.
15. Lakeville South (14-5-1)
Last Week: 16
The Panthers have enjoyed a nice hot streak since defeating its northern counterpart. Lakeville South has secured multiple ranked wins and the lead in its conference, which is is dangerously close to clinching.
16. Champlin Park (14-7)
Last Week: 15
Champlin Park snapped its four game winning streak after it dropped both weekly matchups, one to White Bear Lake and one to Cloquet. An unfortunate time to go on a slump, but the Rebels will have a chunk of games remaining to prove their worth.
17. Park of Cottage Grove (15-7)
Last Week: 18
The Pirates continued to silently impress in the world of prep hockey. Following a three game losing streak, they have roared back with four straight wins and a 17th place ranking in the state.
18. Centennial (12-7-1)
Last Week: 19
The Cougars took care of business with a pair of dominant wins, an 8-0 victory against Osseo and a 11-1 win over Anoka. It will have a slow stretch of games before a big season finale against top ranked Andover.
19. Shakopee (13-6)
Last Week: 20
The Sabers dropped a close one against Lakeville North 4-6, but they looked good throughout. Senior forward Jackson Vogel scored two goals, and despite the loss, Shakopee showed that it still belongs among the ranked teams on this list.
20. Buffalo (10-8-2)
Last Week: 21
After beating Wayzata and Rogers in the same week, Buffalo came crashing down to earth, getting shut out 6-0 by Minnetonka. While its record is as close to .500 as anyone’s on this list, their resume indicates it could be a problem come playoff time.
21. New Ulm (19-2-1)
Last Week: 22
To no one’s surprise, New Ulm dispatched its weekly opponents with ease, extending its winning streak to six games and tying top ranked teams like Minnetonka and Chanhassen for wins. However, the strength of schedule bogs it down heavily, so until the playoffs come around, it will remain in the twenties.
22. Eastview (13-7)
Last Week: N/R
Returning to the list for the first time in a few weeks is Eastview, whose impressive 2-0 shutout over Gentry proved it could play with ranked opponents. Pair that with other quality wins and an impressive record, and it’s clear to see Eastview has the makings of a ranked program.
23. Roseville (13-7-1)
Last Week: 23
The Silver Foxes kicked its losing streak, trading it in for a two game winning streak of their own and two dominant wins over Forest Lake and Spring Lake Park. Roseville has faced some tough teams this year, and will enjoy a slightly less demanding final game stretch before playoffs.
24. Stillwater (11-6-3)
Last Week: 17
Seven Pony hockey games have gone into overtime so far, with its last one being a 2-3 loss to Woodbury. While it was the Ponies first overtime loss of the year, concerns of finishing games versus lower ranked opponents could arise from this.
25. Gentry Academy (13-8)
Last Week: 25
Gentry Academy lost its matchup against Eastview, then split its two games against Blake, a solid outcome. However, its sights seem to be set on Thursday’s matchup against Chanhassen, a game which could give this team a lot more legitimacy.