1. Warroad (8A) (14-3-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 OT Roseau, W 8-0 Crookston, W 4-1 #2 Hermantown
Upcoming Schedule: 1/19 vs Duluth Denfeld
The Warriors moved into the top spot this week but the week actually started on sour note as they were taken down in overtime by their long time rivals Roseau. However, it was all good vibes after that as Warroad stayed unbeaten in 8A with a rout of Crookston and then went into Hermantown and picked up the biggest Class A win of the season when they took down the Hawks. Now they claim the top spot and have a less busy week with just a home game vs SS Denfeld at the end of the week.
2. Hermantown (7A) (10-3-2)
Past Week Results: W 3-1 #3 St. Cloud Cathedral, L 1-4 #1 Warroad
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs #15 Hibbing/Chisholm, 1/20 vs White Bear Lake
The Hawks started their week with a very impressive road win as they they were able to take down a very good #3 St. Cloud Cathedral team. In the game the Hawks were able to shut down the prolific top line of the Crusaders and score the go ahead goal late to win a very good hockey game. However, they were unable to duplicate that effort vs #1 Warroad in the game they fell behind early and they are not a team that can trial with their limited offense and they were never able to really play their game and they fall out of the top spot this week. Now they have a tough 7A game with a young Hibbing/Chisholm team before a solid AA White Bear Lake team comes to town at the end of the week.
3. St. Cloud Cathedral (5A) (11-4-1)
Past Week Results: W 5-2 #16 Northern Lakes, L 1-3 #2 Hermantown
Upcoming Schedule: 1/15 @ Mankato East, 1/18 @ Princeton
The Crusaders had very good showing this week as they went on the road and took care of ranked Northern Lakes jumping out quickly and never really allowing the Lightning in the game. They followed that up by giving Hermantown a great contest as they tied the game up late at 1-1. The Hawks though scored with around 1 minute to go and put in an empty netter at the buzzer but the game showed how tough these Crusaders are while still missing their top goalie and they own the lone Class A win over #1 Warroad of the year. Now they have two winnable games this week when they hit the road and take on Mankato East and Section 5A Princeton.
4. East Grand Forks (8A) (11-5-0)
Past Week Results: W 5-1 #18 Detroit Lakes, W 6-1Academy of Holy Angels
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs Roseau, 1/20 vs Duluth Denfeld
The Greenwave had a very impressive week at home. They were able to blow out two good teams in route to their two win week and improved upon their now current four game win streak. EGF was able to get the 8A sweep ranked Detroit Lake and then wrapped up the weekend by blowing out a good AA AHA club. Now they will look to stay hot when they host AA Roseau and Duluth Denfeld this coming week.
5. Mahtomedi (4A) (7-8-0)
Past Week Results:W 8-0 Tartan, W 3-2 Hastings
Upcoming Schedule: 1/17 vs Eden Prairie
The Zephyrs had themselves a solid week as they took care of Tartan easily before winning a good road game against AA Hastings to finish the week. Mahtomedi has now won 4 of their 5 with the lone loss being to the AA Super Team Minnetonka. Like clockwork the Zephyr are rounding into form as we get closer to playoff time. This week one game vs AA Eden Prairie which will be a very good test for this improving team.
6. Orono (2A) (10-5-0)
Past Week Results: W 4-3 New Prague, L 2-3 St Louis Park
Upcoming Schedule: 1/18 @ #20 Southwest Christian/Richfield, 1/20 vs Bloomington Jefferson
The Spartans had a (.500) week with the AA position of their Metro West conference schedule. They were able to comeback and beat New Prague to start the week but they fell to St Louis Park on the road at the end of the week. Not the most impressive week but they own wins over the three teams head to head right vs #7 Delano, #8 NFLD and #9 Monticello to remain safely at #6 in the rankings. Now they have a good test with #20 Southwest Christian/Richfield before taking on AA Bloomington Jefferson to end the week.
7. Delano (2A) (9-5-1)
Past Week Results: W 3-2 Holy Family
Upcoming Schedule: 1/18 vs Hutchinson, 1/20 vs Lakeville South
The Tigers rebounded nicely from the previous rough (0-2-0) week and picked a huge program win over Top 10 AA Holy Family which snapped their 9 year losing streak vs the Fire. In the game they never trailed, the Tigers showed again how dangerous they can be in Class A. Now they have a two game week Section 2A Hutchinson and 1AA Favorite Lakeville South.
8. Northfield (1A) (10-1-2)
Past Week Results: W 4-3 Owatonna
Upcoming Schedule: 1/18 @ Rochester Mayo, 1/20 vs Red Wing
The Raiders pulled out a very nice win in the Big Nine Conference showdown for the title of who is the best team in Southern Minnesota when they took on Owatonna this week. In a back and forth physical and emotional game between these two rivals Norrthfield was able to pull out the game late and now look primed to win the conference. This week they will have a chance to add to their Conference Title pursuit with two more Big Nine games vs struggling Rochester Mayo and Red Wing.
9. Monticello (5A) (12-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 5-3 Mound Westonka, W 8-1 Becker/Big Lake
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs Pine City, 1/19 @ Chisago Lakes
The Moose just continue to churn out wins as they have now won eight games in a row. While they did receive an unexpected scare from Mound Westonka they found their groove in the third period and then left no doubt in a rout over Section 5A Becker/Big Lake to finish off another unbeaten week. This week two games within the Mississippi 8 Conference vs Pine City and Chisago Lakes both games that they will be favored to win.
10. Luverne (3A) (13-0-0)
Past Week Results: W 14-0 Redwood Valley
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ New Prague, 1/19 @ #19 New Ulm
Roll Cards Roll routed a winless Redwood Valley team in their only action of the week due a late week PPD game. As noted before Luverne is a mystery to rank at times due to not playing many ranked teams, but its a program that has proven to be strong over the last decade with three State Tournament appearances and they are the only remaining unbeaten in Class A to land here this week. Now they have by far their toughest stretch of the year as over the next two weeks they will take on a strong 1AA New Prague, have rematch with #19 New Ulm for the #1 seed in 3A and game vs #14 Little Falls looms the following week. We are gonna know way more about this team after the next two weeks.
11. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (7A) (9-7-0)
Past Week Results: W 3-1 Duluth Marshall, L 3-6 Coon Rapids
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs Grand Rapids, 1/19 @ Holy Angels
The Lumberjacks continued to play AA competition this week as they will do for the remainder of the year. They had decent results as they took down a good young and improved Duluth Marshall team to start the week but were not able to keep up scoring wise with the offense of AA Coon Rapids at the end of the week. Tough to really rank this team as they are currently have only player 5 Class A games and are (3-2-0) with wins over #4 EGF, #12 Proctor & #15 Hibbing but losses to #3 SCC and #5 Mahtomedi. More AA competition this week when they take on Grand Rapids and Holy Angels.
12. Proctor (7A) (12-5-0)
Past Week Results: W 4-1 #14 Little Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 1/18 vs Rock Ridge
The Rails stayed red hot this week in their only action as they were able to take down a very hot Little Falls team taking down the Flyers at home. The Rails have now won 7 of their last 8 games and are (7-2-0) with their star senior goalie in net. They do own head to head losses to #2 Hermantown, #11 CEC, #15 Hibbing & #21 Breck so this seems like a fair spot given their overall resume on the year. However, they do seems destined for the #4 seed in 7A but they can continue to build their really good year with a tough game vs 7AA Rock Ridge at home this week.
13. Alexandria (6A) (6-7-1)
Past Week Results: W 5-1 Fergus Falls, W 4-3 Holy Angels
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs Brainerd, 1/18 vs Sartell
The Cards had a great week which they started by dispatching one of their main 6A competitors with ease when they took down Fergus Falls. They then dug out of an 0-3 hole in the 3rd period and scored four unanswered late to beat AA Holy Angels for one of their more impressive victories of the year. While they may be below (.500) overall, like CEC & Mahtomedi, they play a mainly AA schedule and within Class A they are (5-3-0) with wins over #16 Northern Lakes and a split with #13 Little Falls taking the more important second meeting so this spot feels about right for Alexandria. This week more AA games when they take on CLC Brainerd and Sartell at home.
14. Little Falls (5A) (10-5-0)
Past Week Results: W 2-0 Duluth Denfeld, L 1-4 #12 Proctor
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 vs #16 Northern Lakes, 1/19 vs #17 Thief River Falls, 1/20 vs Crookston
The Flyers had a (.500) road trip on their northern swing to the Duluth area over the weekend. They were able to win a very nice low scoring game over AA Denfeld to start the trip but their lack of offense came back to haunt them as they saw their six game win streak snapped by Proctor to end the week. Now they have a very busy and important week when they host three good Class A teams in #16 Northern Lakes, #17 Thief River Falls and Crookston to try to solidify themselves in these rankings.
15. Hibbing/Chisholm (7A) (10-6-0)
Past Week Result: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ #2 Hermantown, 1/18 vs North Shore
Hibbing took the entire off the entire week so they should be very well prepared for their big matchup with #2 Hermantown this week. The young Bluejackets were tabbed as the team to knock off the Hawks with all their talent coming in however, as expected it’s been an up and down campaign as his young group learns to win. Now they have a great test to see where they are at vs the Section’s best team and they also have an important 7A game vs North Shore to end their upcoming week.
16. Northern Lakes (6A) (10-4-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-5 #3 St Cloud Cathedral, W 7-1 Greenway, L 1-2 Duluth Marshall
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ #14 Little Falls, 1/18 vs River Lakes
The Lightning had a tough (1-2-0) week as they were beaten by a good #3 St Cloud Cathedral team to start the week in a game where they fell behind early but battled back to play well. They did pick up a win over a struggling Greenway but they dropped their final game to AA Duluth Marshall. Overall, not terrible results but the Thief River Falls win doesnt look as big a week later and they fit well at #16 this week. Big week ahead with games with #14 Little Falls and a gritty River Lakes team.
17. Thief River Falls (8A) (7-6-1)
Past Week Results: L 3-4 OT Princeton
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ Kittson County Central, 1/19 @ #14 Little Falls, 1/20 @ Fergus Falls
The Prowlers are dropping fast in this ranking and now have to be in official panic mode as they dropped an ugly contest at home to Princeton in their only game of the week. In a game where they actually scored three goals, which is alot for them, they let the game slip away late giving up a goal in the last minute of regulation and then taking a penalty right before OT and giving up the game on the PK goal to lose it after that. Going to keep them here in the Top 20 for now due to the head to head win over #18 Detroit Lakes but the resume is getting uglier and they need a big week coming up to stay around here any further.
18. Detroit Lakes (8A) (9-6-0)
Past Week Results: L 1-5 #4 East Grand Forks, W 4-1 Princeton
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ Red Lake Falls,1/18 @ Bemidji, 1/20 vs Dodge County
The Lakers had a (.500) week again as they ran into a buzzsaw when they took on #4 East Grand Forks to begin the week and they were swept on the season series making them destined for the #4 seed in 8A. However, they did rebound and take care of business vs Princeton to end the week and they continue to win games they favored to win. They own the head to head win over #19 New Ulm but head to head loss to #17 TRF to stay here for now. Big games this week with Red Lakes Falls for 8A seeding and Dodge County for this Class A ranking are ahead as well as a rescheduled game with AA Bemidji.
19. New Ulm (3A) (12-3-0)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 1/19 vs #10 Luverne
The Eagles were idle this week due to the PPD game with Worthington which gives them a full two weeks of practice to prepare for their big rematch game with Luverne. If they are indeed able to beat the Cards this week it should lock up the #1 seed again for them this year in Section 3A. They have had a nice year so far and due to their head to head loss to #18 Detroit Lakes but head to head win over #20 Southwest Christian they stay solid at #19 again this week.
20. Southwest Christian/Richfield (4A) (9-4-0)
Past Week Results: W 5-2 Minneapolis, W 5-3 Hutchinson
Upcoming Schedule: 1/16 @ Litchfield Dassel Cokato, 1/18 vs #6 Orono, 1/20 @ Breck
The Stars had another very solid week as they just kept winning and are now an impressive (9-4-0) on the year. They picked up a good revenge win over Minneapolis this past week, a team who routed them to end their season in the 2A playoffs last year, and then wrapped up another good week with a road win over Hutchinson. Now they have big three game week with good test vs #6 Orono and Breck who sit right below them on tap.
Next Five Notable Teams-
• Breck (2A) (10-6-1)- The Mustangs had themselves a very nice week as they were able to just get by a dangerous Providence Academy to help their position in the fight for home ice in the Section 2A Playoffs. They followed that up with a more convincing win over a struggling SPA team for the season sweep. Now we will find out what Breck is all about this week three good games a rematch with Blake and Providence to start the week and they wrap up with #20 SWC to end it. Come next week we will have a much better idea on Breck and with good results they should be back in the Top 20.
• Dodge County (1A) (10-6-0)- The Wildcats suffered a massively disappointing upset loss on the road to Rochester Lourdes to begin the week and that really put their #2 seed in Section 1A in doubt now. To their credit they did rebound with a win over 1A Waseca but a 2-1 late goal victory is anything but inspiring. Dodge County will look to recapture their early 2024 momentum thai week with a game vs South St Paul before a very important trip up north to an improving Fergus Falls and #18 Detroit Lakes to finish the week.
• La Crescent-Hokah (1A) (13-1-0)- The Lancers had the week off due to two weather postponed games. Now this week they have a good opportunity to wrap up a good Section 1A resume if they can take care of Faibault in their last regular season section game. A win there could put them in a good position for the 2 seed with the recent struggles of Dodge County. They will then make up the postponed game with border rival Aquinas/Holmen (Wis.) to end the week.
• Minneapolis (2A) (5-10-0)- The 612 crew were finally able to end a very tough 8 game losing streak with a win over St Paul Highland Park at the end of this week. While the record over all is very ugly you need to consider that within Class A competition they are (5-3-0) and their three losses are to #6 Orono, #7 Delano in OT and #20 SWC. This is still a dangerous team that has shown when they play Class A teams they can contend. However, it’s back to AA games this week but it’s a winnable one vs Waconia.
• Winona (1A) (8-4-0)- The Winhawks have 6 of their last 7 games after a slow (2-3-0) start which was partly due to their star senior goalie missing the 3 losses due to being injured. Since he has returned in net Winona has caught fire of late and really can control their destiny to achieve a #3 seed in Section 1A. This week they have more winnable games to stay hot as they take on Onalaska (Wis.) and Faribault.
BHS Class A 2023-24 Section Break Downs Week #8 (1/14/24)
Section 1A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Northfield (10-1-2)
2- Dodge County (10-6-0)
3- La Crescent-Hokah (13-1-0)
4- Winona (8-4-0)
5- Albert Lea (6-8-1)
6- Rochester Lourdes (5-10-0)
7- Waseca (8-6-0)
8- Faribault (6-8-0)
9- Austin (3-12-0)
10- Red Wing (3-12-0)
Section 1A Outlook- Northfield picked up a nice AA win in their only game of the week outside the section. Rochester Lourdes picked up the upset of Section 1A so far in a win over Dodge County but the Wildcats did rebound to beat 1A Waseca. Winona got a head to head win over 1A Austin and Albert Lea picked up a 1A win over Red Wing. Faribault won all three of their games including 1A wins over the Packers and Wingers. La Crescent was idle this week.
Section 2A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Orono (10-5-0)
2- Delano (9-5-1)
3- Breck (10-6-1)
4- Minneapolis (5-10-0)
5- Providence Academy (5-11-0)
6- Mound Westonka (6-8-0)
7- Hutchinson (3-9-1)
8- Litchfield Dassel-Cokato (3-11-1)
Section 2A Outlook- Orono went (.500) outside of the section this week. Delano picked up a nice AA win breaking a 9 year losing streak. Breck got a big 2A head to head win over Providence Academy. Minneapolis finally broke their long losing streak with a win outside the section. Mound Westonka went (1-2-0) outside the section this week. Hutchinson & Litchfield Dassel-Cokato both went winless this week.
Section 3A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Luverne (13-0-0)
2- New Ulm (12-3-0)
3- Mankato East (7-6-1)
4- Mankato West (6-8-1)
5- Minnesota River (8-3-0)
6- Marshall (8-8-0)
7- Windom (3-12-0)
8- Fairmont (2-14-0)
9- Worthington (2-9-0)
10- Redwood Valley (0-14-0)
Section 3A Outlook- Luverne stayed unbeaten on the year and picked up an 3A sweep of winless Redwood Valley. Mankato West had a nice two win week which included a huge 3A win over Minnesota River. Mankato East lost their only game in non section action. Marshall picked up a 3A win over Fairmont to get back to (.500). Windom went winless on the week while Worthington picked up a 3A sweep of the Cardinals. New Ulm was idle this week.
Section 4A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Mahtomedi (7-8-0)
2- Southwest Christian (9-4-0)
3- Chisago Lakes (7-8-0)
4- South St Paul (6-8-0)
5- St Paul Highland Park (8-8-0)
6- St Paul Academy (3-10-0)
7- Simley (3-13-1)
8- Bloomington Kennedy (3-11-0)
Section 4A Outlook- Mahtomedi picked up two AA wins outside of the section. Southwest Christian picked up two wins outside the section as well. Chisago Lakes went (.500) outside the section. South St Paul beat St Paul Highland Park for the important 2nd head to head 4A meeting. Simley & St Paul Academy went winless on the week. Bloomington Kennedy was idle this week.
Section 5A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- St Cloud Cathedral (11-4-1)
2- Monticello (12-2-0)
3- Little Falls (10-5-0)
4- Princeton (7-7-1)
5- River Lakes (7-6-2)
6- Pine City (6-9-0)
7- Sauk Rapids (6-8-2)
8- Becker/Big Lake (7-5-0)
9- Mora/Milaca (9-8-0)
Section 5A Outlook- St. Cloud Cathedral went (1-1-0) in games vs ranked Class A teams outside the section. Monticello stayed hot and picked up a 5A win over Becker/Big Lake. Little Falls, River Lakes & Sauk Rapids all went (1-1-0) on the week outside the section. Princeton went (1-2-0) outside the section but did get a nice upset win in Class A. Pine City won their only game of the week outside the section and Mora/Milaca went winless outside the section this week.
Section 6A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Alexandria (6-7-1)
2- Northern Lakes (10-4-0)
3- Fergus Falls (5-9-0)
4- Morris Benson (6-7-0)
5- Willmar (3-9-1)
6- Prairie Centre (5-9-1)
7- Breckenridge/Wahpeton (3-10-0)
8- Wadena Deer Creek (3-9-0)
Section 6A Outlook- Alexandria had a very good week which included a 6A win over Fergus Falls. Northern Lakes had a tough (1-2-0) week outside the section. Morris Benson won their only game outside the section while Willmar lost their only game. Prairie Centre had a big week picking up 6A wins over both Breckenridge/Wahpeton & Wadena Deer Creek this week.
Section 7A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Hermantown (10-3-2)
2- Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (9-7-0)
3- Hibbing (10-6-0)
4- Proctor (12-5-0)
5- North Shore (7-5-2)
6- Greenway (2-11-2)
7- Ely (11-5-0)
8- International Falls (3-9-1)
9- Moose Lake (4-9-0)
Section 7A Outlook- Hermantown went (1-1-0) in two top five games outside the section. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton went (1-1-0) vs AA competition this week. Proctor won a big top 15 Class A Battle. North Shore won the all important second meeting with 7A Greenway. International Falls & Moose Lake both won games outside the section while Ely lost their game outside the section. Hibbing/Chisholm was idle this week.
Section 8A Rankings (1/14/24)
1- Warroad (14-3-0)
2- East Grand Forks (11-5-0)
3- Thief River Falls (7-6-1)
4- Detroit Lakes (9-6-0)
5- Park Rapids (7-3-3)
6- Crookston (7-6-0)
7- Red Lake Falls (10-3-0)
8- Lake of the Woods (8-5-0)
9- Bagley/Fosston (5-8-0)
10- Kittson County Central (2-14-0)
Section 8A Outlook- Warroad went (2-1-0) on the week but picked up the #1 ranking in Class A. East Grand Forks stayed very hot and took down Detroit Lakes during their recent win streak this week. Thief River Falls had a horrible loss outside the section. Red Lake Falls picked up a head to head 8A win over Kittson County Central. Crookston got an 8A head to head win over Bagley/Fosston. Lake of the Woods won both their games outside of the section while Park Rapids tied in their only non section game.