The top three 7A teams held steady this week, but the Moose are charging in and after that, there was plenty of movement. Week #4 Rankings Below:
1. Hermantown (4-1-2)
Past Week Results: T 2-2 Duluth Marshall, W 5-2 Centennial, W 3-0 Maple Grove
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs Duluth Denfeld 12/20 @ Rosemount
It was a decent week for the Hawks, the good being they picked up a sweep of Section 5A teams when they beat Centennial and Maple Grove which shows the high ceiling of this group. The not so good was the alarming tie with Duluth Marshall to start the week which shows again this group is more vulnerable then previous Hermantown editions. This week two more AA games with Denfeld and Rosemount on tap.
2. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (6-0-0)
Past Week Results: W 4-3 OT #16 Proctor, W 4-0 Blaine
Upcoming Schedule: 12/19 vs #8 St Cloud Cathedral, 12/21 vs St Michael Albertville
The Lumberjacks pulled out a key section win against Proctor in overtime to start the week missing their leading scorer and they followed that up with a nice shutout over Blaine on the road to end the week. CEC has done nothing so far not to inspire confidence. This week a big test looms as they face the Defending Champs St Cloud Cathedral at home in what will be a good barometer game for them.
3. Hibbing/Chisholm (7-2-0)
Past Week Results: W 10-0 Greenway, W 4-2 #13 Little Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ #14 Orono, 12/21 @ Gentry Academy
Hibbing is plugging along against teams they should beat as this week they upper their current winning streak to five games now as they routed a struggling 7A Greenway crew and then needed a good third period to put away a pesky Little Falls team. This week they head to the Metro and take on Orono and Gentry Academy for two good tests for this talented young team.
4. Monticello (6-0-0)
Past Week Results: W 6-1#13 Little Falls, W 5-0 #7 Northfield, W 8-0 Litchfield Dassel Cokato
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs Princeton, 12/20 vs Northern Edge
The Moose are arguably one of the best Class A teams in the state right now; blowing by Little Falls before shutting out Northfielfd and Litchfield Dassel Cokato shows how good they are at their style, and how tough an out they will be come playoffs. Monticello is one of the clear winners of the early weeks of the season with the way they’re playing and now a soft spot of schedule comes which should allow them to keep clopping along.
5. Warroad (3-2-1)
Past Week Results: L 0-4 #10 Mahtomedi, W 5-1 #14 Orono
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 @ #23 Thief River Falls, 12/19 @ #9 East Grand Forks, 12/21 @ Moorhead
The Warriors had an up and down weekend when they hosted two good Metro Class A programs. They started the weekend with a rarity as they were shutout by Mahtomedi, a program who has given them fits over the recent years, but they did show some good character coming back the next day and soundly beating Orono. Now they have a critical week on the road as they take on 8A Powers TRF & EGF before wrapping up the weekend at 8AA power Moorhead.
6. Delano (4-2-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-5 Rosemount, W 6-1 Breck
Upcoming Schedule: 12/18 @ #10 Mahtomedi, 12/21 @ #8 St Cloud Cathedral
Delano beat the team they should have when they took down 2A Breck and also lost a competitive game to AA Rosemount, but those results don’t really change their standing here at this point in the season. This week though is a huge one for the Tigers, as the Section 2A favorites, they need to get two wins vs Mahtomedi and SCC if they want to avoid the potential 4 vs 5 State Tournament Quarterfinal game that has given them nightmares over the years come March.
7. Northfield (6-1-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-2 #14 Orono, L 0-5 #4 Monticello
Upcoming Schedule: 12/19 @ Mankato East, 12/21 vs Lakeville North
Northfield split its two games this week vs Top 15 Class A competition. That in itself isn’t horrible, as the win over Orono was huge on the road digging out of an 0-2 deficit, but getting shut out by the Moose to end the week, while not a terrible result, does puncture the aura around the Raiders a bit. One presumes they’ll get back to their winning ways vs Mankato East before an interesting battle with 1AA Lakeville North.
8. St Cloud Cathedral (2-2-2)
Past Week Results: W 5-3 #21 Alexandria, L 1-6 Rock Ridge
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs #20 River Lakes, 12/19 @ #2 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, 12/21 vs #6 Delano
The pieces are there for the Crusaders, but the results to date have not been, as this week they barely beat a struggling Alexandria crew before they ended the week getting routed by Rock Ridge on the road. They get a real chance to prove themselves this week though as they have three Top 20 matchups, a Section 5A clash with River Lakes followed by games with CEC and Delano who are currently ranked ahead of them it’s time for Cathedral to start proving themselves.
9. East Grand Forks (3-5-1)
Past Week Results: T 2-2 OT #14 Orono, W 3-1 #11 Mahtomedi
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs Bemidji, 12/19 vs #5 Warroad
The Greenwave are officially the most perplexing team of the season so far. As they began the year as Class A Preseason Favorites only to start the year a dreadful (2-5-0), though none of their losses were bad ones. The Orono tie and Mahtomedi win this weekend show their high-end potential, but the consistency is not there at the moment. We’ll see if they can settle in against Warroad this week as a win would go a long way and rebuild this team’s reputation in the Top 10.
10. Mahtomedi (3-5-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-0 Tartan, W 4-0 #5 Warroad, L 1-3 #9 East Grand Forks
Upcoming Schedule: 12/18 vs #6 Delano, 12/21 @ East Ridge
The Zephyrs showed this week some positive signs of life and served notice that they are still a contender in Class A overall. They got a win over Tartan before making a big statement up in Warroad by shutting out the Warriors. The good times though did last long as they were thoroughly outplayed by EGF the next day. Right now going to put them at #10 and they will either move up or down on their own accord as 3 of the next 4 games are vs Delano, Orono and CEC which will give us a much better feel of where this group is at in Class A.
11. Detroit Lakes (4-1-1)
Past Week Results: T 4-4 #24 Crookston
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs #21 Alexandria, 12/20 @ Willmar
Uffda! The Lakers let a two goal lead in the last 2 minutes of game slip away and tied Crookston in a critical 8A seeding game; while they’re very much still ok with 8A wins over EGF & TRF, they did not want that kind of result as it could hurt their hopes of top two seed by season’s end. This week they head back into CLC action as the games vs Alexandria feels very tricky for this group before a more relaxing one vs struggling Willmar.
12. Northern Lakes (4-2-0)
Past Week Results: L 5-6 OT #23 Thief River Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 12/19 vs Duluth Denfeld
The Lightning loss to Thief River Falls does raise some questions here, but in the game they dealt with having their starting goalie out with an illness and then their back up got hurt when they were up 3-1 to give them the benefit of the doubt in a weird night up north. Their opponent this week should be a get right game for them as they take on Duluth Denfeld in their only action of the week.
13. Little Falls (3-2-1)
Past Week Results: L 1-6 #4 Monticello, W 4-1 Rock Ridge, L 2-4 #3 Hibbing/Chisholm
Upcoming Schedule: 12/20 @ Hutchinson
The Flyers were all over the map this week which started with them getting outplayed and hammered at home by Monticello. They then went up North and showed positive growth as they won a good game at Rock Ridge and were tied heading to thor period with a very talented Hibbing team before losing. A theme of the mid part of the rankings is that term consistency and Little Falls is in search of it as well. This week just one game which should be a win vs winless Hutchinson.
14. Orono (4-4-1)
Past Week Results: L 2-4 #7 Northfield, T 2-2 OT #9 East Grand Forks, L 1-5 #5 Warroad
Upcoming Schedule: 12/18 @ #15 Minneapolis, 12/20 vs #3 Hibbing/Chisholm
The Spartans fell back to .500 this week as they went (0-2-1) vs three Top 10 teams. They blew a 2 goal lead vs both Northfield and EGF before taking a tough loss to Warroad, who just seems to have their number. They are now (0-4-1) vs the teams ranked ahead of them so far this year. Another challenging week ahead with a critical 2A seeding game vs red hot Minneapolis and then a visit from a very talented Hibbing team.
15. Minneapolis (6-1-1)
Past Week Results: W 6-1 St Paul Highland Park
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 @ Providence Academy, 12/18 vs #14 Orono, 12/21 @ Hopkins
The 612 crew continued to roll as they picked up their fifth straight win this week taking down St Paul Highland Park, which is enough to keep them in this part of the rankings as they just haven’t played many ranked teams yet. Now it’s a critical week for Minneapolis as they have two very important Section 2A games when they take on Providence Academy and Orono. A good performance there could really boost their stock in this ranking and their seed hopes come playoffs.
16. Proctor (5-4-0)
Past Week Results: L 3-4 OT #2 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, W 3-2 OT Rochester Lourdes, W 4-3 Rochester Mayo
Upcoming Schedule: 12/16 vs Greenway
The Rails lived on the edge this past week playing three one goal games, they split out overtime contents by losing to CEC which showed potential and then beat Lourdes, neither result hurts their standing here and then slipped past Mayo to end the week. This week should be more comfortable for Proctor as they just have Section 7A Greenway on the Slate which they should cruise in.
17. Waseca (5-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 9-0 Windom, W 7-2 Marshall
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs New Ulm, 12/21 vs La Crescent-Hokah
Waseca rolled against two lesser Big South Conference opponents this week, which was enough to lift to keep them in this part of the rankings where no one else is making any moves. This week they have a good test upcoming as the game vs New Ulm will be a challenge and chance for this group to claim a win over a program that has owned them over the past few decades.
18. Luverne (5-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 13-1 Worthington
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs Windom, 12/21 @ Dodge County
Roll Cards Roll hung double digits on 3A Worthington in their only action of the week, so they’re staying steady here. On paper it looks like it should be another two victories this week where they should cruise as they take on 3A Windom before a trip to struggling Dodge County. After that though the schedule picks up intensity and we will find out a lot more about this team.
19. Chisago Lakes (3-2-1)
Past Week Results: W 6-4 Pine City, L 2-8 Gentry Academy
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 vs Northern Edge, 12/19 @ Becker/Big Lake, 12/21 vs Hudson (Wis.)
The Wildcats continue to play right along with where many predicted as they beat Pine City, which isn’t a bad win, and had their doors blown off in the last two periods vs AA Gentry. We still don’t know much about this team’s ceiling (or floor) and this week won’t help much either as they should cruise to two easy wins before a good test vs a Wisconsin puck power to end the week.
20. River Lakes (4-1-2)
Past Week Results: T 2-2 St Cloud Public, T 2-2 Sartell, W 3-2 OT Morris/Benson
Upcoming Schedule: 12/17 @ #8 St Cloud Cathedral, 12/19 @ #21 Alexandria
The Stars had an interesting week and they showed they can play with the top end teams as the Tie with AA Sartell was a nice result. They also showed they can lose to anybody as they tied with St Cloud Public and then needed overtime to beat Morris/Benson to show they are going to be in tight games every night. Huge week with trips to St Cloud Cathedral and Alexandria up next to see if this is a team really worthy of the Top 20.
Next Five Notable Teams
Alexandria (2-5-0)- Alexandria showed by giving St Cloud Cathedral a scare on the road to start the week that they are still a team to fear in Class A. The tightrope win over Princeton was less impressive but it was needed nonetheless. Now they have two big games vs Detroit Lakes and River Lakes this week wins there could catapult them back into the Top 20 quickly.
Sauk Rapids (3-1-1)- The Storm The Storm is off to a good but unheralded start to their season so far. They are currently (3-1-1) with a tie to Little Falls and wins over Thief River Falls & Fergus Falls. They have an important 5A seeding game vs Pine City this week as they look to continue to move up that deep section ladder.
Thief River Falls (2-4-0)- The Prowlers showed this week with their big upset win over Northern Lakes they still will be a thorne in many teams. While they did benefit from the Lightning needing to play their 3rd string goalie, a win is a win. Now it’s a huge week for Section 8A seeding as they take on Warroad and Crookston.
Crookston (5-2-1)- The Pirates had an inconsistent week; they barely beat Bagely/Fosston to start the week. Then they got a huge tie vs Detroit Lakes but the loss to Fergus Falls to end the week is a head scratcher. This week the game vs Thief River Falls is a big one as they winner should have the inside track on the #4 seed and home ice for the 8A Playoff Game.
Southwest Christian/Richfield (3-2-0)- The Stars make a reappearance here as they put together a nice week as they took down Simley and Mound Westonka this week and are starting to figure it out in their own end more after a shaky start to the season. Big test this week with a game vs Providence Academy the team that is next up to move into these rankings.
Class A Section by Section Rankings Week #4
Section 1A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Northfield Raiders (6-1-1)
2- Waseca Bluejays (5-0-1)
3- Albert Lea Tigers (2-2-0)
4- Rochester Lourdes Eagles (4-3-1)
5- Winona Winhawks (4-3-0)
6- Dodge County Wildcats (1-3-0)
7- La Crescent-Hokah Lancers (3-2-0)
8- Austin Packers (4-3-0)
9 – Faribault Falcons (1-6-0)
10- Red Wing Wingers (0-6-2)
1A Summary –Northfield went .500 in Top 15 matchups outside the section. Waseca went (2-0-0 ) and Albert Lea & Winona picked up wins outside the section. La Crescent got Section 1A win over Red Wing and Dodge County got a Section 1A win over Faribault. Rochester Lourdes went (1-1-1) on the week outside the section and Austin went (1-1-0) outside the section.
Section 2A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Delano Tigers (4-2-0)
2- Orono Spartans (4-4-1)
3- Minneapolis (6-1-1)
4- Providence Academy Lions (4-3-0)
5- Mound Westonka White Hawks (4-4-0)
6- Breck Mustangs (0-5-0)
7- Litchfield Dassel Cokato Dragons (2-3-0)
8- Hutchinson Tigers (0-6-0)
2A Summary- Delano got a Section 2A win over Breck. Orono went (0-2-1) outside the section vs Top 15 Class A Teams. Minneapolis stayed hot picking up their 5th straight win. Providence Academy had a big week getting Section 2A wins over both Litchfield Dassel Cokato & Hutchinson. Mound Westonka had a rough week going (0-3-0) outside of the section.
Section 3A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Luverne Cardinals (5-0-1)
2- Mankato West Scarlets (3-3-0)
3- Mankato East Cougars (4-3-0)
4- Minnesota River Bulldogs (3-3-0)
5- New Ulm Eagles (4-2-0)
6- Marshall Tigers (3-5-0)
7- Worthington Trojans (1-4-0)
8- Windom Eagles (0-6-0)
9- Fairmont Cardinals (0-4-0)
10- Redwood Valley Cardinals (0-6-0)
3A Summary- Luverne picked up Section 3A win over Worthington. Mankato West went (0-2-0) vs non section AA teams and Mankato East went (2-0-0) vs non section teams. Minnesota River went .500 outside of the section. New Ulm got Section 3A win over Fairmont and Marshall got a Section 3A win over Windom. Redwood Valley remains winless on the year.
Section 4A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Mahtomedi Zephyrs (3-5-1)
2- Chisago Lakes Wildcats (3-2-1)
3- Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars (3-2-0)
4- St Paul Academy Spartans (3-4-0)
5- Simley Spartans (3-5-0)
6- St. Paul Highland Park Scots (3-3-0)
7- South St Paul Packer (2-3-1)
8- Bloomington Kennedy Eagles (0-5-0)
4A Summary- Mahtomedi went (2-1-0) and Chisago Lakes went (1-1-0) outside of the section this week. Southwest Christian Richfield got a 4A win over Simley. St Paul Academy got a big 4A win over South St Paul. St Paul Highland Park went winless outside of the section and Bloomington Kennedy was idle.
Section 5A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Monticello Moose (6-0-0)
2- St Cloud Cathedral Crusaders (2-2-2)
3- Little Falls Flyers (3-2-1)
4- River Lakes Stars (4-1-2)
5- Sauk Rapids Storm (3-1-1)
6- Pine City Dragons (4-2-0)
7. Princeton Tigers (3-5-0)
8- Mora/Milaca Mustangs (3-4-0)
9- Becker/Big Lake Eagles (0-3-1)
5A Summary- Monticello got a big early 5A win over Little Falls. St Cloud Cathedral went (1-1-0) outside of the Section. Princeton got a 5A win over Becker/Big Lake. Sauk Rapids, River Lakes and Mora/Milaca all went unbeaten outside of the section. Pine City lost their only non section game this week.
Section 6A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Northern Lakes Lightning (4-2-0)
2- Alexandria Cardinals (2-5-0)
3- Fergus Falls Otters (4-3-0)
4- Morris/Benson Storm (2-5-0)
5- Breckenridge/Wahpeton Blades (3-3-1)
6- Willmar Cardinals (2-4-0)
7- Prairie Centre North Stars (2-5-0)
8- Wadena Deer Creek Wolverines (2-3-0)
6A Summary- Northern Lakes lost their only game of the week outside the section. Alexandria & Fergus Falls went .500 outside the section. Morris/Benson got a 6A win over Wadena Deer Creek. Both Breckenridge/Wahpeton & Willmar picked up 6A wins over Prairie Centre.
Section 7A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Hermantown Hawks (4-1-2)
2- Cloquet/Esko/Carlton Lumberjacks (6-0-0)
3- Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets (7-2-0)
4- Proctor Rails (5-4-0)
5- International Falls Broncos (3-0-0)
6- Greenway Raiders (3-3-0)
7- North Shore Storm (2-6-0)
8- Moose Lake Rebels (4-3-0)
9- Ely Timberwolves (1-4-0)
7A Summary- Hermantown went (2-0-1) outside of the section. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton picked up a 7A win over Proctor this week. Hibbing got a 7A win over Greenway this week. International Falls got a Section 7A win over Moose Lake. North Shore & Ely both got wins outside the section this week.
Section 8A Ranking (12/15/24)
1- Warroad Warriors (3-2-1)
2- Detroit Lakes Lakers (4-1-1)
3- East Grand Forks Greenwave (3-5-1)
4- Crookston Pirates (5-2-1)
5- Thief River Falls Prowlers (2-4-0)
6- Red Lake Falls Eagles (6-1-0)
7- Bagley/Fosston Eagles (3-3-0)
8- Park Rapids Panthers (3-4-0)
9- Kittson County Central Bearcats (2-3-0)
10- Lake of the Woods Bears (1-6-0)
8A Summary-Warroad & East Grand Forks went (1-1-0) outside of the section. Crookston tied Detroit Lakes and beat Bagley/Fosston in Section 8A action. Thief River Falls got a Top 10 upset win outside the section. Red Lake Falls got a Section 8A win over Kittson County Central but the Bearcats rebounded with an 8A win over Lakes of the Woods. Park Rapids went .500 outside the section thi week.
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