The Top 10 teams stayed fairly stable this week with not much change in the order. Lots of good Class A matchups await this week. Week #7 Rankings Below:
1. Monticello (11-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 2-1 #12 Minneapolis
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ Becker/Big Lake, 1/9 @ Cambridge-Isanti, 1/11 @ #7 St. Cloud Cathedral
The Moose stayed unbeaten and held on to the top spot this week with a come from behind on the road win to take down a good Minneapolis team. They may not be able to bury teams, but they just keep on doing their thing with waves of depth and excellent structure. The week ahead offers no reprieve, with a huge matchup upcoming vs defending State Champ Cathedral to wrap up the week.
2. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (12-1-0)
Past Week Results: W 6-1 Superior (Wis.), 1/4 @ #10 Mahtomedi
Upcoming Schedule: 1/9 vs Duluth Marshall, 1/11 vs Sartell
The Lumberjacks simply just win hockey games as this week they picked up another resume building Class A Top 10 win when they got a character win on the road over Mahtomedi. Winning road games is hard in high school hockey and to trail heading into the 3r period and find a win it’s enough to bump them back up a bit for now. Now this week they will venture into the AA for two winnable but dangerous games with Dutluth Marshall and Sartell on tap.
3. Hermantown (7-4-2)
Past Week Results: 0-1 OT Rock Ridge, W 4-0 Eden Prairie
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs #19 Proctor, 1/9 vs #7 St Cloud Cathedral, 1/11 @ #5 Warroad
The Hawks lost to Rock Ridge to start the week, but they rebounded nicely going into the metro and taking care of a very solid Eden Prairie crew. The narrative here is the same: it’s really hard to rank this team as they play a mainly AA schedule and really haven’t done anything to hurt their stock from a Class A perspective. Finally, this week the Hawks will play in Class A with good tests vs Proctor, SCC and Warroad to give us a better feel of how they fit into these rankings.
4. Hibbing/Chisholm (9-4-0)
Past Week Results: Idle
Upcoming Schedule: 1/9 vs #14 Northern Lakes, 1/10 vs Spring Lake Park/Coon Rapids, 1/11 vs Grand Rapids
Hibbing made a midseason schedule change and made a smart choice in dropping a second matchup with Greenway and in its place they added a very good Class A game with ranked Northern Lakes. There was more good news this week as while they took the week off they got their star sophomore defenseman back on the ice at practice. Reports say he could possibly be back playing as soon as this week for a tough 3 games in a row stretch that will test this young team.
5. Warroad (8-3-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-1 #13 Detroit Lakes
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs Roseau, 1/9 vs Crookston, 1/11 vs #3 Hermantown
The Warriors win streak hit four this week, as they pushed past Detroit Lakes to gain control of the #1 seed in Section 8A for now. Warroad’s only Class A blemish is the loss to Mahtomedi and the Warriors look better every time they hit the ice. Now this week brings an important homestand test with three games highlighted by the bookend matchups against Roseau and Hermantown to give us a better feel on this young and talented Warroad crew.
6. Northfield (9-2-1)
Past Week Results:W 5-1 Mankato West
Upcoming Schedule: 1/11 @ Owatonna
Northfield handled Mankato West this week in their only action, and while it is hard to move up against Big Nine Conference competition, they are further solidifying their positioning as a definite Top 10 team. That won’t change this week, though their game is not a total free pass, as they take on Owatonna who has proven in the past to play them competitively.
7. St Cloud Cathedral (7-4-2)
Past Week Results: W 4-2 #11 Orono
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs #16 Little Falls, 1/9 @ #3 Hermantown, 1/11 vs #1 Monticello
The Crusaders picked up a good road win in their only action of the week as they took down Orono on the road. Cathedral has the talent on this roster to make a run and defend their State Title and they will face a very tough week ahead. They have games with 5A rival Little Falls, a State Title rematch with Hermantown, and then the big showdown with the number one Moose to end the week for a gauntlet of stretch of games.
8. Delano (5-7-0)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 OT Holy Family
Upcoming Schedule: 1/8 vs Chanhassen, 1/11 @ Lakeville South
Delano’s losing streak hit five games this week, however with losses to #7 SCC, #4 Hibbing, #3 Hermantown, Rock Ridge and now Holy Family in overtime it’s really hard to drop them considering the teams around them are all playing around .500 hockey or just lack any quality wins. They own the head to head wins over EGF and Mahtomedi hold them here for now and it’s more AA action this week vs Chanhassen and Lakeville South and Tigers wont have an easy time snapping out of this skid.
9. East Grand Forks (6-6-1)
Past Week Results: W 3-2 #21 Thief River Falls, L 2-4 St Thomas Academy
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ #15 Detroit Lakes
The Greenwave beat Thief River Falls to start the week for an important Section 8A win but their heater was slowed down when St Thomas Academy came to town to end the week and just slowly pulled away, giving EGF their first loss in 5 games. They now set their focus on their biggest game of the season to date as they have a must win on the road vs Detroit Lakes to get the high seed as if they lose and get swept by the Lakers it would be a big blow to the recent signs of life they have had.
10. Mahtomedi (4-8-1)
Past Week Results: L 2-3 OT #2 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton
Upcoming Schedule: 1/8 vs Minnetonka
The Zephyrs showed again this week just how dangerous they are as they took CEC to overtime before losing in the extra session. Yes the record is ugly and looking at the schedule ahead it will only get more messy as they play numerous Top 15 AA teams coming up. They still own the head to head win over Orono and own the best win of this next tier knocking off Warroad and they also took both Hibbing & CEC to overtime to hold steady at this spot for now.
11. Orono (7-6-2)
Past Week Results: W 8-1 #24 Providence Academy, L 2-4 #7 St Cloud Cathedral
Upcoming Schedule: 1/9 vs New Prague
The Spartans just can’t get over that Top 10 hurdle yet this year as they had another .500 week which started with an impressive road rout of Providence Academy, however they were unable to carry that momentum into the weekend and they fell to the defending state champ Cathedral at home. The Spartans are a good team as they have been in every game with losses only coming to Top 15 Class A teams so far. They should get in the win column this week with struggling New Prague coming to town.
12. Minneapolis (8-3-3)
Past Week Results: 1-2 #1 Monticello, L 2-4 Armstrong/Cooper
Upcoming Schedule: Idle
The 612 crew had a very tough week as it looked like they were on the verge of that massive win for their resume is missing as they led #1 Monticello into the 3rd period. However, they gave up the game late and then followed that up by taking a road loss at Armstrong/Cooper and suddenly Minneapolis is facing their first losing streak of the year. Now they will regroup and take the next week off as they try to regain some of the momentum they had going into this week.
13. Waseca (10-0-1)
Past Week Results: W 15-1 Worthington
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ Red Wing, 1/9 vs Minnesota River, 1/11 @ Worthington
Waseca is winning the games they should win, and usually with authority as the Bluejays are scoring over 9 goals a game right now; they destroyed Worthignton this week in their only game putting up more big offensive numbers. They should only continue to cruise and win games this week looking at what the schedule offers with the Minnesota River game being the only one that may hold them under their ridiculous goals a game average right now.
14. Northern Lakes (6-3-0)
Past Week Results: W 5-0 Morris/Benson, W 4-3 Southwest Christian/Richfield
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs Superior, 1/9 @ #4 Hibbing/Chisholm, 1/11 vs Duluth Marshall
The Lightning had a solid showing this week by beating teams they should beat, albeit with some trouble against Southwest Christian/Richfiled but they still got two wins including a 6A win over Morris/Benson. They now have something that looks reminiscent to Hounds schedule with games with Superior and Duluth Marshall and the big test being the trip to Hibbing to give this team a chance at a big time Top 10 win.
15. Detroit Lakes (6-5-1)
Past Week Results: L 0-1 Fargo Davies, L 1-4 #5 Warroad
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs #9 East Grand Forks, 1/10 @ Sauk Rapids
The Lakers are sliding in the wrong direction right now as the losing streak hit four straight games this week. It wont get any easier this week looking ahead, with a huge rematch vs section rival EGF and the winner getting the nod come seeding time. Does this team belong in the conversation at the top of the rankings, as they were a few weeks ago, or are they further back in the pack when it comes to Class A as the lack of offense is an issue in the bigger games they play.
16. Little Falls (5-3-1)
Past Week Results: W 4-2 Southwest Christian/Richfield
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ #7 St Cloud Cathedral, 1/10 vs Duluth Denfeld, 1/11 vs #19 Proctor
The Flyers took care of business against Southwest Christian/Richfield this week getting another home win to stay steady here for now. The week ahead is a huge one, as they duel with the defending champs Cathedral for Section 5A seeding positioning and to try and make a rankings statement as well as a game against Proctor at the end of the week as they still search for consistency and putting three periods of hockey together.
17. Luverne (9-2-1)
Past Week Results: W 6-3 #23 Rochester Lourdes
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 vs Fairmont, 1/9 vs Albert Lea, 1/11 vs Mankato East
Roll Cards Roll got another solid win this week taking down a red hot Rochester Lourdes on the road to further solidify their spot around here in the rankings. They have a busy three-game week ahead at home that includes a major Section 3A seeding game with Mankato East coming to town to end the week.
18. River Lakes (8-2-2)
Past Week Results: W 7-5 #25 Fergus Falls, W 5-4 OT Breckenridge/Wahpeton
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ Willmar, 1/9 vs Sauk Rapids, 1/10 @ Princeton
The Stars continue to put together a decent season and while they are not doing anything shocking, beating teams they should beat and being competitive with the better ones out there, they are now on a four game streak. This week is a big one for them as far as Section 5A seeding goes as if they get the sweep of Sauk Rapids and a win over Princeton the 4 seed should all but be locked up for them.
19. Proctor (8-6-0)
Past Week Results: W 5-3 International Falls
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ #3 Hermantown, 1/11 @ #16 Little Falls
The Rails won a critical Section 7A seeding game over International Falls which should all but lock up the #4 seed and give Proctor home ice in what will most likely be a rematch of those two teams in the Quarterfinals. Now Proctor faces a very tough week as they hit the road and take on ranked Hermantown and Little Falls giving them a chance to gain that marquee win that they lack right now on the resume.
20. Chisago Lakes (6-4-1)
Past Week Results: L 5-8 Forest Lake, W 5-1 Dodge County
Upcoming Schedule: 1/7 @ Southwest Christian/Richfield, 1/9 @ Princeton, 1/11 vs St Paul Highland Park
The Wildcats continued their pattern of winning the games they should like when they finished the week by beating Dodge County but they have also yet to beat the better teams on their schedule as they fell to rival Forest Lake in their opportunity this week. Overall it’s just meh right now with this team doing nothing bad but nothing great either when looking at results. This week is a big one with Section 4A games vs Southwest Christian/Richfield and St Paul Highland Park for seeding purposes.
Next Five Notable Teams
Thief River Falls (4-7-0)- The Prowlers took another one goal section loss to the EGF this week. The losses are starting to mount here as while TRF has remained competitive they still have failed to beat many of the top teams outside of the upset over Northern Lakes. The schedule eases up some now, though it isn’t exactly easy, and this week includes a critical section game with Crookston that most likely will decide the 4 seed in 8A.
Alexandria (4-6-0)- Alexandria looks to be doing what it does best as they have been a great post Christmas team over the last three years and that could be the case again this winter. The Cards took down St Cloud Public this week and they have their first two game winning streak of the year. Important Section 6A game on the schedule this week with Fergus Falls followed by a rematch with Brainerd and chance to be suddenly .500 by the end of next week.
Rochester Lourdes (6-4-1)- The Eagles looked a bit rusty out of the gate this week when taking on a good ranked Luverne squad after taking the long Holiday layoff as they lost at home. They did turn around the next day though and get a Section 1A win over La Crescent on the road. They do still own the head to head win over Providence to stay in this slot for now and another important section game with Winona is on the docket this week.
Providence Academy (8-5-1)- The Lions started the week by getting hammered at home in their Section 2A game vs Orono but they did recover to win an important section game over Mound Westonka to end the week. Overall this is a good team that on a good night can beat the likes of Gentry and on off night can get throttled by a good Class A team like the Spartans. Big Section 2A game vs Breck this upcoming week.
Fergus Falls (8-4-0)- The Otters had an up and down week as they let one slip away on the road vs ranked River Lakes but they rebounded nicely taking care of Marshall to still be (8-2-0) in their last 10 games. Now they get a chance at their long time nemesis and 6A rivals with the first of two matchups with Alexandria on tap followed by a matchup with St Cloud Public this week as they look to move up the Section 6A standings and the overall Class A rankings.
Class A Section by Section Rankings Week #7
Section 1A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Northfield Raiders (9-2-1)
2- Waseca Bluejays (10-0-1)
3- Dodge County Wildcats (4-6-0)
4- Albert Lea Tigers (7-4-0)
5- Rochester Lourdes Eagles (6-4-1)
6- Winona Winhawks (6-3-0)
7- La Crescent-Hokah Lancers (3-7-0)
8- Austin Packers (5-4-0)
9 – Faribault Falcons (3-7-1)
10- Red Wing Wingers (0-11-2)
1A Summary –Northfield & Waseca won their only games outside the section. Albert Lea got Section 1A win over Faribault. Rochester Lourdes got a 1A win over La Crescent. Winona got a Section 1A win over Red Wing. Dodge County & Austin lost their only games of the week outside the section.
Section 2A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Delano Tigers (5-7-0)
2- Orono Spartans (7-6-2)
3- Minneapolis (8-3-3)
4- Providence Academy Lions (8-5-1)
5- Mound Westonka White Hawks (7-6-0)
6- Breck Mustangs (2-7-0)
7- Litchfield Dassel Cokato Dragons (5-6-0)
8- Hutchinson Tigers (3-8-0)
2A Summary- Delano lost their only game of the week outside the section. Orono got a Section 2A win over Providence Academy but the Lions rebounded for a Section 2A win over Mound Westonka to end the week. Breck, Hutchinson & Litchfield Dassel Cokato all went (.500) outside of the section. Minneapolis lost both of their games outside the section.
Section 3A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Luverne Cardinals (9-2-1)
2- Mankato West Scarlets (4-8-1)
3- Mankato East Cougars (5-8-0)
4- Minnesota River Bulldogs (4-6-0)
5- New Ulm Eagles (5-6-0)
6- Marshall Tigers (4-10-0)
7- Windom Eagles (3-9-1)
8- Worthington Trojans (3-9-0)
9- Redwood Valley Cardinals (2-9-0)
10- Fairmont Cardinals (0-8-0)
3A Summary- Luverne won their only game outside the section. Mankato West went (0-1-1) outside the section. Mankato East won their game outside the section. Windom & Redwood Valley both got 3A wins over Fairmont. New Ulm, Marshall & Worthington all suffered losses outside the section this week. Minnesota River was idle this week.
Section 4A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Mahtomedi Zephyrs (4-8-1)
2- Chisago Lakes Wildcats (6-4-1)
3- Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars (4-5-0)
4- St Paul Academy Spartans (3-6-0)
5- Simley Spartans (5-6-0)
6- South St Paul Packer (4-7-1)
7- St. Paul Highland Park Scots (4-7-0)
8- Bloomington Kennedy Eagles (1-9-0)
4A Summary- Mahtomedi lost their only game outside of the section. Chisago Lakes went (1-1-0) and Southwest Christian/Richfield went (0-2-0) outside the section. South St Paul, St Paul Highland Park & Simley were all able to register one win outside of the section. St Paul Academy & Bloomington Kennedy went winless on the week outside of the section.
Section 5A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Monticello Moose (11-0-1)
2- St Cloud Cathedral Crusaders (7-4-2)
3- Little Falls Flyers (5-3-1)
4- River Lakes Stars (8-2-2)
5- Pine City Dragons (7-4-1)
6. Princeton Tigers (4-8-0)
7- Becker/Big Lake Eagles (2-8-1)
8- Sauk Rapids Storm (5-5-1)
9- Mora/Milaca Mustangs (5-8-0)
5A Summary- Monticello, Little Falls, St Cloud Cathedral, River Lakes & Sauk Rapids all went unbeaten in games outside of the section this week. Pine City picked up a Section 5A win over Princeton. Becker/Big Lake & Mora/Milaca both lost in games outside of the section.
Section 6A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Northern Lakes Lightning (6-3-0)
2- Alexandria Cardinals (4-6-0)
3- Fergus Falls Otters (8-4-0)
4- Breckenridge/Wahpeton Blades (4-8-1)
5- Willmar Cardinals (5-8-0)
6- Prairie Centre North Stars (6-5-0)
7- Morris/Benson Storm (4-9-0)
8- Wadena Deer Creek Wolverines (3-5-0)
6A Summary- Northern Lakes got a Section 6A win over Morris/Benson this week. Alexandria won their only game outside the section and Fergus Falls & Wadena Deer Creek went (.500) outside the section. Breckenridge/Wahpeton & Willmar both went winless outside the section. Prairie Centre was idle this week.
Section 7A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Cloquet/Esko/Carlton Lumberjacks (12-1-0)
2- Hermantown Hawks (7-4-2)
3- Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets (9-4-0)
4- Proctor Rails (8-6-0)
5- International Falls Broncos (8-3-0)
6- Moose Lake Rebels (7-6-0)
7- North Shore Storm (4-10-0)
8- Ely Timberwolves (3-9-0)
9- Greenway Raiders (4-6-0)
7A Summary- Hermantown went (1-1-0) and Cloquet/Esko/Carlton went (2-0-0) outside the section this week. Proctor picked up a huge 7A win over International Falls to lock up the #4 seed. The Broncos did have Section 7A win over Ely earlier in the week. Moose Lake got the important second 7A win against Greenway. North Shore won their only game of the week outside the section and Hibbing/Chisholm was idle.
Section 8A Ranking (1/5/25)
1- Warroad Warriors (8-3-1)
2- Detroit Lakes Lakers (6-5-1)
3- East Grand Forks Greenwave (6-6-1)
4- Thief River Falls Prowlers (4-7-0)
5- Crookston Pirates (7-4-1)
6- Red Lake Falls Eagles (10-3-0)
7- Bagley/Fosston Eagles (6-6-0)
8- Kittson County Central Bearcats (5-5-1)
9- Park Rapids Panthers (4-7-0)
10- Lake of the Woods Bears (1-11-0)
8A Summary- Warroad got a big Section 8A win over Detroit Lake. East Grand Forks picked up a Section 8A win against Thief River Falls. Kittson County Central got the Section 8A win over Park Rapids. Bagley/Fosston won their only game outside the section. Red Lake Falls & Lake of the Woods both lost their only games outside of the section. Crookston was idle this week.
Be the first to comment on "Class A Guy Rankings: 1/5/2025"