SBLive's Minnesota boys hockey Power 25 rankings heading into week 3

SBLive's Minnesota high school football 2022 all-state teams

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SBLive's Minnesota high school basketball Power 25 rankings after week 1

1. Minnetonka (4-0)

A perennially strong program, the Skippers plan to capitalize on their talented roster on the way to possible securing a state championship. They secured a decisive 4-1 victory over defending state champion Andover, and they will look to keep building off the momentum.

2. Wayzata (3-0)

Wayzata has seen a slew of success in all of their prep sports, with hockey being no exception. With a 3-0 start to the year, the Trojans look to reach the state tournament with a complete team around them.

3. Maple Grove (2-2)

While the Crimson may only be 2-2 on the year so far, their talent can’t be questioned. The group walloped Anoka on December 1 by a final score of 15-0. After trending upward for the last three years, the Crimson will look to finally cash in on a state title.

4. Rogers (3-0)

The Royals season was thwarted last year when they lost 4-2 against Maple Grove in the district championship. Considering both of these teams are just as good this year, many anticipate they will face off again in this year’s district final. With a 3-0 start with a win against Lakeville South, Rogers road to state may be difficult, but its returning seniors are likely excited for a potential grudge match against the Crimson.

5. Andover (3-1)

While the defending state champions may have struggled against Minnetonka in a 4-1 loss, this team is returning its top line that brought them to St. Paul last year. The Huskies can definitely replicate their state-bound success if they play to their potential.

6. Lakeville South (1-1)

After losing to Hill-Murray in the state quarterfinals last year, the 1-1 Cougars are back with a vengeance, winning their first game 5-2 against a good Chaska team. Returning plenty of starters from last year, the Panthers will be a team to watch.

7. Hermantown (2-0)

The first Class 1A team on this list, Hermantown defeated Cretin-Derham Hall with a 6-3 victory over their Class 2A opponent. They’ve also topped Hill-Murray recently in a 3-1 victory. Coming off a 19-2 record last year with a Class 1A state championship to match, expect a big season from the Hawks.

8. Hill-Murray (1-1)

After winning the third place game in state last year, Hill-Murray has a completely different team. After losing eight seniors, many have the Pioneers written off. However, considering the successful program under head coach Bill Lechner, it would be a mistake to underestimate them. Mix this with senior Brady Ingebritson, who is coming off a 31 point season, and the Pioneers have the pieces necessary for a playoff push.

9. Edina (1-3)

Even though Edina and the word hockey are practically synonymous at this point, the Hornets have struggled so far this year with a 1-3 record. However, their lone win was against Benilde-St. Margaret's, who is one of the top teams in the state. Until the Hornets find their groove, it would be unfair to rank them any higher.

10. Benilde-St. Margaret's (0-1)

An unbelievable sophomore class places the Red Knights in the top 10, but the rest of their season will depend on how far this class takes them. They may have dropped their opener against Edina 2-3, but there is a lot of hockey left to be played.

11. Moorhead (2-3)

With a 2-3 record so far, the Spuds have been struggling to replicate their success last year, where they made it to the state championship. However, their losses have been to Wayzata, Edina, and Andover, three teams in the top 10 of this list. Expect the Spuds to jump a few spots as their season continues.

12. St. Thomas Academy (3-0)

As the weekend games come to a halt, St. Thomas Academy remains one of the few undefeated teams left at 3-0. However, they have played Cretin-Derham Hall, Duluth East and Eastview so far, three teams outside of the top 10. As its schedule gets more difficult, St. Thomas Academy will have a chance to prove its legitimacy.

13. Cretin-Derham Hall (1-2)

Despite having a rocky start to the year, the Raiders defeated a very good Eden Prairie team, showing they can contend with the top teams in 2A.

14. Eden Prairie (0-2)

The Eagles are 0-2 to start the season, but wins and losses don’t always tell the whole story. They took both Hill-Murray and Cretin-Derham Hall to the wire, losing both games by a score of 1-2. Look for the Eagles to improve as their schedule lightens up.

15. Chaska (1-2)

After dropping its first two games to both Lakeville North and South, Chaska continues the journey for its first state tournament appearance ever. With an up-and-coming roster and a goalie with plenty of experience winning in the net, the Hawks will need to iron out their opening season blues to see this dream come to fruition.

16. Stillwater (2-1)

The Ponies have always been a hockey school, and after beating top seeded Maple Grove 4-3, they showed the state their potential to be a threat come March.

17. White Bear Lake (3-0)

The Bears are 3-0 to start the year, winning by a combined score of 18-8. While their competition so far hasn’t been seeded, they will face their first real test against Stillwater on December 6.

18. Warroad (3-0)

The second Class 1A team on this list, Warroad is as intimidating as its town’s name. Through three games, the Warriors have averaged six goals per contest. After losing a heartbreaker in the Class 1A state title game last year to Hermantown, the Warriors will have to wait until January 14 for its grudge match against the Hawks.

19. Eastview (2-1)

The Lightning have had an electric start to the year, scoring convincing wins against both Blaine and Centennial. However, they were shutout against St. Thomas Academy, and until they prove they can hang with the top dogs, the Lightning will remain a very respectable 19th.

20. Mahtomedi (3-1)

The Zephyrs are the third, but not final, Class 1A team on this list. With a 3-1 record and a lone loss to Warroad on its resume, Mahtomedi is proving to be a potential postseason problem if it can keep up its early season success.

21. Centennial (2-2)

The Cougars have had their ups and downs this season. On the bright side, they beat a very good Stillwater team by three goals. On the less than bright side, they have allowed almost five goals per game and have lost contests to Eastview and White Bear Lake. The 2-2 Cougars will need to address their lackluster defense if they want to climb these rankings.

22. Champlin Park

Usually, a 3-1 record with a healthy dosage of both offense and defense would earn a team a higher spot than 22. However, by no fault of their own, the Rebels have played an easier schedule then many of the teams above them. Their first true test will come December 15th against the defending state champion Andover.

23. Waconia (4-0)

The only 4-0 team on this list, Waconia has proven to be the comeback team of the year, almost matching its win total from a dismal 5-20-1 just one year ago. Time will tell if the Wildcats will stay on this list, but for now, they have earned it.

24. Chanhassen (2-1)

Chanhassen has had an interesting season so far. Despite losing 3-6 against Andover, they have dominated since, winning their next two games by a combined score of 16-1. The Storm will play Chaska on December 6th with big implications for rankings.

25. Gentry Academy (2-1)

Gentry may have lost to Notre Dame (WI) by a final score of 7-4, but make no mistake, the 2-1 program will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves against top dogs in both Class 1A and Class 2A.