SBLive's Minnesota boys hockey Power 25 (Feb. 21)

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Minnesota girls hockey: Meet the top players in the 2023 state tournament

Orono girls hockey defeats Holy Angels to reach state tournament

1. Warroad (24-0-1)

Last Week: 1

It took all season, but a team went toe-to-toe with Warroad and came out unscathed, although it did not come out victorious. Sartell-St. Stephen was the first team to force the Warriors to a stalemate in a 1-1 tie, but considering this is the lone “blemish” on Warroad’s resume, it will remain the top team for this week.

2. Minnetonka (23-2)

Last Week: 2

The Skippers extended their winning streak to a whopping 14 games after wins over Eden Prairie and St. Michael-Albertville. It is safe to say Minnetonka is looking ready for the postseason, and the Skippers are set to host Chaska.

3. Chanhassen (22-3-1)

Last Week: 3

The Lightning struck two more times before the regular season’s end, scoring shutouts victories over both Benilde-St. Margaret's and Delano to end their season. They will open up the postseason with a matchup against a three-win Bloomington Jefferson team in what should be a tune-up game for the Lightning.

4. Maple Grove (19-5-1)

Last Week: 5

The Crimson continued to climb the rankings, finishing out the regular season as the No. 4 team in the state. They will have a date against Osseo at home to kick off the Class 2A, Section 5 quarterfinals.

5. Andover (18-6-1)

Last Week: 7

The Huskies finished their season in style, blanking Centennial 7-0 en route to a top five finish in this year’s regular season standings. Aside from its one loss to Maple Grove, Andover has been red hot since mid December, and will look to continue its dominance in its first playoff game at home against Duluth Marshall.

6. White Bear Lake (19-5)

Last Week: 8

Jumping two spots in the rankings are the Bears, whose final week of the regular season included wins over Cretin-Derham Hall, Rosemount and Blaine. White Bear ends its regular season with one of the best records in the state and will face lower seeded Tartan for one of the quarterfinal matchups of Section 4.

7. Wayzata (17-6-2)

Last Week: 11

In a shocking turn of events, the Trojans upended Edina this last week, securing a 7-0 shutout victory on senior night. Wayzata’s senior goalie Will Ingemann had 25 saves and his sixth shutout of the year in the winning effort.

8. Edina (17-6-1)

Last Week: 4

Edina suffered their first loss of the new year this last week, and it was a bad one. The Hornets were shut out 0-7 against conference opponent Wayzata, a sour note to end what has otherwise been a very impressive season. They will begin their postseason play with a matchup against Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper.

9. Rogers (16-6-3)

Last Week: 6

After faltering against Stillwater, the Royals rebounded nicely, finishing their season with a 3-1 victory over Wayzata to end their regular season. So far, the Royals playoff opponent is unknown, but they look ready to play anyone, and will enjoy a first round bye as the fruits of their labor.

10. Hermantown (22-2-1)

Last Week: 9

The Hawks only had one game this last week to close out their regular season, and they dispatched Grand Rapids in a 4-1 victory, cementing themselves as a top 10 school in the state. Thanks to their incredible record and consistent play, they will have home ice advantage for their sectional quarterfinal matchup against North Shore.

11. St. Thomas Academy (18-7)

Last Week: 10

The Cadets split their final two regular season games, cruising to a 5-0 victory against Two Rivers, but they then fell 4-3 against a very good Maple Grove team. However, they still took home the Metro East Conference championship and will head into the postseason knowing they can skate with the top teams in the state.

12. Lakeville South (18-6-1)

Last Week: 12

The Panthers have won 12 of their last 14 games, and are showing no signs of slowing up just yet. Senior duo Aidan Willis and Tate Pritchard have accounted for nearly 100 points on their own and will need to continue dishing the puck around as the playoffs heat up. For now though, the Panthers drew a seemingly easy first round matchup against a three win Farmington program, who they beat 9-1 earlier this year.

13. Holy Family (20-5)

Last Week: 18

In just two short weeks, Holy Family has emerged from an unranked team to encroaching on the top 10 of this list. The Fire still active 12 game winning streak has featured close wins, dominating wins, and most importantly, ranked wins. At this point, it’s clear to see Holy Family can play hockey with anyone, and will be an interesting team to watch in the playoffs.

14. Benilde-St. Margaret's (17-8)

Last Week: 13

If anything, the Red Knights know how to end with a bang. In spite of an up and down final stretch of the season, they scored 13 goals in a convincing win against New Prague. This confidence booster should come in handy for them as the playoffs loom ahead.

15. Champlin Park (16-9)

Last Week: 15

There is an interesting opportunity present for the Rebels. The same team they beat 12-2 in their season finale, Mounds View, will also be their first round opponent in the playoffs. Champlin Park may be licking its chops at the thought of another 12 goal outing, but this also has the ingredients for a potential trap game if the Rebels underestimate their opponent.

16. Cretin-Derham Hall (15-9-1)

The Raiders went from one of the top teams in the state to an unprecedented fall from grace. To close out the year, they lost five of their last seven, although many of these defeats were admittedly close games. They will have a home game against Apple Valley/Burnsville for the first round of playoffs.

17. Gentry Academy (17-8)

Last Week: 16

Gentry Academy has overcome any doubts of their legitimacy, netting a few ranked victories and a five game winning streak to end its regular season. For its first round matchup, it will host similarly ranked Roseville.

18. Park of Cottage Grove (16-8-1)

Last Week: 19

Simply put, Park had a tumultuous end to its season. It dropped a game against Holy Family, allowing eight goals, then tied Forest Lake in a game that should have been a tune up before playoffs. It travels to Eastview for round one, and it will need to turn things around if it wants to stave off elimination.

19. Sartell-St. Stephen (16-6-3)

Last Week: N/A

As aforementioned in these rankings, the Sabers went head-to-head with the Warriors and came out with a 1-1 tie, a feat that no other program has pulled off this season. This, combined with its impressive record, earns them a spot in the Power 25 for this week.

20. New Ulm (21-3-1)

Last Week: 24

After an uncharacteristic loss, New Ulm recovered nicely, winning its final two regular season games to finish out yet another spectacular season. It will host Fairmont in the Class 3A, Section 3 quarterfinals on Thursday.

21. Stillwater: (14-8-3)

Last Week: 20

The Ponies were upended by Holy Family, losing 7-1 in a game that should have probably been closer. Ending a regular season on that note is never a good sign, and time will tell how they fare against Woodbury in their first playoff game.

22. Buffalo (13-10-1)

Last Week: 22

In spite of all the upsets and sensational games Buffalo has strung together, it ended its season with a 4-1 loss at the hands of Eden Prairie. However, it will still open up the playoffs at home against Elk River/Zimmerman.

23. Roseville (15-9-1)

Last Week: 25

In their season finale, the Silver Foxes blanked East Ridge 2-0 to finish out a wonderful comeback season for the program. Although they ended on a strong note, they will still have to travel to Gentry Academy in what will be a tough away game with a trip to the Class 2A, Section 4 semifinals on the line.

24. Shakopee (15-10)

Last Week: 21

The Sabers fell on hard times to end their season. They were upset by Mounds View, then promptly beat in overtime by Eastview in their season finale. Fortunately for them, they will still get home ice advantage against Prior Lake.

25. Orono (20-5)

Last Week: 17

Orono ended its season with two victories, outsourcing its opponents 15-1 during this stretch. However, it also recently lost against two ranked teams in Benilde-St. Margaret's and Chanhassen. All in all, Orono’s playoff hopes will hinge on its ability to show up in games against highly skilled opponents.