One of the big themes of the first month and a half of MIAA Division 1 boys hockey was that some of the normal powers have been struggling.
With new faces in bigger roles, things often take time to come together. That was the case with St. John's Prep.
The Eagles responded with a big week. They look to be finding their groove at the right time.
Two new teams joined our top 10 this week.
Let's dive in.
1. Pope Francis (9-1-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Head coach: Brian Foley
Next game: at Malden Catholic, Jan. 16, 5 p.m.Â
The Cardinals continued to roll this past week, taking down Northwest Catholic High School from West Hartford, Conn., and disposing of Franklin, 6-2. Depth continued to be the name of the game for Pope Francis. As great as Foley's team has been this season, they're about to go through quite a gauntlet. Here are their next six games: Malden Catholic, Braintree, Reading, Archbishop Williams, St. Mary's Lynn and Hingham.
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2. Hingham (9-1-0)
Previous ranking: 3
Head coach: Tony Messina
Next game: vs. Framingham, Jan. 18, 4 p.m.Â
It was a dominant week for the Harbormen. It started with an 11-2 thumping of Lincoln-Sudbury, which was Messina's 250th career win. Messina's team went into Winchester and got a 5-3 win on Monday before taking down Central Catholic, 5-0, on Wednesday. Junior forward Cam McKenna has been dominant, as he tallied two goals against Lincoln-Sudbury and then one against each of Winchester and Central Catholic.
3. St. John's Prep (6-3-0)
Previous ranking: 6
Head coach: Kristian Hanson
Next game: at Xaverian, Jan. 19, 12 p.m.Â
The Eagles had a big week, taking down then-No. 7 St. John's Shrewsbury, 4-2, and then-No. 4 Catholic Memorial, 5-2. Senior AJ Farese was vital in the win over CM, making 38 saves. Junior forward Brandon Ward has been one of the biggest breakout stars in the MIAA, scoring two against St. John's Shrewsbury. Senior captain Mason Luciano scored in both games. That game against Xaverian on Sunday is will be big.
4. Reading (6-1-1)
Previous ranking: 5
Head coach: Mark Doherty
Next game: at Winchester, Jan. 18, 12 p.m.Â
Reading moved up one spot after a solid week. The Rockets, who were No. 2 in the MIAA's first power rankings, took down Belmont, 3-1, last Thursday. Just two days later, Belmont beat Arlington. Doherty's squad tied Arlington on Wednesday night, 2-2. It's clear that Reading and Arlington are neck-and-neck. This week, however, Reading got the edge.
5. Arlington (6-3-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Head coach: John Messuri
Next game: vs. Woburn, Jan. 18, 12:25 p.m.Â
The Spy Ponders had an up-and-down last seven days. It started with a 2-1 loss to Belmont and then a 2-2 tie against Reading. Star junior forward Nolan Russell is also out with an injury. Arlington is still a top-five team, but will have to overcome some midseason adversity to strengthen itself for March.
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6. Catholic Memorial (7-4-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Head coach: Larry Rooney
Next game: vs. BC High, Jan. 19, 1 p.m.Â
Catholic Memorial got a big, 6-2 win over Malden Catholic on Saturday before falling to St. John's Prep, 5-2, on Wednesday. Young talent continued to come through for the Knights as sophomore Christian Hinckle tallied two goals against Malden Catholic. Things won't get any easier, as Rooney's team faces BC High in the Catholic Conference Showcase on Sunday. Then, they take on Xaverian next Wednesday and then St. John's Shrewsbury.
7. St. John's Shrewsbury (7-3-0)
Previous ranking: 7
Head coach: Michael Mead
Next game: vs. Malden Catholic, Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m.Â
The Pioneers stayed put at No. 7. While they fell to then-No. 6 St. John's Prep, 4-2, they bounced back to take down then-No. 9 Xaverian, 4-2, on Wednesday night. So, No. 7 is the perfect spot for them. Junior forward Brady Chenevert tallied a big shorthanded goal in the win over Xaverian and senior goalie Paul Bonina turned aside 30 shots.
8. St. Mary's Lynn (8-3-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Head coach: Matthew Smith Sr.
Next game: at Milton, Jan. 18, 6 p.m.Â
St. Mary's Lynn jumped up two spots after taking down Bishop Fenwick, 4-2, and then Arlington Catholic, 2-0. Matthew Smith Jr. brought his best against Arlington Catholic, earning a 26-save shutout, while junior forward Stephen Nason scored twice against Bishop Fenwick. After facing Milton on Saturday, St. Mary's Lynn gets a big test with Hingham on Monday.
9. Marshfield (6-2-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Head coach: Dan Connolly
Next game: vs. Whitman-Hanson, Jan. 18, 7:40 p.m.Â
Marshfield is back in our top 10 after a strong stretch. The Rams blanked Hanover, 3-0, before edging out then-No. 8 Archbishop Williams, 3-2, in overtime. Monday's matchup with Archies was a thriller, as senior forward Brendan McLaughlin tied the game with just 19 seconds left in the third period. Then, less than a minute into overtime, junior defenseman Jonathan Sullivan scored the winner. Efforts like that will keep Marshfield in the top 10.
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10. Belmont (6-3-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Head coach: Tim Foley
Next game: at Burlington, Jan. 22, 5 p.m.Â
Despite losing to Reading, 3-1, last Thursday, Belmont bounced back with two huge wins. It started by beating then-No. 2 Arlington, 2-1. Foley's team followed it up with an 8-4 takedown of Woburn, which is one of the best teams in Division 2. Freshman forward Thomas Courtney's first career goal ended up being the winner against the Spy Ponders. Against Woburn, sophomore forward Liam Guilderson and junior forward Leo Packard exploded for a hat trick apiece.
DROPPED OUT:Â Archbishop Williams (6-5-0; 8); Xaverian (4-4-1; 9)
IN THE HUNT:Â Xaverian, Archbishop Williams, BC High, Winchester, Needham, Waltham
