The top five teams in our boys prep hockey rankings continued to solidify over the past seven days.
The bottom five teams, however, did not. That's expected.
There are a plethora of teams with legitimate cases for spots 6-10. In my estimation, 13 teams have played well enough to warrant consideration for a ranking.
As the bottom five teams continue to reshuffle like a deck of cards, let's dive into this week's rankings.
1. Kimball Union (16-2-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Head coach: Tim Whitehead
Next game: vs. Deerfield, Jan. 17, 5 p.m.Â
It was another big week of wins for Kimball Union in the Lakes Region. Whitehead's team took down Vermont Academy (7-0), Tilton (14-6) and St. Paul's (7-3). The Wildcats got scoring from everywhere in the three wins, highlighted by Malcolm Barr posting four goals and eight points. Jack Sadowski's crazy scoring pace continued, as the Arlington, Mass., native has 40 points in 18 games, which is good for best in the region. Teammate Sam LeDrew ranks second with 38 points.
2. Brunswick (15-1-2)
Previous ranking: 2
Head coach: Mike Kennedy
Next game: vs. Hoosac, Jan. 20, 4 p.m.Â
Speaking of teams that can score, Brunswick filled the net against Millbrook (8-2) and then in two wins over The Hill School, taking the first matchup, 8-2, and the second, 5-3. Senior forward Brendan Giles (Ridgefield, Conn.) posted a whopping five goals and 10 points over the three wins, including a four-goal game against Millbrook. Sean Gibbons (Fairfield, Conn.) also notched 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists). Those two have been vital for Kennedy's team.
3. Avon Old Farms (11-0-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Head coach: John Gardner
Next game: at Northfield Mount Hermon, Jan. 17, 4:30 p.m.Â
The Winged Beavers got some much-needed revenge this past week, taking down Kent, 3-1. The Lions had previously taken down Avon Old Farms in the Avon Christmas Classic championship. Postgrad Alex Pelletier (West Hartford, Conn.) came up big, scoring two goals and assisting on Michael Munroe's (Hanover, Mass.) empty-netter. That came after Pelletier scored two and added a helper in a 6-1 win over Hotchkiss. In the win over Kent, sophomore goalie Anthony Palmer (Lynnfield, Mass.) brought his best, making 30 saves.
4. Cushing (13-2-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Head coach: Paul Pearl
Next game: vs. Thayer, Jan. 17, 4:30 p.m.Â
The Penguins got two wins over big-time opponents this week, taking down Salisbury, 3-1, and Deerfield, 7-2. Senior goalie Marko Bilic continues to be one of the best goalies in prep, making 34 stops against Salisbury and then 22 against Deerfield. Junior forward Max Dineen (Brentwood, N.H.) brought it against Deerfield, scoring two goals and adding an assist.
5. Holderness (12-1-0)
Previous ranking: 5
Head coach: Alan Thompson
Next game: at North Yarmouth Academy, Jan. 17, 4:45 p.m.Â
After winning its first 12 games, Holderness finally fell, losing to New Hampton, 6-3, on Monday. That doesn't mean the Bulls aren't still a top-five team. Prior to the loss, Thompson's team had a great week, taking down St. Paul's, 7-3, and outscoring Proctor, 13-3, in a home-and-home. Postgrad Pavit Mehra (Hopkinton, Mass.) and senior Aaron VanWie continue to score at absurd rates. Both are almost averaging over 2.5 points per game and lead the region in that category.
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6. Kent (9-4-1)
Previous ranking: 8
Head coach: Dale Reinhardt
Next game: at Hotchkiss, Jan. 17, 4:30 p.m.Â
This is where things get interesting. Kent beat Trinity-Pawling, 8-5, but then fell to Avon Old Farms, 3-1. So, why did Kent improve two spots after going 1-1 on the week? Since there was so much up-and-down play from this group of teams, as well as teams in the hunt, I went with where I think Kent ranks among these teams. And I think the Lions are the sixth-best team in prep.
7. Loomis Chaffee (9-3-0)
Previous ranking: 6
Head coach: John Zavisza
Next game: vs. Taft, Jan. 17, 4:30 p.m.Â
Loomis only falls down one spot after losing to Deerfield, 4-2, and taking down Hotchkiss, 7-1. While a lot of the production has come from seniors and sophomore Indiana Grossbard, another sophomore got in on the action this week: Will Watson. The '07 potted one goal and added an assist against Deerfield and added two more assists against Hotchkiss. He's tied with seniors Ben Carfora (West Haven, Conn.), Eli Velepec and Easton Swift (West Hartford, Conn.) for fourth on the team in points with 12.
8. St. George's (10-2-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Head coach: Allie Skelley
Next game: at BB&N, Jan. 17, 5 p.m.Â
St. George's had a surprising, 3-1, loss to Brooks on Wednesday, which is why it falls to No. 8. The Dragons rebounded with a 3-0 win over Groton on Saturday. Even in the loss, Maine commit Ryder Shea (Framingham, Mass.) still made 35 saves, followed by a 22-save shutout against Groton. Yale commit Ryan Staples (Middleton, R.I.) continues to produce, posting one goal and two assists over the last week, as he leads the team in assists (14) and points (20).
9. Salisbury (9-4-0)
Previous ranking: 9
Head coach: Andrew Will
Next game: vs. Trinity-Pawling, Jan. 19, 5 p.m.Â
Salisbury lost to Cushing, 3-1, on Wednesday in a goaltending duel. Senior Cooper Flemming made 26 saves on 28 shots, narrowly falling to the Penguins. The Crimson Knights' scoring arrived for a 5-4 win over Westminster with senior forward Seamus Latta posting a hat trick, bringing him to a tie with senior defenseman Anthony Biakabutuka for the team lead in points (13). The Crimson Knights continued their strong play with a 5-1 win over Choate on Monday.
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10. Phillips Andover (10-3-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Head coach: Paul Tortorella
Next game: vs. St. Sebastian's, Jan. 17, 4 p.m.Â
Andover makes its first appearance in the top 10 this year. After going 1-3-1 since the Flood-Marr Tournament, Andover rattled off three straight wins this week, beating Tilton (4-2), St. Paul's (6-2) and Exeter (3-1). Seniors Ethan Skowronek, Jake LeDoux and Sam Myles (Westboro, Mass.), as well as junior Grayden Robertson-Palmer have provided most of the offense. Senior Ben Skowronek and junior Chase Anderson (Marblehead, Mass.) have alternated in net. Both are big reasons why Andover has started so well.
Dropped out:Â Belmont Hill (10-3-2; 10)
In the hunt:Â Belmont Hill, Lawrence Academy, Nobles, St. Sebastian's, Dexter Southfield, Berkshire
