Central Catholic (16-0-0) continues to lead the MIAA Top 10 Rankings this week. Kim Brandvold’s team has six regular season games left to enter the Super 8 unbeaten.
NEHJ MIAA Top 10 Rankings – February 7, 2018
1. Central Catholic (16-0-0)
The Raiders continue to roll along en route to the top seed in the Super 8. Kim Brandvold’s team has knocked off quite a few of the behemoths of high school hockey in Massachusetts, including three Catholic Conference clubs and Austin Prep and Pope Francis. It’s an impressive resume for sure. Junior wing Will Winship and freshman forward Owen Fowler are the team’s top prospects.
2. BC High (11-4-1)
The Eagles ran up against giant killer St. Mary’s on Tuesday night, losing 3-2 on a late goal from the Spartans. It might have been the wakeup call John Flaherty’s team needed after running through the middle portion of their schedule with relative ease. Kudos to senior defenseman Sean Healy for committing to play Division III hockey at Saint Anselm. The Hawks are getting a good blue liner with size and vision.
3. Pope Francis (11-2-3)
The Cardinals suffered a tie (2-2 vs. Hingham) and a loss (1-4 at BC High) over the weekend, but still have just two setbacks on the season. Brendan Nehmer scored the lone goal against the Eagles, a blast of a one-timer on the power play. He now has 23 goals on the season.
4. St. John’s Shrewsbury (9-3-3)
The Pioneers’ three losses come to Pope Francis (2) and BC High. Recent wins over Austin Prep, Xaverian and Marshfield are nice resume boosters. Saturday’s tilt against Hingham will be pivotal. Franklin and St. John’s Prep are also key games down the stretch for a team looking to get back to the Super 8 after a hiatus.
5. St. John’s Prep (8-3-3)
After beating Burlington in the Middlesex League/Catholic Conference showdown, the Eagles are 2-2-2 over their last six games. It’s a bump in the road, but Kristian Hanson’s team still will be a formidable opponent come Super 8 time.
6. Burlington (14-2-0)
The Red Devils’ only losses came to Hingham and St. John’s Prep. Other than that, Bob Conceison’s team has run through the always-tough Middlesex League in an impressive fashion. Last Wednesday’s decisive 4-1 win over Arlington solidified Burlington’s stranglehold at the top of the state’s best public school league.
7. St. Mary’s (10-3-4)
The aforementioned 3-2 win over BC High was huge for the defending Division 1 state champion and its quest to make the Super 8. Senior Anthony Bono’s team-leading ninth of the season gave the Spartans the victory with less than a minute to play. Youngsters Davis Kinne on defense and Jaiden Moriello up front are two of the better prospects in the state.
8. Hingham (8-3-5)
As is always the case, the Harbormen have challenged themselves with a difficult schedule. Tony Messina’s club should be rewarded for doing so. Wins over Burlington, Franklin and Reading are key for the resume. The team has also tied Malden Catholic, St. Mary’s, Catholic Memorial and suffered close losses to St. John’s Prep, St. Mary’s, and Central Catholic. Hingham could boost its resume against BC High and Austin Prep or others in the Buddy Ferreira Classic later this month.
9. Austin Prep (10-5-1)
The Cougars have yet to prove they can beat the top teams in the state, but first year coach Bill Pappas and his club has taken care of business outside of that mostly. Next Wednesday’s tilt against St. Mary’s could go a long way in determining the team’s fate come post-season.
10. Newburyport (10-1-5)
This Saturday’s game against St. John’s Prep is a monumental chance for the Clippers to prove they belong in the top 10. Newburyport has done a good job against the foes they’ve gone up against so far, but it’s a relatively weak schedule compared to many of the other contenders for the last few Super 8 bids.
On the Cusp: Franklin, Arlington, Waltham, Falmouth
