Central Catholic and BC High appear to be on a crash course to face each other in the Super 8 championship game, barring something unforeseen. The Raiders and Eagles continue to stay on top of this week’s New England Hockey Journal MIAA Top 10 Rankings.
NEHJ MIAA Top Rankings – Jan. 23, 2018
1. Central Catholic (12-0-0)
Junior Will Winship has 10 goals in 12 games to pace the offense for Kim Brandvold’s team. At the other end, the Raiders have only allowed seven goals in 12 games. CC remains the prohibitive favorite to be the top seed in the Super 8.
2. BC High (8-3-1)
After starting 1-3-1, John Flaherty’s Eagles have pulled off seven consecutive victories. During those seven games, BC hasn’t won by less than three goals, outscoring opponents 42-5. Junior center Thomas Kramer has been the leader for a deep team.
3. Pope Francis (10-1-2)
The Cardinals had to rally to overcome a pesky St. John’s Shrewsbury team last week. The teams will rematch Wednesday night. Senior Brendan Nehmer now has an absurd 21 goals and 17 assists in 13 games.
4. St. John’s Prep (6-3-1)
The Eagles lost consecutive games to Catholic Conference rivals Catholic Memorial and BC High, both by a score of 4-1. It’s more conference play this week with Malden Catholic and Xaverian looming.
5. St. John’s Shrewsbury (7-2-3)
This is the best team the Pioneers have had in quite some time. They almost pulled off a massive upset at Pope Francis last week. Three sophomores, Matt Myers, Dhillon Wilde and Hunter DiGregorio, all have double-digit point totals.
6. Austin Prep (8-4-1)
Junior Nick Caffarelli is starting to heat up for the Cougars. He has eight goals and five assists in 13 games. AP faces league foes Matignon and Arlington Catholic this week.
7. Burlington (10-2-0)
After bouncing back from a tough loss to St. John's Prep by beating Melrose, the Red Devils will travel Wednesday to face a very good Reading team. Burlington will need to take care of business the rest of the way as it won't have a marquee victory out of conference come Super 8 Selection Day.
8. St. Mary’s (7-2-3)
Freshman forward Jaiden Moriello has five goals and four assists for Mark Lee’s Spartans. This week, Arlington Catholic and Newburyport are on the docket for the defending Division 1 state champs.
9. Franklin (8-1-3)
The Panthers clobbered Taunton before skating to a 1-1 draw with Mansfield in Hockomock action last week. The schedule remains soft over the next four games before a couple of tough games in the beginning of February against Hingham and St. John’s Shrewsbury.
10. Waltham (9-1-2)
It might be hard to sneak into the Super 8 unless the Hawks can pull off a win in a rematch against Central Catholic in a couple of weeks. Nonetheless, this is a good team that should be dangerous in the Division 1 Tournament if it doesn’t make the big enchilada.
Questions? Comments? Email jcox@hockeyjournal.com.
