As I stated in our last rankings, the results were starting to come for LaSalle Academy, which got off to a slow start because of a difficult schedule. Nothing has changed in the last two weeks; the Rams are the biggest risers in this week’s ranking because of several quality victories.
Shane Gaudreau has excelled this season in an expanded role for LaSalle. He has six goals and seven assists so far after having eight all of last season.
“Shane has really elevated his game over the last few weeks, Rams coach Shawn Tingley said. “He has a tremendous compete level and is willing to go to the dirty areas to make a play. He will be someone we rely on heavily during the last month of the season.”
Outside of LaSalle, Bishop Hendricken remains the team to beat in Rhode Island boys’ hockey, but there have been some shakeups in the rest of the top five.
Let’s dive into the rankings.
1. Bishop Hendricken (13-1-0)
Previous rank: 1
Division 1
Coach: Mike Soscia
Next: vs Smithfield, Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m
The Hawks have further separated themselves from the field since our last rankings. In its last four games, Bishop Hendricken has outscored opponents 23-1 and boasts victories over Barrington, Burrillville, Connecticut’s Xavier High School, and most notably, a 5-0 win over Moses Brown. Goaltender Zach Fontenault is up to a remarkable seven shutouts on the season and owns a .963 save percentage. Nick Stevens is still pacing Rhode Island in scoring with 24 points and 16 goals.
READ MORE: The latest boys prep rankings
2. LaSalle Academy (6-8-1)
Previous rank: 4
Division 1
Coach: Shawn Tingley
Next: at Xavier (CT), Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m.
The Rams elevated themselves to No. 2 this week, beating two of the three teams ranked ahead of them in back-to-back games. LaSalle beat Moses Brown 4-2 with two goals from Chase Birmingham and two assists from Shane Gaudreau, who are both tied for the team lead with 13 points. The Rams followed it up with a 7-1 victory over Pilgrim. Michael McNamara and Dylan Tasca both tallied three points, and Birmingham scored twice again.
3. Pilgrim (10-4-0)
Previous rank: 3
Division 1
Coach: Mike Boyajian
Next: vs Prout School, Jan. 30, 5:15 p.m.
The Patriots are 2-2 in their last four, with wins over Connecticut’s St. Joseph’s (4-0) and Burrillville (6-0) and defeats to LaSalle (7-1) and Connecticut’s Darien (3-2 OT). Pilgrim’s two Jacksons, Bromage (eight goals, 10 assists) and Monte (nine goals, six assists), are leading the way for the Patriots. Michael Bessette has started every game in between the pipes thus far and has a .943 save percentage with four shutouts. Pilgrim’s next three games are against Prout, Barrington, and Moses Brown.
4. Moses Brown (8-4-0)
Previous rank: 2
Division 1
Coach: Frank Fede
Next: at Barrington, Jan. 30, 8:30 p.m.
It’s been tough sledding for the Quakers in January. Since our last rankings, the Quakers are 1-4, with their lone victory coming against Prout in their last game. Moses Brown lost to league foes Bishop Hendricken and LaSalle on back-to-back days and fell to Austin Prep and Buckingham Browne & Nichols, both New England prep teams. Goals have been hard to come by for the Quakers of late, too, as they’ve scored just three goals in their previous four defeats. Netminder Alan Jaffe carries a .919 save percentage.
READ MORE: Top boys prep performers from Jan. 21-27
5. Smithfield (8-8-0)
Previous rank: 5
Division 1
Coach: Rob Jackson
Next: vs Bishop Hendricken, Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m
I’m not quite ready to put the Sentinels above Moses Brown just yet, since the Quakers have beaten Smithfield twice earlier in the season, but the Sentinels are in better form. At 3-1 in its last four, Smithfield boasts two wins over Barrington and a 5-3 win over Connecticut’s Ridgefield since our last ranking, while its lone loss came against St. Mary's Lynn (MIAA). Jacob Sylvester (19 points) and Ryan Cavanagh (17 points) are leading the charge offensively for the Sentinels — no one else has more than nine points.
