January 6, 2014

New England Prep Hockey Rankings

Rank Record The Skinny
1
Salisbury		 9-0-1
(1) When the Knights play their next game (Sat. vs. Westy) they will have had 20 days off. Played 'well enough to win' at Flood-Marr, but weren't firing on all cylinders. When -- and if -- they do, look out.
2
Kent		 7-1-1
(2) Avon Tournament winners are a tough team to play against, and a serious threat for the top spot. Have allowed more than two goals once this season.Tied Salisbury 2-2 in mid-December.
3
Cushing		 11-2-0
(3) Went 3-1 at their tournament, the only loss a 5-4 OT decision to NMH. Penguins will host Tabor and Deerfield this week.
4
Exeter		 10-2-0
(4) Have been idle since Dec. 20, but get back to it Wed. vs. Gov's and Sat. vs. archrival Andover. PG d-man Matt Foley's return to lineup makes a strong team even stronger.
5
Kimball Union		 9-1-3
(6) Won Belmont Hill-Nichols Tournament when AJ Greer scored in OT to beat Nichols. Have a large batch of new players, but they are beginning to grow into their roles.
6
Noble & Greenough		 7-3-1
(8) Much better defensively. Since game #1 at Flood-Marr have allowed only 2.42 gaa. Will be a constant threat if they can maintain that consistency. Beat a tough Thayer squad, 3-2 in OT, on Saturday.
7
Thayer		 8-1-0
(7) Outscored opponents 23-0 at Rivers Tournament, but lost at Nobles, 3-2, in OT. They should be in the hunt all season long.
8
Dexter		 7-4-0
(5) Have lost two of last three and came in 4th at the Cushing Tournament. Losses were to Gunnery and Cushing. Have played as tough a schedule as anybody, perhaps the toughest. Schedule gets a little easier now. Will there be a letdown?
9
Berkshire		 7-3-1
(9) Lost to Nobles and beat St. Seb's at the Nobles-St. Seb's New Year's tournament last week. Host NMH and Williston this week -- both tough matchups.
10
Northfield Mt. Hermon		 8-4-0
(NR) The Hoggers are 5-2 since the start of L'ville Xmas tournament. A 5-3 loss to Gunnery -- another team on the upswing -- in the championship game of the Watkins Tournament was NMH's only loss in the last five games. A tough team to play against, they go on the road Wed. to face Berkshire.
* Note: Only games between NEPSIHA Div. I schools -- the principal factor in determining seedings for the playoffs -- are included in the won-lost records above.