December 16, 2013

New England Prep Hockey Rankings

Rank Record The Skinny
1
Salisbury		 4-0-1
Better and deeper than last year's championship squad. Relentless. Put up 48 shots vs. Kent Friday night but only emerged with a 2-2 tie.
2
Dexter		 4-1-0
They've toughened their schedule dramatically, and have risen to the opportunity. Beat Cushing and Nobles, and lost to Exeter by one goal. Ryan Donato makes them dangerous against any opponent, and the supporting cast is better this year.
3
Cushing		 5-1-0
Only blemish is a loss to #2 Dexter. Cushing has balance and depth at all positions, and good young forwards who, because the Penguins lack a powerful veteran line, will be heavily counted on.
4
Exeter		 8-2-0
Beat Dexter and Kent, but lost to Gunnery and Cushing. There's a lot of talent on this team, though.
5
Kimball Union		 4-0-1
Greer-Dudek-Bird line is a handful and will keep them in a lot of games. D is young; how they fare will be key. Play Salisbury Fri. a.m at Flood-Marr. That should tell us something.
6
Kent		 3-1-1
Very tough defensively -- have allowed an average of 2 GA in the early going. Went up to Salisbury's barn and showed their mettle, emerging with a 2-2 tie.
7
Berkshire		 4-1-0
Puffer, Corcoran, & Higgins leading the attack again. This is a veteran team with a ton of returnees from last year's 22-4-3 squad.
8
Noble & Greenough		 3-1-0
Miles Wood (11 pts in 4 games) can be tough to handle when he's on -- and he's far from the only skilled forward. But this team has allowed 12 goals over last two games. That's a cause for concern.
9
Thayer		 3-0-0
Weak early schedule but they've torched their opponents, outscoring them 25-6. Thayer was tough down the stretch last year, and they have all their key guys back.
10
Deerfield		 3-0-1
Only 'blemish' is a 4-4 tie with Groton who, by the way, are undefeated. The Big Green travels to Avon Wed. and then has a tough draw at the Flood-Marr.
* 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.