February 20, 2012

New England Prep Hockey Rankings

Rank Record The Skinny
1
Salisbury		 21-3-0
(2) Riding an 11-game winning streak, during which they have outscored their opponents 62-12. Needless to say, they are firing on all cylinders.
2
Lawrence Academy		 19-2-3
(3) The Spartans have now gone 12 games without a loss. Face a tough final week with road games at St. Seb's and St. Paul's.
3
Exeter		 20-2-4
(4) Starting to get their groove back over last five games, averaging 5.25 gpg. Matt Beattie (along with Mike Pontarelli of St. Mark's) has topped the 70-point mark. Last season, no players in prep hockey reached that level.
4
Noble & Greenough		 19-4-1
(1) After going 18 games without a loss, Nobles has now lost three of their last four. And in those losses, the Bulldogs have been outscored 16-3. Will attempt to right the ship in games vs. Governor's and @ Milton this week.
5
Avon Old Farms		 16-6-1
(6) If defense truly wins championships, then the Winged Beavers are in a good place, as they have allowed one goal or less in 13 of their 25 games this season.
6
Kimball Union		 20-4-2
(5) The Wildcats have lost two of their last three. Will welcome back defenseman Alex Carle to the lineup this week.
7
Belmont Hill		 16-5-4
(8) A well-coached and well-balanced team that can just roll out the lines. Similar to Lawrence in that regard. Tough to play against, and could surprise in post-season.
8
Frederick Gunn School		 19-6-1
(7) After a red-hot middle of the season, during which they won eight in a row, they have slowed, going 4-4 since. A tough upcoming week with games @ Canterbury, @ Westminster, and home vs. Berkshire.
9
Kent		 14-6-3
(9) Will the late-season push be enough to get the Lions into the big tournament? Tandem of Boo Nieves (35 pts.), Ryan Rosenthal (35 pts.) and d-man Perry Holcombe (29 pts.) key the attack.
10
Berkshire		 16-6-4
(10) A big upcoming week for the Bears as they host Albany Academy and Millbrook before traveling to Gunnery for Saturday's regular-season finale.
* 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.