CTHS Hockey Top 10 (2/20)

February 20, 2012 By: Luke Devoe

On the road in Chicago, so forgive me if the blurbs are a bit short, getting the evil eye from some dude who wants this computer in the hotel for far more important reasons.  Before you read the rankings remember the following:  This is a Power Ranking not a poll.  Therefore, it takes into account the immediacy not the the past.  So for everyone crying foul about Darien being ranked ahead of Hamden and West Haven even though they beat them.  Shut it.  They took down a top team in Ridgefield and Hamden and West Haven have struggled with inconsistency all year.  So, don't be alarmed if my number one differs from the number one in the other polls this week.

1. Notre Dame-West Haven (13-3-1)- They Green Knights were the first in state team to prove the Jesuits were mortal.  They came close earlier in the year but finally climbed that mountain on Saturday thanks in large part to the stalwart play of goaltender Luc Amatruda who's emerging as a viable goaltending option.  I believe Prep in the long run is the better team but for right now, no one is hotter than NDWH. 
LW: 3 PAST WEEK: Fairfield Prep W 2-0  
2. Fairfield Prep (14-3-0)- Prep loses its first in state game of the year but it wasn't for a lack of effort.  They are still the favorite to win the state title and I believe more than a few teams would rather face NDWH than them.  But they do have a tough road in.  They host a struggling, but dangerous Catholic Memorial (MA) team on Wednesday and then take on an unpredictable Hamden squad.  Should be an interesting end of the season for the Jesuits.
LW: 1 PAST WEEK: Notre Dame-West Haven L 2-0
3. Ridgefield (16-2-0)- Only dropping to third because right now it's pretty clear to see who the top two teams are.  Ridgefield keeps piling up wins against D2 opponents but have proven enough this season to be ranked this high.  They will get a test on Tuesday however when they take on a steaming hot Glastonbury club.
LW: 2 PAST WEEK: Trumbull W 6-1, Staples/Weston/Shelton W 6-3
4. Hamden (10-4-2)- If Hamden would've been able to sweep their Westie rivals on Saturday it would've been hard for me to not skyrocket them up past the Tigers.  But Hamden lost the hard fought affair.  This week did give them a little more clout in terms of beating ranked, quality teams and scoring in the process, something they struggled with recently.  In the romp of East Haven, Hamden received a hat trick from defenseman Mike Lee, as well as a five point night from sophomore forward Jeremy Germain.
LW: 5   PAST WEEK: West Haven W 4-3 OT, East Haven W 7-4, West Haven L 2-1
5. Glastonbury (14-3-0)- The Tomahawks are beating the teams they are supposed to and haven't slipped up since losing to North Haven in overtime back on February 1st.  Over that period of time they've run off 6 straight.  They have a very tough three game week this week, however, to finish up their schedule.
LW: 6   PAST WEEK: Fermi/Enfield W 5-2, Notre Dame-Fairfield W 6-5
6. Darien (13-4-0)- Parity is taking over the CT High School Hockey scene and that was no more evident than last week when, fresh off a huge win over #2 Ridgefield, Darien got shellacked by a good but not great New Canaan Ram squad.  The Blue Wave finish up with three games in four days, none of which will be walks in the park.
LW: 4   PAST WEEK: New Canaan L 4-0, Westhill W 8-0
7. West Haven (10-6-0)- The Westies could've swept their bitter rivals from Hamden this pas week leading 3-2 late at home in the first of the two games, but Jeremy Germain will now be public enemy number one in West Haven after causing that not to happen.  The one thing the Blue Devils can hang their hat on is the fact that they are getting excellent goaltending.  Forrest Schell turned aside 30+ in the loss to Hamden and Justin Shepard was excellent at the Lou on Saturday in victory.
LW: 7   PAST WEEK: Hamden L 4-3 OT, Hamden W 2-1
8. Xavier (9-7-1)- Xavier is a very good 9-7-1 team.  They didn't prove that playing out of state power St. John's Shrewbury and losing twice but they can still compete with any team on any given night.  They also put a big wrinkle in the plans Amity had of making it to the state tournament by topping them 5-0 on Saturday.  They finish up with three winnable games which they'll need to boost that record up come tourney time.
LW: 8   PAST WEEK: St. John's Shrewsbury L 6-2, Amity W 5-0 

9. St. Joseph (13-6-0)- The tourney tested Cadets crack the rankings after running off four in a row and beating a good New Canaan team last week.  This team has been in the state championship game, granted in different divisions each of the last three years so they know how to turn it on at tourney time.  Be weary of them.

LW: NR   PAST WEEK: Westhill W 5-2, New Canaan W 4-2
10. Simsbury (8-7-1)- Simsbury disposed of a desperate Conard team last week showing their staying power.  Their final tough tilt of the year comes on Wednesday against Glastonbury.  After that, it looks to be cakewalks for Simsbury if they don't overlook those teams.
LW: 9 PAST WEEK: Conard W 7-2

Dropped Out: East Haven (10)

On the Bubble: New Canaan (11-7-1), North Haven (8-9-0), East Haven (11-5-2), South Windsor (10-8-0)