A team that wasn't receiving much (read: none) attention in the Hockey Hub's preseason rankings, Wayzata now finds itself securely in the top 10 thanks to a stellar opening weekend.
In their season-opening 8-0 win over Buffalo on Nov. 27, at least four of the Trojans' goals were laser-beam shots just under the crossbar. The type of goals you might see occasionally, maybe, at the NHL level.
"I guess we were sniping pretty good there," Wayzata coach Carl Davis said.
Guess so.
Junior forward Tony Cameranesi scored four of Wayzata's goals in the win over Buffalo and added another the following night as the Trojans beat Edina 4-2. The Hornets were ranked No. 9 entering that game, and Wayzata, thanks in part to that big win in the championship of their Turkey Trot tournament, are now in the No. 8 spot.
The other big move this week was, of course, at the top. Minnetonka's dismantling of then-No. 9 Woodbury vaulted the Skippers past idle Eden Prairie and into the No. 1 position.
Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub managing editor, can be reached at 612-379-1030 ext. 126 or loren.nelson@tstmedia.com.
Class AA Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record | Prev. | Last Week | This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnetonka
When was the last time a defenseman led the state in scoring? Skippers' whirlwind defender Andrew Prochno just might do it. He already has nine points in two games. Rout of talented Woodbury team an eye-opener.
|
2-0-0 | 2 | Beat Duluth Marshall 6-0, Beat Woodbury 9-1 | at Hibbing, Friday, Dec. 4; at No. 8 (Class A) Virginia, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 2 | Eden Prairie
What is this, the BCS? Eagles get knocked from the top spot even though they didn't even play! Now might not be too early to grab a seat for Jan. 5 showdown with the Skippers.
|
0-0-0 | 1 | Did not play | vs. Eastview, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 3 | Bloomington Jefferson
Jaguars are so good they can have an "off night" and still win by six. Non-conference showdown with Northwest Suburban power Centennial looms large.
|
1-0-0 | 3 | Beat Rosemount 7-1 | at Chaska/Chanhassen, Thursday, Dec. 3; vs. No. 8 Centennial, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 4 | Hill-Murray
Victory over traditionally tough Blaze got the approval of voters, who moved the Pioneers up a couple of spots.
|
1-0-0 | 6 | Beat Burnsville 5-2 | vs. Duluth Marshall, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 5 | Benilde-St. Margaret's
Red Knights will get tested early by talented Stillwater team that is coming off an impressive overtime victory on the road against Grand Rapids.
|
0-0-0 | 5 | Did not play | at St. Cloud Tech, Tuesday, Dec. 1; vs. Stillwater, Friday, Dec. 4 |
| 6 | Blaine
Another team that dropped in the polls despite not having played a game. Bengals make the long trip north to Roseau on Friday for what will be an intriguing metro vs. non-metro matchup.
|
0-0-0 | 4 | Did not play | at Roseau, Friday, Dec. 4 |
| 7 | Holy Angels
A team can stomach only so many intrasquad scrimmages. Stars will be ravenous for a fresh opponent when they finally play their first game, Dec. 11, against Shakopee.
|
0-0-0 | 7 | Did not play | No games |
| 8 | Centennial
Talk about a brutal early season schedule, how about opening with two road games against top 10 teams? Standout defensive corps will be tested against Wayzata's supercharged offense.
|
0-0-0 | 8 | Did not play | at No. 9 Wayzata, Thursday, Dec. 3; at No. 3 Bloomington Jefferson, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 9 | Wayzata
Rocketed into the top 10 with two impressive wins. Team speed and sniper ability around the net are assets the Trojans have leveraged well so far.
|
2-0-0 | Unranked | Beat Buffalo 8-0; Beat No. 9 Edina 4-2 | vs. No. 8 Centennial, Thursday, Dec. 3; at Duluth East, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 10 | Edina
Hornets might have found their clutch scorer in Charlie Taft, who made a great individual play to slam home third-period winner in back-and-forth opener against Maple Grove.
|
1-1-0 | 9 | Beat Maple Grove 2-1; Lost to Wayzata 4-2 | at Burnsville, Tuesday, Dec. 1; vs. St. Louis Park, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Duluth East, Woodbury, Elk River, Apple Valley, Cretin-Derham Hall, White Bear Lake, Andover.
Class A Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record | Prev. | Last Week | This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breck
Mustangs and coach Les Larson, who recently had heart surgery, begin defense of their state Class A title on the road against No. 5 Mahtomedi and No. 10 Red Wing, two of their main title challengers.
|
0-0-0 | 1 | Did not play | at No. 5 Mahtomedi, Tuesday, Dec. 1; at No. 10 Red Wing, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 2 | St. Thomas Academy
Cadets don't play first game until super showdown with Breck on Dec. 8. Think they will be interested observers at the Mustangs' two games this week?
|
0-0-0 | 2 | Did not play | No games |
| 3 | Warroad
Warriors, the best of the north ---- at least in the state rankings (Class A or AA) ---- head south this weekend for games against two tough Class A metro teams.
|
0-0-0 | 3 | Did not play | at Mound-Westonka, Friday, Dec. 4; at Delano, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 4 | Hermantown
Hawks unleash their loaded lineup, led by Mr. Hockey candidate Adam Krause, against Sauk Rapids-Rice in their season opener.
|
0-0-0 | 4 | Did not play | at Sauk Rapids-Rice, Friday, Dec. 4 |
| 5 | Mahtomedi
Zephyrs have scorers at every position, most notably on defense with the gifted Ben Marshall. They will find out in a hurry how good they are ---- or need to be.
|
0-0-0 | 5 | Did not play | vs. No. 1 Breck, Tuesday, Dec. 1; vs. No. 10 Red Wing, Thursday, Dec. 3 |
| 6 | St. Cloud Cathedral
No early season cupcakes for Crusaders, who face intracity rival St. Cloud Apollo in season opener then face a rising Class A power in Sartell-St. Stephen.
|
0-0-0 | 6 | Did not play | vs. St. Cloud Apollo, Tuesday, Dec. 1; at Sartell-St. Stephen, Friday, Dec. 4 |
| 7 | South St. Paul
Hectic three-game week begins with matchup against St. Paul foe Johnson, concludes with second straight matchup against historically strong northern team.
|
0-0-0 | 8 | Did not play | vs. St. Cloud Apollo, Tuesday, Dec. 1; at Sartell-St. Stephen, Friday, Dec. 4 |
| 8 | Virginia
Blue Devils opened with surprising shutout loss, but then righted themselves against Cloquet. Yes, that is Class AA powerhouse Minnetonka on the schedule.
|
1-1-0 | 7 | Lost 3-0 to Mound-Westonka; Beat Cloquet 3-0 | vs. Little Falls, Friday, Dec. 4; vs. No. 1 (Class AA) Minnetonka, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 9 | Thief River Falls
The good news for the Prowlers is they play their first three games at home. The bad? The opener is a rugged one: Roseau.
|
0-0-0 | 9 | Did not play | vs. Roseau, Tuesday, Dec. 1; vs. Totino-Grace, Friday, Dec. 4; vs. Monticello, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
| 10 | Red Wing
Wingers move into the top 10 just as they open season with Muderer's Row schedule of opponents.
|
0-0-0 | Unranked | Did not play | at Rochester Mayo, Tuesday, Dec. 1; at No. 5 Mahtomedi, Thursday, Dec. 3; vs. No. 1 Breck, Saturday, Dec. 5 |
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Sartell-St. Stephen, Duluth Marshall, Faribault.
