Wyatt Kuznik and the Crimson won both Turkey Trot games and jumped five spots to No. 5 in this week’s rankings. (LPH FILE PHOTO)

Maple Grove jumps into top 5 after Turkey Trot wins

Maple Grove was the biggest mover in this week’s Let’s Play Hockey Rankings, presented by Tradition Companies.

The Crimson rose five spots after a pair of wins at the Turkey Trot in Plymouth during the season’s first week of action. They defeated No. 11 Wayzata 4-2 and followed up with a 4-3 overtime win over No. 4 Edina.

Senior goalie Ryder Skanson stopped 32 shots in the opener against Wayzata, who outshot the Crimson 34-23. Wyatt Kuznik opened the scoring and the Crimson took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Lane Glende. Thomas Picconatto assisted on both tallies. Wayzata’s McCoy Kurtz scored on a power play to make it a 2-1 game after one, but Glende got his second late in the second period for a 3-1 lead. The Trojans pulled back within one on a goal by Christopher Pyle and it stayed 3-2 until Jaden Roueche needed an empty net goal to seal the win. Roueche and Kuznik each finished with a goal and two assists and Picconatto finished with three assists.

Skanson had another solid game on Saturday, stopping 28 Edina shots, and Cole Anderson scored the game-winner in overtime to give the Crimson a 4-3 win. The Crimson got production from some different players in this game with two goals from Samuel Beiderwolf and goals from Anderson and Cale Braid. Picconatto picked up another assist.

St. Thomas Academy also rose in the rankings after a pair of wins where they outscored their opponents 26-0. They defeated Tartan 12-0 and Simley 14-0, but their schedule is about to get tougher when they host No. 8 Academy of Holy Angels (0-0-0) tonight and No. 17 Stillwater (1-0-0) on Saturday.

The Cadets jump in the rankings was more a product of No. 4 Edina losing their first two games and No. 3 Minnetonka skating to a tie with No. 14 White Bear Lake. The Bears’ Riley Helmberger stopped 32 shots as the Bears jumped to No. 11 in the rankings. Nash Roed had a goal and an assist for the Bears and Rian Marquardt also scored. Tonka’s Tavin Dobchuk and Zach Markwell scored for the Skippers, who will take on No. 9 Rogers this Friday.

Rogers (1-1-0) was the victim of the upset of the week, falling 3-2 to unranked St. Michael-Albertville. The Knights debut at No. 18 in this week’s rankings. Lucas Ingebrigston stopped 39 shots to help lead the Knights to the win. Bryalen Maciej, Hunter Hansen and Wyatt Tupper scored for STMA. Cole Bumgarner and Brock Cheslock scored for the Royals, who will battle No. 4 Minnetonka Friday. STMA travels to Alexandria tonight.

Moorhead and Hill-Murray maintained the top two spots after the Spuds came out strong with wins over No. 4 Edina (6-3) and Wayzata (7-0). Tyden Bergeson had two goals and five assists in the two games and Max Cullen chipped in a goal and five assists. Michael Herman, Joey Cullen and Brandon Mickelson each had a pair of goals in the two contests.

The No. 2 Pioneers have yet to play, but will open up tonight against Eden Prairie in Eden Prairie.

Some other key AA match ups tonight:

No. 8 Academy of Holy Angels (0-0-0) at No. 3 St. Thomas Academy (2-0-0)
Gentry Academy (1-0-0) at No. 19 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0-0)
No. 2 Hill-Murray (0-0-0) at Eden Prairie (0-0-0)
No. 11 White Bear Lake (0-0-1) at No. 9 Rogers (1-1-0)
No. 10 Cretin-Derham Hall (0-1-0) at Eastview (1-0-0)
No. 5 Maple Grove (2-0-0) at No. 16 Andover (0-1-0)
No. 18 St. Michael-Albertville (1-0-0) at Alexandria (1-1-0)