Pioneers maintain top spot with win over Andover

Andover looked to give Hill-Murray their first loss last week and outshot the Pioneers 27-14, but Pioneer senior goaltender Grace Zhan was up for the challenge and stopped all 27 shots in a 2-0 Pioneer win.

Zhan has allowed just eight goals all season and stopped 212 of 220 shots for a save percentage of .964. The Pioneers have outscored opponents 63-9 on the season and have allowed more than one goal just twice. They have also allowed just one third period goal on the season, and remain the team to beat in Class AA.

But the field isn’t separated by much. There have been a lot of close, low-scoring games amongst ranked opponents, which shows how close the teams are, whether they’re ranked No. 1 or No. 10.

No. 2 Minnetonka has been equally impressive with a 81-15 scoring margin.

Andover remained at No. 3 and Benilde-St. Margaret’s makes the jump over Edina to No. 4. Moorhead leaps to No. 6 and Northfield dropped to No. 9 despite being the only other unbeaten squad not named Hill-Murray. Centennial/Spring Lake Park continues to impress and Maple Grove is a team that can beat anybody. Lakeville North rounds out the top 10 by continuing their winning ways.

Both White Bear Lake and Cretin-Derham Hall re-entered the top 20.

The rest of the field below:

Let’s Play Hockey Rankings

Presented By

Let’s Play Hockey Rankings Class AA Girls – Dec. 26, 2023

Other Teams Receiving Votes:

Eastview, Rosemount, Roseau, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, North Wright County, Northern Tier, Forest Lake.