STA makes statement with big win over No. 1 Rogers

The verdict is still out on the season, but St. Thomas Academy put the gavel down on top-ranked Rogers last week with a 7-3 win, catapulting them into the top spot in this week’s Class AA boys’ hockey rankings presented by Tradition Companies.

The Cadets are under the tutelage of new bench boss Mark Strobel who has his team off to a hot start. Although this is Strobel’s first stint as a head high school hockey coach, he is well-learned on what it takes to win a state title having done so in 1991 as a captain of Hill-Murray.

The Cadets outshot the top-ranked Royals 32-21 and outplayed them to the tune of a 7-goal effort led by Will Dosan with two goals and Jackson Rudh with a goal and three assists. Cadet netminder Cody Niesen was solid in goal and is considered one fo the top goalies in the state. He staved off 18 shots in the win.

Rogers’ Mason Jenson had another goal and an assist as he continues to lead the Rogers offense.

In three games the Cadets have outscored opponents 29-5. They will play Simley this week as they try and maintain the top spot in the rankings.

Defending state champion Edina comes in at No. 2 this week after an 8-3 win over Chanhassen Monday night in a rematch of  last year’s Class AA state championship tilt.

Hill-Murray jumped three spots to No. 3 after a lopsided win over Class A powerhouse Hermantown 7-2. They outshot the Hawks 49-18 and got a pair of goals from Boden Sampair and Chaz Lentz. They take on Holy Family Thursday and Maple Grove Saturday.

Moorhead, despite beating Edina early on, fell to No. 4 in the rankings. They had a 4-3 overtime win over No. 15 Grand Rapids this week when Michigan State commit Brooks Cullen scored 32 seconds into overtime to seal the win. The Spuds outshot Grand Rapids 47-17 in the game.

Rogers fell from the top spot to No. 5 after their loss to STA. Stillwater jumped three spots to No. 7 and even received a couple first-place votes from coaches as they continue to show their might early on in hopes of getting through the tough Section 4AA. They’ve had two signature wins over perennial top 10 teams Minnetonka and Maple Grove. They beat Maple Grove 7-3 on Saturday. Blake Vanek had two goals and thee assists and Brody Dustin had two goals and two assists. The Ponies are certainly a team to watch this season.

Shakopee, an early-season favorite, fell to No. 8, but nobody is counting them out as they have so much skill up front. They doubled up on shots against Gentry Academy in an 8-1 win and got a pair of goals from both Cooper Simpson and Nate Pederson.

Rosemount took a huge leap from No. 16 to No. 9. They improved to 4-0-0 with a win over Minnetonka. Josh Toll had two goals and an assist and Christian Garrity added three helpers in the win.

Wayzata, a potential sleeper in Section 6AA (only because the section is always loaded), rounds out the Top 10 after a 7-3 win over Duluth East.

Plenty of hockey is left to play, meaning the rankings will continue to change as we go. But heading into the third week of action, the top teams are starting to identify themselves.

LPH Class AA Boys Rankings – Presented by Tradition Companies