Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Rankings December 2nd 2013, 23 days untill Christmas

What an exciting Thanksgiving Holiday!  So much going on in the world of hockey, and I am grateful that I only try to summarize Ohio's happening, here.

NWHC
1. previous rank 2 Toledo St. Johns 5W - 1L - 3T  GF 32 GA15, 7 Games UNBEATEN Last game tie to walsh.  The Titans laid waste to Plymouth Mi, at Plymouth.  Plymouth is routinely at top 20 MI HS team, and last year was ranked 7th at the end of the season, with only three losses, one being to Detroit Catholic in the state quarter finals, and Det Catholic won states.  the Titans are a better team than lastyear, more balanced and have better chemistry.
2. previous rank 3 Bowling Green 6 W -2L 0T   GF37 GA13  Bowling Green is driving their own ship.  Their first NWHC conference game is 12-14 at home against Findlay.  Bowling Green should win this game.  The Bobcats are moving in to some greater challenges.  Hosting Royal Oak Mi (20-4-1 2012-13)
then facing more intense competition at the Mister Spots Holiday tourney at BGSU 12-27-29th.  Hosting toledo St Francis, in a very telling game against a league opponent, but the Bobcats most telling games come in 2014 the 3rd and 4th playing Northview and St. Johns. We will see how much more improved these Bobcats are.
3.  Previous rank 4 Sylvania Northview  4W - 3L 1T GF 18 Ga 16,  Streak 3 victories  taking one of 3 vs St Francis
3. Previous rank 2 St. Francis  with Two wins and a Loss now to Sylvania, these teams are very evenly matched.  aggressive forward play by both teams, Northviews defense is improving and the goal tending is comparable.  The two teams have traded wins and losses against like opponents, this one needs time to shake out, hence the tie.
5. Bedford
6. Findlay

 GLHL
In Cleveland last ranked #2 Walsh was pounded by Toledo St. Johns 9-2.  Number one University school has had four overtime wins.  Most notably against Shadyside and Ignatius, US is scoring 23 goals in 6 games, but their goals against are 16 which makes difficult to come out on top later in harder games.  Ockiki's Lake Catholic team is rolling this year, UNDEFEATED.  BUT the only quality win at this point is over St. Eds 3-1...so that is telling.  When you win big games, and win the ones you just should, your consistent, and its fair to say the program has an identity now.  The big story is Holy Name.  3-2-1 right now.  Wins over Padua, St. johns, yet lost to Walsh.  Gilmour is again a tough team with Wins over St Eds, Findlay and St. Francis.  The losses to Northview, Findlay and US scream a repeat of the Ups and downs that plague this club in recent years.  Once again st ignatius is steadily moving forward, consistently in fact.  Crushing teams that need to be crushed, never letting up and sitting at 3- 1 otl and 1 T where the OTL was to US, and the Tie to Toledo St Johns you know the are for real...again.  on with the rankings
1.  St Ignatius.  the 1 GAA is fantastic the 4.6 GF a game is solid as all get out.  While having an OTL and a Tie is not ideal its who those were against that matters, an ever so slight lead over Lake Catholic....but close enough at this point in the season to hold you tied
1. Lake Catholic, undefeated no one can disrespect that or scoring 5.4 goals a game and surrendering 1.2.  strength of schedule at this point holds you in the 1st spot.
2. U.S.
3. Walsh
4. Holy Name

GCHSHL
Lastyear the Pirates of Rocky River tied for state 3rd place with Olentangy Liberty, as both teams lost their Semi Final games, and never played a consolation game.  Quite an achievement, for both schools.  Rocky River had the more difficult path, and what their trip oh so much more exciting was we had an all public school state final.  Right now the Pirates are undefeated.  Averaging over 5 goals for per game and surrendering a shade under 1.2.  Shaker is also Undefeated and averageing over 5 goals pergame and giving up a state leading stingy .5.  The problem here is the GLHL is now what Red divisions once were...combined.  The best of the best.  Aside from having to play each other and the odd GLHL team or NWHC club the division is just soft, uber soft.  Unless Rocky, Shaker and Hudson bail, and join the GLHL....these teams will all be none issues in two years.  Players will go and not look back.   So...here we are today
1. tied Rocky River
1. Tied Shaker
2. Hudson


Capital....no change

State Rankings....
1. Toledo St. johns
2. Lake Catholic
3. Rocky River
4. Dublin Jerome

Raw...ie a none politicall stupid ranking that pits the best against the best...and not everyone is a winner...
1. Toledo St. Johns
2. St Ignatius
3. Lake Catholic
4. Toledo St. Francis

5. Tie University School
5. Tie Sylvania Northview

7. Tie Bowling Green
7. Tie Walsh
7. Rocky River
7. Shaker

8. Tie Dublin Jerome
8. Tie Holy Name

Jr updates
Connor Frey traded to Minnesota Magicans NAHL....no rREPORT...traded to EHL Valley Jr warriors NO REPORT,  status RETIRED

Zach Felser Philadelphia Little Flyers had 5 points over the weekend a goal and assist against Boston Jr Ranger and a Natural hat trick, game winning goal and first star against Valley Jr Warriors.  Zach is now ranked 13th in the EHL in PTS at 25, having played 20 games.  He has one short handed goal, 1 PPG and 6 PPA as part of his 10 goals and 15 assist.  Zach has begun talking with Colleges about his future plans.

Freddy Gerard, a Rocky River product is tied with Felser in Points at 25.  The 1994 birth year FWD for the Boston Bandits EHL has put up two points in each of his last three games

Dalton Carter Norther Cyclones EHL has uped his physical presence lately and now has a healthy 46 PIM to go along with his 21 points.  Carter is also actively speaking with numerous colleges as he determines where to play next season as an NCAA rookie.

Nolan Culver Minnesota Wilderness NAHL 2nd place overall.  Culver has 17 games 5 points and the energy driven forward, has 37 PIM.  Culvers been noted as being one of the strongest NAHL players in the defensive zone, a credit not easily earned and strongly desired.  Culver has been speaking a handful of NCAA programs and has said he is no hurry to make a decision, he wants to remain focused on this season.

Nathan Opblinger  Leamington Flyer GOJHL Nathan has played 27 games this season and has 30 points on 14 goals and 16 assists and 1 game winner, with 22 PIM.  At 6'1" and 185lbs the right shot winger is on the 5th place overall, 2nd in their Western Conference...trailing LaSalle by one point.  Team record is 21-5-1 

Graham Kelsey has 26 games in up on the blue line for the flyers and the 93 defensman is having a banner year in all aspects of his game. 


Austyn Roudebush is the back stopper for Leamington and has been picking up more of the work load as of late.  Starting 5 games since Oct31, all 5 are Wins.  Not surprising when you read these stats!  753 min played, 331 saves, 1.83 GAA and an ELITE save % of .935

While these former ohio players are at various stages of their carers, some players have made those NCAA commitments.  Here they are, and where they are going.  NOV 14 to present
commitment date       NAME                            College                   Current team              Start season




12/02/13MARODY, CooperUniversity of MichiganMuskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)2015-16
12/02/13LUCE, GriffinUniversity of MichiganSalisbury PS (NEDI)2016-17
12/02/13SPICER, CamUniversity of MaineNew Hampshire Monarchs (EHL)2014-15
12/02/13CURTI, CharlieYale UniversityCedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)2015-16
11/29/13KOZUN, TadUniversity of Alaska-AnchorageNipawin Hawks (SJHL)2014-15
11/28/13KUFFNER, RyanPrinceton UniversityGloucester Rangers (CCHL)2015-16
11/27/13JOHNSON, RobertU.S. Air Force AcademyMinnesota Magicians (NAHL)2015-16
11/27/13BRISTEDT, LeonUniversity of MinnesotaLinkoping HC Jr. (SweJE)2014-15
11/27/13KESTNER, JoshUniversity of Alabama-HuntsvilleSarnia Legionnaires (GOJHL)2014-15
11/27/13O'CONNOR, JoeUniversity of VermontWestminister PS (NEDI)2016-17
11/27/13KILLINS, RykerFerris State UniversityStratford Cullitons (GOJHL)2015-16
11/26/13ROSENTHAL, RyanNortheastern UniversityCoquitlam Express (BCHL)2014-15
11/26/13LLAURADO, JoeU.S. Military Academy (ArmyDubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)2014-15
11/26/13WATSON, CooperMichigan Tech. UniversityAppleton United HS (WI-HS)2015-16
11/25/13WEDMAN, DanielCornell UniversityBonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)2015-16
11/25/13MCCLURE, BradMinnesota State UniveristyPenticton Vees (BCHL)2014-15
11/24/13ARGUE, JaysonBentley CollegeNanaimo Clippers (BCHL)2014-15
11/24/13LAWRENCE, SeanQuinnipiac UniversityBoston Junior Bruins (USPHL)2014-15
11/22/13RUSSELL, PatrickSt. Cloud State UniversityWaterloo Black Hawks (USHL)2014-15
11/22/13PALECCO, DanteYale UniversityLong Island Gulls U16N (AYHL16)2016-17
11/22/13KOBERSTEIN, NikolasUniversity of Alaska-FairbanksOlds Grizzlys (AJHL)2015-16
11/22/13MILLER, ChristopherUniversity of New HampshireBoston Junior Bruins (USPHL)2015-16
11/21/13MCKERNAN, KevinQuinnipiac UniversityBoston Junior Bruins (USPHL)2015-16
11/21/13GERRIE, ChrisMichigan Tech. UniversityOlds Grizzlys (AJHL)2016-17
11/21/13PRESTON, MichaelU.S. Military Academy (ArmyIndiana Ice (USHL)2014-15
11/21/13MAROONEY, JoeyUniversity of Alabama-HuntsvilleHoly Family Catholic HS (MN-HS)2015-16
11/20/13STERNSCHEIN, SamCornell UniversityPortledge HS (NY-HS)2016-17
11/20/13MIKOWSKI, MaxRochester Institute of TechnologyBuffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)2014-15
11/20/13MCGUIRE, BrendanU.S. Military Academy (ArmyAmarillo Bulls (NAHL)2014-15
11/19/13BRUNS, ColeU.S. Military Academy (ArmyOmaha Lancers (USHL)2014-15
11/19/13PHAM, TylerU.S. Military Academy (ArmyIndiana Ice (USHL)2014-15
11/18/13PEDRIE, VinceQuinnipiac UniversityIndiana Ice (USHL)2014-15
11/18/13DESIMONE, NickUnion CollegeBuffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)2014-15
11/18/13BOWEN, BrianUniversity of VermontBoston Junior Bruins (USPHL)2015-16
11/18/13JAECKLE, AlexU.S. Air Force AcademyJohnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)2015-16
11/18/13PARRON, TommyBrown UniversityYoungstown Phantoms (USHL)2015-16
11/17/13WATT, BrandonRobert Morris UniversityNepean Raiders (CCHL)2015-16
11/14/13LOURIA, MikeUniversity of Lowell-MassJanesville Jets (NAHL)2014-15