1. Pope Francis Cardinals, 9-0-1 (Last ranking: 1)
That’s 19 of a possible 20 points for the Cardinals, with the lone “setback” coming against an out of state foe: Bishop Hendricken (R.I.), in a 1-1 tie on Jan. 7.
2. Catholic Memorial Knights, 7-1-1 (Last ranking: 14)
The Knights fast start was tempered only by questions of how they’d fare once Catholic Conference play began. The answer? A 2-1 win over BC High in the league opener. CM is back with a vengeance.
3. Austin Prep Cougars, 7-0-2 (Last ranking: 4)
AP had shutout their opponent in four of its last five prior to a 5-5 tie vs. Central Catholic on Monday.
4. Hingham Harbormen, 8-1-2 (Last ranking: 5)
Hingham’s only loss on the season came in Serino Tournament play vs. St. Mary’s of Lynn, which was a modicum of revenge for the Saints after the Harbormen put a dent in their Super Eight plans a season ago. The grudge match went to Hingham on Monday, 4-1, to keep the Harbormen perfect in calendar year 2017.
5. BC High Eagles, 6-1-2 (Last ranking: 2)
While the Eagles boast some fine non-league wins, the reigning Catholic Conference champs remain winless in league play. They’ll get another crack tonight vs. St. John’s Prep (5 p.m., Clark Athletic Center)
6. Walpole Rebels, 11-0-0 (Last ranking: 11)
The Rebels have scored 12 more goals than any other team in Div. 1 (63, with Pope Francis next at 51) and have allowed four fewer goals than any other team (4, with BC High next at 8). Most importantly, they remain the lone Div. 1 team without a loss OR tie.
7. Malden Catholic Lancers, 3-1-3 (Last ranking: 3)
Head Coach John McLean put the exclamation point on his 100th career win, earning it with a 4-3 win vs. Xaverian at Fenway Park last week.
8. Arlington Spy Ponders, 6-1-1 (Last ranking: 9)
The Spy Ponders saw their six-game winning streak come to an end vs. CM on Monday in a 3-3 tie during the Catholic Conference-Middlesex Challenge. But a tie vs. the Knights is nothing to scoff at, nor is Arlington’s lone loss vs. Pope Francis – all the way back in its season opener.
9. St. John’s Prep Eagles, 3-3-2 (Last ranking: 7)
Barring a tie, something has to give this afternoon between SJP and BC High. It’s getting towards late January and two teams named the Eagles are still winless in the Catholic Conference.
10. Marshfield Rams, 7-1-1 (Last ranking: 10)
The Rams remain one of the top defensive teams in the state, anchored by Nick Young’s .968 save percentage and four shutouts.
11. Andover Golden Warriors, 7-2-0 (Last ranking: 12)
The Golden Eagles are 5-0-0 in the MVC/DCL1, and have only lost vs. BC High and Arlington. The Golden Eagles have several more chances to make statements out of league, with Hingham and St. Mary’s Lynn remaining on the schedule.
12. Braintree Wamps, 7-2-0 (Last ranking: 17)
Braintree remains unbeaten at Zapustas Arena in Randolph, which is where it will welcome in Malden Catholic (Jan. 28) and Walpole (Feb. 8) for a pair of monumental games coming up later.
13. St. Mary’s Lynn Spartans, 7-3-0 (Last ranking: 6)
Andrew LoRusso remains one of the top goaltenders in the state, sporting a 1.71 goals against average and .931 save percentage entering play Wednesday. Huge opportunity knocks for the Spartans tonight vs. league rival Austin Prep.
14. Xaverian Hawks, 4-3-2 (Last ranking: N/A)
A tie vs. BC High (courtesy of an Egor Borshchev goal with 2:08 remaining) and a 3-1 win over Reading in the CC/ML challenge has the Hawks back on the right track, but they’re also searching for a league win. The Catholic Memorial Knights visit the Canton Ice House tonight, presenting Xaverian with a massive opportunity to bolster its résumé (8 p.m., MHL Channel 1).
15. Reading Rockets, 4-4-0 (Last ranking: 13)
The Rockets have Arlington tonight and Hingham on Saturday. They also have the Buddy Ferreira Classic in February, but these are two of the last chances the Rockets will have to make an impression on the Super Eight committee before the tournament in Falmouth. The game vs. Hingham on Saturday night will be broadcast on MHL (7:45 p.m., Burbank Arena).
16. Burlington Red Devils, 3-3-1 (Last ranking: 15)
There’s no such thing as a “statement tie…” but Monday’s 1-1 draw with Malden Catholic certainly raised some eyebrows.
17. Central Catholic Raiders, 4-2-3 (Last ranking: 16)
Central is neck-and-neck with Andover in the MVC/DCL1 at 4-0-0, but remains winless in nonleague play.
18. Franklin Panthers, 6-3-0 (Last ranking: 18)
This well-balanced team is into the thick of its Hockomock League schedule, with no nonleague games until a Feb. 15 trip to the Valley Forum in Malden for a date with the Lancers.
19. Wellesley Raiders, 7-2-0 (Last ranking: N/A)
The Raiders don’t score a ton of goals (only 22 through nine games), but they don’t need to with freshman Andrew Hubbard between the pipes. As a team, the Raiders have allowed just 12 goals – the seventh-fewest in Div. 1, with all six teams that have allowed fewer also in our Top 20.
20. Archbishop Williams Bishops, 4-2-2 (Last ranking: N/A)
Archies can rest up tonight, with no game scheduled, and they’ll need it: Austin Prep is coming to town (well, the Canton SportsPlex) on Saturday night.
Next Five Out: Natick (5-2-2), Framingham (4-3-2), Waltham (7-3-1), Arlington Catholic (4-3-1), Duxbury (5-4-2)
Division 2 and 3 teams to keep an eye on: North Reading (9-0-0), Rockland (11-0-1), Longmeadow (9-0-1), Shrewsbury (8-0-0), Westwood (7-1-1), Scituate (9-1-0), Hanover (7-2-1), Latin Academy (7-0-3), Nantucket (7-0-3), Southeastern/West Bridgewater (8-0-2), Hopkinton (7-0-1)