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Standings History
(Leagues Map)EPIHA LEAGUES TEAM POWER RANKINGS --- 2009-2010 SEASON
Varsity AAA Top 10STATUS: JANUARY 15, 2010
Holy Ghost Firebirds Are New Team to Beat
1- HOLY GHOST PREP (+1)
PA Hockey Elite 8 Statewide ranking: 1
Gump Whiteside’s squad takes over the number one spot in the power rankings after topping previously unbeaten Lasalle, 4-0, on Dec 21. The Firebirds have had a quiet January as far as league play goes, and will face St Joes Prep on Jan 25 for their only ICSHL AAA contest of the month. 'Ghost will have a busy February where facing Malvern Prep twice as well as Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Ryan, both looking to avenge early-season losses. They will play seven league games in total next month and look to have a full lineup, completely recovered from earlier injuries.
2- LA SALLE (-1)
PA Hockey Elite 8 Statewide ranking: 3
Despite falling from the penthouse La Salle had a productive month. They outlasted upstart Malvern Prep 4-1 in early January, when the Explorers proved to have a more potent offense. La Salle also bested Archbishop Ryan, 6-2, playing a strong third period that saw them score four unanswered goals. (Story, Jan 12) Coach Wally Muehlbronner made some line-up changes, promoting a few freshmen from the JV team in the hope of giving the team a spark. It seems to have worked.
3- CARDINAL O'HARA
PA Hockey Elite 8 Statewide ranking: 4
The Lions once again come in at number three, a spot they have maintained all season, despite a December loss to Malvern Prep, 4-2. O’Hara bounced back with wins over Ryan, 3-2, and St Joes, 5-3, and they will have a rematch with Malvern Prep on January 22 to round out the month. O’Hara has the talent to move higher in the rankings, and will get a chance to in February when they once again tackle Holy Ghost and Lasalle. They will need to beat one of the teams ahead of them in order to get out of the 'three' spot.
4- MALVERN PREP (+1)
PA Hockey Elite 8 Statewide ranking: 7
On the rise lately, the Friars have taken advantage of their back-loaded schedule to climb up another spot in the rankings. Malvern surprised many by topping O’Hara 4-2 in December. They fell to Lasalle 4-1 in a back and forth match that ended with the shots even. Malvern just couldn’t muster enough offense to mount a comeback once behind. Steve Mackell’s squad showed their mettle in two close games they won by a goal each: a 4-3 win over St Joes and a 5-4 win at Judge. They still have two games against 'Ghost and rematches with La Salle and O’Hara, giving them plenty of chances to climb further.
5- ARCHBISHOP RYAN (-1)
With a 2-5 mark in AAA play, the Raiders are probably a better team than their record indicates. They’ve lost four straight, but all against teams ranked in the top three. Ryan has proven to lack depth against the higher ranked teams, but they will get a chance to move up if they can beat either Holy Ghost or Malvern Prep in February.
6- ROMAN CATHOLIC
The Cahillites remain in the number six spot, a victim of a weak schedule, even though they have the talent to play with many of the Red Division teams. Roman has outscored Blue division opponents 27-0 in their last three games, and currently sits atop the PCL Blue standings. Roman will face Ryan and Holy Ghost in late January, games that will be a good measuring stick as to where they stack up against some of their Red Division counterparts at this point in the season.
(PCL Blue)
7- ST. JOSEPH'S PREP
Although winless so far this month, the Prep continues to keep games very close due to some stellar goaltending efforts, and better-than-you-think defense. St Joes is 1-4 in AAA play, but has not lost by more than two goals. They will get a chance to improve their record, and their ranking, later this month in games against Ryan and Holy Ghost.
8- FATHER JUDGE
The rebuilding Crusaders remain winless in AAA play and will be looking for some bright spots leading up to the playoffs. Judge has played only one game so far this month, a 5-4 loss to Malvern Prep. They showed a lot of heart by battling back after going down 5-1, but it just wasn’t enough. A rematch with geographical rival Ryan on January 15 should be interesting, especially since both squads have struggled lately.
9- ARCHBISHOP WOOD
The Vikings continue to jostle with Monsignor Bonner for the number nine ranking, after gaining the head-to-head advantage with a 3-1 win in December. Wood has beaten everyone they are supposed to beat but were severely outclassed in losses to Cardinal O’Hara and Holy Ghost. They get their chance to upset Roman Catholic on January 14.
(PCL Blue)
10- MONSIGNOR BONNER
Bonner currently sits at number ten in the rankings despite the fact they have the most wins in PCL Blue play. They have lost head-to-head to both Roman and Wood, but have a chance for revenge on Jan 22 vs. Wood and Feb 1 vs. Roman.
(PCL Blue)
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