Boys Hockey Ratings: Ridgefield 1st, NW Catholic Moves Up To 4

 

After winning the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference Tournament championship over New Canaan on Saturday, Ridgefield enters the Division I tournament as the top team in The Courant state hockey ratings.

 

The Tigers, who have held the top spot for six straight weeks, are trying to win their first Division I title in program history. They play Darien Wednesday in the first round of the tournament.

 

New Canaan, which lost to Ridgefield for the third time this season in the FCIAC final, has climbed to No. 2. The Rams start the tournament with four wins against teams in the top 10.

 

Northwest Catholic is the top area team in the ratings. After winning their first CCC North Tournament title, the Lions have jumped to No. 4. Xavier, which had been the top area team for the last seven weeks, falls to No. 7. Simsbury lost to Northwest Catholic in the CCC North final, but makes its return to the top 10 for the first time this season. The Trojans are No. 10. Guilford also makes its first appearance in the ratings this season at No. 9 after winning the SCC/SWC Division II title.

1. RIDGEFIELD (20-2): The Rams won the program's sixth conference title and first since 2013 on Saturday, but will be trying to reach their first state tournament final in 15 years starting this week (won Division II title in 2002). Last week: 1. Next: Darien in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

 

2. NEW CANAAN (17-4-1): Lost to Ridgefield in the FCIAC final Saturday, but is 10-4-1 this season against teams in the Division I tournament. LW: 3. Next: Greenwich in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

 

3. FAIRFIELD PREP (11-9): The Jesuits have advanced to 11 of the last 17 Division I finals and won nine titles. LW: 4. Next: Suffield/Granby/Windsor Locks in the first round of the Division I tournament.

 

4. NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (18-3-1): Will be looking for its first Division I tournament victory after going 11-0-1 against conference competition this season. LW: 6. Next: St. Joseph-Trumbull in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

5. HAMDEN (13-8): Headed into the tournament with some momentum after beating West Haven in regular-season finale (6-3) and Notre Dame-West Haven (4-2) in SCC Division I championship at Bennett Rink in West Haven Friday. LW: 8. Next: Simsbury in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

 

6. NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN (11-8-1): Reached the SCC Division I championship for the third straight year, but lost to rival Hamden for the first time since last January. LW: 2. Next: Glastonbury in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

 

7. XAVIER (13-6-1): Finished the regular season on a three-game losing streak with losses to Notre Dame-Fairfield, New Canaan and Fairfield Prep. LW: 5. Next: East Catholic-Manchester in the first round of the Division I tournament Wednesday.

 

8. WEST HAVEN (14-6): After winning six of their last eight games, the Blue Devils will be trying to win their first tournament game since 2012. LW: 7. Next: Fairfield Warde/Fairfield Ludlowe in the first round of the Division I Tournament Wednesday.

 

9. GUILFORD (17-5): Beat New Fairfield/Immaculate in the semifinals (2-1) and East Haven in the final (3-2 in overtime) to win its first SCC/SWC Division II championship last week. LW: not rated. Next: Trumbull in the first round of the Division II tournament Tuesday.

 

10. SIMSBURY (12-9): Returns to the ratings for the first time this season after reaching the CCC North Championship for the third straight year (lost to rival Northwest Catholic, 5-3). LW: not rated. Next: at Hamden in the first round of the Division I tournament.