Boys Hockey Ratings: Xavier Moves Into Top Spot
After returning to the top three in The Courant state hockey ratings last week, Xavier High of Middletown takes over the top spot.
The Falcons jumped up two spots this week after beating the co-op of Suffield, Granby and Windsor Locks 5-2 for their fifth straight win.
Xavier, which was No. 1 in the ratings for several weeks last winter, is 5-1 against teams in the ratings. It has won four straight against teams in the top 10, including games last week over the Suffield co-op and New Canaan.
Ridgefield, which lost to Xavier 3-2 in overtime earlier this season, drops to No. 2. New Canaan is third.
Northwest Catholic remains in the top five for the third straight week. The Lions have won three straight since a loss to New Canaan. Suffield dropped two spots to No. 9. The Wildcats defeated East Catholic last week, but lost to Xavier on Saturday in a rematch from earlier this season, which Suffield won in overtime.
1. XAVIER-MIDDLETOWN (9-2): After losing to La Salle Academy (R.I.) 8-0 on Jan. 7, the Falcons have averaged four goals a game and beaten three teams in the top 10. LW: 3. TW: at Faifield Prep Wednesday.
2. RIDGEFIELD (9-1): Extended its win streak to eight games with a 3-2 win over West Haven on Saturday. LW: 1. TW: at New Canaan Monday; Wilton Saturday.
3. NEW CANAAN (8-2): Bounced back from loss to Xavier by outscoring Greenwich and Fairfield Warde/Fairfield Ludlowe 16-6 in next two games. LW: 2. TW: Ridgefield Monday; at Staples/Weston/Shelton Saturday.
4. FAIRFIELD PREP (5-3): Held West Haven scoreless Wednesday for its second shutout in three games and first win against a team in the top 10. LW: 4. TW: Xavier Wednesday; Hamden Saturday.
5. NORTHWEST CATHOLIC-WEST HARTFORD (10-1-1): Returned to its winning ways after losing to New Canaan by beating Greenwich, South Windsor and Notre Dame-Fairfield by a combined score of 16-5 last week. LW: 5. TW: Conard Wednesday; Simsbury Saturday.
6. NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN (6-5): After a 1-4 start, the Green Knights have won five of their past six games, including a 5-2 victory over Hamden on Saturday. LW: 9. TW: at Greenwich Monday.
7. HAMDEN (5-3): Lost 5-2 to Notre Dame-West Haven on Saturday to drop to 1-3 against teams in the top 10. LW: 6. TW: at Simsbury Wednesday; at Fairfield Prep Saturday.
8. EAST HAVEN (8-0): Since being held to two goals against Glastonbury on Jan. 4, the Yellow Jackets have scored 28 goals in victories over Hand, Guilford and the New Milford co-op. LW: 8. TW: Watertown/Pomperaug Wednesday; Farmington Valley Saturday.
9. SUFFIELD/GRANBY/WINDSOR LOCKS (8-2): Started the season with a seven-game winning streak, but the co-op has lost two of its last three games and allowed 14 goals since Jan. 14. LW: 7. TW: at North Branford Wednesday; Woodstock Academy Saturday.
10. WEST HAVEN (6-3): Has yet to beat a team in top 10 after losing to Fairfield Prep (5-0) and Ridgefield (3-2) last week. LW: 10. TW: at Amity Monday; at Notre Dame-Fairfield Saturday.
