NZ Prep Poll this week saw little change; Salisbury and Dexter switched spots at the top and Tilton, New Hampton and Belmont Hill all made their way onto the poll while Pomfret, Gunnery and Kent fell out.
1. Salisbury School (14-1-1)
Last Week: #2 Salisbury claims it’s first #1 ranking on the season going 14-0-1 since its first game of the season. The Crimson Knights are firing on all cylinders giving up 1 or less goals against 3 of their last 4 games as well as scoring a combined 27 goals during that span. Their game against Kent which was a real test got postponed but they’ll face a tough Berkshire and Gunnery squad this week. There are teams with higher end talent at the top; but not sure there’s as much depth in the league at all three positions. Next Up: vs. Berkshire; vs. Gunnery
2. Dexter School (16-2-0)
Last Week: #1 Dexter dropped from the top spot after a 1 goal loss to Thayer. The team responded nicely to beat Brooks 7-0 continuing its explosive offense that has scored 3 or more goals in every game this season and 4 or more in 16 of 18 games. With the exception of their loss to Thayer; they have shutout 3 of their last 4 games. They go on the road against St. George’s but their real test comes Saturday against Lawrence. This is the third meeting between teams as they have split in tournament championship games; this one will decide the series. Next Up: @ St. Georges; vs. Lawrence
3. Avon Old Farms (14-2-0)
Last Week: #3 Avon had their first loss since mid-December in a 2-0 loss to Berkshire. They are well known for their offensive firepower but it’s been their defense as of late that’s stood out giving up just 8 goals against in their last 7 games. The Winged Beavers have 3 games in 5 days including a road matchup against #5 Loomis which is a major test for a team that has won 8 of their last 9. Next Up: @ Westminster; @ Berkshire; vs. #5 Loomis
4. Lawrence Academy (11-2-0)
Last Week: #4 Lawrence remains at #4 after a disappointing loss to a surging Nobles & Greenough team. Prior to their loss they were riding a 6-game win streak. Lawrence will face 3 teams in 4 days including a rematch game with #2 Dexter after splitting the series 1-1-0 so far this season. Lawrence has the highest RPI in the league and a sweep this week could propel them to the top of the poll. They have a difficult schedule in February so closing out January is important before they hit the home stretch. Next Up: vs. Governors; vs. Tabor; @ #2 Dexter
5. Loomis Chaffee (10-2-3)
Last Week: #6 Loomis goes up one spot after going 4-1-1 in their last 6 games. They faceoff against #3 Avon this week in a major test of two of the top teams in the state of Connecticut. Loomis will need to find more ways to score but if they keep pucks out of their net the way they have been all season then they’ll have a chance in every game. The Pelicans have allowed 1 goal or less in 5 of the last 6 games. Next Up: vs. #3 Avon; vs. Andover
6. Nobles & Greenough (11-4-1)
Last Week: #8 Nobles is a team on the rise who continues to surge after beating a 1-loss Lawrence squad. In their last 10 games they have given up 2 goals or less in 9 of them. They have a tough upcoming stretch with their next 5 games on the road. They play rival St. Sebastian’s in a rematch game after they defeated the Arrows 2-1 earlier this month. Nobles has a strong RPI rank given their strength of schedule and quality wins over teams like #4 Lawrence, #7 St. Sebastian’s and Berkshire. Next Up: @ #8 St. Sebastian’s; @ Rivers
7. Brunswick (14-4-2)
Last Week: #7 Brunswick won all three games this past week including a big win against a talented Millbrook team. They have 14 wins and only 4 losses and show a versatility to win games in a variety of ways. They have only 1 game this upcoming week against Williston Northampton and with only 7 games remaining each game matters to make it in the Elite 8. Next Up: @ Williston-Northampton
8. St. Sebastian’s (12-3-0)
Last Week: #10 The Arrows are 6-2-0 in their last 8 games and riding a 3-game win streak. They face back to back rivals in #6 Nobles & Greenough and Thayer this week. They are scoring 4.8 goals per game on average and giving up just 1.73 for a scoring margin of +3.07. They’ll play 6 straight games against playoff contenders so the next three weeks will determine their Elite 8 fate. Big week ahead. Next Up: vs. #6 Nobles; @ Thayer
9. St. Mark’s (9-2-1)
Last Week: #5 St. Mark’s slid after a difficult loss to Belmont Hill 7-1. They started the season with a 7-0-1 record through their first 8 games and since have gone 2-2-0 in their last 4 where they lost by a 15-3 margin against Dexter and Belmont Hill. Only 2 losses which is impressive but they have a weaker strength of schedule than the teams ranked above them. They’ll be on the road for their next two and then cap the week off with a home game against Tabor. Next Up: @ Middlesex; @ Proctor; vs. Tabor
10. Hotchkiss (9-4-1)
Last Week: #11 Hotchkiss is 4-1-1 in their last 6 games including an impressive last week with wins over Exeter and Kent and a tie against Berkshire. They’ll have a rematch with Berkshire this week and head on the road to face Deerfield. Hotchkiss is becoming a more balanced team showing they can score goals as they’ve netted 13 in their last 3 games. If they can get through this weekend their next 4 games are against sub .500 teams so this is the time to make a run. Next Up: vs. Berkshire; @ Deerfield
11. Kimball Union (12-5-1)
Last Week: #9 Despite going 5-1-0 the past 6 games the Wildcats dropped a few spots after a loss to Deerfield; a team they beat earlier in the season at Flood Marr. KUA has one of the most talented rosters in prep; but the three-time Elite 8 Champions are on the outside looking in for the Elite 8. They’ll have a chance to make a strong push this week as they face two playoff contenders in Tilton and Exeter. They face stingy competition for the next three weeks so the coming weeks will determine their chances of getting to four in a row. Next Up: @ Exeter; vs. Tilton
12. Tilton (10-4-2)
Last Week: NR Tilton makes its prep poll debut after going 5-0-1 in their last 6 games with wins over Milton and Proctor. Tilton may not have the resume of the teams ranked above them but they have a great opportunity to prove themselves as they’ll face 5 straight games against teams with a +.500 record. The Rams are an older, experienced, well-balanced team who will have a shot at the Lakes Region Tournament. Next Up: vs. New Hampton; @ #11 Kimball Union
13. Cushing (11-6-1)
Last Week: #13 Cushing stays at #13 after going 3-0-1 in their last 4 games with wins over Thayer and Deerfield and a tie against #5 Loomis. The Penguins can extend their win streak as they have 3 games against Worcester, NMH and on the road to Exeter. A sweep this week would set up Cushing for an Elite 8 run but stumbling this week could make that case unlikely. A deep and talented roster who may be young in some positions, especially in net, but have the ability to skate with anyone in the league and will be a difficult out come playoff time. Next Up: vs. @ Worcester; vs. NMH; @Exeter
14. New Hampton (12-6-1)
Last Week: NR New Hampton is a team on the rise going 7-1-0 in their last 8 games. The Huskies may not have had the toughest schedule but their last 4 losses have come against ranked teams in #2 Dexter, #4 Lawrence, #7 Brunswick and #13 Cushing. New Hampton will go on the road this week for back to back Lakes Region contests against #12 Tilton and Holderness. Next Up: @ #12 Tilton; @ Holderness
15. Belmont Hill (11-6-0)
Last Week: NR Belmont Hill makes his prep poll debut this season after going 7-0-0 in late December and then going 4-1-0 in their last 5 with wins over St. Sebastian’s, Thayer and St. Mark’s. They go on the road this week to face St. Paul’s and Brooks and continue an already impressive mid-season run for playoff positioning. Things don’t get any easier on their schedule but if they continue the momentum they’ve built since December, they’ll be in the playoff hunt when it’s all said and done. Next Up: @ Brooks; @ St. Paul’s
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
