The best team in Minnesota boys hockey? Small, mighty Warroad speaks

Before we turn our attention to the Hockey Day Minnesota games on Saturday, let’s recap some compelling boys hockey news both on and off the ice.

It’s not often that the teams ranked number one in the Let’s Play Hockey coaches’ vote decide to brag on the boards. But the stars aligned on Saturday when Wayzata visited little Warroad. The 3-0 victory left no doubt that the undefeated Warriors are the best team in Minnesota, regardless of class. The loss dropped the Trojans to second in this week’s rankings behind Minnetonka.

With eight games remaining in the playoffs, Warroad could finish the regular season undefeated for the first time since 2005. Carson Pilgrim, Jayson Shaugabay, Hampton Slukynsky and the boys are coming off a truly remarkable season.

As Warroad continues to operate, another northern school is said to be ending its Class 2A residency. Cloquet had applied to participate and play postseason games against the largest schools in the order of enrollment since the implementation of the two-tier system in 1993-94. The Lumberjacks are no longer interested in that.

Paul Riess, Cloquet’s director of operations, confirmed his decision to remain in 1A at the Jan. 23 school board meeting, according to Pine Journal reporter Jake Przytarski. Cloquet, which combines Esko and Carlton, reached the Class 2A state tournaments in 2002 and 2008.

On Saturday, rivals Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake step out for a Hockey Day Minnesota showdown at Polar Lakes Park, televised by Bally Sports North. The puck drops at 4:30 p.m., shortly after Hermantown takes on Mahtomed at 1 p.m. in a matchup of Class 1A powers.

BOYS’ SEMESTER REVIEWS

Class 2A

By Let’s Play Hockey (records up to January 25)

1. Minnetonka (15-2); 2. Wayzata (13-2-2); 3. Chanhassen (16-1); 4. Maple Grove (13-3-1); 5. Edina (11-4-1); 6. Cretin-Derham Hall (13-4-1); 7. Rogers (11-2-3); 8. Andover (12-5-1); 9. White Bear Lake (13-3); 10. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (12-5).

11. Lakeville South (10-4-1); 12. St. Thomas Academy (13-5); 13. Holy Family (11-5); 14. Champlin Park (12-5); 15. Shakopee (11-5); 16. Stillwater (9-4-3); 17. Duluth East (10-6-1); 18. Centennial (9-5-1); 19. Eastview (10-6); 20. Holy Angels (10-5-1).

Class 1A

1. Warroad (17-0); 2. Hermantown (13-2-1); 3. Orono (15-2); 4. Mahtomedi (11-5); 5. East Grand Forks (11-6); 6. Northfield (13-4); 7. Detroit Lakes (12-4-1); 8. Hibbing/Chisholm (12-5-1); 9. Rock Ridge (11-5-1); 10. Two Rivers (14-3-1).

11. Delano (10-7); 12. Fergus Falls (8-6-1); 13. New Ulm (15-2-1); 14. Luverne (10-5-1); 15. Minneapolis (10-6-1); 16. New Prague (10-6); 17. Duluth Denfeld (10-8-1); 18. St. Cloud Cathedral (9-7); 19. Albert Lea (12-4); 20. Wadena-Deer Creek (11-4).