Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Hockey: January 17th
Jack Andrade, GoLocalProv Sports Reporter
Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Hockey: January 17th
Much has changed in the RIIL hockey landscape in the past 2 weeks, and for that reason this week's Power Pack has some new faces and plenty of teams shifting around in the Top 10.
One point of note: Division 2 is loaded with quality teams, with each of the 3 regional sub-divisions having multiple deserving candidates to crack the Top 10. However, looking at the head to head results among the top teams in each division, it's cear that right now Division 2 North is the top sub-division in D2, and the Central is the second strongest sub-division. The top tier teams in the North have fared very well against the Central and the South, and the top teams in the Central have done well against the South as well.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs such, the South doesn't have a team in the Top 10 this week, and the North has 4. That hierarchy is based off head to head results among the sub-divisions.
Here's a look at the updated Top 10, as well as a look at some key matchups this weekend.
Power Pack: RI High School Boys' Hockey: January 17th
Prout
Division Record: 5-3 (Division 2 Central)
Overall Record: 6-4-1
Prout remains the top team in Division 2 Central, and the Crusaders hold onto the final spot in the Power Pack despite losing to a pair of Division 2 North stalwarts in the past couple of weeks. The Crusaders are tough to score on, surrendering just 1.5 goals per game in league play this season. Prout takes on Johnston/North Providence Co-op on Friday .
Last Poll: #7
PCD/Wheeler/SRA Co-op
Division Record: 5-3 (Division 2 North)
Overall Record: 5-3
Wins over Division 2 Central top teams Middletown and Prout have PCD/Wheeler/SRA Co-op making noise in Division 2, and they crack the Top 10 this week for the first time all season. No one has as busy a weekend as PCD/Wheeler/SRA Co-op. They take on Pilgrim on Friday, North Kingstown on Sunday, and Portsmouth on Monday.
Last Poll: Not Ranked
North Smithfield
Division Record: 4-2 (Division 2 North)
Overall Record: 5-3
North Smithfield crushed PCD/Wheeler/SRA Co-op 9-4 on December 27th, so I'm keeping the Northmen ahead of the Co-op for the time being despite their close standings in Division 2 North. North Smithfield takes on Mt. Hope on Saturday at Thayer Arena.
Last Poll: #10
Smithfield
Divison Record: 3-4 (Division 1 Eccleston)
Overall Record: 5-4
Smithfield is a team on the rise in Division 1 Eccleston, and the Sentinels are the only team in the Eccleston division with a positive goal differential (+4). Riding a 2 game league winning streak, Smithfield takes on Burrillville on Monday night.
Last Poll: Not Ranked
Cranston Co-op
Divison Record: 4-4 (Division 1 Eccleston)
Overall Record: 5-5
Cranston Co-op continues to lead Division 1 Eccleston division, boasting a 4-1 record against Eccleston opponents this season. Cranston Co-op has a chance to pick up 2 more of those wins this weekend against one win teams Coventry and Barrington.
Last Poll: #6
Cumberland
Division Record: 6-0 (Division 2 North)
Overall Record: 7-0
The Clippers are still unbeaten and host Mt. Hope on Friday in their quest to make it 7 straight wins to start the league year. Cumberland has allowed just 2 goals all season, and the Clippers pack a punch too with 39 goals in 6 league games (6.5 per game.)
Last Poll: #5
Lincoln
Division Record: 9-0 (Division 2 North)
Overall Record: 9-0
Lincoln continues to impress in Division 2 North, and the Lions still have the most wins in RIIL play to this point. With 47 goals for and just 6 against, Lincoln is a force to be reckoned with. The Lions travel to take on North Kingstown on Monday.
Last Poll: #4
La Salle
Divison Record: 2-3-1 (Division 1 Cimini)
Overall Record: 4-6-1
La Salle's record isn't pretty, but the Rams have been playing nothing but elite teams in non-league play (such as Notre Dame High School and Fairfield Prep) and they avenged their stunning loss to Burrillville from early in the year with a 7-1 drubbing last Friday. La Salle is still a Top 3 team, and they take on Barrington this Friday at Thayer Arena.
Last Poll: #3
Mount St. Charles
Divison Record: 7-1 (Division 1 Cimini)
Overall Record: 9-4
Mount has been running roughshod over Division 1 lately, outscoring opponents 16-1 in their last 3 games. The Mounties host Coventry this Friday at Adelard Arena, and travel to Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA for a big non-league tilt Saturday night.
Last Poll: #2
Hendricken
Divison Record: 5-0-1 (Division 1)
Overall Record: 8-1-1
Hendricken continues to roll unbeaten in RIIL play, but the Hawks lost their first game of any kind this season in a 3-2 overtime thriller against Boston College High School on Saturday. The Hawks don't play this weekend, but they do have another big non-league test Monday when they travel to Lawrence, MA to face Notre Dame High school.
Last Poll: #1
