Massachusetts Boys D1 Top 20
| Rank | Team | W | L | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. John's Prep | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Arlington | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Xaverian | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Catholic Memorial | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Pope Francis | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | Hingham | 11 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | Belmont | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Braintree | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | Austin Prep | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Waltham | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | Woburn | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | BC High | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 13 | Falmouth | 19 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Malden Catholic | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Winchester | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | Marshfield | 15 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 17 | Reading | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 18 | Central Catholic | NR | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | Natick | NR | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | Franklin | 20 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
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There is no way to overlook this: Three weeks into the season, new No. 1 St. John’s Prep (5-1-0) of the Catholic Conference has taken down two No. 1 teams.
Xaverian became the latest Saturday night as the Eagles trekked south to the Canton Ice House and put away the Hawks with a three-goal third-period burst. SJP extended its winning streak to four games, during which it has outscored opponents, 20-3.
Tommy Sarni delivered the game-winner on Cole Blaeser’s assist. Goalie Payton Palladino earned the win with an exemplary effort.
No. 2 Arlington (6-1-0) remains in the primary chase position behind SJP. The Spy Ponders handled Winchester Saturday afternoon, but couldn’t hold off Hingham in a 4-1 loss Sunday afternoon. It won’t get any easier, with a game at unbeaten Belmont on Wednesday.
No. 3 Xaverian (6-1-0) got worn down by SJP. The Hawks are at BC High Wednesday and take on Catholic Memorial in the Catholic Conference Showcase Sunday
No. 4 Catholic Memorial (4-0-0) faces a rugged three-game week — at Hingham Tuesday, against St, John’s of Shrewsbury Wednesday and at Xaverian Sunday.We will know a lot more about the Knights at the end of next week.
No. 5 Pope Francis (3-2-0) hasn’t played in more than a week, and won’t until a January 15th date with Bridgewater-Raynham.
No. 6 Hingham (5-2-0) has recovered nicely from a bumpy start including Sunday’s win against Arlington to kick of a three-game week that starts Tuesday vs. CM. It will go a long way in determining how the season shakes out for the Harbormen.
There appears to be no stopping No. 7 Belmont (10-0-0), which has outscored opponents, 33-6. Arlington (Wednesday) and Woburn (Saturday) could have something to say about that.
No. 8 Braintree (4-1-1) battled Wellesley to a 1-1 tie Saturday night, their first league blemish. Weymouth and Hingham are on the docket for the Wamps this week.
Can’t penalize No. 9 Austin Prep (3-1-0) for having its game against Archbishop Williams suspended after two periods due to ice issues on Saturday. The Cougars knocked off Bishop Feehan Sunday and face Bishop Fenwick Wednesday and St, Mary’s Saturday.
No. 10 Waltham (4-1-1) shut out Billerica, 1-0, and edged Shrewsbury in OT, 2-1.
No. 11 Woburn (4-1-1) picked up a point in a gritty tie against Reading Wednesday.
Despite being idle, No. 12 BC High (2-3-1) moves up a bit as they ready to take on Xaverian on Wednesday.
No. 13 Falmouth (7-0-1) continued its hot start with a big win over Dedham Sunday.
Malden Catholic (4-1-0) is up to No. 14. The Lancers were also idle this past week, and look ahead to opening their Catholic Conference slate Wednesday against top-ranked SJP.
No. 15 Winchester (4-2-0) couldn’t match Arlington Saturday, suffering its second straight loss after opening the season with four straight wins.
No. 16 Marshfield (4-3-1) snapped a three-game slide with a 4-1 win against North Quincy Saturday.
No. 17 Reading (3-2-1) is in an offensive funk, 0-2-1 in its last three outings and not scoring in any of those three games. It won’t get any easier, with Arlington and Pope Francis the next two opponents on the docket.
No. 18 Central Catholic (2-2-0) is back in the Top 20 after a solid win over Andover Saturday.
No. 19 Natick (3-2-0) and No. 20 Franklin (5-5-0) round out this week’s rankings.
