Boys MIAA rankings: Are the top 10 teams set less than a month from the tournament?

No way, right? It can't be.

MIAA Division 1 boys hockey state tournament brackets are less than a month away from being announced. There is still plenty of time for teams to rise into the top 10.

But this past week is the first time all season in which no teams fell out of the top 10. No teams outside of the top 10 did enough to get inside either.

There were, however, various close calls for teams inside the top five. Overtimes were aplenty.

So, while the top 10 teams appear to be solid, teams outside could still do damage come the Division 1 state tournament in March.

Let's dive in.

1. Pope Francis (13-2-0)

Previous ranking: 1
Head coach: Brian Foley
Next game: vs. Hingham, Feb. 1, 2 p.m. 

The Cardinals had a wild week, beating Archbishop Williams, 4-3, before needing overtime to take down then-No. 6 St. Mary's Lynn, 2-1, on the road. Junior forward Matt Regan scored twice in the win against Archbishop Williams, while junior forward Liam Dolan tallied the winner against St. Mary's Lynn. It was junior forward Joe Orszulak who scored with under 40 seconds in regulation to force overtime. Two close calls nearly cost Pope Francis the No. 1 spot. On the flip side, the Cardinals can clearly win close games against good teams, which will help them in March.

2. Hingham (12-1-1)

Previous ranking: 2
Head coach: Tony Messina
Next game: at Pope Francis, Feb. 1, 2 p.m. 

There were no close calls with the Harbormen. Hingham beat Winchester, 5-3, in the first round of the Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament. Messina's team followed it up with a 5-1 win over Andover on Monday. Junior forward Cam McKenna is red hot, as he potted a whopping four goals to beat Andover and found the back of the net against Winchester. It can't be understated how big of an opportunity Hingham has in front of it on Saturday — a chance to take down the No. 1 team and move into the top spot.

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3. St. John's Prep (9-4-0)

Previous ranking: 4
Head coach: Kristian Hanson
Next game: vs. Arlington Catholic, Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m. 

The Eagles got two big Catholic Conference wins over the last seven days, taking down BC High, 3-0, and rival St. John's Shrewsbury, 5-4. Junior forward Brandon Ward continued his outstanding season against BC High, scoring two of his team's three goals (senior forward Mason Luciano had the other). Wednesday night's battle with SJS came down to the wire with senior forward Sam Croke scoring the eventual winner. Due to the gravity of those wins, SJP moved back into the top three.

4. Xaverian (8-4-1)

Previous ranking: 3
Head coach: Dave Spinale
Next game: vs. BC High, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. 

Xaverian fell one spot through no fault of its own. The Hawks had one game over the last seven days, taking care of business with a 5-0 win over Malden Catholic. Xaverian's best players came to play: senior Michael Bulkin posted a shutout, while Jackson Morse (two goals) and Devin Gosciak (three helpers) were the focal points of the offense. A big matchup awaits on Thursday night against BC High.

5. Reading (11-2-1)

Previous ranking: 5
Head coach: Mark Doherty
Next game: at Woburn, Feb. 1, 12 p.m. 

After trouncing Wakefield, 9-1, on Saturday, the Rockets earned a 2OT 1-0 win over Braintree (which technically counts as a tie; we're counting it as a win) and then needed overtime again to take down Wilmington, 4-3. Senior forward Liam Hansen was the hero against Braintree in the best game of the four at Arlington on Sunday. Senior forward Nate Mulvey built off a strong showing against Braintree and scored the OT winner against Wilmington. Reading continues to prove it wins close games.

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6. St. Mary's Lynn (11-4-1)

Previous ranking: 6
Head coach: Matthew Smith Sr.
Next game: at Bishop Feehan, Feb. 1, 4:30 p.m. 

St. Mary's Lynn had two games over the last seven days, beating Arlington Catholic, 2-1, and then falling to No. 1 Pope Francis, 2-1, in overtime. Typically, a loss might mean dropping down a spot or two. But Pope Francis is the No. 1 team in the MIAA and St. Mary's Lynn carried a 1-0 lead into the final minute. A couple of things should scare other teams about St. Mary's: junior Matthew Smith Jr., has been outstanding in net and the Spartans keep playing good teams really well.

7. Catholic Memorial (10-5-0)

Previous ranking: 7
Head coach: Larry Rooney
Next game: vs. BC High, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. 

The Knights had a great last seven days, beating St. John's Shrewsbury, 4-2, and shutting out Malden Catholic, 6-0. Senior forward Luke Long continued to produce, registering two goals against SJS and another goal and a helper in the win over Malden Catholic. Fortunately for the Knights, they get the weekend off as they face a gauntlet in February: BC High, Hingham, St. John's Prep, Archbishop Williams, Pope Francis and Winchester. Talk about being battle-tested for the tournament.

8. Arlington (10-4-1)

Previous ranking: 10
Head coach: John Messuri
Next game: vs. Reading, Feb. 2, 4 p.m. 

Goal-scoring wasn't an issue for Arlington over the last seven days. After stumbling last week, the Spy Ponders beat Melrose, 4-2, before crushing Division 2 powerhouse Tewksbury, 7-2, and then taking down Watertown/Wayland, 10-1. Sophomore forward JP Messuri had quite the stretch. He tallied four goals, including a hat trick in the first period, against Tewksbury and then posted two more goals and an assist against Watertown. Sunday's matchup with Reading will be must-watch.

9. Belmont (9-4-0)

Previous ranking: 9
Head coach: Tim Foley
Next game: vs. Winchester, Jan. 31, 7:50 p.m. 

Belmont stayed put this week after taking down Wilmington, 7-3, beating Concord-Carlisle, 5-1, and falling to Stoneham, 2-1. The Marauders' win over Concord-Carlisle was my first time seeing them this season and the top line of senior Adam Bauer, junior Leo Packard and sophomore Liam Guilderson impressed. Bauer led the group with a hat trick and showed an ability to take over a game. When the tournament comes around, expect that line to make a bunch of noise.

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10. BC High (5-5-2)

Previous ranking: 8
Head coach: John Flaherty
Next game: at Xaverian, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. 

BC High only played once over the last seven days, falling to then-No. 4 St. John's Prep, 3-0. The issue for BC High continues to be putting up enough goals to win. Sophomore goalie Drew Karlovits has things locked down in back. Flaherty's team just needs the necessary output from the players up front.

DROPPED OUT: No one

IN THE HUNT: St. John's Shrewsbury, Archbishop Williams, Marshfield, Winchester, Natick, Braintree, Waltham

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