While things are getting intense at the top of the Ohio coach’s poll, it will also be interesting to see if some mediocre showings in the bottom half of last week’s rankings open up spots for new teams this week like St. Charles, Rocky River or Shaker Heights.  Or how about a dark horse like Anthony Wayne?  The Generals have picked up some quality wins this season.

#1 Saint Ignatius – The four-time defending OHSAA champs handled a pair of Great Lakes Hockey League foes with ease over the weekend, solidifying their hold on the #1 spot.  I’m not sure if that will silence some pf their critics or amplify them (def. St. Edward, 5-0; def. University School, 10-1).

#2 Upper Arlington – The Golden Bears ran their record to 17-0-0 with wins over a pair of Dublin schools.  Garrett Alderman shut out last year’s CBJ Cup and district champs for his eighth clean sheet of the season (!).  It’s fair to say they are the main competition in the state for the Wildcats right now, but they will have to defend that claim Saturday in Gates Mills.   (def. Dublin Coffman, 11-1; def. Dublin Jerome, 2-0).

#3 Gilmour Academy – The Lancers (10-2-1) enjoyed a quiet holiday but return to the ice this weekend as they host their annual Brother James Memorial Tournament.  Their schedule includes a game against #2 Upper Arlington at 10:20 a.m. Saturday at Gilmour Academy Ice Arena.  A win over UA would have to move the Gilmour, which lost to Saint Ignatius by a single goal on Dec. 11, into the #2 spot.

#4 Olentangy Liberty – A week after they were dropped from #2 to #4, the Patriots were tied, 1-1, by Dublin Jerome but, with the teams directly behind them suffering losses, they are probably safe where they are for another week (tied Dublin Jerome, 1-1; def. Dublin Coffman, 7-1).

#5 Toledo St. John’s – The Titans travelled north of the border for the Scott Miller Invitational where they played three competitive, one-goal games and finished as the runner-up (def. Traverse City Central (MI), 7-6 in OT; def. Rockford (MI), 4-3; lost to Saginaw Heritage (MI), 5-4).

#6 St. Edward – The Eagles suffered a 5-0 loss at the hands of #1 Saint Ignatius Wildcats on Saturday.  Although Ignatius was clearly the better team on Saturday the gap was not as wide as the final score might indicate.  Ed’s could very well get another shot at their rivals in the district tournament (lost to Saint Ignatius, 5-0).

#7 Mentor – It would be tough to drop St. Edward down when their loss came against the #1 team, but Mentor made their case to move up by sweeping their way to victory at Walsh Jesuit’s Greg Shupe Memorial Tournament, picking up their second win of the season over a GLHL team and an impressive victory over a CHC power (def. Shaker Heights, 4-2; def. St. Charles, 2-1; def. Springboro, 10-1).

#8 University School – US picked up a win Saturday before losing for the fifth time in their last six games on Sunday.  Four of those five losses have come against ranked teams but giving up a 10-spot might sway voters to move the Preppers down a notch or two (def. Meadville (PA), 6-2; lost to Saint Ignatius, 10-1).

#9 Holy Name – After being moved up into the Top 10 last week, the Green Wave picked up a league win and a quality tie.  Holy Name has scored four or more goals in 12 of their 16 games this season (def. Padua Franciscan, 7-3; tied Meadville (PA), 3-3).

#10t Sylvania Northview – The Wildcats travelled to Pennsylvania for the 24th annual PA Hockey Scholastic Showcase and enjoyed some tight competition, playing three one-goal games in three days.  They their first three games before losing on Sunday (def. North Royalton, 4-3; def. North Hills (PA), 5-1; def. Penn-Trafford (PA), 4-3; lost to West Allegheny, 3-2).

#10t Toledo St. Francis – The Knights were off last week.  It remains to be seen how that will affect their tenuous grasp on a Top 10 spot as they head to the Brother James Tourney this weekend.

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest