Some new blood in Ohio Top 10
No changes in Top 5, but plenty in bottom of poll
The top five teams in the Ohio High School Hockey Coaches Poll stayed the same this week, but there was plenty of movement further down the lineup.
The big movers were Talawanda (12-2-2) and University School (7-11-0) which moved up into the #6 and #7 positions, respectively. Talawanda moved up one spot from last week while US climbed up three spots from #10.
Ironically, the Brave lost for just the first time this season against an OHSAA team on Sunday when they dropped a 3-1 game to Olentangy Orange. The Preppers, meanwhile, impressed voters with wins over #3 Gilmour Academy (2-1) and #9 Olentangy Liberty (1-0).
The win over Talawanda propelled Olentangy Orange (9-3-0) back into the Top 10 after falling out in recent weeks. The Pioneers have won five in a row and eight of their last 10, capturing their own Pioneer Classic Tournament last weekend.
Also for the first time this season, a team other than #1 St. Edward (17-2-1) received a first-place vote, as one of the nine votes for the top spot went to #2 Toledo St. Francis (16-3-1).
Over the weekend, St. Edward suffered their first loss of the season to an Ohio-based team while St. Francis extended their win streak to 10 games with three impressive wins against Northwest Hockey Conference opponents.
Upper Arlington (8-10-0), out of the Capital Hockey Conference, defeated St. Edward 3-2 in overtime on Saturday. The Golden Bears stayed in the #8 slot despite the resume-building win. St. Francis, meanwhile, knocked off Anthony Wayne (10-0), St. John’s (2-0) and Findlay (3-1) to convince at least one voter that they are the state’s top team.
The 3-5 teams stayed the same as well with Gilmour Academy (7-6-2), Saint Ignatius (10-7-2) and Sylvania Northview (7-5-2) holding their positions from last week.
Findlay, Walsh Jesuit, Perrysburg, Mentor and Rocky River all received votes this week, but remained outside the Top 10.
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
2020-21 Ohio Coaches Poll
| RANK | TEAM | RECORD | PREV | MOVE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | St. Edward Eagles | 23-3-1 | 1 | ||
| 2. | Toledo St. Francis Knights | 23-3-2 | 2 | ||
| 3. | Gilmour Academy Lancers | 18-8-2 | 3 | ||
| 4. | Saint Ignatius Prep | 15-7-3 | 4 | ||
| 5. | Sylvania Northview Wildcats | 13-9-2 | 5 | ||
| 6. | University School Preppers | 14-12-1 | 6 | ||
| 7. | Upper Arlington Golden Bears | 19-12-0 | 8 | ||
| 8. | St. Charles Cardinals | 18-6-1 | 7 | ||
| 9. | Olentangy Liberty Patriots | 12-13-2 | |||
| 10. | Findlay Trojans | 14-9-3 | 10 |
11. Olentangy Orange Pioneers
Other teams receiving votes: Findlay, Walsh Jesuit, Perrysburg, Mentor and Rocky River
UPCOMING GUESTS ON THE OHIO HOCKEY DIGEST ON AIR PODCAST
NCAA and World Junior Analyst Dave Starman (January 28)
The Voice of the Cleveland Monsters Tony Brown (February 4)
Ohio University head coach Cole Bell (February 11)
Former Gilmour star and Northeastern Frosh Ani Fitzgerald (March 4)
Tag(s): In the News OHD Features Scott Harrington High School GLHL Gilmour Academy St. Edward University School Walsh Jesuit CHC CHC Red Olentangy Liberty Upper Arlington Olentangy Orange GCHSHL GCHSHL Red Mentor Rocky River NHC NHC Red Findlay Perrysburg Northview St. Francis Talawanda Independent Saint Ignatius Prep
