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Some new blood in Ohio Top 10

By Scott Harrington, 01/19/21, 10:30PM EST

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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)