Well, let me tell ya, there’s a whole lotta talk about this thing called the NEPSAC Hockey Rankings. Now, I ain’t no expert, but I’ve heard folks talk ’bout it enough to get the jist. NEPSAC stands for New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, and it’s a big deal up in them northern parts, especially when it comes to hockey. Them rankings they got, well, they sure stir up the excitement, I can tell ya that much.
Now, I’m not gonna pretend I know every little thing ’bout how them rankings work, but I can sure tell ya they rank the teams based on how good they’re playin’—the better the team, the higher they get ranked. They take into account wins and losses, the number of goals scored, and how many goals they let in. Teams gotta play at least 10 games before they even get considered for the rankings, so it’s gotta be some serious hockey being played out there.
Top Teams in the NEPSAC Hockey Rankings:
- Cushing Academy – This here team is at the top, or at least close to it, most of the time. Last I checked, they had a real good record, 24 wins and 3 losses. That’s mighty fine, if you ask me. Their goals per game are up there too, scoring about 4.96 goals a game, and only letting in 1.4 goals. Mighty impressive!
- Kimball Union Academy – These folks ain’t too far behind, sittin’ at 27 wins and 3 losses. They score a bit more, around 5.63 goals a game, but they do let in more too—2.30 goals. Still, that’s a mighty fine record, and they’re always tough to beat.
- Avon Old Farms – Another team that’s pretty dang good. They’ve been playin’ strong with 20 wins and 2 losses. Their goals per game ain’t too shabby either, sittin’ at 4.30, and they let in 1.82 goals. They sure know how to put up a fight.
- Brunswick School – Don’t count these folks out! They got 20 wins, 3 losses, and 2 ties. Their goals per game is 4.44, and they give up about 2.39 goals. Still a solid team, if you ask me.
But here’s the thing, it’s not just ‘bout who’s at the top. These rankings keep changin’ week by week, and the competition is fierce. I’ve heard tell that the race to the Elite 8 is heatin’ up real good. That’s when the top 8 teams all get together for some serious playoff action, and you can bet your boots folks are watchin’ that closely.
How Do They Rank These Teams?
Now, I don’t know all the ins and outs of the system, but I do know the folks at NEPSAC use a lot of numbers to figure it out. Wins, losses, goals scored, goals allowed—those are the biggies. Teams gotta keep a good record and show they can hang with the big dogs if they want to stay near the top. They also got something called a “power ranking,” where they look at how strong the teams are overall, not just their win-loss record.
And don’t forget, folks got to follow the rules, too. If a team ain’t played enough games, they ain’t gonna be in the rankings. Ain’t no use in tryin’ to rank a team that hasn’t played enough to show they can handle the competition.
Why These Rankings Matter:
You might be wonderin’ why all this even matters. Well, let me tell ya. These rankings help folks know who’s the real deal when it comes to hockey. If you’re lookin’ to scout some young talent for your college team or just want to see who’s top dog, them rankings sure give ya a good picture of who’s hot and who’s not. It also keeps the teams motivated to keep on pushin’. Ain’t nothin’ like a little competition to get the blood pumpin’ and the games real exciting!
So, if you ever find yourself wonderin’ ‘bout who’s at the top of the NEPSAC Hockey Rankings, just remember—Cushing, Kimball Union, Avon, and Brunswick. They’re the ones to watch. And if you’re lookin’ for some good hockey playin’, well, you’re sure to find it up in New England. Them kids play hard and put on a good show, I tell ya that much.
Tags:[NEPSAC Hockey, New England Prep Hockey, Hockey Rankings, High School Hockey, Prep Schools Hockey, Cushing Academy, Kimball Union Academy, Avon Old Farms, Brunswick School, Elite 8 Hockey]