There was a lot of movement in this addition of the rankings as some teams that were initially in the top 10 have started to struggle. As a staff we feel very comfortable with our top three selections this edition as the Avalanche, Rush and Junior Rangers have shown growth and consistency as teams.
Teams 4 through 6 have shown us enough to keep them in the top safely unless proven otherwise. 7-Recieving votes we are splitting hairs as these teams have all shown their potential but also leave some big question marks that need to be answered through the month of January.
New Hampshire Avalanche EHL
Previous 1
We still rank the New Hampshire Avalanche as the top team in the country as nothing they did since the last ranking period changed our opinion on them. They went 5-1-0-1 since November 22 and they only gave up more than one goal once in that time frame. 02' Goaltender Shane Peremba has posted over a 90 Save Percent in all his December starts and has a 92.9 save percentage on the year.
Charlotte Rush USPHL Premier
Previous 6
The Rush have been hot of late and are really starting to round into form as they rolled through the competition in December. Winners of 7 in a row they flew by the Richmond Generals in the standings as they now sit 5 points ahead of them and they picked apart the Florida division before heading into the Christmas Holiday break. TSA Athlete Matt Esquerre a 02' Forward has been a key reason for the Rush success as he has accumulated 12 points in 8 games in December, including 5 goals.
Boston Jr. Rangers EHL
Previous 8
After their slow start to the year the Rangers have finally made their way into the top 3. A recent 1-0 loss to New Hampshire and a 3-0 loss to EC Wizards are nothing to hang their heads on as both are playing excellent hockey. They saw an overall good December showing going 4-2 with big wins over Seacoast and the New Jersey 87's. 02' Goaltender Dave Filak continues to have a monster year with a 94.7 save percentage and a 1.70 GAA.
Granite City Lumberjacks NA3HL
Previous 4
Staying at 4 despite going 1-2 at the NA3HL showcase which in our opinion was disappointing for the Lumberjacks. They have shown flaws but have the firepower to outscore any of their opponents. As a team they have struggled against more physical competition that takes away their time and space. They have a big month of January as they faceoff vs Peoria twice, Loons Twice and Alexandria once.
Vermont Lumberjacks EHL
Previous 5
We like this Lumberjacks team a lot as they are capable of skating with the best teams in the EHL on a nightly basis. They were just average through the month of December which is why they fell in the standings. They have a huge opportunity through the month of January to make some noise, which we think they are more than capable of.
Northern Cyclones USPHL
Previous 9
Their strength of schedule is just okay but the Cyclones keep taking care of business and keep winning. Since our last ranking they had two solid wins over IHC as they rolled to a 5-0-0-1 December. Their only regulation loss was back in October to the Boston Jr. Bruins. Their overall forward depth is hard to match up with especially at the Center position.
Seacoast Spartans EHL
Previous NR
One of the hottest teams in Tier 3 hockey is our surprise team of this ranking period. With a 6-2 December and an excellent game for the Jr. Rangers; the Spartans have seen wins in 14 of their last 16 contests as Coach Brett Tryder has his team clicking. The Spartans have big tests early in January as they take on the EC Wizards, New Hampshire Avalanche and the Boston Jr. Rangers. TSA Athlete Ted Justicz 02' Defensemen has emerged as a top defensemen on the Spartans blueline and 02 forwards William Pray (45pts) and Drew Oliveri (42 pts) continue to score at high clips.
Alexandria Blizzard NA3HL
Previous NR
The Blizzard have finally convinced us to put them in our top 10 rankings. Their biggest hiccups this year were vs Granite City (Rank 3rd in this ranking) as they have gone 1-2 against their rival. Beating Rochester and rolling through Norwich and the Texas Brahma's at the NA3HL showcase really opened our eyes to the potential this team has. They receive scoring from all their lines and their defensive core is one of the deepest in the NA3. As a team they have only given up 62 goals all season.
Potomac Patriots USPHL
Previous NR
Overtaking their struggling divisional rival the Richmond Generals in the top 10 despite a losing record to the Generals are the Patriots. The Patriots have been one of the hottest teams int he USPHL going 9-1 in their last 10 with their only coming at the hands of the Junior Hurricanes. They play the game with a lot of speed and creativity, the biggest question for the Patriots moving forward is if their defensive core and goaltending can hold up.
Utah Outliers USPHL
Previous 2
Three losses since our last ranking period in what is turning out to be an overrated Mountain Division does not look good for the Outliers. Despite being in first in the division they have a 2-4 record vs Division rival Ogden who also has been very inconsistent this season. The Outliers need to get things going in a positive direction as they head into the heart of January.
Others Receiving votes
NJ 87's EHL
Peoria Mustangs NA3HL (Prev 10)
Oregon Tradesman NA3HL
New England Wolves EHL (Prev 7)
Richmond Generals USPHL (Prev 3)
Rochester Grizzlies NA3HL
Railers Hockey Club EHL
New York Aviator USPHL
Islanders Hockey Club USPHL
Tier 3 Notable TSA Athletes
Harrison Albrecht 02' Defensemen New Ulm Steel NA3HL
Uncommitted
Albrecht has developed nicely in his 20-year-old year and is coming off a successful NA3HL showcase. On the season he has 1 goal and 7 assists for his club and is utilized in every situation. He has shown the ability to play solid defensively and when the puck is on his stick, he makes good sound decisions. He projects as a Depth Division 3 defensemen and a top pair ACHA D1 defensemen.
Max Banoun 02' Goaltender New York Applecore EHL
Uncommitted
Banoun has posted an impressive 92.7 save percentage this season and a 3.01 GAA. For the month of December Banoun posted a 2-4-1 record with an outstanding 92.9 save percentage. Banoun has been taken a major step forward in his last year of junior and is the type of goaltender that gives his team a chance to win on a nightly basis.
Leyton Pettypiece 02' Forward Utah Outliers USPHL
Uncommitted
Pettypiece is in his second year with the Outliers and has accumulated 21 goals and 22 assists so far this season. In addition to having a great 20-year-old season Pettypiece also has NCDC experience as he spent much of his 19-year-old with the Boston Advantage. Pettypiece has the ability to become a big-time scorer at the Division 3 level next season.
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