By Matt Stypulkoski | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Changes keep coming
There was plenty going on in the past week of N.J. ice hockey, from outdoor games to Top 20 battles and division rivalries. There were also plenty of upsets and interesting results, which makes for a change-filled new edition of the Top 20. Take a look below to see the updated ranking and how the week's results affected the list. Have thoughts on our ranking? Share them in the comments.
George McNish| For NJ Advance Media
20-Northern Highlands (7-1-1)
Last week: No. 20
Northern Highlands snuck past St. Joseph (Mont.), 3-2, then grabbed a convincing 8-2 win over Pascack Valley. The Highlanders have won five straight and are unbeaten in their last six games.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
19-Middletown North (8-2-1)
Last week: Not ranked
Middletown North's only action of the week – a game against Rumson-Fair Haven on Tuesday – was suspended after one period due to ice issues.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
18-Montclair (9-2-2)
Last week: No. 18
Montclair had a somewhat rocky week, beating Clifton and tying Livingston before dropping a 3-1 game against No. 13 Summit on Tuesday night.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
17-Glen Rock (7-5-1)
Last week: No. 16
Glen Rock dropped its only game of the week, 3-2, against then-No. 6 Morristown-Beard. With the loss, Glen Rock has now fallen in four straight and five of seven.
Mark R. Sullivan | For NJ Advance Media
16-Pingry (7-1-1)
Last week: No. 17
Pingry's three games this week were all postponed due to inclement weather. The Big Blue returns to action on Thursday against Bridgewater-Raritan.
RELATED: Outdoor games, 1st-place battles, and other hot topics in ice hockey
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
15-Bergen Catholic (3-7-2)
Last week: No. 12
Bergen Catholic couldn't get in the win column this week, dropping a 5-2 game against No. 7 Seton Hall Prep before tying Bishop Eustace, 3-3.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
14-Chatham (8-3)
Last week: No. 15
Chatham scored a comfortable 3-0 win over Mennen Division rival Morris Knolls in its only action of the week. The Cougars have now won five of seven.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
13-Summit (12-1)
Last week: No. 14
After beating Montclair Kimberley, Summit suffered its first loss of the season, 2-1, against then-No. 11 Randolph on Friday night. The Hilltoppers bounced back on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over No. 18 Montclair.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
12-Wall (11-0-1)
Last week: No. 13
Wall scored a pair of wins this week, downing Central Regional and Toms River North by a combined 17-1 to keep its unbeaten record intact.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
11-Pope John (7-6-1)
Last week: No. 9
Pope John went 0-1-1 this week, beginning with a 6-0 loss against No. 2 Delbarton. The Lions bounced back a bit from there to grab a 2-2 tie against No. 4 St. Augustine.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
10-Randolph (11-0-3)
Last week: 11
The Rams remained unbeaten, as they took down previously-unbeaten Summit 2-1, before taking down a strong Madison squad by the same score. Games with Livingston and Morristown-Beard are on the slate in the upcoming week for the Rams.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
9-St. Peter's Prep (4-4-2)
Last week: 8
The Marauders suffered a pair of losses this week to Morristown-Beard and St. Augustine.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
8-Seton Hall Prep (7-4-3)
Last week: 7
The Pirates are unbeaten in five straight games, and picked up wins against Bergen Catholic and Bishop Eustace this past week.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
7-Christian Brothers (6-5-1)
Last week: 5
The Colts lost to St. John Vianney outdoors at Navesink Country Club on Wednesday, which marked the squad's first Shore Conference loss since 2014. It will look to bounce back in games against Pope John and Howell this coming week.
RELATED: 22 games to watch during week of Jan. 8-13
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
6-St. John Vianney (10-1-2)
Last week: 10
The Lancers continued their breakout season with wins over St. Joseph of Metuchen and picked up the squad's first win over Christian Brothers in many years while outdoors at Navesink Country Club. It then tied St. Joseph (Mont.), 3-3 on Tuesday night.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
5-Gloucester Catholic (6-4)
Last week: 3
In the Rams' only game this week, it suffered a 7-2 defeat to Delbarton. It isn't scheduled to take the ice again until next Monday, when it faces St. Augustine.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
4-St. Augustine (6-4-1)
Last week: 4
The Hermits began the week with a 2-2 tie against Pope John, before it earned a resounding win over St. Peter's Prep on the road.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
3-Morristown-Beard (9-2-1)
Last week: 6
The Crimson extended their winning streak to eight this week when it earned wins over Top 20 teams in St. Peter's Prep and Glen Rock, as well as a dominant victory over Roxbury. Keeping the streak alive will be a tough task, however, as it has games against No. 1 Don Bosco, Morristown, and No. 10 Randolph this coming week.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
2-Delbarton (9-2)
Last week: 2
In its only action of the week, the Green Wave picked up a big statement win with a 7-2 takedown of Gloucester Catholic, on the strength of Nick Siffringer's four-point game. Games against Northern Highlands and St. Augustine are on the horizon for Delbarton this week.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
1-Don Bosco Prep (12-0-1)
Last week: 1
The Ironmen remained unbeaten this week, as it knocked off Hun 8-1 in the outdoor elements of Citi Field behind Mickey Burns' six-point effort. Up next is a tough test against a strong Morristown-Beard squad on Wednesday.
More high school hockey news on NJ.com
- 22 games to watch during week of Jan. 8-13
- Outdoor games, 1st-place battles, and other hot topics
- Conference Players of the Week for Dec. 26-Jan. 3
- Boys ice hockey homepage
Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.
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