By Mike Gurnis and Matt Stypulkoski | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Stretch run
The postseason is just around the corner, with both Cup tournaments and state playoffs quickly approaching. But first, teams are trying to wrap up regular-season titles and battle for seeds. How did all of that action affect this week's NJ.com Top 20? Check out the latest edition below, then let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
RELATED: State ice hockey rankings: Groups and conferences, Jan. 24
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
20-Ridge (11-3-4)
Last week: Not ranked
Ridge scored a key Skyland Conference victory over then-No. 15 Pingry, then followed it up with a 1-1 tie against Watchung Hills.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 6:30 PM vs. Hillsborough
Jeff Granit | For NJ Advance Media
19-St. Joseph (Mont.) (12-4-1)
Last week: No. 20
St. Joseph (Mont.) beat Paramus and a pair of Egan Conference rivals in Red Bank Catholic and Notre Dame this week.
NEXT WEEK
Sat 01/27/2018 8:30 PM at Paramus
Sun 01/28/2018 5:00 PM vs. Pascack Valley
Tue 01/30/2018 8:15 PM at Tenafly
RELATED: Conference rivalries, cup upsets, and other hot topics
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
18-Northern Highlands (12-3-1)
Last week: No. 19
Northern Highlands picked up three wins this week, with a victory over Tenafly bookended by wins over Old Tappan. The Highlanders won by a combined total of 19-2.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 5:15 PM at River Dell
Tue 01/30/2018 4:30 PM vs. Vernon
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
17-Middletown North (10-2-1)
Last week: No. 18
Middletown North topped both Rumson-Fair Haven and Howell this week, scoring 11 goals over the course of those two games.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 5:15 PM at Bridgewater-Raritan
Sun 01/28/2018 6:45 PM at Point Pleasant Boro
Mon 01/29/2018 7:30 PM at Southern
RELATED: 22 can't-miss games, Jan. 22-28
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
16-Montclair (12-2-2)
Last week: No. 17
The Mounties continued their strong season with a 4-0 win over Howell, followed by a 4-4 tie with Westfield on Tuesday.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 6:45 PM vs. Northern Highlands
Mon 01/29/2018 4:30 PM at Montclair Kimberley
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
15-Chatham (12-3)
Last week: No. 14
Chatham scored a 4-1 win over Mennen Division rival Morristown in its lone game this week.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 8:15 PM at Randolph
Tue 01/30/2018 8:00 PM vs. Morris Knolls
RELATED: Where are they now? Ranking N.J.'s 33 men's college hockey alums
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
14-Summit (15-2)
Last week: No. 13
The Hilltoppers failed to repeat in the Union County Cup, as it was upset by unranked Westfield, 3-2 in the final. It picked up an impressive 7-0 win over Morristown on Tuesday, however.
NEXT WEEK
Sun 01/28/2018 7:15 PM at Madison
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
13-Indian Hills (13-5-2)
Last week: No. 16
Indian Hills had its 10-game unbeaten streak snapped by No. 1 Don Bosco Prep in the Bergen County Tournament final, but rebounded with wins over Ramapo and West Milford.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 8:30 PM vs. Ramsey
Sun 01/28/2018 7:00 PM vs. West Milford
RELATED: Conference Players of the Week, Jan. 11-17
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
12-Pope John (9-7-1)
Last week: No. 11
Pope John scored a pair of wins this week, taking down St. Joseph (Met.) and Hunterdon Central in out-of-conference play.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 4:00 PM vs. Seton Hall Prep
Tue 01/30/2018 4:00 PM vs. Don Bosco Prep
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
11-St. Peter's Prep (8-6-2)
Last week: No. 9
St. Peter's Prep suffered losses to Bishop Eustace and Christian Brothers, with a win over Bergen Catholic sandwiched in between.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 6:45 PM vs. Gloucester Catholic
Sun 01/28/2018 6:15 PM at Don Bosco Prep
Mon 01/29/2018 4:15 PM at Seton Hall Prep
RELATED: Halfway heroes: NJ.com's 2017-18 ice hockey midseason awards
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
10-Wall (13-0-2)
Last week: No. 12
The Crimson Knights earned a pair of convincing wins over St. Rose and Middletown South this week to remain unbeaten.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 6:15 PM vs. Christian Brothers
Tue 01/30/2018 8:15 PM at Manalapan
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
9-Randolph (13-0-3)
Last week: No. 10
Randolph's unbeaten run lasted another week thanks to a 7-0 win over Cranford in its only action.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 8:15 PM vs. Chatham
Sun 01/28/2018 7:45 PM vs. Mendham
RELATED: County/conference tournament brackets
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
8-St. John Vianney (12-2-2)
Last week: No. 6
The Lancers suffered a shocking 6-5 loss to Montclair Kimberley on Monday in an Egan Cup game. But it bounced back just 24 hours later, as it recorded a 5-1 win over Notre Dame.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 8:15 PM at Jackson Memorial
Tue 01/30/2018 5:45 PM vs. St. Rose
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
7-Seton Hall Prep (9-6-3)
Last week: No. 8
Seton Hall Prep scored a strong victory against Gloucester Catholic, 4-2, on Saturday, but dropped a 3-2 decision against the Rams just two days later.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 4:00 PM at Pope John
Mon 01/29/2018 4:15 PM vs. St. Peter's Prep
RELATED: Last week's NJ.com Top 20
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
6-Gloucester Catholic (7-5-1)
Last week: No. 4
Gloucester Catholic had an up-and-down week, dropping a 4-2 game against Seton Hall Prep before bouncing back with a 3-2 win against the Pirates just two days later.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 6:45 PM at St. Peter's Prep
Mon 01/29/2018 3:45 PM vs. Hun
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
5-Morristown-Beard (12-3-1)
Last week: No. 5
The Crimson have now won 11 out of 12 games, which included wins over Bergen Catholic and Madison this week.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 5:45 PM vs. Morris Knolls
Mon 01/29/2018 4:30 PM vs. Portledge (NY)
RELATED: Last week's statewide Group and conference rankings
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
4-Christian Brothers (10-6-1)
Last week: No. 7
The Colts picked up their biggest win of the season, when they knocked off rival Delbarton 5-3 early in the week. It followed that up with a convincing 5-1 win over St. Peter's Prep.
NEXT WEEK
Fri 01/26/2018 6:15 PM at Wall
Mon 01/29/2018 4:30 PM vs. Red Bank Catholic
Tue 01/30/2018 4:45 PM at Delbarton
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
3-St. Augustine (7-6-3)
Last week: No. 3
St. Augustine dropped a 4-2 game against Princeton Day in its only action of the week.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 4:00 PM vs. Don Bosco Prep
RELATED: Don Bosco remains undefeated, sweeps season series with Delbarton
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
2-Delbarton (11-5-1)
Last week: No. 2
Delbarton had a tough week against some tough competition, dropping three straight against then-No. 7 Christian Brothers, Brunswick (CT) and No. 1 Don Bosco Prep.
NEXT WEEK
Tue 01/30/2018 4:45 PM vs. Christian Brothers
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
1-Don Bosco Prep (17-0-1)
Last week: No. 1
Don Bosco Prep claimed its seventh straight Bergen County Tournament title on Wednesday, then followed it up with a 2-1 win over No. 2 Delbarton, marking its first regular-season sweep against the Green Wave.
NEXT WEEK
Thu 01/25/2018 4:00 PM at St. Augustine
Sun 01/28/2018 6:15 PM vs. St. Peter's Prep
Tue 01/30/2018 4:00 PM at Pope John
More boys ice hockey news on NJ.com
- Conference rivalries, cup upsets, and other hot topics in HS ice hockey
- 22 can't-miss games, Jan. 22-28
- Where are they now? Ranking N.J.'s 33 men's college hockey alums
- 2018 N.J. ice hockey county/conference tournament brackets
- 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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