TOP OF THE CROP
Hockey
1: (1) Gilmour 11-10-1
2: (2) University 9-11
3: (4) Mentor 13-8-1
4: (3) Benedictine 11-2-2
5: (5) Kenston 8-7-1
Watch list: Chagrin Falls
Crop comments: Gilmour’s late-November weekend during which it defeated Findlay and defending state champion Toledo St. Francis seems difficult to top to this point. But this past weekend — sweeping Great Lakes Hockey League foes Shaker Heights, Walsh Jesuit and Padua on consecutive days — isn’t too shabby. The Lancers are 7-2 since Dec. 18 and are displaying more offensive-zone punch, which is encouraging. … University lost twice to St. Edward in three days, the back end of that a more competitive 3-2 defeat. The Preppers are in no danger of dropping outside the top two in the Crop, but a 1-6 stretch since Dec. 21 is starting to become concerning. … Mentor logged its best weekend of the season, with 3-1 wins in about a 24-hour span over longtime foes Rocky River and Benedictine. The victory over the Bengals at the Pavilion on Jan. 8 snapped an 11-game unbeaten run for Benedictine. With that kind of work, it can be said the Cardinals emphatically take over No. 3 in the Crop. … Kenston routed Aurora in its lone action last week, and now comes rivalry time with the annual late-night nonleague clash with Chagrin Falls on Jan. 14.
Note: Games considered through Jan. 9.
