Defending State champs top boys hockey poll

Defending State champions Hill-Murray and St. Thomas Academy top the most recent Associated Press State Class AA and A boys hockey poll, released Wednesday. The Pioneers defeated previous No. 1 Edina last Saturday, as the Hornets dropped to No. 2 in the Class AA poll. Other metro schools in the top 15 are: Centennial (4), Bloomington Jefferson (5), Holy Angels (6), Eden Prairie (7), Blaine (8), Minnetonka (9), Hopkins (11), Woodbury (12), White Bear Lake (13), Benilde-St. Margaret's (14). In Class A, St. Thomas held on to the top spot by thumping No. 8 Breck, 7-2, on Tuesday after a season-opening loss, 2-1, to No. 3 Duluth Marshall, who consqeuently was felled by the Mustangs. Other metro teams ranked in the top 15 are: Mahtomedi (7), Totino-Grace (10), South St. Paul (12), Orono (13).