Typically, thought applied to how top seeds will go in order for the Kent District before the bracket is finalized is minimal because not much is in doubt.
There are some locks to be sure. But if the race for seeding is this much of an argument, imagine what the race for Columbus will be like. Following the traditional custom in this space the week of the district seeding meeting, here’s my two cents on how the top seeding will go:
No. 1: University
By any reasonable measure, it’s hard to envision US (19-6-3) being denied the No. 1 seed for another year here.
The Preppers are 11-1-1 since the start of the new calendar year, clinched the Great Lakes Hockey League regular-season title and in turn are the No. 1 seed for the Cleveland Cup this week, with a bye in that tournament to the semifinals.
That 2018 surge included head-to-head wins over Gilmour (3-1 on Jan. 28) and Walsh Jesuit (2-1 on Jan. 20) — and obviously both fellow GLHL squads will figure into high seeds as well.
Granted, US’ record against Gilmour, Walsh and Shaker Heights is a combined 2-2-1 — and it’s lost to the Lancers and Red Raiders this season. But with that late-season run — not to mention a weekend sweep of St. Edward and the Titan Invitational title — there really isn’t a viable argument seemingly for anything but US being No. 1 at Kent.
No. 2 Gilmour
If strong recent play factors into the argument — which it should — along with head-to-head success, then Gilmour (22-7-3) should be in good stead for the No. 2 seed.
The Lancers had a 12-3-2 stretch from Jan. 5 on that included an eight-game winning streak featuring victories over US (3-1 on Jan. 19) and Shaker Heights (3-1 on Jan. 21).
Gilmour has split with the Preppers and with Walsh Jesuit (3-2 win Dec. 1 and 3-1 loss Dec. 16).
Purely as a seeding debate — again, like US, it’s tough to imagine denying Gilmour this spot.
No. 3: Walsh Jesuit
After News-Herald coverage area schools take the top two, this gets interesting with a couple non-area powers. Walsh (16-8-5) wasn’t gaudy down the stretch — 5-4-1 in the new calendar year. But the Warriors have tied US (4-4 on Dec. 23) and Shaker (1-1 on Jan. 13) and beaten Gilmour (3-1 on Dec. 16) and Shaker (2-1 on Nov. 26).
So while you certainly want to give Red North teams a true chance to make a case against GLHL foes, that seems like enough to stave off Shaker and make it a GLHL top three.
No. 4: Shaker Heights
Red North champion and Baron Cup I top seed Shaker (21-6-2) never shies away from anyone — and as a traditional “old Red North” program, that’s what you would expect.
The Red Raiders have beaten US (3-1 on Nov. 25), Kenston (1-0 on Dec. 3) and Mentor (3-0 on Dec. 8 and 3-1 on Jan. 20) and tied Walsh Jesuit (1-1 on Jan. 13).
But they’ve also lost to the Bombers and Cardinals and to Gilmour (3-1 on Jan. 21).
This is seemingly a fair landing spot for Shaker, but suffice to say it’ll be a scary draw for someone in a meaningful game.
Nos. 5-7
If Mentor (20-8-1) had beaten Kenston (24-6-1) or Rocky River in the last two weeks in Red North play, it would probably get the nod at No. 5. But the Cardinals just lost to Kenston — and with the Bombers dispatching Shaker, 5-4, in overtime Jan. 26, that’s enough for Kenston to be No. 5 and Mentor to be No. 6 in this projection.
Lake Catholic (9-20) had a rough go of it, but its caliber of schedule should be enough to be No. 7 here.
Coming soon
Check back Feb. 12 online and in the Feb. 13 print edition for a Kent District preview.
Don’t miss
>> Kenston vs. Rocky River hockey: Second period dooms Bombers in regular-season finale
