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Power Rankings, January 17, 2008

1.Gloucester (9-0-1): Fishermen roll into the top spot for the first time this year on the strength of nine straight victories, a potent offense and a stingy defense. Huge showdown this Saturday with speedy Peabody coming to town.
Last week: 2

2.St. John's Prep (5-3-2): The Eagles finished the first half of their Catholic Conference schedule with one win, a tie and two losses. Playing against the best high school competition in the state, that's OK, but there's room for improvement.
Last week: 1

3.Andover (8-2-0): Golden Warriors have broken into midseason form with four straight wins, including the last two by a 13-2 margin. Up next is a season-defining matchup with arch rival Central Catholic.
Last week: 5

4.Central Catholic (6-3-2): Raiders have found their stride at the right time with wins over Billerica and Chelmsford. Centeral must now buckle down as it faces Andover Saturday, then state powerhouse Catholic Memorial Monday.
Last week: 6

5.Danvers (5-2-2): Huge confidence booster for the Falcons when they went into Peabody and knocked off the Tanners, 3-2, despite getting outshot by more than a 3-to-1 margin. Sticking within their system means success.
Last week: 7

6.Peabody (8-3-0): Speed, skill and overall talent are top notch, but ill-timed goals allowed and lack of a killer instinct are hurting what could be an undefeated team.
Last week: 4

7.Salem, N.H. (9-3-0): The week started off well for the Blue Devils with a 4-1 win over Londonderry, but ended poorly with a 6-0 loss to last year's Division 1 state semifinalist Bishop Brady.
Last week: 3

8.Newburyport (5-3-1): Clippers are 3-0-1 in their last four games thanks to improved play from their second forward line of Kevin Holmes, Collin Cusack and Sean Hickman.
Last week: honorable mention

9.Timberlane (7-3-0): Owls kept rolling with a 4-0 drubbing of Keene as Nick Bundzinski snapped out of his slump with a pair of goals and Ryan Rothwell recorded his first shutout of the season.
Last week: 9

10.Swampscott (6-3-3): Surging at the right time and finally getting the defense to go along with a powerful offense, the Big Blue served notice around the league by going into Saugus and knocking off the Sachems, 4-3.
Last week: 12

11.Beverly (5-4-1):Three straight losses have this talented bunch reeling. With a week off since their last game, Panthers MUST win Saturday in Winthrop to get their season back on track.
Last week: 11

12.Triton (6-3-2): Vikings could be hitting a midseason rut as evidenced by two losses in their last three games. Still, the combination of goalie Justin Joslin and defenseman Chris LeSage may for the best last line of D in the Cape Ann League.
Last week: 8

Honorable Mention: Masconomet (6-5-0), Bishop Fenwick (4-2-1), North Reading (5-4-1).