Varsity Insider

OK, I think I’ve procrastinated enough. Time to unveil the final power rankings of the 2009-10 high school winter season.

I’ll start with boys and girls hockey. I’ll post the final basketball rankings tomorrow at some point.

Boys hockey

1. Spaulding (16-6-2): Is there any question about the Tide finishing the year as the state’s top team? Spaulding put together a splendid tournament, capping it with the Division I state championship by defeating defending champion CVU.

2. Champlain Valley (13-9-2): A late-season swoon was soon forgotten come playoff time. The Redhawks regrouped for a strong run at trying to defend their crown. They fell one 15-minute period short. But No. 2 ain’t so bad.

3. Essex (17-3-1): Their one-and-down 2010 playoff was a surprise. However, at No. 1 in our rankings before the playoff started, the Hornets had another outstanding campaign. Still worthy of a spot here.

4. North Country (14-7-1): A leap from Division II to Division I didn’t bother the Falcons. N.C. made the Gut and gave CVU a battle once there.

5. Missisquoi (19-4): Missisquoi finally broke through in boys hockey with a championship, blanking Stowe in the Division II final. MVU had zero Division II losses during its title-worthy season.

Girls hockey

1. BFA-St. Albans (15-4-4): The Division I title returned to BFA after missing the final for the first time in school history last year.

2. Spaulding (18-4): Another tough championship-game loss for the Crimson Tide. Plenty of star power returning, however, so expect Spaulding to be in the mix next season.

3. Champlain Valley (16-5-1): The Redhawks had a five-win improvement from last season to this on — plus a Kreitzberg appearance. They were a mainstay in our rankings this winter, too.

4. Essex (13-7-2): The defending champs lost in the semifinals. Alas, they did avenge regular-season losses to Hartford in the quarterfinals.

5. U-32 (21-1-1): It’s nice to win a state championship. It’s also nice to redeem a regular-season loss in the championship. U-32 did both.