Michigan holds firm at No. 1, but see who moved up and who dropped down in this week's Top Ten
No. 1 University of Michigan, stays at No. 1
The Wolverines one had one game, an exhibition, against Simon Fraser University in the program’s final game. Captain TJ Hughes had a five point night (2 goals + 3 assists) as Michigan won 8-1 in an emotional finale for Simon Fraser. Michigan faces Notre Dame on Wednesday in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.
St. Cloud State men's hockey freshman Jack Reimann plays defense Jan. 19 against North Dakota at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The Fighting Hawks won the first game of the series 5-3.No. 2 University of North Dakota, prev No. 2
North Dakota cruised through the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the NCHC Quarterfinals 5-3 and 5-1. Ollie Josephson was the star of the weekend with four points (1 goal + 3 assists) in the two matchups against the Mavericks. The Fighting Hawks visit the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs March 14 in the NCHC Semifinals.
No. 3 Michigan State University, moves to No.3
Michigan State dominated Friday night at Minnesota with a 7-1 win, securing their third straight Regular Season Big Ten Championship. Saturday evening was a different story, as the Gophers overcame the Spartans in a 4-3 shootout win after a late regulation rally. A big asset of Michigan State is their one-two punch of Melvin Strahl and Trey Augustine in net. The Spartans will face the lowest remaining seed from the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on March 14.
No. 4 Western Michigan University, stays at No. 4.
The Broncos continued their title defense with a sweep over Colorado College. Senior forward Liam Valente scored the series winner on a five minute major power play in overtime. Western Michigan heads out west to Denver March 14 where they meet the Pioneers on the opposite side of the NCHC Semifinals.
No 5. Providence College, stays at No. 5.
Providence won their sole outing against No. 14 University of Connecticut 3-1. Graham Gamache potted the empty netter plus a helper on the second goal. The Friars extended a classy gesture to senior goaltender Philip Svedeback. Head Coach Nate Leaman put Svedeback between the pipes on Senior Night for the first time since his Jan. 3 injury. Providence will face an opponent TBD in the Hockey East Quarterfinals on March 14.
No. 6 University of Denver, previously at No. 6.
Denver swept Miami University in the NCHC Quarterfinals this past week. The Pioneers had nine unique goal scorers as they beat the RedHawks 6-2 and 3-0. This depth gives Denver a large leg up in the conference and NCAA Tournaments. They host the defending NCAA Champion Western Michigan Broncos on March 14 in the NCHC Semifinals.
No. 7 Quinnipiac University, stays at No. 7.
The Bobcats did not play this past weekend. Quinnipiac meets Clarkson University in the ECAC Hockey Tournament Quarterfinals starting March 13.
No. 8 University of Minnesota Duluth, previously at No. 10.
Minnesota Duluth swept St. Cloud State University, advancing to face North Dakota in the NCHC Semifinals on March 14. Zam Plante lit up the scoreboard with four goals between the pair of contests, including the series clinching overtime marker. The Bulldogs travel to Grand Forks to tango with the North Dakota on March 14.
No. 9 Cornell University, stays at No. 9.
Cornell did not play this last week. The Big Red hosts Harvard in the ECAC Hockey Tournament Quarterfinals with Game One on March 13.
No. 10 Penn State University, previously at No. 6.
The Nittany Lions had a rough weekend, getting swept by the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers. Penn State's defense allowed 12 goals on 78 shots against Wisconsin. They match up against Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on March 11. Minnesota nearly took down the current No. 1 seed and No. 3 ranked Michigan State, so the Nittany Lions need to regroup in a hurry.
No. 10 University of Wisconsin Badgers, previously at No. 11.
Wisconsin took down No. 6 Penn State twice over this past weekend, leapfrogging the Badgers into the USCHO's Top 10. There were ten different goal scorers for Wisconsin out of 12 tallies against Penn State. The Badgers play Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on March 11.