The newest NCAA rankings are out on USCHO.com
Let's break them down.
Four things.
http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/
Michigan Tech hockey is nationally ranked for the first time in over four years.
Lake Superior State University has it's highest ranking in over a decade.
Merrimack College has advanced into the nation's top seven programs.
Boston College maintains the top team in the country.
The Huskies of Michigan Tech (5-2-1) have finally done it. After a four year drought, they have advanced to the #16 team in the nation with a 7-2 thumping of then #2 Denver and a 2-2 tie against Denver on Saturday night. It was another statement weekend for the Huskies, showing that they will be WCHA contenders for the first time in a long time. This weekend sees them go up against Minnesota State (1-5-1), who are coming off a bye week. Their last series, however, was against the same Denver Pioneer hockey team; they were the recipient of two losses, including a 10-2 shellacking. Look for Tech to handle MSU and maintain the undefeated streak. Prediction: 5-1 MTU; 4-0 MTU
# 11 Lake Superior State University is the surprise of the year, taking the top spot in the CCHA conference, and receiving their highest NCAA ranking since the year 2000. LSSU (7-1-0) is coming off a sweep of the downward spiral that is the Miami Redhawks, handing MU it's first sweep at home since the Lakers beat them in the playoffs in 2006-07. Lake Superior State plays host to old rival Bemidji State (3-5-0). The Beavers are only 1-5 on the road this year, and it is not expected to change. LSSU's momentum will carry them to their fourth weekend sweep in five tries. Prediction: 3-1 LSSU; 4-2 LSSU
The Merrimack Warriors (6-0-0) remain undefeated after two victories over the Vermont Catamounts this past weekend. They slid up two spots in the NCAA standings to #7 in the country. Continuing off a solid season last year, the Warriors are poised to perform well in Hockey East in the 2011-12 season. The undefeated streak will continue this weekend, as they play a struggling Northeastern Wildcats squad (1-4-1). Merrimack has already beat NU once this year, 4-1. Prediction: 5-0 MU; 4-1 MU
Boston College holds on to their #1 NCAA ranking for yet another week, defeating UMass-Lowell handily this weekend by scores of 4-2 and 6-3. Despite a disputedly weak schedule, the BC Eagles (7-1-0) have gotten the job done, including an impressive 6-2 victory over the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. The Eagles take on the #20 Maine Black Bears (3-2-1) and an unranked UMass hockey squad. Maine, though potentially a trap game, also tied North Dakota 3-3, after falling to the Sioux 3-1.Boston College should have little trouble with UMass. BC will stay on top this weekend. Prediction: 4-2 BC; 6-1 BC
There's the latest on this week's USCHO.com rankings for NCAA Div. 1 hockey.
Expect all four of these featured teams to move up over the weekend.
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