College Hockey Power Rankings: Merrimack Remains on Top

Ohio State swept Michigan in Ann Arbor, legitimizing themselves as an elite squad this season. In two games, the Buckeyes outscored Michigan 8-6.  

Notre Dame also had a big weekend, defeating Western Michigan and Boston College.

First 5 Out: Miami, Boston University, Michigan State, Cornell and Nebraska-Omaha

Series of the Week: (2) Colorado College @ North Dakota, (4) Minnesota @ Michigan State, St. Cloud State @ Nebraska-Omaha

15. Michigan Tech (7-4-1)

The Huskies left Anchorage with a split and now travel to face St. Lawrence (4-6-0).  The Huskies are 1-3-0 on the road, but 6-1-1 at home.

14. Western Michigan (6-4-3)

The Mustangs have been struggling of late.  WMU has lost four games in a row.  It is not going to get any easier; WMU plays Notre Dame and Ferris State in the upcoming weeks.

13. Lake Superior State (9-3-2)

LSSU ranks eighth in the nation in team defense, but 33rd in team offense. The Lakers play Notre Dame this weekend. 

12. Union (6-3-3)

Union ranks fifth in the nation in team defense, allowing just 1.75 goals per game.  The Dutchmen are 2-2-0 in their last four games and have the pleasure of playing Michigan this weekend.

11. Michigan (7-5-2)

The Wolverines are sliding fast.  Michigan has lost four games in a row and been outscored 13-10.  However, the Wolverines rank fourth in the nation in team offense at four goals per game.

10. Ferris State (10-3-1)

Goalie C.J. Motte leads the nation with a 1.3152 goals against average and is second in save percentage at .945 percent.  FSU ranks second in the nation in team defense, allowing 1.64 goals per game.

9. Ohio State (10-3-1)

The Buckeyes have won nine games in a row.  Netminder Cal Heeter is 9-1-1 in net this season with a 1.9576 goals against average.  

8. Denver (5-3-3)

The Pioneers have scored 15 goals in their last five games.  Furthermore, DU ranks sixth in the nation in team offense at 3.91 goals per game.

7. Yale (5-1-1)

The Bulldogs have won four games in a row by a combined score of 13-3.  This stretch has included three shutouts.  Junior goaltender Jeff Malcolm is boasting a .950 save percentage and a 1.5639 goals against average.

6. Minnesota-Duluth (9-3-2)

The Bulldogs have now gone 8-0-2 after sweeping the Mavericks of Minnesota State.  UMD will be tested in the next month.  They have eight games on the road against Michigan Tech, Wisconsin, Western Michigan and Nebraska-Omaha.  These next eight games will be a good test for UMD.

5. Boston College (9-4-0)

The Eagles have had trouble with elite teams this season, losing to BU, DU and Notre Dame.  BC has a chance to correct that this weekend against Yale.

4. Minnesota (11-3-0)

Netminder Kent Patterson set a Gopher single-season record for shutouts on Saturday after shutting out the St. Cloud State Huskies 5-0.  The Gophers travel to face Michigan State (7-5-0) in East Lansing this weekend.

3. Notre Dame (9-2-2)

The Irish are (7-0-2) in their last nine names, including five one-goal wins.  The Irish face Lake Superior State (9-3-2) this weekend.

2. Colorado College (7-2-0)

CC is coming off of an impressive sweep of the Badgers, winning 4-2 and 4-1.  This weekend, they will travel to Grand Forks to face a weak North Dakota squad (4-7-1).  However, playing the Sioux in Grand Forks is the ultimate measuring stick for any team in the WCHA.

1. Merrimack (8-0-1)

Merrimack was idle last weekend.  The Warriors remain the lone undefeated team in the nation and will most likely remain that way into December.  Merrimack plays Alabama-Huntsville this weekend.