Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the world of NCAA Men's Hockey! The past week delivered an action-packed spectacle, with upsets, dominating wins, and a major shakeup in the national rankings. Let's dive into my Top 15 after Week 2 and uncover the stories behind these rankings.
The Reigning Champs Stumble, and the Underdogs Rise!
Boston University: The Terriers are off to a strong start, with a record of 2-0-1. After a close call against Long Island, they showcased their NHL talent against Colgate. Cole Eiserman, a New York Islanders prospect, shined with four points, including two goals and an assist. BU now prepares for a thrilling showdown at home against the mighty Michigan State.
Michigan State: The Spartans had a rocky start, dropping their first game despite a strong performance. Trey Augustine, a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, had a solid weekend. With a star-studded roster, many expected more, but MSU aims to prove their mettle against BU.
Western Michigan: The defending champions suffered a shocking loss to Ferris State, breaking an eight-year winning streak. However, their offense roared back in the second game, with players like William Whitelaw and Zaccharya Wisdom finding the net. Western Michigan must tighten their defense to hold off stronger conference rivals.
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Denver: The Pioneers dominated Air Force in their season opener, but a strong performance from Air Force's goalie kept the score close. Denver bounced back with a 6-0 win against Bentley, with Eric Pohlkamp, a Sharks draft pick, stealing the show. The Pios aim for more wins this weekend.
Boston College: The Eagles impressed with a controlled performance against Minnesota, securing a 3-1 win. BC's resilience was on full display as they held on for a 2-2 tie in the second game. Pushing Minnesota around is no easy feat, and BC proved their strength.
Maine: The Black Bears began their season with a dominant display, outscoring Holy Cross 11-2. Justin Poirier, a Hurricanes draft pick, had a hat trick. Maine's defense, led by goaltender Albin Boija, was solid. The champions now face a tougher test against Quinnipiac.
Michigan: The Wolverines made a huge leap in the rankings with a perfect 4-0 record. They swept Providence, showcasing a balanced attack. Montreal Canadiens draft pick Michael Hage and Nashville Predators prospect Jack Ivankovic were standout performers. Michigan continues their home stand this weekend.
North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks welcomed the challenge of a nationally ranked opponent, St. Thomas, and came out on top. They outscored St. Thomas 11-4 over the weekend. North Dakota now gears up for a tougher test.
Minnesota: Minnesota had a rough weekend, losing to Boston College and giving up a lead at home. The Gophers face an even tougher challenge this weekend against North Dakota.
Providence: Providence struggled at home, unable to generate much offense against Michigan. Jonathan Fauchon and John Mustard scored the team's only goals. The Friars aim to find their footing this week.
Quinnipiac: The Bobcats traveled to Tempe for the Ice Breaker Tournament, starting with a loss to Alaska. However, they rebounded with a 7-2 thrashing of Notre Dame. Quinnipiac now faces a tough test against Maine.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils had a solid performance at the Ice Breaker Tournament, with Benjamin Kevan and Cruz Lucius leading the way. Arizona State hopes to build on this momentum after tough losses to Penn State.
Connecticut: The Huskies didn't play last weekend, but they have an opportunity to build momentum at home this week. Connecticut aims to impress against Ohio State.
Massachusetts: The Minutemen struggled against Stonehill, a team without a conference. However, Utah Mammoth prospect Michael Hrabal and Vaclav Nestrasil, who scored a hat trick, saved the day. UMass faces a true test this week against Northeastern and Bentley.
Honorable Mentions: Wisconsin, Colorado College, and Ohio State all had strong showings.
And there you have it! The NCAA Men's Hockey landscape is ever-changing, and these rankings reflect the exciting twists and turns. What do you think of these teams' performances? Are there any surprises? Feel free to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
