Merrimack enjoyed a breakthrough season last year. One month in, they remain the lone unbeaten team – further proof that 2010-11 was not a fluke for the Warriors.

This is the time of year where the good teams in college hockey really start to separate themselves from the also-rans. Call it regression to the mean.

Teams like Minnesota-Duluth, Notre Dame, Ohio State and New Hampshire were a little slow out of the gate but have come on strong lately. Some teams that started hot, like Bowling Green, Union and Western Michigan, have started to show their weaknesses in recent losses.

But the one team that has been consistent throughout resumes its old spot atop our weekly power rankings.

1. Merrimack (8-0-1): When they host Alabama-Huntsville Wednesday, it will make four weeks out of seven that the Warriors have played only one game. At least they’ll be plenty rested when they return in December for a home-and-home with Providence.

2   Minnesota-Duluth (7-3-2): The Bulldogs’ current eight-game unbeaten streak includes three shutouts from goalie Kenny Reiter.

3  Notre Dame (7-2-2): Since splitting with Ohio State to close down the ancient Joyce Center Ice Rink, the Irish are 5-0-2. They’ve given up only 14 goals in those seven games, after giving up 13 in the first four.

4  Ohio State (8-3-1): In their current five-game winning streak, the Buckeyes have outscored the opposition 20-2. Next weekend’s trip to Michigan will show just how valid this defense is.

5  Yale (4-1-1): There were a lot of questions about the goaltending after Ryan Rondeau graduated. Well, junior netminder Jeff Malcolm has posted a 1.33 goals-against average and .960 save percentage to start the season.

6  Michigan State (6-4-0): During their current four-game winning streak, the Spartans have yet to give up more than two goals in a game.

7  Ferris State (9-2-1): There’s a ton of finish evident in these Bulldogs. Ferris State is outscoring opponents 18-3 in the third period this season.

8  New Hampshire (4-4-2): Talk about drastic turnarounds – the Wildcats were outscored 24-9 in their first five games when they went 0-4-1. In the last five, a 4-0-1 run, they’ve outscored the opposition 21-12.

9  Providence (6-3-1): Junior center Tim Schaller, with eight goals in 10 games, is probably the most pleasant surprise for the Friars in the first part of the season. Schaller had just seven goals in his first two seasons combined.

10  Minnesota (10-2-0): An offense that was averaging almost six goals a game in the early going has tallied just 10 in the last four games.

11  Michigan (7-3-2): The Wolverines have yet to win a game when they don’t score at least four goals. They have yet to lose one when they do.

12  Colorado College (5-2-0): Ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia Flyers of Division I hockey. The Tigers have one of the top 10 offenses in the country, and one of the worst defenses. They may win the shootouts now, but the blue line, giving up three goals per game, needs to buckle down for the conference season.

13  Lake Superior (8-3-1): Nick McParland, Kyle Jean and Zach Trotman have combined for 16 goals. The rest of the team has combined for just 15. The Lakers need a lot more depth (no pun intended).

14  Quinnipiac (7-4-2): After scoring at least four goals in nine straight games, the Bobcats have managed only three in their last three contests.

15  Mass-Lowell (5-3-2): The River Hawks, on a three-game winning streak, have five players averaging at least a point per game.

16  Boston College (9-3-0): This week’s reason for worry? The Eagles not only went 0-for-8 on the power play against Boston University, but also allowed a shortie and two power-play goals. Expect extra practice for the special teams this week.

17  Clarkson (6-3-3): For the Golden Knights, it’s all about the first period. They haven’t yet lost when leading at the first intermission; they haven’t yet won when trailing after one.

18  Michigan Tech (6-3-1): As evidence of the offensive balance of the team, the Huskies have five players sharing the team lead with four goals each.

19  Denver (4-3-2): Outside of the mediocre record, the biggest surprise of the Pioneers’ season has been freshman D-man Joey LaLeggia’s four goals.

20  Colgate (6-4-1): Since beating the Omaha Stampede to open the season, the Red Raiders have failed to string together two straight wins.

Three Stars

Jeff Malcolm, Yale

The week: A pair of shutouts over the weekend ran his perfect streak to three games and 182:51 of crease time.

Fun fact: Ironic that after playing his junior hockey with the Quesnel Millionaires of the BCHL, Malcolm plans to major in economics at Yale and pursue a career in law.

T.J. Tynan, Notre Dame

The week: A goal and four assists in a sweep of Alaska.

Fun fact: After being named Division I rookie of the year, Tynan was taken in the third round of last summer’s NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Conor Allen, Massachusetts

The week: A hat trick in a win over Holy Cross and an assist in a win over Northeastern.

Fun fact: Prior to his hat trick, the sophomore blueliner had a total of two career goals for the Minutemen.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Write comment

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment