SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Mind Numbing Mediocrity

Many of the traditional powers are struggling while a few cement their hold atop the poll. The bottom of the poll is a mess with some bad teams filling in the bottom due to voters frustration with the lack of standout teams. As we hurriedly approach the holiday break we have a few tiers truly forming.

1. Wisconsin (19-1-0), 149 (14) — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 5-1 v Minnesota-Duluth (12/1), W 3-1 v Minnesota-Duluth (12/2)

• Coming Week: @ St. Cloud State (12/8, 12/9)

Two solid wins for Wisconsin means they stay atop the poll. They need to continue this path as they take on the bottom of the WCHA (a task some teams in this poll were not up to).

2. Boston College (13-1-3), 125 — Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 7-3 v Northeastern (11/28), T 2-2 OT v Boston University (12/1), W 4-2 @ Boston University (12/2)

• Coming Week: v Merrimack (12/8), @ Merrimack (12/9)

The Eagles beat up on a weary Northeastern team before tying lowly Boston University at home. The next day they were able to salvage a win on the weekend. They now have a pair against a Merrimack team that has been a pain to good teams all season.

3. Clarkson (14-3-1), 117 (1) — Last Week: 4

• Last Week: W 2-1 v St. Lawrence (11/30), W 4-1 @ St. Lawrence (12/2)

• Coming Week: @ Syracuse (12/5), @ Union (12/8), @ RPI (12/9)

With two wins this weekend, they complete the four-game sweep of the Saints, earning them the title “Belles of the Ball” once again. They have one mid-week game on the road before a pair of road conference games as they head into the break.

4. Colgate (15-3-0), 116 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: L 1-2 @ Cornell (12/1), W 5-4 v Cornell (12/2)

• Coming Week: v Robert Morris (12/9)

The weekend could’ve gone better for Colgate.  A split against a good Cornell team is nothing to sneer at, but the Raiders can’t seem to get those marquee weekend sweeps right now to prove they belong up top.  They host Robert Morris for one last game heading into the break.

5. Cornell (8-4-1), 80— Last Week: 6

• Last Week: W 2-1 v Colgate (12/1), L 4-5 @ Colgate (12/2)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Big Red have been a pleasant surprise this season and head into the break top of the ECAC table. They will look to continue this success when they travel to Ivy League foe Princeton in the new year

6. Minnesota (14-5-1), 64 — Last Week: 7

• Last Week: W 3-2 OT v Bemidji State (12/1), L 2-4 v Bemidji State (12/2)

• Coming Week: v Minnesota-Duluth (12/8, 12/9)

This really isn’t the Gopher team we expected to see despite the fact that they are receiving votes like they are.  Being taken to OT was bad enough but to then lose by multiple goals the next day, Minnesota is struggling and will gladly welcome the break after this weekend. Up first, however, is rival Duluth who knows how to push their buttons.

7. Ohio State (11-3-4), 53 — Last Week: 5

• Last Week: T 2-2 (SOW 1-0) v St. Cloud State (12/1), T 0-0 (SOW 1-0) v St. Cloud State (12/2)

• Coming Week: No Games

After a weekend as embarrassing as this, the Buckeyes return to Columbus to lick their wounds before starting on a three-weekend tour through the CHA. Ohio State sits atop the WCHA, but Wisconsin has four games in hand and is only a point back, and the Badgers also already swept a weekend pair against Ohio State.

8. St. Lawrence (7-6-3), 49 — Last week: 8

• Last Week: L 1-2 @ Clarkson (12/1), L 1-4 v Clarkson (12/2)

• Coming Week: @ RPI (12/8), @ Union (12/9)

The Saints would’ve liked to get at least one tie against their big rivals, but it was not meant to be. They have one more conference weekend before a needed month off.

9. Robert Morris (11-3-2), 32 —Last Week: 9

• Last Week: L 0-1 v Mercyhurst (12/1), W 2-1 v Mercyhurst (12/2)

• Coming Week: @ Colgate (12/9)

If the Colonials don’t win the CHA, this weekend, along with the bizarre ties to Penn State, will definitely come back to haunt them.  A pair of one-goal games and a split against a not-so-great Lakers team leave them in ninth due to other teams’ struggles.

10. Providence (10-5-4), 19 — Last Week: ARV

• Last Week: T 2-2 OT @ Connecticut (12/1), W 4-1 v Connecticut (12/2)

• Coming Week: v Boston University (12/9)

The Friars return to the poll after Northeastern struggled after their amazing upset.  Providence tied on the road but came home for a good victory. They will have one more conference game this weekend before getting ready for the Mayors Cup in January.

Also Receiving Votes: Northeastern 10, Bemidji State 5,  Saint Anselm 3, Minnesota-Duluth 1, St. Cloud State 1, Boston University 1