SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Exhibitions and Extrapolations

Now that all of the conference previews are published, we would like to welcome you back to The Ice Garden’s Women’s College Hockey poll.

When we last published, Wisconsin stood a mere two games from running the table as wire-to-wire number one team in the poll’s inaugural season, but they were dethroned by Clarkson in the national championship game. This season we expect to see lots of ups and downs all over the collegiate landscape and hope to have you along for the ride.

1. Clarkson (0-0-0), 144 (12) — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 5-3 v Guelph (9/23) (EX)

• Coming Week: @ Northeastern (9/29, 9/30)

The defending champion Golden Knights had a tough go in exhibition against the Gryphons of Guelph. They have no respite as they head to historic Matthews Arena to take on a Husky team that returns a lot of scoring and a promising goalie. With the belt on the line, we will know quickly if Clarkson is for real.

2. Wisconsin (2-0-0), 130 (2) — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 3-1  v Lindenwood  (9/22), W 4-0  v Lindenwood (9/23)

• Coming Week: v Mercyhurst (9/28, 9/29)

The Badgers hold the distinction of both being the last team to lose last season and the first to win this season. Of the three real games played this weekend, Wisconsin outscored hapless Lindenwood 7-1 in a pair of them. Going forward, they play host to a Mercyhurst team looking to regain national prominence.

3. Minnesota (0-0-0), 128 (1)— Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 4-0 v Team Korea (9/24) (EX)

• Coming Week: v Merrimack (9/30, 10/1)

The Gophers will play host to a Merrimack team that they should easily dispatch. The problem? Those same Warriors upset a Boston University team that was thought by some to be good this season, though they tied in their exhibition and dropped crucial conference points to Merrimack.

4. Boston College (0-0-0), 105 — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 6-0 v Laurentian (EX) (9/22)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Eagles easily dispatched the Voyageurs in Chestnut Hill. They have the week off before Duluth comes to visit.

5. St. Lawrence (0-0-0), 69 — Last week: NA

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week v McGill (EX) (9/30)

The Saints have another week before starting their season for real, but will see McGill come to town before it gets underway.

6. Minnesota-Duluth (0-0-0), 62 —Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 4-1 v Minnesota Whitecaps (9/23) (EX)

• Coming Week: v Penn State (9/29,  9/30)

The Bulldogs lost a lot of scoring in the offseason. Many expect a major falloff from them but they will remain here for the time being after beating the Minnesota Whitecaps. They will host Penn State for a pair before playing Boston College in what is sure to be an important weekend for polls and PWR.

7. Northeastern (0-0-0), 47 — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 3-2 Concordia (9/23) (EX)

• Coming Week: v Clarkson (9/29, 9/30)

The Huskies will begin the season off in a meat grinder. They start by hosting the defending champions before a rivalry weekend and then traveling to a dangerous Colgate team that could be a dark horse.

8. Cornell (0-0-0), 35— Last Week: NA

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: No Games

As an Ivy League member, the Big Red will not be in action for a while.

9. Quinnipiac (0-0-0), 30 — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: T 3-3 OT Concordia (9/24) (EX)

• Coming Week: @ Maine (9/29, 9/30)

Quinnipiac struggled against a Concordia team that beat Boston University at BU and then played well in a loss to Northeastern. Bobcat fans cannot be happy; now they look to start the season on the road in Maine.

T-10. Colgate (0-0-0), 25 — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: v Queens (10/1) (EX)

Colgate struggled in the back half of last season after a rocket trajectory up the polls in the first half. They look to build on their entrance to the national stage.

T-10. Robert Morris (0-0-0), 25 — Last Week: NA

• Last Week: W 4-1 v Ryerson (9/23) (EX)

• Coming Week: No Games

Robert Morris is the favorite to take the CHA title again this season but will face stiff competition out of Mercyhurst.

Also Receiving Votes:  Ohio State 12, Princeton 6, Boston University 4, Mercyhurst 3