SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Benevolent Break

With the holiday break upon us and the games dwindling down fast, we will be taking a break for the holidays and return in the new year. This week no team in the top ten received a loss in the consideration of RPI, though one took a shootout loss.

1. Wisconsin (21-1-0), 150 (15) — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 1-0 @ St. Cloud State (12/8), W 3-0 @ St. Cloud State (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

This time the Badgers were able to defeat a western Huskies team. Not quite the results they would’ve hoped for, but they still earned two more victories and stay on top of this poll.

2. Boston College (15-1-3), 126 — Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 4-1 v Merrimack (12/8), W 4-2 @ Merrimack (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Eagles took care of business and beat Merrimack. They will end this half of the season leading Hockey East with a schedule that should lead them to hardware.

3. Clarkson (17-3-1), 122 — Last Week: 4

• Last Week: W 5-0 @ Syracuse (12/5), W 5-1 @ Union (12/8), W 4-1 @ RPI (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

Three more wins, two of them conference victories, have the Golden Knights back in the thick of things on the top end of our poll.

4. Colgate (15-3-1), 105 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: T 3-3 OT v Robert Morris (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

This weekend was a prime example of Colgate’s recent past. When they have a game that could propel them higher, they seem unable to find the final gear. They take a very disappointing tie into the break. They have a relatively easy schedule moving forward, so they are still a major threat to the normal powers.

5. Cornell (8-4-1), 89— Last Week: 6

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: No Games

The Big Red appear to be back in a big way. As they end their 2017 slate they could very well return to their former glory days. They are currently the favorites in the Ivy League chase, since their closest completion, Harvard, lost a game to Holy Cross this season.

6. Minnesota (15-5-2), 60 — Last Week: 7

• Last Week: T 3-3 OT (1-2 SOL) v Minnesota-Duluth (12/8), W 5-0 v Minnesota-Duluth (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Gophers were able to finally get a statement win (though it would’ve mean more if they hadn’t lost in a shootout the night before). As they enter the break they will undoubtedly be hoping the new calendar year returns them to a more dominant position.

7. St. Lawrence (9-6-3), 53 — Last week: 8

• Last Week: W 1-0 @ RPI (12/8), W 5-1 @ Union (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Saints took care of two teams they needed to and enter 2018 in solid, while not great, position in conference.

8. Ohio State (11-3-4), 47 — Last Week: 7

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: @ Mercyhurst (12/15, 12/16)

The best thing that can be said for the free-falling Buckeyes is that they will face no more ranked teams on the road. They are also only a point back of the equally sputtering Gophers while holding two games in hand. They will be the only team in this poll in action this weekend. Anything short of two dominant victories will be a bitter pill to swallow over their holiday meals.

9. Robert Morris (11-3-3), 35 —Last Week: 9

• Last Week: T 3-3 OT @ Colgate (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Colonials might have to be taken more seriously as they went on the road and tied a Colgate team that is solidly top four in the nation, earning them the title of this week’s ‘Belles of the Ball’. They will get another crack at Ohio State on the road after the calendar flips and will spend most of their conference slate traveling too.

10. Providence (11-5-4), 20 — Last Week: ARV

• Last Week: W 6-5 v Boston University (12/9)

• Coming Week: No Games

They won, and will be glad for it. They were scared by a Boston University that is being carried by phenom Victoria Bach so much that rumors are swirling that they will no longer go by the moniker the Terriers but instead (to the chagrin of classical music lovers everywhere) be called the BU Bachs. The win leaves them secure as the second team in Hockey East with a shot at the top.

Also Receiving Votes: Northeastern 7, Bemidji State 4, Saint Anselm 1