SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Holiday Heat

Happy Holidays everyone.  As we leave the Thanksgiving break a few tournaments and a few rare interconference games gave us a sneak peek at some East v West battles that will have huge PWR considerations later.

1. Wisconsin (15-1-0), 148 (13) — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 3-2 OT v Harvard (11/23), W 2-1 OT v Harvard (11/24)

• Coming Week: v Syracuse (12/1, 12/2)

You might have to start wondering who hates Thanksgiving more: turkeys or the Badgers.  After losing to Northeastern on neutral ice this time last year, they played host to a bad Harvard team and were taken to OT in both games. Will they ever play another Eastern team by choice? Up next should be a pair of blowout wins against Syracuse.

2. Minnesota (13-2-1), 136 — Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 8-2 @ St. Lawrence (11/23), W 6-2 @ Vermont (11/24)

• Coming Week: @ Yale (11/30, 12/1)

The Gophers steamrolled through the Windjammer tournament with a pair of big wins.  This weekend they will return east as they travel to New Haven.

3. Clarkson (12-2-0), 112 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: W 4-1 v Minnesota-Duluth (11/23), W 4-2 v Minnesota-Duluth (11/24)

• Coming Week: @ Colgate (11/30), @ Cornell (12/1)

A pair of convincing wins over a free falling Bulldogs team seems to have the Golden Knights back on the right track.  Suave is back in action just in time for a conference road trip against a pair of struggling teams.

4. Boston College (12-3-0), 103 — Last Week: 4

• Last Week: W 4-3 v Boston University (11/20), W 5-0 @ Holy Cross (11/24)

• Coming Week: @ Northeastern (11/27), v Boston University (11/30), @ Boston University (12/1)

The scoreline doesn’t truly represent the fact that the result was never really in doubt against their arch rival but the Eagles were able to clean up the sloppiness en route to rooting Holy Cross. Up next is a trip to Historic Matthews Arena for a massive tilt against Northeastern before two more against a pesky Boston University team.

5. Northeastern (11-1-2), 93 — Last Week: 5

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: v Boston College (11/27), @ Holy Cross (11/30), v Holy Cross (12/1)

The Huskies better hope their weekend off prepared them as they play host to a surging Boston College in a midweek showdown. The weekend will bring a pair against Holy Cross which shouldn’t bring too much intrigue.

6. Ohio State (11-5-0), 73 — Last Week: 6

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: @ Minnesota State (12/1, 12/2)

A week off to celebrate and now a weekend date with a very bad Mankato team should spell good things for the Buckeyes.

7. Providence (12-2-0), 46 — Last Week: 10

• Last Week: W 2-1 @ Yale (11/23), W 2-1 v Qunnipiac (11/24)

• Coming Week: @ Connecticut (11/30), v Connecticut (12/1)

The Friars took care of business in the Nutmeg Classic, to become this week’s “Belles of the Ball,” and now will travel back to the Constitution state as they will take on the team they didn’t play this past weekend.

8. Cornell (6-1-4), 39— Last Week: 8

• Last Week: W 5-2 @ Robert Morris (11/23), T 3-3 @ Robert Morris (11/24)

• Coming Week: v St. Lawrence (11/30), v Clarkson (12/1)

The Big Red are not off to the start most predicted with another lost opportunity when the dropped to a tie against Robert Morris. Now up is a home weekend against the top of the ECAC, meaning they can wipe away any blemishes with a sweep.

9. Princeton (5-2-3), 27 —Last Week: ARV

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: v Quinnipiac (11/30), @ Quinnipiac (12/1)

The Tigers also had the Holidays off and now have a home and home with their travel partner Quinnipiac.

10. St. Lawrence (9-6-1), 26 — Last Week: 7

• Last Week: L 2-8 v Minnesota (11/23), W 4-0 v Syracuse (11/24)

• Coming Week: @ Cornell (11/30), @ Colgate (12/1)

The Saints were unlucky to run into the Gopher buzzsaw before beating up on poor Syracuse. They will be on the road for a pair of conference games against good teams.

Also Receiving Votes: Minnesota-Duluth 14, Colgate 4, Merrimack 4