SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Holy Huskies

Welcome back from the break! Hope your holidays were fun and relaxing.

This poll is partially being written across the pond and partially back in the States with the help of friend of the poll William Whyte. We have a few great matchups and are looking forward to the return of everyone else next weekend.

1. Wisconsin (19-1-0), 109 (10) — Last poll: 1

• Last Week: No Games
• Coming Week: @ Ohio State (1/12, 1/13)/

The still hibernating Badgers enjoyed another week off and got to enjoy the chaos. Next up is an Ohio State team that has potential for an upset.

2. Minnesota (19-2-1), 100 (1) — Last poll: 2

• Last week: W 4-3 OT v Minnesota-Duluth (1/5); W 5-1 v St. Cloud (1/6)
• Coming Week: @ Minnesota State (1/11, 1/12)/

The state of Minnesota has decided to try and copy the Beanpot with the Minnesota Cup and no surprises the Gophers won. Their next opponent is a Mankato team that is playing much better this season.

3. Northeastern (14-2-3), 87 — Last poll: 3

• Last week: T 3-3 v Clarkson (1/5); W 3-1 v Clarkson (1/6)
• Next week: v Boston College (1/11); @ Boston College (1/12)/

The Huskies went to Belfast to take on the Golden Knights. The teams tied before Northeaster won on Sunday to become the only women’s team to ever win a game in Ireland at any level, earning them the title of ‘Belles of the Ball’ this week. There is no rest for the Huskies as they return stateside for a home-and-home with a reeling Boston College team that is out for revenge.

4. Clarkson (14-5-1), 68 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: T 3-3 “@” Northeastern (1/5); L 3-1 “@” Northeastern (1/6)
• Next week: @ RPI (1/11); @ Union (1/12)/

On the flipside of Northeastern, Clarkson is the only women’s team in Irish history to lose a game. Despite large stretches of dominance the Golden Knights were unable to win either game and return home for a pair against the bottom of the ECAC table.

5. Cornell (8-1-4), 58 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: No games
• This week: @ Penn State (1/8); v Princeton (1/11); v Quinnipiac (1/12)/

The Big Red have also been idle but look to return to action this week against Penn State and then a tough pair of conference matchups.

6. Ohio State (14-6-0), 56 — Last poll: 7

• Last week: L 3-2 (OT) v Minnesota Whitecaps (1/5); L 3-1 v Minnesota Whitecaps (1/6)
• Next week: v Wisconsin (1/11, 1/12)/

After Boston College the Buckeyes are this poll’s biggest enigma, winning some great results then losing head scratchers. They only played a pair of exhibitions this weekend but will host Wisconsin in the coming weekend.

7. Princeton (12-2-4), 51 — Last poll: 6

• Since last poll: T 1-1 v Merrimack (12/30); W 5-3 v Merrimack (12/31); W 4-1 v Harvard (1/4); W 5-2 v Dartmouth (1/5)
• This week: @ Cornell (1/11); @ Colgate (1/12)/

Not a perfect start to 2019 but the Tigers are happy with the weekend conference sweep and have been defeated only by Wisconsin this season. Coming up is a tough test in Ivy play and another ECAC matchup.

8. Providence (16-4-0), 37 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: L 5-4 (OT) v Vermont; W 2-1 v Vermont
• Next week: v BU (1/11); @ BU (1/12)/

The Friars were all set to make a jump in the polls having caught fire, unfortunately Vermont had other plans. Two one goal games including an OT loss were not great for them but getting swept would’ve been disastrous. Now they play a Boston University team that has put the pieces to the puzzle together and is trying to jump into this poll.

9. Colgate (11-6-3), 24 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: T 1-1 @ Mercyhurst (1/5); L 5-8 @ Mercyhurst (1/6)
• Next week: v Qunnipiac (1/11), v Princeton (1/12)./

You have to wonder if they left their defense home this weekend as they let up nine goals to Mercyhurst, eight of them in one game, and came away winless. They too have a pair of tough ECAC matches to try and right the ship.

10. Boston College (13-8-0), 9 — Last poll: 10

• Last week: L 3-2 @ New Hampshiee (1/5)
• Next week: @ Northeastern (1/11), v Northeastern (1/12)./

The Eagles are in trouble. Their name and talent on paper will only keep them in this poll for so long and they need to get results. A hard loss to UNH leaves BC in territory they haven’t charted in a very long time, not making the NCAA tournament. That was unthinkable this offseason. Their next opponent, while tired from a long trip, offers no comfort, but the Eagles have dominated the Huskies in recent years, and a resume building win would do wonders for the Eagles psyche.

Also Receiving Votes: Maine 2, Minnesota-Duluth 2, Boston University 1, Mercyhurst 1