SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Karma Kills

This week had some surprise upsets and some blowouts. The biggest news was that Hockey East has scrapped their remaining schedule and in order to be flexible will announce it’s slate of games weekly depending on which teams are available.

1. Wisconsin (8-2-0), 65 (4) — Last poll: 1

• Last week: W 10-0 @ St. Cloud State (1/22), W 4-2 @ St. Cloud State (1/23
• Coming Week: No Games/

After demolishing St. Cloud by 10 goals in the first game, it took a late goal and an empty netter to hold off the Huskies in the second. A weekend off will do the Badgers well.

2. Northeastern (8-1-1), 62 (3) — Last poll: 2

• Last week: W 4-1 v Providence (1/22), W 5-0 @ Providence (1/23)
• Coming Week: TBD/

Northeastern was flexed into a pair of games against Providence with Maureen Murphy mysteriously missing from the lineup. Neither game proved too challenging as the Huskies showed the skill everyone expected from them and improved to 3-0 against the Friars by a score of 13-1.

3. Ohio State (8-4-0), 58 — Last poll: 3

• Last Week: W 3-0 v Minnesota State (1/22), W 7-2 v Minnesota State (1/23)
• Coming Week: v Minnesota (1/29, 1/30)/

The Buckeyes won the games they were expected to win and get to play host to Minnesota with second place in the WCHA on the line.

4. Colgate (10-1-1), 49 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: W 3-1 @ Clarkson (1/18), W 3-2 OT v St. Lawrence (1/22), W 1-0 OT @ St. Lawrence (1/24)
• Coming Week: @ Clarkson (1/29), v Clarkson (1/31)/

Although the Raiders swept the week, the two overtime periods lead a few pollsters to worry. This weekend brings another two games against Clarkson.

5. Minnesota (8-3-0), 46 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: @ Ohio State (1/29, 1/30)/

After having a week off the Gophers should be recharged as they travel to Columbus for a pair of critical games.

6. Boston College (10-3-0), 30 — Last poll: 7

• Last week:W 2-1 OT v Connecticut (1/23)
• Coming Week: TBD/

After having their weekend reduced to a single game the Eagles managed to hold off UConn to edge atop the Hockey East table.

7. Minnesota-Duluth (6-4-0), 27 — Last poll: 6

• Last week: L 0-1 OT @ Bemidji State (1/22), @W 1-0 OT Bemidji State (1/23)
• Coming Week: v St. Cloud State (1/29, 1/30)/

This was a rough weekend for the Bulldogs. There two one goal overtime games against a not great Bemidji squad that included a loss and a controversial tally to win. Not encouraging data points about their post season aspirations.

8. Providence (9-4-1), 21 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: L 1-4 @ Northeastern (1/22), L 0-5 v Northeastern (1/23)
• Coming Week: TBD/

Providence was forced to play Northeastern again, who seemed angry all weekend, as they were swept rather badly. The Friars look forward to playing anybody else as they look to regain their footing atop the Hockey East standings.

9. Penn State (8-1-1), 15— Last poll: 10

• Last week: W 2-1 v Mercyhurst (1/23), W 4-1 v Mercyhurst (1/24)
• Coming Week: @ Lindenwood (1/29, 1/30)/

A strong showing against rival Mercyhurst gives PSU the title of this week’s ‘Belles of the Ball.’ The weekend sweep indicates that Penn State is serious about claiming their first CHA crown. While the PairWise is unlikely to be the deciding factor but currently the Nittany Lions sit at third in those rankings.

10. Clarkson (5-5-1), 11 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: L 1-3 v Colgate (1/18), L 1-2 OT @ Quinnipiac (1/23), W 3-1 @ Quinnipiac (1/24)
• Coming Week: v Colgate (1/29), @ Colgate (1/31)/

Clarkson is floundering a bit but remains in the top-10 mainly off their name. Another rough week could see them fall out.

Also Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 1