SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Parsing Progress

We are another week into the season and have had a ton more cancelled games. All but two teams in our top ten have started play, with mixed results, only Colgate has won every game.

1. Northeastern (0-0-0), 79 (7) — Last poll: T-1

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: No Games/

Northeastern will remain idle for at least the next three weekends but hopes to start on a strong note whenever they do play hockey.

2. Wisconsin (1-1-0), 72 (1) — Last poll: T-1

• Last week: L 2-3 @ Ohio State (11/27), W 5-0 @ Ohio State (11/28)
• Coming Week: @ Minnesota (12/4, 12/5)/

The Badgers fell into large hole early and never quite recovered in their first game, but then made up for it on Sunday as the walloped the Buckeyes. Wisconsin will remain on the road next weekend as they head over to Minneapolis for a pair of games that almost always determines the WCHA regular season crown.

3. Ohio State (2-2-0), 62 — Last poll: 3

• Last Week: W 3-2 v Wisconsin (11/27), L 0-5 v Wisconsin (11/28)
• Coming Week: No Games/

The Buckeyes have yet to have a complete weekend as they once again split with a top WCHA team. This leaves us with evidence that they are talented but questions if they have what it takes to win it all in the end.

4. Minnesota (3-1-0), 58 — Last poll: 4

• Last week: W 4-2 @ Minnesota-Duluth (11/27), W 2-1 @ Minnesota-Duluth (11/28)
• Coming Week: v Wisconsin (12/4, 12/5)/

A pair of road wins solidifies Minnesota in at least the top three in their conference. This weekend will be a huge test as the Badgers will come to town, which should let us know a lot about this Gopher team.

5. Minnesota-Duluth (2-2-0), 39 — Last poll: 6

• Last week: L 2-4 v Minnesota (11/27), L 1-2 v Minnesota (11/28)
• Coming Week: v St. Cloud State (12/4, 12/5)/

Unfortunately the Bulldogs were unable to get any headway this weekend and seem to be just outside the top tier in the West. This weekend will hopefully do them some good as they get a pair of lighter games against St. Cloud.

6. Colgate (3-0-0), 37 — Last poll: 9

• Last week: W 3-2 @ Clarkson (11/28)
• Coming Week: v Clarkson (11/30, 12/3), @ Clarkson (12/5)/

With the ECAC down to four teams, only three of which seem to be planning to play before the New Year, Colgate started a four game series with Clarkson off with a nice win, making them this week’s “Belles of the Ball.” The rest of this week will see a lot of travel for the two teams.

7. Clarkson (0-1-0), 27 — Last poll: 5

• Last week: L 2-3 v Colgate (11/28)
• Coming Week: @ Colgate (11/30, 12/3), v Colgate (12/5)/

Clarkson had some trouble with Colgate in a game that wasn’t originally on the schedule. They have plenty of opportunities this week as there are three more games against that same Colgate team.

8. Boston University (0-0-0), 25— Last poll: 7

• Last week: No Games
• Coming Week: No Games/

No games yet for the Terriers. They were scheduled to start this weekend at Maine, but the Black Bears postponed their season. Their other December opponent - Vermont - also postponed their season, leaving BU a long stretch without playing.

9. Providence (3-0-1), 16 — Last poll: NR

• Last week: W 3-2 @ Boston College (11/27), W 3-2 v Boston College (11/28)
• Coming Week: v Holy Cross (12/4), @ Holy Cross (12/5)/

Last weekend had a very disappointing shootout loss to UConn for the Friars. This weekend gave them a pair of big wins over a surging Eagles team. Now they should keep themselves atop Hockey East with a pair against Holy Cross.

10. Boston College (2-2-0), 13 — Last poll: 8

• Last week: L 2-3 v Providence (11/27), L 2-3 @ Providence (11/28)
• Coming Week: @ Connecticut (12/4), v Connecticut (12/5)/

With how quickly the second game slipped out of the Eagle’s hands you would think someone had jinxed them. Overall the weekend was rather disappointing for a team that many fans had gotten very excited for. This weekend should answer some questions out of Chestnut Hill.

Also Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 5, Syracuse 3, Mercyhurst 1