SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Tepid tournament turbulence

We have reached the penultimate weekend where four of the remaining seven games will be played. The conference tournaments caused a little movement but no major shifts.

1. Wisconsin (32-4-0), 110 (11) — Last poll: 2

•  Last Week: W 3-2 v Ohio State (3/9), W 3-1 @ Minnesota (3/10)

•  Coming Week: v Syracuse (3/16)

The Badgers reclaim the spot after handling Minnesota in Minnesota, earning them the title of “Belles of the Ball.”. Their reward is to host the eight seed Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament, a team who holds the distinction of being the lowest winning percentage team to ever make an appearance.

2. Minnesota (30-5-1), 99— Last poll: 1

•  Last week: W 4-1 v Minnesota-Duluth (3/9), L 1-3 v Wisconsin (3/10)

•  Coming Week: v Princeton (3/16)

A tough loss at home cost the Gophers the top spot and now they get to play a dangerous Princeton team that many thought would host until their recent collapse.

3. Northeastern (27-5-5), 86 — Last poll: 3

•  Last week: W 3-2 @ Providence (3/9), W 3-2 OT v Boston College (3/10)

•  Next week: v Cornell (3/16)

Despite some adversity and poor sportsmanship, the Huskies prevailed in overtime against rival Boston College after hanging on against the lower seeded host Providence. Up next is a Cornell team that is rather enigmatic.

4. Clarkson (29-7-2), 79 — Last poll: 4

•  Last week: W 2-0 v Colgate (3/9), W 4-1 @ Cornell (3/10)

•  Next week: v Boston College (3/16)

After taking care of business in the ECAC, the Golden Knights are back in the NCAA tournament and look to hold onto their crown returning to the scene of their first ever title, Hamden, CT.

5. Boston College (26-11-1), 62 — Last poll: 6

•  Last week: W 5-1 v Boston University (3/9), L 2-3 OT v Northeastern (3/10)

•  Next week: @ Clarkson (3/16)

The Eagles decimated Boston University which was enough to garner an NCAA tournament bid. The Hockey East Championship was a different story, as they tied the game with 4.9 seconds on a highly controversial goal, but eventually lost in overtime. Their fate had been sealed already, because the Clarkson win made BC the 5 seed sending the Eagles to Potsdam.

6. Cornell (23-5-6), 58 — Last poll: 5

•  Last week:  W 3-2 2OT v Princeton (3/9), L 1-4 v Clarkson (3/10)

•  This week: @ Northeastern (3/16)

After clawing back from a two goal deficit and scratching out the double OT win, the Big Red didn’t seem to have enough to top Clarkson.  The loss cemented their trip to Historic Matthews Arena.

7. Princeton (20-7-5), 38 — Last poll: 7

•  Last week: L 2-3 2OT @ Cornell (3/9)

•  This week: @ Minnesota (3/16)

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead the Tigers fell off their game and ended up falling to the Big Red.  Thanks to losses by BU and Ohio State, Princeton will ship off to Minneapolis.

T-8. Boston University (21-8-8), 25 — Last poll: 8

•  Last week: L 1-5 v Boston College (3/9)

•  Next week: No Games

The blitzing the Terriers received knocked them right out of the tournament ending their season.

T-8. Ohio State (20-13-0), 25 — Last poll: 9

•  Last week: L 2-3 v Wisconsin (3/9)

•  Next week:  No Games

A win and they were in, but a late Badger goal eliminated the Buckeyes.

10. Colgate (23-10-5), 11 — Last poll: 10

•  Last week: L 0-2 v Clarkson (3/9)

•  Next week: No Games

The Raiders needed to win their tournament to get in but just couldn’t score against Clarkson causing Colgate to be eliminated.

Also Receiving Votes: Providence 9, Syracuse 2, Minnesota-Duluth 1