SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Tiger Blood

The WCHA took the week off for what was supposed to be the Four Nations break, which was cancelled due to Team Sweden’s successful boycott bid. Everyone else was in action and gave us some interesting results.

1. Minnesota (10-1-1), 116 (8) — Last poll: 1

•  Last week: W 9-0 v Hamline EX (11/5)

•  Coming Week: v Bemidji State (11/15, 11/16)

In their third exhibition of the season, the Gophers steamrolled a poor D-III team into oblivion.  Now they host Bemidji, who always seems to steal a point or two off of Minnesota.

2. Wisconsin (10-1-1), 108 (2) — Last poll: 2

•  Last Week: No Games

•  Coming Week: v Minnesota State (11/16, 11/17)

With no games this week and two easy home games coming up, the Badgers have an easy slate in their build up to the much anticipated tournament in Nashville.

3. Cornell (5-0-1), 90 — Last poll: 3

•  Last week: W 4-1 @ St. Lawrence (11/8), T 1-1 OT @ Clarkson (11/9)

•  Coming Week: v Yale (11/15), v Brown (11/16)

The Big Red had their first slip up as they went on the road and couldn’t pull out the win against Clarkson.  Upcoming for Cornell is a pair of Ivy League games that are imminently winnable.

4. Northeastern (8-1-0), 88 (2) — Last poll: 4

•  Last week: W 6-0 v Holy Cross (11/8)

•  Coming Week: v New Hampshire (11/15), @ New Hampshire (11/16)

The Huskies scored early and often in their matinee showing against Holy Cross and got great contributions from their fourth line which should bode well for them down the road.  This week brings a home-and-home that will close out the season series against UNH.

5. Clarkson (8-1-3), 68 — Last poll: 5

•  Last week: W 2-1 v Colgate (11/8), T 1-1 OT v Cornell (11/9)

•  Coming Week: v Mercyhurst (11/15, 11/16)

While a win over Cornell was desired a tie keeps Clarkson afloat both in the ECAC and in the polls. This weekend brings a nonconference pair against a Mercyhurst team that has garnered some national interest.

6. Boston College (9-1-1), 49 — Last poll: 7

•  Last week: L 2-5 @ Connecticut (11/9)

•  Coming Week: @ Harvard (11/12), @ Boston University (11/15)

The Eagles had a devastating loss to Connecticut with star defender Cayla Barnes away on national team duty. The Eagles moved up despite the loss due to carnage around them.  They will take two short trips down the road as they take on Beanpot foes Harvard and Boston University, the latter being a crucial game if they don’t want Hockey East to slip away.

7. Ohio State (7-3-2), 48 — Last poll: 8

•  Last week: No Games

•  Coming Week: v Minnesota-Duluth (11/15, 11/16)

A week off might do the Buckeyes good as the prepare to host a Duluth team that is hot on their tails in the standings.

8. Princeton (5-2-0), 47 — Last poll: 6

•  Last week: L 2-6 v Harvard (11/8), W 2-1 v Dartmouth (11/9)

•  Coming Week: @ Union (11/15), @ Rensselaer (11/16)

After a tough loss to a surging Harvard team, the Tigers nearly ended their Ivy league title pursuit as the struggled against Dartmouth.  This weekend brings a road trip to the bottom of the ECAC and should help the Tigers right the ship.

9. Harvard (5-0-0), 17 — Last poll: ARV

•  Last week: W 6-2 @ Princeton (11/8), W 3-2 OT @ Quinnipiac (11/9)

•  Coming Week: v Boston College (11/12)

The Crimson are a historic power that has struggled in recent years.  It would appear they are back in the national picture with a  dominant win over Princeton, which earns them the title of ‘Belles of the Ball’ this week.  Harvard capped the weekend scrapping by a Quinnipiac team that has been dangerous all year. There is short turnaround as they play host to a very talented BC team.

10. Minnesota-Duluth (6-4-2), 16 — Last poll: 9

•  Last week:  No Games

•  Coming Week: @ Ohio State (11/15, 11/16)

The weekend off did no favors to the Bulldogs in the polls as they continue to fall.  A pair of road wins in Columbus would rectify that very quickly though.

Also Receiving Votes: Boston University 10, Mercyhurst 2, Robert Morris 1