SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Wild Western action

We had no movement in the top half of our poll but plenty in the bottom five. The last spot in the poll seems very much up for grabs these days.

1. Wisconsin (21-3-0), 106 (7) — Last poll: 1

•  Last Week: W 2-1 @ Minnesota (1/18), L 1-3 @ Minnesota (1/19)

•  Coming Week: v St. Cloud State (1/25, 1/26)

Another split with Minnesota leaves Wisconsin still atop the poll but by a much slimmer margin then would be preferred in Madison.  They currently sit in second in the WCHA but have two games in hand.  A weekend sweep of St. Cloud is needed.

2. Minnesota (22-3-1), 103 (4) — Last poll: 2

•  Last week: L 1-2 v Wisconsin (1/18), W 3-1 v Wisconsin (1/19)

•  Coming Week: @ Ohio State (1/25, 1/26)

The Gophers continue to stay atop the WCHA but do not control their destiny. A sweep of chaotic Ohio State would do wonders for their chances.

3. Northeastern (17-3-3), 85 — Last poll: 3

•  Last week: W 5-2 v Connecticut (1/18), W 4-1 @ Connecticut (1/19)

•  Next week: v Vermont (1/25, 1/26)

The Huskies have stolen the “Belt” from the other Huskies and clinched a conference playoff berth. Northeastern looks to move closer and closer to locking up the top Hockey East spot and have Vermont coming to town for a pair.

4. Princeton (13-2-5), 74 — Last poll: 4

•  Last week: No Games

•  This week: No Games

The Tigers were idle and will stay idle.

5. Clarkson (18-5-1), 71 — Last poll: 5

•  Last week: W 5-1 v Yale (1/18), W 6-0 v Brown (1/19)

•  Next week: v Harvard (1/25), v Dartmouth (1/26)

Clarkson returned to their dominant ways blowing out the bottom of the ECAC.  They get another pair of weaker teams next weekend.

6. Cornell (11-2-5), 48 — Last poll: 7

•  Last week:  W 3-0 @ Dartmouth (1/18), W 6-0 @ Harvard (1/19)

•  This week: @ Colgate (1/25), v Colgate (1/26)

The Big Red got a pair of good wins.  Now they play a pair against their travel partner, Colgate, which will shake the bottom of this poll up even more next week, regardless of who wins.

7. Ohio State (15-9-0), 39 — Last poll: 5

•  Last week: L 2-5 @ Minnesota-Duluth (1/18), L 3-6 @ Minnesota-Duluth (1/19)

•  Next week: v Minnesota (1/25, 1/26)

Another roller coaster drop for the Buckeyes as they are now in danger of being caught in the standings by Duluth.  Being swept again this weekend would all but eliminate them from the hunt for the WCHA crown.

8. Colgate (14-6-4), 33 — Last poll: 8

•  Last week: W 4-2 @ Harvard (1/18), W 5-1 @ Dartmouth (1/19)

•  Next week: v Cornell (1/25), @ Cornell (1/26)

Colgate stays afloat and now can get a pair of marquee wins against Cornell which would do wonders for  their NCAA hopes.

9. Boston College (16-9-0), 23 — Last poll: 10

•  Last week: W 4-2 @ Vermont (1/18), W 5-2 @ Vermont (1/19)

•  Next week: v Providence (1/25), @ Providence (1/26)

The Eagles are back on a winning streak.  It would appear that they are catching Providence at the best possible time as the Friars are in freefall mode now.  It will be a tough pair but a sweep would put BC back in the PWR conversation.

T-10. Providence (17-7-0), 8 — Last poll: 9

•  Last week: W 4-0 v New Hampshire (1/18), L 0-5 @ New Hampshire (1/19)

•  Next week: @ Boston College (1/25), v Boston College (1/26)

Providence is not enjoying 2019.  This weekend was very hot or cold, something they can’t afford to be against powerhouse BC.

T-10. Boston University (13-6-5), 8 — Last poll: ARV

•  Last week: W 4-1 @ Holy Cross (1/18), W 7-1 v Holy Cross (1/26)

•  Next week: v Merrimack (1/25), @ Merrimack (1/26)

The Terriers are the opposite of Providence, on fire right now.  Another sweep for BU has earned them “Belles of the Ball” this week for being ranked for the first time all season. Now, they play an insurgent Merrimack team as both teams try to stay in the hunt for home ice in the playoffs.

Also Receiving Votes: Minnesota-Duluth 7