SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll:  As It Was In The Beginning

With the season finally starting, we have some actual results to base this poll off, and they caused some big changes to our preseason rankings.

1. Clarkson (2-0-0), 133 (10) — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 5-1 @ Bemidji State (9/28), W 5-3 @ Bemidji State (9/29)

• Coming Week: v Robert Morris (10/5, 10/6)

Clarkson is good. They ran the Beavers out the door in game one and were doing so in game two before Bemidji came back strong. The Golden Knights return home to hang a banner and take on Robert Morris who will be an even better test.

2. Wisconsin (2-0-0), 124 (2)— Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 3-2 v Lindenwood (9/28), W 6-0 v Lindenwood (9/29)

• Coming Week: @ Mercyhurst (10/5, 10/6)

The Badgers had to blow some rust off against Lindenwood in their opener but then blew the doors off the barn the next night. Up next is  Mercyhurst, which just challenged the Gophers briefly.

3. Minnesota (2-0-0), 117 (2) — Last Week: 4

• Last Week: W 4-2 v Mercyhurst (9/28), W 5-0 v Mercyhurst (9/29)

• Coming Week: @ Minnesota-Duluth (10/5, 10/6)

The Gophers took some time to find their skates like their neighbors, but then also took the Lakers to the woodshed. Up next is the beginning of conference play as they travel upstate to Duluth in a matchup that will have huge implications on this poll.

4. Minnesota Duluth (2-0-0), 89 —Last Week: 8

• Last Week: W 4-2 v Boston College (9/28), W 2-1 v Boston College (9/29)

• Coming Week: v Minnesota (10/5, 10/6)

Two wins were just what the doctor ordered. The Bulldogs had Eagle fans in fits both nights en route to a sweep and the honor of being crowned this year’s first “Belles of the Ball”. Now they host arch-rival Minnesota to open up conference play.

T-5. Boston College (0-2-0), 67 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: L 2-4 @ Minnesota-Duluth (9/28), L 1-2 @ Minnesota-Duluth (9/29)

• Coming Week: v Syracuse (10/6)

With the absolute opposite of the start the Eagles wanted they have now lost four consecutive games dating back to last season, their worst streak since they lost seven in a row as part of a 1-12-5 stretch in 2009-10. With an injury to Caitrin Lonergan the Eagles are reeling but look to bounce back against Syracuse a team that should be a tally in the win column.

T-5. Ohio State (2-0-0), 67 — Last Week: 7

• Last Week: W 3-2 @ Quinnipiac (9/28), W 3-2 @ Quinnipiac (9/29)

• Coming Week: v Colgate (10/5, 10/6)

Two tight wins on the road help the Buckeyes move up in the poll. Now Colgate comes to town desperate.

7. Cornell (0-0-0), 58— Last Week: 6

• Last Week: No Games

• Coming Week: No Games

The Big Red remain in hibernation.

8. Colgate (1-1-0), 44 — Last Week: 5

• Last Week: W 3-1 v Penn state (9/28), L 2-4 v Penn state (9/29)

• Coming Week: @ Ohio State (10/5, 10/6)

The Raiders are struggling mightily. This weekend they were up against a team that was not dressing nine of their players due to rules violations and still struggled in the first game before coming away with a win. In the second game, when it would be expected to see the team down skaters be even more tired, Colgate got brushed away. This weekend brings a trip to Columbus that doesn’t look to ease their struggles.

9.Northeastern (0-0-0), 28 — Last Week: 9

• Last Week: W 3-0 v Concordia (EX) (9/29)

• Coming Week: @ Boston University (10/5, 10/6)

The Huskies took care of business in their second exhibition and start the regular season with a pair against crosstown rival Boston University. Both games will be at Walter Brown instead of the scheduled home-and-home due to construction delays at historic Matthews Arena.

10. St. Lawrence (1-1-0), 11 — Last Week: 10

• Last Week: W 4-0 v Ottawa (EX) (9/25), W 2-0 @ Robert Morris (9/28), L 2-3 OT @ Robert Morris (9/29)

• Coming Week: v New Hampshire (10/5, 10/6)

The Saints didn’t exactly get off to the start they would’ve liked with an OT loss in the second game. Now St. Lawrence travels to New Hampshire for a pair

Also Receiving Vote: Connecticut 5, Merrimack 4, Princeton 4, Robert Morris 4, Mercyhurst 3, Providence 3, Bemidji State 3, Penn State 2, Quinnipiac 2, Maine 1, Minnesota State 1