SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Settling the Standings

This week held some massive games that will definitely have a role in who travels where in March. We will have some interesting non-conference matchups to watch this weekend that will clarify the PWR picture; plus a new surprise team starts to receive votes.

1. Wisconsin (14-0-0), 138 (12) — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 7-0 v Ohio State (11/4), W 3-1 v Ohio State (11/5)

• Coming Week: @ Cornell (11/10, 11/11)

Everything is coming up Bucky. This weekend was a huge test for a Badger team that dominated last season. They passed with flying colors as they obliterated an Ohio State team that many thought could dethrone them, earning them the title of “Belles of the Ball.” They now head to Cornell for a pair that will be one of the furthest road trips east that they have taken in recent history.

2. Clarkson (10-1-1), 123 (2) — Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 4-0 @ Yale (11/3), W 11-1 @ Brown (11/4)

• Coming Week: @ Vermont (11/10), v Vermont (11/11)

They took care of business against a pair of teams that had no business being on the ice with them. They now have another non-conference home-and-home, this time with a Vermont team that is not living up to the hype they had in the preseason.

3. Boston College (8-0-1), 117 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: W 7-4 v Providence (11/3), W 4-3 @ Syracuse (11/4)

• Coming Week: @ St. Lawrence (11/10, 11/11)

The Eagles had an offensive shootout against a Providence team that was threatening for the HEA title. They then immediately had to head out to Syracuse, who took advantage of the bus lag early but were unable to hold on as Boston College took the ACC conference title once again.

4. Colgate (9-1-0), 93 — Last Week: 5

• Last Week: W 2-0 v Princeton (11/3), W 4-1 v Quinnipiac (11/4)

• Coming Week: @ New Hampshire (11/10, 11/11)

Two nice wins against teams that are dangerous in the ECAC keep them atop the standings. They have a road trip to Durham that should be business as usual for the Raiders.

5. Ohio State (7-2-1), 80 — Last Week: 4

• Last Week: L 0-7 @ Wisconsin (11/4), L 1-3 @ Wisconsin (11/5)

• Coming Week: v Minnesota State (11/10, 11/11)

It was nice while it lasted for Ohio State. They are a good team but clearly not ready to take the next step. They have a pair of games they should absolutely win to recover from the beating they took in Madison.

6. Minnesota (7-4-1), 61 — Last Week: 6

• Last Week: W 6-1 @ Minnesota State (11/3), W 5-2 @ Minnesota State (11/4)

• Coming Week: @ Mercyhurst (11/10, 11/11)

They took care of the bottom of the WCHA like they should. This weekend, like the Badgers, they head further east then they normally do, traveling for a pair at Mercyhurst.

7. Cornell (3-1-0), 52 — Last Week: 8

• Last Week: W 5-2 v Quinnipiac (11/3), W 3-1 v Princeton (11/4)

• Coming Week: v Wisconsin (11/10, 11/11)

Like Colgate, two nice wins against good teams keep the Big Red in the hunt for an ECAC crown. They now host Wisconsin on a rare venture east for them. Any positive decisions would be monumental in the PWR (and likely prevent Wisconsin from ever travelling east of Ohio again).

8. St. Lawrence (5-3-2), 51 — Last week: 7

• Last Week: W 6-3 @ Brown (11/3). W 3-2 @ Yale (11/4)

• Coming Week: v Boston College (11/10, 11/11)

They won their conference games to stay in the ECAC race. Now they host a Boston College team that is looking to prove something and will come out firing.

T-9. Providence (6-3-2), 16 — Last Week: 9

• Last Week: L 4-7 @ Boston College (11/3)

• Coming Week: @ Maine (11/10)

They lost their only game in a wild offensive bout in Chestnut Hill, and as a result lose control of their HEA destiny. They now have another single game, this time all the way up in Orono.

T-9. Robert Morris (7-1-2), 16 —Last Week: 10

• Last Week: W 6-1 @ Lindenwood (11/3), W 4-2 @ Lindenwood (11/4)

• Coming Week: v RIT (11/10, 11/11)

The Colonials stay atop a weak CHA with the weekend sweep of Lindenwood. They now play host to an RIT team that was only able to beat a bad Boston University team in OT to salvage a split, meaning that Robert Morris should continue their winning ways.

Also Receiving Votes: Northeastern 9, St. Anselm 5, Minnesota-Duluth 5, New Hampshire 3 Harvard 1