SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Then there were eight

And then there were eight. The season only has seven more games until we crown a champion in St. Louis on March 19.

1. Wisconsin (31-2-4), (15) 150 — Last Week: 1

• Last Week: W 2-1 vs. North Dakota (March 4), W 4-1 vs. Minnesota-Duluth (March 5)

• Coming Week: vs. Robert Morris (March 11)

The Badgers have been No. 1 since the inception of this poll and were officially named the top seed in the country last night. They will be hosting the CHA champions Robert Morris in what shouldn’t be a close game.

2. Minnesota-Duluth (25-6-5), 130 — Last Week: 2

• Last Week: W 2-1 2OT vs. Minnesota (March 4), L 1-4 @ Wisconsin (March 5)

• Coming Week: vs. Minnesota (March 11)

After surviving Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth were able to stay with Wisconsin going into the third period. They now get to play Minnesota again, but they will be at home this time.

3. Clarkson (29-4-5), 121 — Last Week: 3

• Last Week: W 4-0 vs. Princeton (March 4), W 1-0 vs. Cornell (March 5)

• Coming Week: vs. Cornell (March 11)

The Golden Knights became only the fourth team to win a conference tournament as well as an NCAA title. They will have Cornell visiting Potsdam for the second straight weekend and will play them for the third time in four weeks.

4. Boston College (27-5-5), 96 — Last Week: 6

• Last Week: W 4-3 2OT vs. Vermont (March 4), W 2-1 OT vs. Northeastern (March 5)

• Coming Week: vs. St. Lawrence (March 11)

The Eagles survived the Hockey East tournament, not too many other ways to put it. Both their games went to overtime: Vermont took them to two overtimes, but the Eagles were able to persevere with an Andie Anastos gamewinner. The championship game was decided on a highly controversial gamewinner by Anastos. The Eagles will now get to play host to St. Lawrence.

5. Minnesota (25-7-5), 95 — Last Week: 5

• Last Week: 1-2 2OT vs. Minnesota-Duluth (March 4)

• Coming Week: @ Minnesota-Duluth

The Gophers lost in double overtime to Minnesota-Duluth and now have to travel to Duluth this weekend. The good news for Gopher fans is the return of senior forward Dani Cameranesi from injury.

6. St. Lawrence (26-5-4), 76 — Last week: 4

• Last Week: L 1-3 v Cornell (March 4)

• Coming Week: @ Boston College (March 11)

The Saints’ freefall resumes. This weekend, St. Lawrence either had to win a game or have Boston College lose a game in order to cling to home ice. Unfortunately, everything went wrong for the Saints. As a result, they will travel to Newton to try and keep their sputtering season alive.

7. Cornell (20-8-5), 55— Last Week: 7

• Last Week: W 3-1 v St. Lawrence (March 4), L 0-1 @ Clarkson (March 5)

• Coming Week: @ Clarkson (March 11)

They will have another crack at Clarkson in Clarkson after being edged by a single goal in the ECAC championship.

8. Robert Morris (24-4-6), 37 — Last Week: 9

• Last Week: W 2-1 v Lindenwood (March 3), W 2-0 v Syracuse (March 4)

• Coming Week: @ Wisconsin (March 11)

The Colonials squeaked by Lindenwood and then beat Syracuse to earn their first ever NCAA bid. As a reward they get to travel to Madison, where they will be slightly out of their depth.

9. Northeastern (22-12-3), 24 — Last Week: ARV

• Last Week: W 2-1 @ Boston University (March 4), L 1-2 OT v Boston College (March 5)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Huskies showed a lot of heart and were inches away from making their second straight NCAA appearance, but BC goaltender Katie Burt stonewalled them on numerous occasions and Eagle forward Anastos apparently kept the puck in the offensive zone by mere millimeters before scoring the winning goal in overtime.

10. Princeton (20-10-3), 22 — Last Week: 8

• Last Week: L 0-4 vs. Clarkson (March 4)

• Coming Week: No Games

The Tigers were blown out by Clarkson, ending their season. They were the first team out of the tournament for an at-large bid.

Also Receiving Votes: Quinnipiac 5, North Dakota 4, Boston University 4, Vermont 3, Colgate 2