BC Solidifies No. 1 Hockey Ranking; BU, UNH Move Up

By Mike in College ⋅ October 15, 2008 at 5:32pm ⋅ Post a comment

#1 Boston College raised their championship banner and then beat #20 Wisconsin 5-4 in a back and forth contest, securing the top spot in the USCHO.com/CBS College Sports XXL poll. The Eagles collected 45 of the 50 first place votes and tallied 993 points.

Michigan checked in at #2 with 936 points and two first place votes after a 2-0 weekend. Colorado College garnered the final three first place votes, totaling 898 overall to earn #3 after their own 2-0 weekend. CC’s conference rival Denver grabbed #4.

Hockey East strengthened their position as Boston University took #5, up from #9, and New Hampshire followed right behind at #6, up one spot. The Terriers swept their Icebreaker matchups, beating #11 Michigan State and #13 North Dakota and New Hampshire sent #20 Wisconsin home winless with a 5-1 victory. Vermont won its opening game to move up three spots to #17. ECAC member Harvard moved up one spot to #18 despite not playing a game yet.

Other HEA schools receiving votes include Northeastern, UMass, and UMass-Lowell. Northeastern participated in the Kendall Classic, tying Alaska and beating Alaska-Anchorage. UMass also took part in the Icebreaker, losing the opener to #11 Michigan State and beat #13 North Dakota. The River Hawks are 0-1, dropping a 2-1 decision to Colgate.

In other Hockey East action, Merrimack beat Robert Morris. Maine and Providence open up their regular seasons this week.

Hockey East looks to continue its winning ways this week with top games featuring CCHA favorite #7 Miami tying up with Vermont for a weekend series and Lowell visiting Michigan State. Conference play opens up and is highlighted by BC-Northeastern and BU-UNH.

Tags: Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, Maine, Merrimack College, Northeastern University, Providence College, UMass, UMass-Lowell, University of New Hampshire, Vermont