It’s been awhile since the Oswego State men’s ice hockey team saw itself making any movement up or down the rankings, as the Lakers remain the No. 2 team in Division III hockey. Over the weekend, Oswego State skated to a 2-2 at archrival SUNY Plattsburgh before defeating SUNY Potsdam, 6-4, to remain atop the SUNYAC standings at the halfway point in the season. The Lakers, who sit a 8-1-2 overall and 6-0-2 in conference play, have garnered 14 points in league play, one point in front of Plattsburgh. The last time the Lakers had at least two ties in a single season was back in 2007-08, when they posted ties against SUNY Fredonia and Elmira College. The Lakers continue to look up at Norwich, who again hold the distinction of the being the top-ranked team in Division III. This time, however, the Cadets are the unanimous No. 1 team in the country, receiving all 20 first place votes. In a showdown between two of the top three teams in the country, Norwich defeated Castelton, 3-2, in Norwich to remain both atop the ranking and atop the standings in the ECAC East. Wisconsin-River Falls took advantage of Castelton’s first loss of the season, leap frogging the Spartans for the No. 3 spot in the poll. Wisconsin-River Falls swept a weekend series against Wisconsin-Superior on the road. Castleton’s loss only dropped the Spartans one spot to No. 4 after rebounding from their first loss of the season to defeat St. Michael’s on the road. Last season’s national champion, St. Norbert, remained at No. 5 to round out the top five teams.
Elmira College continues to make its way up the polls after starting the season with a pair of losses at the hands of Oswego State. The Soaring Eagles moved up one spot to No. 6 and have compiled a 7-1-0 overall record since opening the season 0-2-0. The Soaring Eagles sit atop the ECAC West at 5-0-0. Elmira’s only loss during its eight game stretch has been to top-ranked Norwich during the Primelink Tournament over Thanksgiving Break. Plattsburgh dropped a spot to No. 7 after a 2-2 tie to rival Oswego State followed up by a 6-1 rout of SUNY Cortland. The Cardinals sit one point behind the Lakers for the SUNYAC lead. Middlebury made the biggest movement up the poll this week, jumping three spots to No. 8. After a tough 0-1-1 showing at the Primelink Tournament last weekend, the Panthers rebounded with wins at Connecticut College and Tufts. Adrian College remained at No. 9 for another week and remain tied for the MCHA lead with Milwaukee School of Engineering. Both teams own a 7-1-0 conference record and have split its season series with one another. Utica College dropped two spots to round out the top 10 after falling to Manhattanville on Friday night.
Milwaukee School of Engineering moved up one spot to No. 11 and Williams College broke into the top 15 at No. 12. Williams defeated Tufts and Connecticut College and are currently 4-0-2 overall. Wisconsin-Superior dropped three spots to No. 13 after a tough weekend with Wisconsin-River Falls. Amherst also broke into the top 15 at No. 14, defeating Wesleyan and Trinity over the weekend. Neumann University rounds out the top 15 after dropping two spots.
Other teams receiving votes are: Curry (31), St. Scholastica (19), Wisconsin-Eau Claire (13), St. Thomas (7), Bowdoin (6), Gustavus Adolphus (2), Johnson & Wales (1), New England College (1) and Western New England College (1).
USCHO.com Men’s Hockey Poll
1. Norwich (20)
2. Oswego State
3. Wisconsin-River Falls
4. Castleton
5. St. Norbert
6. Elmira
7. Plattsburgh
8. Middlebury
9. Adrian
10. Utica
11. Milwaukee School of Engineering
12. Williams
13. Wisconsin-Superior
14. Amherst
15. Neumann
