For the third consecutive poll, the St. Norbert Green Knights are the top team in college hockey. Their hold on that honor, however, is more tenuous after it took overtime in each game to defeat St. Mary’s and fourth ranked St. Thomas. Despite their unbeaten streak reaching 14, their first place tallies were pared to 17.
The Elmira Eagles, equally brilliant over the last month and now the nation’s only team sans a defeat, posted convincing wins over Morrisville (5-1) and Geneseo (6-1) to recapture two first place votes lost last week. Separated now by just 16 points, these two teams earned all top accolades.
Plattsburgh remained third with a 3-2 win over Norwich and the aforementioned Tommies — after a 5-1 rout of Lake Forest and the tough OT loss to top-ranked St Norbert — stayed in the fourth position. In outscoring their two opponents 13-3, University of Wisconsin-River Falls jumped one spot to fifth.
Hobart, winners of 12 of their first 14, ascended three spots to No. 6 as Manhattanville, who was upset by Potsdam, fell two rungs to seventh. 1-1-1 on the week — including their first defeat of the season — Southern Maine dropped a spot, as did UW-Stout who lost to St. Johns, 4-3, before shutting out Concordia (MN), 4-0.
Rounding out the top 10 is Middlebury, who has begun to reassert themselves offensively — 4-3 and 6-1 wins over Castleton and Skidmore, respectively — as they claw their way back among the national elite.
Two resounding victories were not enough to cancel out a loss to third ranked Plattsburgh as Norwich descended one spot to No. 11. Equaling Hobart’s feat, Bowdoin — now 9-2-0 on the season — leapt three spots to No. 12 after outscoring New England College and St. Anselm, 11-6, while Babson fell a couple of spots to No. 13.
Defending national champion Oswego remained at No. 14 while Adrian made its poll debut by outscoring Concordia (WI), 17-5, in a two game sweep.
After losing to new No. 12 Bowdoin and besting Colby, New England College failed to remain among the top 15 Division III squads.
