NCHC Power Rankings

Without further adieu, here’s this week’s power rankings.

Eric Burton

1. North Dakota (18-5-2, 9-4-1 NCHC) USCHO 2, Pairwise Ranking: 2

This past weekend, the University of North Dakota swept (2-1 W, 5-2 W) the last place Colorado College Tigers. The Tigers gave UND all they could handle, but in the end UND’s depth helped them prevail. Since the beginning of the New Year, UND is 7-1-0.

This weekend, UND travels to Omaha an important two-game conference series.

2. Nebraska-Omaha (15-6-3, 9-4-1 NCHC) USCHO 5, Pairwise Ranking: T-3

Last weekend, the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks were idle.

The Mavericks entertain North Dakota in a pivotal two-game conference series. Since December 1, 2014, UNO is 8-3-1. Two of their three losses are to New Hampshire and Colorado College.

3. Minnesota-Duluth (14-9-1, 8-5-1-0 NCHC) USCHO 7, Pairwise Ranking: 7

This past weekend, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs took third in the North Star College Cup. The Bulldogs lost in the first round of the NRCC to the upstart Bemidji State Beavers 0-4. The Bulldogs then defeated the Minnesota Gophers in the third place game 2-1.

UMD is going through a bit of a rough stretch, they’re 2-3-1 in their last six games and 4-3-1 during 2015. That being said, I still think UMD is one of the top teams in the NCHC and I expect them to get out of their funk soon.

This weekend, the Bulldogs travel to Denver to play the Pioneers in an important two-game series.

4. Miami (15-9-0, 8-6-0 NCHC) USCHO 9, Pairwise Ranking: 8

Last weekend, the Miami University RedHawks split (1-3 L, 4-1 W) their weekend series with the Denver Pioneers. Since the beginning of the New Year, MU is 3-3-0.

This weekend, Miami plays Western Michigan in a home-and-home series. Miami swept the Western earlier in the season, but the Broncos are an improved team.

5. Denver (14-8-1, 7-6-0 NCHC) USCHO 11, Pairwise Ranking: 11

Last weekend, the Denver Pioneers split (3-1 W, 1-4 L) their weekend series with the Miami RedHawks. Since the beginning of the New Year, Denver is 4-3-1

This weekend, Denver entertains the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in an important conference series. The two teams split their series earlier in the season.

6. Western Michigan (11-10-3, 4-7-3 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 21

This past weekend, Western Michigan split (0-7 L, 3-2 W) their weekend series with the St. Cloud State Huskies. After starting the season slowly, Western has gone 6-2-2 in the last 10 games.

This weekend, Western plays a home-and-homes series with the Miami RedHawks. The Broncos were swept by RedHawks earlier in the season.

7. St. Cloud State (10-13-1, 5-8-1-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 26

This past weekend, St. Cloud State split (7-0 W, 2-3 L) their weekend series with Western Michigan. Over the last 10 games, the Huskies are 4-6-0.

This weekend, the Huskies travel to Colorado Springs to play the Tigers.

8. Colorado College (5-16-1, 1-11-1 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 47

This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers were swept (1-2 L, 3-5 L) by North Dakota. Since the beginning of the New Year, the Tigers are 2-7-0.

This weekend, the Tigers entertain the St. Cloud State Huskies.