NCHC Power Rankings (2/4/2015)

Each week,  Zach Hawkins @Siouxhockey33, Taylor Seibel @taylorseibel  and I do the  NCHC Power Rankings for Inside Hockey .  This is my power rankings.

1. North Dakota (19-6-2, 10-5-1-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 2 Last 10: 7-3-0

This past weekend, the University split (2-3 L, 4-3 W) their weekend series with the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

First some will say, “Of course, you have UND in first again.” With their play on the ice, I think UND has earned the top spot in the NCHC. At least for another week. UND is ranked second in the Pairwise Rankings and they have one of the top records in the nation. Also, UND took 7-of-12 points in their season series against current first place team in the NCHC.

This weekend, UND is off.

2. Nebraska-Omaha (16-7-3, 10-5-1-1NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: T-3 Last 10: 6-3-1

This past weekend, the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks split (3-2 W, 3-4 L O.T.) their weekend series with UND.

The series was a goaltending battle between two former Fargo Force goalies. This time around, Ryan Massa was the better of the two goalies. Massa’s play was the difference in Friday’s series opener. Saturday, Massa keep his team in the game when UND was pressing. Massa stopped 38-of-42 shots in a losing effort on Sunday.

This weekend, the Mavericks are off.

3. Minnesota Duluth (15-10-1, 9-6-1-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 5 Last 10: 5-4-1

This past weekend, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs split (2-3 L, 4-2 W) their weekend series with the Denver Pioneers.

This weekend, the Bulldogs entertain the Northern Michigan in an important two-game non-conference series.

4. Miami (15-9-1, 8-6-1-1 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 8 Last 10: 4-5-1

This past weekend, Miami tied (3-3) Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The RedHawks were able to get the extra point with the shootout win.

This weekend, the RedHawks, and the Broncos travel to Chicago to play in the Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field.

5. Denver (15-9-1, 8-7-0-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 9 Last 10: 5-4-1

This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers split (3-2 W, 2-4 L) their weekend series with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

This weekend, the Pioneers play a single game against the Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs.

6. Western Michigan (11-10-4, 4-7-4-3NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: T-22 Last 10: 5-2-3

This past weekend, Western Michigan tied (3-3) Miami University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  The Broncos lost in the shootout.

This weekend, the Broncos, and the RedHawks travel to Chicago to play in the Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field.

After starting out the season slowly, the Bronco are playing better hockey and have gone 8-2-3 since the Thanksgiving weekend. The Broncos went 5-1-0 in non-conference play. During that same time frame, the Broncos have 3-1-3 in conference play.

7. St. Cloud State (12-13-1, 7-8-1-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 25 Last 10: 6-4-0.

The Huskies continue their rendition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. After losing three-of-four games, the Huskies swept (7-1 W, 6-1W) the Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This weekend, the Huskies are off.

8. Colorado College (5-18-1, 1-13-1-0 NCHC) Pairwise Ranking: 47 Last 10: 2-8-0

This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers were swept (1-7 L, 1-6 L) at home. Neither game was close. The Tigers continue to play bad hockey and

This weekend, the Tigers entertain the Denver Pioneers in a single game.