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There are Division I college hockey programs outside of the Hockey East. Despite what east coast citizens may think, college hockey spans from Maine all the way to Colorado. With leagues like the Atlantic Hockey league, Central Collegiate Hockey Association, College Hockey America, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Hockey League and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association making up the men’s Division I, the NCAA hockey league is nationwide.
The current top 15 rankings are determined by two sources-the United States College Hockey Online-College Sports Television Poll and the USA Today-USA Hockey Magazine Poll. Currently the Black Bears are ranked 11th and 9th, respectively, in both polls. However, the Black Bears find themselves looking up at some familiar foes in the NCAA standings. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado College, Michigan and Boston College are currently in the top five spots in both polls. Vermont, Ohio State, North Dakota, New Hampshire and defending national champion Denver also find themselves ahead of UMaine in the USCHO poll, while UMaine still sits ahead of Vermont in the USA Hockey poll. Denver doesn’t even find itself on the later poll.
In the Atlantic Hockey League, Sacred Heart is atop the league for now. Sacred Heart posted a 6-1-1 record in league play. They are closely followed by Canisius at 6-2-1 and Mercyhurst at 4-0-1. The overall records aren’t spectacular, in fact, Holy Cross is the only team in the Atlantic Hockey League with a record over .500 at 6-5-3.
The Central College Hockey Association is a highly respected league that is currently being lead by unexpected Ohio State University 9-2-1 and 11-4-1 overall. They are closely followed by the most respected hockey program in the history of college hockey, Michigan, who has a 9-1-0 in the conference and 11-4-1 overall. There is a big drop off between Michigan and the third-seded Northern Michigan and fourth-ranked Bowling Green both 8-4-2 overall. The surprise of the year comes from usual powerhouse Michigan State who is bolstering an awful 7-8-1 record overall and are a dismal 4-6 in the conference.
The ECACHL has greatly improved over the past few years and finds itself a powerhouse at present. Vermont, at 4-0-2, is currently on a large unbeaten streak are currently tied for third in the league with Colgate, 5-1, and Brown, 4-3-2. Harvard, 5-3-1, stands in second at present with the surprise of the ECACHL Union taking first place for now at 6-2.
Hockey East on the other hand has an odd year. Boston University 8-1 has found ways to dominate its opponents in conference but overall are only 9-6 that placing them 1-5 outside the conference. Boston College after a tough weekend loss to BU and a tie with Providence find themselves scratching their heads. New Hampshire is on a roll since getting stomped by UMaine 3-0 earlier in the year. Despite what others think Hockey East is not the strongest conference this season.
The WCHA is and has been the best the past few years. Wisconsin currently leads the charge in the league with a 9-3-0 record in the conference and 12-4-0 overall.
Players to watch at present are sophomore Ryan Potulny with 16 goals in 15 games for Minnesota, Ben Walter from UMass-Lowell with 15 goals in 13 games, Brent Walton from Western Michigan who has 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 16 games to lead the nation in scoring, and finally David McKee of Cornell has a 7-2-2 record with a 1.46 GAA and .935 save percentage. Jimmy Howard leads one category for minutes played nationally and is currently tied for 16th in GAA with a 2.14 GAA. He is the only Black Bear nationally ranked at USCHO.com.
Bangor Daily News