As we hit the second week of February, things continue to heat up across college hockey with playoff races getting tighter in some conferences and wider in others.
With the Olympics in full force and men’s hockey set to begin this week, teams such as Michigan, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State are playing shorthanded while some of their student-athletes’ represent their respective nations in China.
Atlantic Hockey:
After an excellent first half to its season, Bentley has struggled in the second half, with just two wins in nine contests since the holiday break. In that span, the Falcons have gone from the top seed in the conference to now hosting a playoff series in the first round being in jeopardy.
Big Ten:
What it means come the end of February and the ensuing conference tournament remains to be seen, but with their weekend sweep of Wisconsin, Ohio State sits alone atop the Big Ten standings. The very same Ohio State team that was picked to finish last in the standings in the preseason coaches’ poll.
CCHA:
Bemidji State ended its six-game losing streak with a win Saturday over Northern Michigan. Within striking distance of Minnesota State at the holiday break, the Beavers are looking to quickly turn things around as the conference playoffs approach.
ECAC:
Cornell head coach Mike Schafer, who hasn't been behind the bench since Jan. 7, will remain sidelined a few more weeks. Schafer was initially diagnosed with COVID-19. From there his condition worsened forcing surgery to receive a cardiac stent.
Hockey East:
After being canceled due to COVID-19 in 2021, the Beanpot returns to TD Garden this week. Harvard will take on Boston University while Boston College and Northeastern will play in Game 2. The two winners and two losers will meet back at TD Garden next Monday.
NCHC:
Denver and Western Michigan continued to show their dominance, sweeping their respective series with St. Cloud State and Colorado College.
Here are this week’s HockeyBuzz NCAA Top-10 Power Rankings:
1) Minnesota State 27-5-0 (19-3-0 CCHA) | Last week: 1
What’s there to be said about Minnesota State that already hasn’t been said? Victories of 3-1 and 5-0 added to the Mavericks campaign. With a 13-point lead over Northern Michigan, the Mavericks are well on their way to a regular season championship.
2) Denver 20-5-1 (13-3-0 NCHC) | Last week: 2
In what was expected to be a competitive weekend between Denver and St. Cloud State, the Pioneers flexed their muscles, sweeping the Huskies including an eight-goal performance on Friday. Denver has won eight straight and have not lost in their last 10 games. Next up is a set with Minnesota Duluth.
3) Michigan 21-7-1 (12-6-0 Big Ten) | Last week: 3
With players such as Owen Power and Kent Johnson in China for the Olympics, the Wolverines had the benefit of a weekend off. They’ll kick off a home-and-home with Michigan State on Friday.
4) Quinnipiac 23-2-3 (12-1-1 ECAC) | Last week: 4
With the pressure put on by a big weekend by Clarkson, Quinnipiac picked up a pair of wins of their own, a 2-1 victory over Union on Friday and 1-0 shutout of Rensselaer on Saturday. Freshman Yaniv Perets continues to be a key to the Bobcats success, stopping 42 of 43 shots over the weekend.
5) Western Michigan 19-6-0 (11-5-0) | Last week: 5
Not much movement in the top five thanks to the success the teams had, Western Michigan being no different. The Broncos maintain their positioning in the rankings thanks to a sweep over a struggling Colorado College. Ethan Frank who is tied for the national lead in goals scored his 19th of the season on Saturday.
6) Ohio State 21-7-2 (13-5-2 Big Ten) | Last week: 6
It’s hard not to be impressed by the Buckeyes have done. With Michigan idol this weekend and the Buckeyes completing the sweep over Wisconsin, Ohio State now leads the Big Ten by three points over Michigan.
7) Notre Dame 20-8-0 (12-6-0 Big Ten) | Last week: 8
I feel like people continue to sleep on Notre Dame. Maybe it’s because where they sit in the Big Ten (fourth) standings? But they’ve been consistently good both in and out of conference and that’s all you can really ask. The Irish swept Penn State this weekend, their third straight win.
8) Michigan Tech 16-8-2 (13-5-1 CCHA) | Last week: 9
The Huskies are clearly staking their claim as the CCHA’s second-best team. Michigan Tech is rolling with seven straight wins. Overtime has been an issue for the Huskies with just one win in six overtime tries, earning their first this past weekend against St. Thomas.
9) UMass 15-8-2 (10-4-2 Hockey East) | Last week: 10
The Minutemen took care of business as expected this weekend, sweeping Long Island in a non-conference set. Leading scorer Bobby Trivingo once again paved the way for the Minutemen offense with a five-point Friday night.
10) Minnesota 17-11-0 (12-6-0 Big Ten) | Last week: NR
The Golden Gophers find themselves back in the rankings after a weekend sweep of Michigan State. Minnesota sits right there with Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame in what is becoming a top heavy Big Ten.
Previously ranked teams missing the cut: St. Cloud
Other teams considered: Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota & Boston University
Top-10 Power Rankings:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Prospect Reports:
Nathan Smith - Minnesota State/Jets Prospect
Josh Doan – Arizona State/Coyotes Prospect
Scott Morrow – UMass/Hurricanes Prospect
Mason Lohrei Ohio State/Bruins Prospect
Carter Savoie Denver/Oilers Prospect 
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