SBN Women’s College Hockey Poll Vote—October 14th

Here is this week’s Women’s D-1 College Hockey Poll, but together by The Ice Garden. I have a vote in the poll, and here is how I voted, this week.

1. Wisconsin

W at OSU, 3-0, W at OSU 7-3

Welp. As much as I tried to push the narrative that hey, this might be the year that it’s not just Minnesota and Wisconsin in the WCHA, it kind of looks like it is just Minnesota and Wisconsin in the WCHA. This was likely the Badgers toughest test outside of Minnesota, and they passed with relative ease. Friday was a tight one-goal game until an empty-net goal and a late goal after that. On Saturday, Wisconsin pulled away pretty convincingly. Daryl Watts has acclimated nicely to the Badgers and their depth is still unparalleled in women’s college hockey.

2. Minnesota

W at Robert Morris, 4-3(OT), W at Robert Morris, 6-2

Minnesota got a big of a scare on Friday when Robert Morris took them to overtime, and then the Colonnials hung around until the third period on Saturday before Minnesota pulled away.

After a quiet year by their standards last season, the Potomak sisters have been very productive early in the season for Minnesota, to the point that I think it is very fair to say that Minnesota has two legitimate top lines. That’s enough to put them a clear head above everyone else in women’s college hockey, save Wisconsin.

3. Ohio State

L vs. Wisconsin 3-0, L vs. Wisconsin 7-3

Yep, I’m doing it. A bunch of people moved Ohio State down after losing two games last weekend, but what sense does that make if everyone else would have lost to Wisconsin too?

The Buckeyes are mostly a one-line forward unit, but that top line is one of the best in the country, and Jincy Dunne gives them one of the best defensive groups in the country too. This is a solid, solid team that is a tough match-up for anyone but Minnesota and Wisconsin.

4. Northeastern

W at Syracuse 2-1, W at Syracuse 6-3

In kind of a continuing theme over the weekend, Syracuse gave Northeastern a really tough time in the first game—scoreless into the third period, and taking a brief 1-0 lead—before Northeastern was able to win at the end, and then on Saturday, Northeastern’s superior depth prevailed and they cruised to a win.

Allina Mueller is the star here, but Northeastern’s offensive depth is quite underrated. They’ve scored 13 goals this year from a total of 10 difference goal-scorers.

5. Clarkson

Bye

Clarkson had the week off after their trip to Duluth two weeks ago. It was a good time for a week off with key forwards Caitrin Lonergan and Rhyen McGill both out due to injury.

6. Cornell

Bye

Still another two weeks until the Big Red take the ice.

7. Princeton

Bye

Still haven’t played yet. Still have Sarah Fillier.

8. Boston College

Bye

Boston College’s season could have turned really ugly after losing their two best players to transfer this offseason, but so far, they’ve won all four of their games. The schedule really helped them out. They open the season with three games against Merrimack, two against Holy Cross, Syracuse, and Vermont. The ability to rack up some early wins should help give them some confidence going forward.

9. Boston University

T vs. Merrimack 2-2, L at New Hampshire 4-2

It was a rough weekend for the Terriers, who had to play without star forward Jesse Compher. Once she returns to the line-up, BU should look much better.

10. Minnesota Duluth

W vs. Minnesota State 3-2(OT), W vs. Minnesota State 4-1

Yet another series where the underdog was able to hold things close for not quite a full game, and then fading in the Saturday game. Minnesota Duluth has looked pretty decent so far this season, but their inability to get any sort of production from anyone outside of Sydney Brodt, Gabbie Hughes, and Ashton Bell has been a little concerning.