RMU Hockey: Colonials Still Atop AHC Power Rankings

I took a break last week from our Atlantic Hockey Power Rankings, but it is time to fire up the keyboard and get back to business at the rink.

The Robert Morris University Colonials (7-0-1) still own the distinction of being one of two undefeated teams in men’s Division 1 college hockey with the other program being the Michigan Tech University Huskies (8-0-0).

While Robert Morris was idle last week, the rest of the nation is taking notice of the strong start by Derek Schooley’s crew as they have ascended to 17th in the United States College Hockey Online Top 20 this week. The Colonials are at No. 12 in the PairWise Rankings survey.

Here is who made our Atlantic Hockey Fabulous Five for this week.

1) RMU Colonials (7-0-1 overall, 5-0-1 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #1: Robert Morris continues to get the job done at both ends of the ice as they are tied for second in NCAA Divsion 1 in goals per game with 3.88, and are tied for third in goals against per contest at 1.50. The Colonials are third in D-1 blocks per game at 18.6.

When you go to 84 Lumber Arena, keep an eye on senior left wing Cody Wydo, who has six goals and seven assists in eight games and was Atlantic Hockey’s Player of the Month for October. Also, sophomore goaltender Dalton Izyk racked up Goalie of the Month honors for October as he has contributed a .977 saver percentage and a 0.75 goals-against-average to go along with a 4-0-0 record.

2) Mercyhurst University Lakers (5-3-0, 3-1-0 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #5: After three straight weekends of splitting games with the opposition, coach Rick Gotkin’s squad last weekend seized their first sweep of the season by winning both games at home against Army.

The scoreboard was quiet on Friday night as senior goaltender Jimmy Sarjeant put up a 2-0 shutout between the pipes, while the fireworks were on display on Saturday as senior forward Chirs Bodo had two goals and an assist in the 7-5 win over the Black Knights

3) Canisius College Golden Griffins (4-4-2, 3-2-1 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #2: The Griffs scored three of their six goals against Sacred Heart on the power play and continue to put up a majority of their scores this season on special teams. Of the team’s 25 non-empty net goals, 13 have come on special teams with 10 on the power play and three short handed.

Sophomore forward Shane Conacher leads Canisius with 11 points on four goals and seven assists on 28 shots in 10 games.

4) Holy Cross College Crusaders (3-4-3, 3-0-3 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #9: Junior defenseman Karl Beckman leads the nation this season in blocked shots with 30. He picked up his first collegiate game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over RIT last Saturday.

Senior goaltender Matt Ginn was also a difference-maker last weekend as the Crusaders went 1-0-1 at RIT. The 6-foot, 181-pound netminder had 55 saves and allowed just four goals for a .932 save percentage.

5) Sacred Heart University Pioneers (3-5-2, 3-3-2 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #8: The line of sophomore Justin Danforth, sophomore Jordan Minello and junior Zach Luczyk had seven points last weekend in the 1-0-1 split with Canisius.

Meanwhile, sophomore defenseman Erlich Doerksen contributed to the score sheet with one goal and two assists in the two games against the Golden Griffins.

Let’s grab another cup of coffee and take a look at how the rest of the teams stack up in our rankings for Atlantic Hockey.

6) Bentley University Falcons (4-5-0, 2-2-0 AHA) – Two Weeks Ago #4: Blake Dougherty started both games in net against Niagara and stopped 61 of 64 shots for a 1.49 goals-against-average and a .953 save percentage. For his efforts, the senior netminder brought home Goaltender of the Week honors in Atlantic Hockey.

RMU Hockey: Colonials Continue To Lead In Atlantic Hockey Conference Power Rankings

By Larry Snyder | Nov 12, 2014