RMU Hockey: Still Atop 2015 Atlantic Hockey Conference Power Rankings
By Larry Snyder
With the Christmas break in college hockey in the books, it is time to get back to center ice as we move full steam into the 2015 part of the Atlantic Hockey Conference schedule. We are nine weeks away from the first round of the conference tournament.
As the second half gets rolling, Derek Schooley‘s RMU Colonials remain the only Atlantic Hockey team ranked in the United States College Hockey Online poll, although David Berard‘s Holy Cross Crusaders is sixth in the category of the poll that lists others receiving votes.
More from Robert Morris University
- Big Week for Robert Morris University Colonials Athletics
- Three Rivers Classic: Hometown team RMU prevails, wins championship
- Three Rivers Classic: Robert Morris vs Penn State recap
- Three Rivers Classic preview: Robert Morris vs Penn State showdown
- Rodney Pryor, RMU guard, named Northeast Conference Player of the Week
Robert Morris is also the highest rated AHC squad in the PairWise Rankings this week at No. 25 while Holy Cross comes in at No. 38. It should be noted that unless you are listed in the top 16, the only way for any team from Atlantic Hockey to make the national tournament will be by claiming the conference championship.
The PairWise Ranking is a system that mimics the analytical method used by the NCAA Selection Committee to determine the schools for the NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey tournament. This week’s rankings are as of Jan. 6 at 3 p.m. CT.
Let’s pour another hot cup of coffee while the winter winds blow, settle back in our chairs, and review this week’s City Of Champions Sports AHC Power Rankings.
1) RMU Colonials (12-4-4 overall, 9-2-3 AHA) – Last Week #1: With their 12-4-4 overall record, Robert Morris still has one of the ten best winning percentages in the country, and it is their offense that leads Atlantic Hockey with 60 goals scored.
This week was the fourth successive USCHO poll the Colonials have been ranked in, and the seventh time in eight surveys they have collected a number next to their name. They host Bentley at 84 Lumber Arena this weekend.
2) Holy Cross College Crusaders (8-6-5, 7-1-5 AHA) – Last Week #2: Defense has been the key in the Crusaders climb in the standings as they lead Atlantic Hockey with just 22 goals surrendered. They are on the road this weekend for a pair of contests with Canisius.
Senior goaltender Matt Ginn was the AHC Goaltender of the Week while junior defenseman Jake Bolton was Defensive Player of the Week for their efforts against Air Force in a 1-1 tie and 3-1 victory.
3) Bentley University Falcons (9-8-2, 7-4-2 AHA) – Last Week #4: The Falcons finished the first half on a four game winning streak with a 3-0-1 mark after sweeping Air Force and capturing a tie and a victory on the road against AIC.
BU’s Andrew Gladiuk has 27 points, and begins the second half tied for the national lead in points with Boston University’s Jack Eichel. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior forward is also tied for the national lead in goals at 14 with RIT senior forward Matt Garbowsky. (PairWise Ranking #40)
4) Mercyhurst University Lakers (8-6-3, 6-3-2 AHA) – Last Week #3: Freshman forward Jack Riley has a five-game point streak while senior Ryan Misiak owns a six-game point streak when the Lakers host Sacred Heart this weekend.. (PairWise Ranking #34)
5) Canisius College Golden Griffins (6-8-5, 5-4-4 AHA) – Last Week #5: Junior forward Ralph Cuddemi leads the team in goals with 10, power play goals with four, and shots with 74. Senior defenseman Logan Roe takes care of business with 26 blocked shots. (PairWise Ranking #51)
6) Sacred Heart University Pioneers (6-11-3, 5-6-3 AHA) – Last Week #7: Freshman forward Zach Sabatini has four goals and three assists for seven points in his last seven games. (PairWise Ranking #47)
7) RIT Tigers (5-10-3, 4-5-3 AHA) – Last Week #6: The Tigers will play 16 consecutive Atlantic Hockey matchups to conclude the regular season. They are eighth in the league standings with 11 points, just three points out of fourth place. They host AIC on Friday and Saturday. (PairWise Ranking #49)
8) Army Black Knights (5-13-2, 5-11-2 AHA) – Last Week #9: Freshman forward Tyler Pham had a goal and three assists last week against AIC and was named the AHC Rookie of the Week. The Black Knights take on Connecticut on Friday. (PairWise Ranking #57)
9) American International College Yellow Jackets (3-13-4, 3-7-4 AHA) – Last Week #10: Senior forward Alexander MacMillan had five assists on the six goals the Yellow Jackets put up on the scoreboard last week against Army. He was named the AHC Player of the Week. (PairWise Ranking #58)
10) Air Force Falcons (5-13-3, 4-6-2 AHA) – Last Week #8: Senior forward Cole Gunner leads the squad with 21 points and 14 assists while fellow senior forward Scott Holm is the team leader in goals with nine. The Falcons host Niagara for two games this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #55)
11) Niagara University Purple Eagles (3-13-2, 3-9-2 AHA) – Last Week #11: Sophomore goaltender Jackson Teichroeb continues to be one of the bright spots in a tough season as the 6-foot-1, 193-pound netminder has put together a 2.97 goals-against-average and a .906 save percentage. (PairWise Ranking #59)