RMU Hockey: Colonials Remain No. 1 In Atlantic Hockey Conference Power Rankings
By Larry Snyder
Just two weeks into the new year, the gap between the standings is narrowing in the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
For the fans, the teams are closing in on each other with the action heating up on the ice . Canisius claimed second-place by a point Tuesday over Holy Cross with their victory over Mercyhurst . Meanwhile, the Lakers find themselves cinched together with Bentley for fourth-place. We also have RIT and Air Force locked together at the sixth spot .
Not all the news was good. There was not one AHC program ranked this week in either poll, the United States College Hockey Online or USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine surveys.
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There were three AHC schools in the “others receiving votes” section in the USCHO pecking order: RMU was first, Mercyhurst fifth and Bentley seventh. Robert Morris was the only AHC team to be in the “others receiving votes” section in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine rankings.
Time to throw another log on the fire and warm up from January’s cold as we review this week’s City Of Champions Sports AHC Power Rankings. Keep in mind, the conference is seven weekends away from its tournament.
1) RMU Colonials (13-5-4 overall / 10-3-3, 23 points AHA) – Last Week #1: Sophomore goaltender Dalton Izyk had 34 saves against Bentley on Friday as he picked up his third shutout of the season and the fourth of his NCAA career. For his efforts, the Oswego, NY native was named the AHC Goaltender of the Week. The Colonials host the AIC Yellow Jackets this weekend for two at 84 Lumber Arena. (PairWise Ranking #28)
2) Mercyhurst University Lakers (10-7-3 overall / 8-4-2, 18 points AHA) – Last Week #4: Senior forward Daniel Bahntge was the AHC Player of the Week while freshman forward Jack Riley was the Rookie of the Week for their contributions in the sweep last weekend of visiting Sacred Heart. The Lakers take on Holy Cross twice this weekend in Erie. (PairWise Ranking #34)
3) Canisius College Golden Griffins (9-8-5 overall / 8-4-4, 20 points AHA) – Last Week #5: Junior defenseman Chris Rumble had a goal and an assist in the sweep last weekend over Holy Cross. He also put up 10 shots and blocked four. Rumble’s efforts earned him the Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Griffs welcome Bentley to Buffalo for two this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #44)
4) Holy Cross College Crusaders (8-8-5 overall / 7-3-5, 19 points AHA) – Last Week #2: The Holy Cross offense is led by freshman forward T.J. Moore with six goals, seven assists, and junior defenseman Jake Bolton with five goals, eight assists as both have put up 13 points apiece. (PairWise Ranking #43)
5) Bentley University Falcons (10-9-2 overall / 8-5-2 , 18 points AHA) – Last Week #3: Freshman goaltender Jayson Argue continues to play well. The 6-foot, 180-pound netminder is 4-2-1 in seven games with a 1.70 GAA and a .946 save percentage. His shutout of RMU last Saturday was the first of his career, and Bentley’s third of the season. (PairWise Ranking #40)
6) RIT Tigers (6-10-4 overall / 5-5-4, 14 points AHA) – Last Week #7: Matt Garbowsky is second in the nation with 320 face-off wins, tied for third with 14 goals, and tied for fifth with 26 points. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior center has had a hand on 26-of-53 or 49.1 percent of RIT’s goals this season which is highest in the nation. the Tigers travel to Milford, Conn. to take on Sacred Heart this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #50)
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7) Air Force Falcons (7-13-3 overall / 6-6-2, 14 points AHA) – Last Week #10: With the Falcons’ 4-3 win in overtime on Saturday over Niagara, coach Frank Serratore collected his 300th career victory in his 18th season at the school. They welcome Army this weekend for a pair of games in Colorado Springs. (PairWise Ranking #53
8) Sacred Heart University Pioneers (6-13-3 overall / 5-8-3, 13 points AHA) – Last Week #6: While Sacred Heart was swept by Mercyhurst last weekend, the Pioneers were 3-for-10 on the power play, scoring twice with the man advantage on Friday. C.J Marottolo’s squad has scored on the power play in three of its last four contests. (PairWise Ranking #51)
9) Army Black Knights (5-14-2 overall / 5-11-2, 12 points AHA) – Last Week #8: Sophomore C.J. Reuschlein has enjoyed a good start to 2015 with points in three consecutive games and four points total during the streak. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound forward has contributed overall five goals and four assists for nine points this season. He is third on the team with 59 shots. (PairWise Ranking #57)
10) American International College Yellow Jackets (3-14-5 overall / 3-8-5, 11 points AHA) – Last Week #9: One of the bright spots this season has been sophomore left wing Austin Orszulak as his 15 goals leads the team and the conference. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound forward is tied for the national lead with Union forward Daniel Ciampini, and his 22 points tie him with senior center Alexander MacMillan for the team lead. (PairWise Ranking #58)
11) Niagara University Purple Eagles (3-15-2 overall / 3-11-2, 8 points AHA) – Last Week #11: The Purple Eagles travel to Grand Forks this weekend for a pair of games with the University of North Dakota. The second matchup on Saturday, Jan. 17 has been picked up by Canadian television network TSN, and it will be shown nationally in Canada on TSN2. (PairWise Ranking #59)