RMU Hockey Captures Top Spot In AHC Power Rankings
By Larry Snyder
The Atlantic Hockey Conference has been dropping the puck across college rinks since 2003. It is time to review the 11 schools for City of Champions Sports opening round of AHC Power Rankings.
The beginning of this week saw the Robert Morris University Colonials tied with Penn State at 24 votes apiece for seventh in the “others receiving votes” section of the United States College Hockey Online poll.
Bentley was among the 14 programs in the “others receiving votes” section of the USCHO count. There are points for the taking, this weekend, as RMU is joined by Air Force, American International, Army, Canisius, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, and RIT, all seeking to move up over one another in the standings.
Here is your opening Atlantic Hockey Conference Power Rankings:
1) Robert Morris University Colonials – (1-0-1 overall / 1-0-1 AHC) – Derek Schooley’s squad picked up where they left off last season with eight goals in two games against Air Force. The Blue and White led the conference in goals last season with 106. RMU heads north this weekend for a pair of contests with Niagara. (PairWise Ranking #21 / KRACH Ranking #13)
2) Mercyhurst University Lakers – (3-3-0 / 2-0-0) – Kyle Cook owns an NCAA-leading seven assists this season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior forward is tied for the national lead with eight points. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio native has at least one point in five of the Lakers’ six games. They drop the puck at home against Army this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #23 / KRACH Ranking #25)
3) Sacred Heart University Pioneers – (1-1-1 / 0-0-0) – Freshman Brett Magnus has played well in his first three starts in net, putting together a 1-1-1 mark. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound goaltender has a 1.63 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. SHU is idle this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #20 / KRACH Ranking #18)
4) Bentley University Falcons – (2-2-0 / 0-2-0) – The Falcons brought home a trifecta of weekly awards. Senior forward Andrew Gladiuk was the AHC Co-Player of the Week. Sophomore goaltender Jayson Argue collected AHC Goalie of the Week honors and senior defenseman Matt Blomquist claimed the AHC Defensive Player of the Week. All were instrumental in the two-game sweep against Northeastern last weekend. They are off this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #35 / KRACH Ranking #31)
5) Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers – (0-2-1 / 0-0-0) – Todd Skirving set an RIT Division 1 team record with two goals just 25 seconds apart in the opening frame of the Tigers eventual 2-2 tie with Bowling Green. The 6=foot-2 185-pound junior forward was named AHC Co-Player of the Week. The Tigers have a home-and-home series this weekend with the Colgate University Raiders. (PairWise Ranking #41 / KRACH Ranking #40)
6) Air Force Falcons – (1-2-1 / 0-1-1) – Freshman goaltender Shane Starrett permitted just three goals in 75 total minutes on the road against Robert Morris. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound netminder’s performance earned him AHC Rookie of the Week kudos. The Falcons head to Omaha this weekend to take on the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. (PairWise Ranking #32 / KRACH Ranking #22)
7) Holy Cross College Crusaders – (0-3-0 / 0-0-0) – Mike Barrett is the team leader with three goals. The 5-foot-9, 193-pound junior forward has one goal in the first three contests this season. Head coach David Berard’s crew open conference play on the road this weekend against Canisius. (PairWise Ranking #46 / KRACH Ranking #46)
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
8) Canisius College Golden Griffins – (0-2-0 / 0-0-0) – With losses to Penn State and Bowling Green to open the season, the Griffs dropped back-to-back games for the first time at the Harborcenter. They have played 22 contests at the downtown facility. The Blue and Gold welcome Holy Cross to center ice this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #54 / KRACH Ranking #51)
9) Army Black Knights – (0-1-0 / 0-0-0) – Junior goaltender Parker Gahgen turned away 35 of 40 shots in the 5-1 loss Friday, Oct. 9 to the No. 4 ranked Boston College Eagles. The Black, Gold and Gray return to action in Erie, Penna. when they take on Mercyhurst. (PairWise Ranking #52 / KRACH Ranking #48)
10) Niagara University Purple Eagles – (0-2-0 / 0-0-0) – After losing match-ups with St. Lawrence University 5-2 and Clarkson University 4-1 two weeks ago, Niagara had a bye this past weekend. The Purple and White square off against RMU at Dwyer Arena this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #38 / KRACH Ranking #44)
11) American International College Yellow Jackets – (0-3-0 / 0-0-0) – Head coach Gary Wright’s crew found the back of the net seven times in three contests while surrendering 20 goals. They have a pair of non-conference battles with the Nittany Lions at Penn State this weekend. (PairWise Ranking #49 / KRACH Ranking #52)
Next: Pitt ContinuesTto Dominate The State With Kaezon Pugh