The University of Denver hockey team has made a splash in the rankings, now sitting at No. 7 in both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey polls. This is impressive, considering they’ve consistently been in the top 10 for 21 of the last 22 weeks. They also hold the No. 8 spot in the NCAA’s NPI computer rankings, which are used to determine NCAA Tournament eligibility.
The Pioneers are on fire, remaining unbeaten in their last nine games with a record of 8 wins, no losses, and 1 tie. They recently wrapped up their regular season with a strong performance against Arizona State, winning 5-2 and 4-1 in back-to-back games. This performance has secured them the No. 2 seed for the upcoming NCHC Frozen Faceoff Tournament.
In this latest round of rankings, Michigan reclaimed the top spot after Michigan State faltered with a loss and a tie against Ohio State. For context, Michigan State is currently ranked No. 2 by USCHO.com, while North Dakota is No. 2 in the USA Hockey poll.
The NCHC conference shines brightly with four teams in the top 10, making it one of the most competitive leagues. Alongside Denver, you’ll find North Dakota at No. 3, Western Michigan at No. 4, and Minnesota Duluth at No. 10. It’s worth noting that St. Cloud State, Miami, and Colorado College also received votes in the USCHO rankings, reflecting a strong presence from the NCHC.
Hockey East leads with five teams in the rankings, while the Big Ten and CCHA each have four teams noted.
Looking ahead, the Pioneers are set to kick off the postseason this weekend. They will host the Miami RedHawks at Magness Arena for a crucial best-of-three series in the NCHC Quarterfinals. The first game is on Friday at 7 p.m. MT. This tournament will be an important test for the team, as they aim for a spot in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
To provide further insight, a recent survey indicated that college hockey viewership has risen by 15% over the past season, emphasizing the growing interest in the sport. As the Pioneers gear up for their postseason games, fans are eager to see if this momentum can carry them to success in the tournament.
For complete updates, you can check the official NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey rankings and follow along with the tournament details on NCHC.tv.
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