DENVER – The University of Denver hockey team moved up one spot and past NCHC-foe North Dakota to No. 3 in both nationals polls on Monday after the latest USCHO.com and USA Hockey/The Rink Live rankings were released.
The Pioneers were previously No. 4 in both polls and are coming off a weekend home-and-home split against the No. 10 Colorado College Tigers. DU fell 4-3 on Friday in Colorado Springs before winning 4-3 on Saturday night on home ice. North Dakota was swept on the road at then-No. 16/17 Omaha and dropped to No. 5 in each list.
Denver is at its highest ranking since also being at No. 3 in each poll on Nov. 27.
In the Pairwise Rankings that determine the NCAA Tournament field, Denver and North Dakota are still technically tied with the same score for third in the Pairwise Rankings, but the Fighting Hawks have slight edge in the tiebreaker.
Boston College remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the country in both national polls, while cross-town foe Boston University is second. Michigan State is between Denver and North Dakota at No. 4 to round out the top five.
The NCHC is tied with Hockey East for the most teams ranked in the polls with six and have the most top-15 programs with five. The NCHC, Hockey East and Big Ten all have three schools apiece in the top 10. Colorado College is the next highest-ranked squad in DU's conference at No. 10/10, followed by Omaha at No. 12/13, Western Michigan at No. 14/13 and St. Cloud State at No. 18/18.
Denver begins the postseason this weekend by hosting Minnesota Duluth in the best-of-three series at Magness Arena in the NCHC Quarterfinals. The first round of the conference playoffs begin on Friday at 7 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday at 6 p.m. MT. If necessary, a deciding third gameis Sunday at 6 p.m. MT.
About the USCHO.com Poll: The rankings are compiled weekly and consists of 50 voters, including coaches and media professionals from across the country.
About the USA Hockey/The Rink Live Poll: The rankings are conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the six NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.
TICKETS: Tickets for the NCHC Quarterfinals are on sale now.
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