DENVER – The University of Denver hockey team moved up in the national rankings this week as the Pioneers climbed two spots to No. 4 in the country in both the latest USCHO.com and USA Hockey media polls that were released on Monday.
Denver, which was at No. 6, defeated then-No. 4 Western Michigan 2-1 in overtime on Saturday in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinals on home ice to stretch its unbeaten streak to 12 games (11-0-1). The Pios will face now-No. 6-ranked Minnesota Duluth in the championship game on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Magness Arena.
DU is currently rated fifth in the NPI computer rankings that determine the NCAA Tournament field and has all but guaranteed itself a second seed for the NCAA West Regionals on March 27-29 in Loveland, Colorado.
Each of the NCHC's four ranked teams are inside the top six and is the only conference with each of its squads in the top 10. The Big Ten has the most teams ranked with five while the NCHC is tied for second with Hockey East (four), as well as the CCHA and ECAC in the USA Hockey poll only.
Joining Denver and Minnesota Duluth in the polls are North Dakota at No. 2 and Western Michigan at No. 5. Miami and St. Cloud State each earned votes on the USCHO.com list.
Michigan is the unanimous No. 1 team in each ranking, while in-state foe Michigan State is also in the top five at No. 3. The Wolverines will take on Ohio State, which upset the MSU Spartans in the semifinals, in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday.
Minnesota Duluth also earned a road victory last Saturday by defeating North Dakota 5-1 in Grand Forks.
UP NEXT: Denver hosts Minnesota Duluth in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Magness Arena.
About the USCHO.com: The Division I men's ice hockey poll is 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 31st annual USA Hockey Men's College Hockey Poll is 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 to DU hockey's NCHC Championship Game against Minnesota Duluth are on sale now.
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