Three teams ranked in New England Hockey Journal’s Division 1 Top 10 saw action last week for the final time in the fall semester.
Despite only two games being played, there was a bit of change in the rankings. UMass concluded its rousing first half with another home win over ECAC-leading Yale and remains in the top spot, while Boston University topped Dartmouth on Friday in the lone weekend game involving teams from the region.
The Top 10 will take next week off before a full slate of games and holiday tournaments begins on Friday, Dec. 28.
Top 10 teams
1. Massachusetts
Record: 14-2 (7-0 Hockey East) / Last week: 1
The Minutemen finished the first half of their schedule last Tuesday with a 5-2 win over Yale. The visitors tied that game at 2-2 early in the third period before UMass scored three unanswered goals to earn its 11th win in 12 games. The sophomore line of Oliver Chau, Jake Gaudet, and Mitchell Chaffee all scored two points apiece, while senior Jacob Pritchard recorded a trio of assists. Matt Murray completed an 11-0 semester with a 21-save effort.
2. Providence
Record: 9-4-3 (6-2-1 Hockey East) / Last week: 2
Senior Hayden Hawkey posted his 12th collegiate shutout on Dec. 7 as the Friars finished the first half with a 6-0 win at Merrimack. PC resumes play Dec. 29 against Brown at the Ledyard Bank Classic in Hanover, N.H.
3. Quinnipiac
Record: 14-3 (6-2 ECAC Hockey) / Last week: 3
Quinnipiac had its seven-game winning streak snapped with a Dec. 8 loss at UMass and returns to action with a non-conference game against Colgate on Dec. 29 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
4. Northeastern
Record: 10-3-1 (6-1-1 Hockey East) / Last week: 4
The Huskies defeated Merrimack for their sixth straight win on Dec. 8 and have two more weeks before returning to action against Rensselaer at the Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vt.
5. Boston College
Record: 6-6-2 (6-1-2 Hockey East) / Last week: 5
A 3-2 win over UConn on Dec. 7 allowed the Eagles to tie UMass for first place in Hockey East at the semester break. BC is next on the ice for a New Year’s Eve showdown at Notre Dame.
6. Boston University
Record: 6-8-2 (5-5-2 Hockey East) / Last week: 7
The Terriers closed the first semester with a 4-1 win over Dartmouth, breaking a three-game losing streak over their first three non-conference games this season. Junior Patrick Harper (New Canaan, Conn.) led the BU offense with his first goal of the season and an assist, while three other players scored goals. Jake Oettinger earned his sixth win with 33 saves, including 13 each in the second and third periods.
7. Yale
Record: 7-3-2 (6-2-1 ECAC Hockey) / Last week: 6
The Bulldogs’ six-game unbeaten streak came to an end with last Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at UMass. Senior Sam Tucker (Wilton, Conn.) finished the semester with another 30-save effort, while juniors Luke Stevens (Duxbury, Mass.) and Robbie DeMontis scored third-period goals to help Yale climb out of a 2-0 hole before UMass finished the game with three unanswered goals. Still, the Elis enter the second half with a one-point lead over Quinnipiac for first in the ECAC.
8. UMass Lowell
Record: 8-7-1 (4-4-1 Hockey East) / Last week: 8
The River Hawks finished the opening semester at a game above .500 overall after its home-and-home sweep with BU two weekends ago. They host Denver on Dec. 29.
9. Harvard
Record: 4-4-2 (2-3-2 ECAC Hockey) / Last week: 9
The Crimson has a month between regular-season contests after earning a 2-1 win at Bentley on Dec. 4. RPI is its next opponent, visiting Bright-Landry Hockey Center on Jan. 4.
10. American International
Record: 7-7-1 (7-4-1 Atlantic Hockey) / Last week: 10
The Yellow Jackets have momentum from a home-and-home sweep over rival Holy Cross to begin December and will be back on the ice on Dec. 29 against Robert Morris.
