End of Year Power Rankings
By Fetch
I do things a little differently than most rankings, as I make the four Frozen Four teams my final 1-4. I figure it’s a nice treat as after #1, the rankings don’t matter anyways.
1. Boston College (29-10-3)
I was a little skeptical of this Eagles team all year, but they went undefeated in their last 13 games to capture the school’s 4th national title.
2. Wisconsin (28-11-4)
My pre-tournament champion pick saw its first ever Hobey winner, but was also outdone by questionable goaltending.
3. Miami (29-8-7)
With a CCHA title and its second trip to the Frozen Four in as many years, Miami can officially be referred to as a dynasty.
4. RIT (28-12-1)
The second cinderella in as many years didn’t equip themselves as well as Bemidji State, but made an equally memorable run to the Frozen Four
5. Denver (27-10-4)
They were upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but by winning the WCHA regular season title Denver showed why it was the near unanimous preseason #1
6.North Dakota (25-13-5)
North Dakota will be an early favorite to win the national title next year, losing only Chris VandeVelde and Darcy Zajac. Chay Genoway might also be gone, but could receive a medical redshirt.
7. St. Cloud State (24-14-5)
Yay they won an NCAA game!
8. Yale (21-10-3)
They backed up their ECAC crown from 09 with one in 2010, and played in the wackiest regional final in 2010.
9. Cornell (21-9-4)
Ben Scrivens and Brendon Nash were 1st team All-Americans, and Colin Greening won the Senior CLASS award.
10. Northern Michigan (20-13-8)
Northern had a Hobey finalist in Mark Olver and Erik Gustafsson was perhaps the best defenseman in the country this year.
11. Union (21-12-6)
Union had the best season in the history of its program, and is a good bet to be perhaps just as good next year.
12. Michigan (26-18-1)
It was dicey for awhile, but the Wolverines managed to make it to their 20th straight NCAA tournament. Wow.
13. New Hampshire (18-14-7)
Their overall record isn’t gaudy, but the Wildcats did manage to win the Hockey East regular season crown.
14. Ferris State (21-13-6)
This was Ferris’s best year since 2002-03, and Blair Riley had probably the best season for a Bulldog since Chris Kunitz
15. Bemidji State (23-10-4)
The last regular season champs of the CHA could be immediate contenders in the WCHA next year.
16. Alaska (18-12-9)
The Nanooks rode great defense and goaltending to their first ever birth in the NCAAs, and probably came the closest to beating eventual champ Boston College.