Parity in WCHA=Lower Rankings in Polls

[wisconsinprephockey]

Does the parity in the WCHA hurt our teams in the polls? Most would say we have the toughest schedules around because of the depth of the conference. Yes, we do have the most teams in the top 15, however does the CCHA deserve the top three? (or 3 in the top 5, depending on the poll you look at)

Here are some stats:

Non-Conference Standings:
WCHA: 22-5-4
CCHA: 18-16-2
Hockey East: 12-14-2

Unbeaten in Non-Conference Play

WCHA______________________CCHA_____________Hockey East
UMD_______________________Miami (OH)_________New Hamp
UND_______________________Neb Omaha_________Merrimack
Mankato_______________________________________Mass Lowell
SCSU
Alaska Anch
U of M (Twin Cities)

1 loss in Non-Conference Play

WCHA__________________CCHA______________Hockey East
Mich Tech________________Mich________________BC
Denver_________________Mich St.______________Mass
_____________________Northern Mich

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

No. Team (First-place votes) Points Last Poll
1. Miami (34) 510 1
2. Michigan 465 2
3. Michigan State 400 6
4. North Dakota 398 3
5. Denver 372 7
6. Boston College 360 5
7. New Hampshire 338 4
8. Clarkson 244 11
9. Colorado College 231 10
10. Wisconsin 189 9
11. Maine 154 12
12. Notre Dame 151 13
13. Michigan Tech 96 14
14. Minnesota 82 8
15. Minnesota Duluth 60 15

Any thoughts or comments on how accurate you believe the polls to be?

[Goldy Gopher]

Does the parity in the WCHA hurt our teams in the polls? Most would say we have the toughest schedules around because of the depth of the conference. Yes, we do have the most teams in the top 15, however does the CCHA deserve the top three? (or 3 in the top 5, depending on the poll you look at)

Here are some stats:

Non-Conference Standings:
WCHA: 22-5-4
CCHA: 18-16-2
Hockey East: 12-14-2

Unbeaten in Non-Conference Play

WCHA______________________CCHA_____________Hockey East
UMD_______________________Miami (OH)_________New Hamp
UND_______________________Neb Omaha_________Merrimack
Mankato_______________________________________Mass Lowell
SCSU
Alaska Anch
U of M (Twin Cities)

1 loss in Non-Conference Play

WCHA__________________CCHA______________Hockey East
Mich Tech________________Mich________________BC
Denver_________________Mich St.______________Mass
_____________________Northern Mich

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

No. Team (First-place votes) Points Last Poll
1. Miami (34) 510 1
2. Michigan 465 2
3. Michigan State 400 6
4. North Dakota 398 3
5. Denver 372 7
6. Boston College 360 5
7. New Hampshire 338 4
8. Clarkson 244 11
9. Colorado College 231 10
10. Wisconsin 189 9
11. Maine 154 12
12. Notre Dame 151 13
13. Michigan Tech 96 14
14. Minnesota 82 8
15. Minnesota Duluth 60 15

Any thoughts or comments on how accurate you believe the polls to be?

Right now they're reflecting who came out of the gates running at the start of the season. Which is what they're supposed to do. Wait until about the midway point of the season and I think you'll see the perennial powerhouses like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, New Hampshire, and BC start climbing up the rankings.