College Hockey:
It’s a first: Quinnipiac ranked No. 1 in D-I men’s poll

USCHO Staff Report • Feb. 11, 2013

With 41 of 50 first-place votes this week, Quinnipiac assumes the top ranking in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll for the first time in poll history.

Last weekend, QU beat Cornell and Colgate on the road and has a nation-best 21-game unbeaten streak.

Former No. 1 Minnesota drops to No. 2 this week after splitting at St. Cloud State, but also garnered the other nine first-place votes.

Miami split with Western Michigan and remains third, Boston College climbs one spot to fourth after beating Harvard in the Beanpot semifinals and New Hampshire falls one to fifth after tying Providence.

Western Michigan, North Dakota and St. Cloud State retains spots 6-8, respectively, Minnesota State swept Minnesota-Duluth and jumps two to No. 9 and Yale stays tenth in this week’s poll.

Denver tied Colorado College and then lost to CC and falls two places to No. 11, Notre Dame falls one to No. 12 despite sweeping Michigan, Boston University remains 13th, idle Massachusetts-Lowell climbs two to No. 14 and after splitting with Canisius, Niagara stays 15th.

Getting swept by North Dakota pushes Nebraska-Omaha down two to No. 16, Dartmouth holds steady at No. 17, Wisconsin rises one to No. 18, Merrimack jumps one to No. 19 after a win over Massachusetts and Alaska gets into the rankings this week at No. 20 by virtue of a split with Ohio State.

The USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll consists of 50 voters, including 28 coaches from the Division I conferences and 22 beat writers and sports professionals from across the country.

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GeauxSioux
:)
nogofer
As usual, the Universe rights itself…
Mike
Well earned QU…enjoy it
Satriani92
From a life long fanatical Gopher fan, let me be the first to extend my congratulations to Quinnipiac for their #1 ranking this week. Well deserved!!!
- jmsptrk
  as a fellow gopher fan, may I add slightly relieved….
  to have that bullseye off our back for the stretch run!
  - Satriani92
    Agreed! Let someone else carry the torch for awhile.
SleepingGiant
Congratulations Quinnipiac. You have a fun team with four good lines, creative playmaking, speed, and good goaltending. Keep up the good work
SCSU
Dear QU,
You’re welcome.
Sincerely,
St. Cloud State
- Satriani92
  Dear SCSU,
  Don’t pull a muscle patting yourself on the back.
  Sincerely,
  University of Minnesota
  - http://twitter.com/DOriginalDonald Donald Paluga
    Two losses in three weeks? We’ve only lost three games ALL SEASON
    Sincerely
    Quinnipiac University
    Hamden Connecticut
    - jmsptrk
      -
      Dear Quinnipiac University,
      Now, now…don’t get too cocky. You’re in the midst of a wonderful season, no doubt, but don’t forget…you also have exactly 1 postseason appearance (a 6-1 drubbing by Cornell), and 0 wins in the NCAA.
      0 wins. 1 NCAA game.
      In other words…you’ve played in less NCAA games than these school have championships:
      Michigan, Denver, North Dakota, WIsconsin, Boston College, Boston University, Minnesota, Michigan State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Maine, RPI, Cornell, Colorado College.
      Best of luck.
      -
      - Satriani92
        Makes me wonder how bright the previous poster was since I was siding with them! And to think one of the other posters on here was calling the Gopher fans arrogant.
      - jmsptrk
        ha!, yeah, i think that one went *whoosh* straight over their head.
    - Jason
      Just some info on the losses for both teams
      Minnesota’s losses: @SCSU, @Mankato, Mankato, @Tech, UNO.
      QU’s losses: Robert Morris, Colgate, American International.
      Combined record of teams lost to:
      Minnesota:62-46-10
      QU: 35-36-11
      If you were to take away the worst loss for both teams:
      Minnesota:52-32-6
      QU: 28-22-6
      Average record of team lost to (rounding down):
      Minnesota: 15-11-2
      QU: 11-13-3
      Average record of team lost to without worst loss:
      Minnesota: 17-10-2
      QU: 14-11-3
      All 3 losses for QU at home and Minnesota had 3 on the road and two at home.
      QU lost to no ranked opponents while Minnesota lost to 3 ranked opponents and one non-ranked opponent.
Hockey21
Congratulations QU! Would be great to see you at the Frozen Four!
holmesaaaa
So who has Quinnipiac beat? I see they swept Nebraska Omaha, but besides that, who have they beat? I mean come on!!!
- Jmk2910
  13-2-2 v TUC, 14-0-2 in the ECAC. I’d say they deserve it
  - holmesaaaa
    yeah you said it 14-0-2 in the ECAC. The ECAC!!!! See what they do in the WCHA, they are about as good as Mankato i would say, so sick of these ECAC schools getting so much respect! Like Kyle said earlier, they have beat 4 teams in the top 20, Minnesota knocked off the number 1 and number 2 teams in the nation back to back!
    - http://www.facebook.com/matthew5168 Matt Forget
      Or, you could go ahead and ignore the part where he said 13-2-2 vs TUC, and the fact that they are undefeated in their own league, regardless of league, is still impressive. Minnesota is third in their own conference behind SCSU and North Dakota.
      It’s like someone arguing that math is lying to them.
    - SCSU
      You have to give some credit to Mankato, though new coach and all.
      - holmesaaaa
        Yes, it wasn’t a diss to Mankato, i believe Quinniapiac is a good team as i think Mankato.
    - wet_socks
      They play in the conference they play in. They win the games on their schedule. Again, they lead MN in all categories in the PWR. And not for nothing, but I hope in every sense of the word that MN has to face QU in the tourney and you turn tail. You’ll get smoked because your team, much like you, is arrogant. Minny will cry. And they’ll be cryin cuz they couldn’t hold off a little ol’ ECAC school.
      And, no, not a homer. Fan of an HEA school, and not the perennial national champion. And no, not the other one down the road who taught Miami a thing or two about resiliency.
      I guess, now that I think about it, the west does have some things to be nervous about. : p
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        21 in a row and being #1 is great, but you all see the #1 by your side for the first time and you get all hyped up too fast. You guys have the 37th toughest schedule, not that it means everything but 37????That’s less that half of all the teams.
        I really hope you watched the final goal in the game against BU and Miami, wasn’t the best. There are 3 teams at the moment in “Minny” that are more that worthy and capable to beat down QU. We sent down BC 8 to 1 this years and there is nothing stopping us or anyone in the top ten or even maybe the top 6-7 teams in the WCHA from seeing similar results (Including Omaha)
        So a little advice to a team that has only been to the NCAAs once. Nothing is going to stop a lower seed from sending you packing. So I wouldn’t cling to that #1 to tight.
      - nogofer
        Holy Cross?
      - Mike
        Yale has knocked some pretty good teams out of the NCAA’s as well.
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        10 straight years to the tournament, all there is to show is a bunch of chokes.
      - nogofer
        BC 6 umtc 1. End of story… When was your last NCAA title?
      - goldy
        BC beat the University Maine Technical College 6-1. Thats not a surprise. BC is a good team. Whats your point?
      - nogofer
        Outside the John the gofers just aren’t that good. Too bad they couldn’t play in the Palace this year, this .500 streak they are on would not hurt so bad.
      - Mike
        About 10 years ago, thought everyone knew that. The U missed four years of NCAA play, can’t deny that. But the point of that post was: 10 straight years… Could be more than that but obviously I don’t care to count. The no-names will eventually win another title, as will the Gophers. We all know that. Nodak has choked before just like my Gophers…just as many fingers to point back at you guys as you point at us.
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        UM 5 nd 2 ended your story last year, more recent than yours and 2 since your, confused at where your going with this. Also why are you arguing with me I’ve been standing up for no dak and saying that yes they are good and can beat QU.
      - Mike
        Because he cares more about ripping the Gophers than he does supporting his own team. Read his posts, and look at his screen-name. About says it all.
      - nogofer
        umtc gopher fans can dish it out, but they certainly do have thin skins. As a property owner in the Cities and a financial supporter & graduate of The University of North Dakota I have had the ‘pleasure’ of many gofer fans abuse. Much was of it was in fun. Some crossed a line. I
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        umtc?? That’s a new one. I really don’t care if you don’t like the gophers and I will tell you back why I don’t like no dak, which 95% of has to do with people like you. Again we don’t care if you went up to the middle of no where to watch a hockey game. “Mariucci” certainly isn’t a John. And this has nothing to do with QU!
      - nogofer
        You haven’t seen “umtc” before?
        Are you new here?
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        No one at the U of M call it umtc, not new either. You must have nothing better to do at your “job” than find anything you can respond to on here.
      - nogofer
        Everyone other than umtc fans know of the campus as umtc… And, if you are writing my biography, I am retired. My education at UND provided me the opportunity to earn, invest and retire before 55.
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        Ok when do you see on espn that umtc is playing Wisconsin, you don’t.
      - nogofer
        Go to any rink in the WCHA and ask any of their fans what is umtc and the will smile and say “Gofer State”…
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        I think it’s spelled Duluth. Every weekend I’m there which is every weekend they have a game no one would say UMTC, and they put Minn or UM on the scoreboard anyways. Been to the Ralph too, didn’t here UMTC once. The Bulldogs best players are mostly in Bulldog territory anyways. You don’t understand how much pride people in the Duluth area have for their hockey team and most want to play for the Bulldogs. Come to think of it I think Jack Connolly is from Duluth. If you don’t know who he is he won the Hobey Baker last year. But if the Sue have their noses down in the Twin Cities recruiting every year why can’t they get a Mr. Hockey. Minnesota does, so I would say therefore the Sue are Gopher Rejects since they can’t get they best just like the Bulldogs would be apparently but you wouldn’t like that.
      - nogofer
        Common knowlege is Bullpups are Gofer rejects. But you are uncommon…
      - Mike
        No thinner than any no-name fans. Your satement is a mirror image statement that can be addressed towards most nodak fans as well. You’re no different or any better. And you havent a clue wether or not you’ve: seen more games at the Ralph….etc etc etc…. Like I said in an earlier post, I’ll say it again, gopher fans and no-name fans are equal and on par about being asses to each other…and you’re no different. Just accept it.
      - nogofer
        No argument here…
      - Kyle
        I can safely bet I’d rather drive 4 hours to watch the game in person than have to sit through UND’s terrible TV broadcast! I’m joking…kinda. But really, how is that a valid argument?
      - nogofer
        A comment questioned my support of my team, The Sioux, in the context of gofer-bashing. I have 4 season tickets and have seen all but 3 games live this season. The point was I attend the games, I am not a fair-weather or a tv fan. I also regularly contribute to various on-campus organizations in addtion to the LARGE check I write to buy my tickets. I support the University in many ways as an Alum. I wonder how many of my haters can make similar claims…
      - wet_socks
        Union? : p
      - Kyle
        Good post. Where did you find that strength of schedule stat? That says it all and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for to make my point!
        At first I was frustrated with these guys that think they’re all something because they have “accomplished” something by being ranked #1 for the first time, but I’m over it. You can send ANY WCHA team to play at QU and they would give them a tough game. WCHA teams are used to playing in tough away games with fans who know hockey and make a lot of noise. Games out east with 2,000 fans just don’t compare.
      - reardensteel
        Okay, so you’re not a homer, as such, but it’s possible you are a MN hater.
        So what’s the difference?
        If you always want a certain team to lose, it’s about the same as always wanting a certain team to win.
        At least when it comes to objectivity.
      - Satriani92
        You call Gopher fans arrogant, yet who was the first poster here congratulating Quinnipiac?
    - Todd Hanselman
      MSU Mankato was ‘better’ than UM TC twice this year in four games, so my guess is they may be as good as the Mavericks and Gophers. As for any team complaining that Quinnipiac doesn’t play a tougher schedule – try scheduling them and other teams in their league more often in the future and show it on the ice.
      - holmesaaaa
        Lol, come on man, you’ve got it backwards. Quinnipiac is the one not scheduling the tough teams not the other way around. Have you seen the Gophers schedule? Do you see what they did to Boston College and Notre Dame?
      - nogofer
        Gofer’s schedule? Seriously???
      - wet_socks
        precisely my point. They’re afraid of playing smaller programs, and they don’t do anything to help the sport by not “playing down”. And if they do “play down”, they certainly don;t do so on the road. Programs like that do the sport a disservice.
        Thanks. Like shootin fish in a barrel. You don’t care about the sport. You care about your program. If you want growth, then parity is good. If you want mediocrity, then keep going the way you’re going.
        Me? I want growth. Expansion. TV coverage. Sellout crowds.
      - Kyle
        We get all of that in Minnesota (growth- mankato, Bemidji; TV broadcasts like pro hockey; UM hockey ticket one of the toughest to get in the state).
        It’s not our fault that the East coast doesn’t support it. Naive to think that a “big program” like UM traveling and playing in front of 3,000 fans at an upstart program would change that.
        Of course having national TV and media attention would be great, but even the NHL struggles with this.
      - Kyle
        actually, I’d be happy if QU just went and played in some tough games in New England. Play BU, BC, UNH, or Maine and they’d get more respect.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        They beat Maine first game of the year at Maine. Not that Maine’s good, but they beat them. And Providence on the road, and tied UMass on the road..
      - Kyle
        fair point on Maine, didn’t realize they played them. Tough place to play, even if they’re no good. They need to play more games like that.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        They’re also 10-2 on the road this year, which is impressive no matter if the teams were ranked or not.
      - Kyle
        Can you tell me the average attendance at their games?
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        QU or the teams they played on the road? The building at QU holds 3500, they’ve had over 3800 at every game this year. Between 800-1000 students (keep in mind smaller enrollment than other big hockey schools), and the rest community crowd. Largest so far was 3947 against UConn on a Tuesday night. Will be over 4,000 for Yale next week
      - Kyle
        road games.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        average is around 2500. here’s all of them4338, 2098, 1474, 1552, 2163, 1607, 2557, 2071, 1923, 3700, 4113, 1234
      - Kyle
        it’s a bit easier to play against a crowd of 3,000 than 12,000. But no matter, it makes Minnesota a better team, even if they rack up a couple more losses along the way. Plus it makes more a lot more exciting hockey.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        Can’t argue the attendance numbers, but that’s also way off track from the original argument. In the end, I hope both teams win their regional and end up in Pittsburgh. Even if QU was to lose in Pittsburgh, it’ll be one heck of a ride. And it’ll be at the very least, a building point for the future.
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        High school hockey teams in Minnesota get more fans than that for some of the games. Your not impressing anyone by those numbers.
      - Kyle
        clearly he didn’t understand what I was getting at when I asked him the attendance question. Still not sure he gets it. I wanted to explain that it’s not even the attendance numbers that really matter, it’s the difference in the crowd noise/animosity for the visiting team (but made the assumption he doesn’t know anything about WCHA hockey games). You just don’t see that on the east coast like in the WCHA. I have a graduate degree from BU and watched many games, and with the exception of BU/BC, they were pretty lame compared to WCHA.
Kyle
seriously, well deserved for Quinnipiac? By my quick count, they have played 4 games against top 20 teams- UNO (2), Dartmouth and Yale. Minnesota on the other hand has played 14, 9 of which are against current top 10 teams. Easy to see how they might lose a couple more games. Plus I think we can all agree that playing on the road in the WCHA is bit more hostile than the ECAC.
- http://www.facebook.com/matthew5168 Matt Forget
  I’d say well-deserved. It’s people like you who said the same things about Union last year, then were somehow “surprised” they made it to the Frozen Four when all other statistics other than “theyre in the EZAC and other leagues = better haha” pointed to otherwise.
  Also, your musings of “WCHA is more difficult than ECAC lol” is invalid, because you’re comparing apples to oranges. From what I remember, RPI downed SCSU in one game and tied them in another when they were down at the bottom of the ECAC. In other words, stuff happens. Past performance of the WCHA and Minnesota is an invalid argument against how Quinnipiac is doing right now, and regardless of who you play, a 21-game unbeaten streak is pretty impressive.
  As of this posting, in the ECAC:
  Schools Pts Conf All
  Quinnipiac 30 14-0-2 21-3-4
  Yale 19 9-5-1 13-6-3
  Princeton 17 7-6-3 9-10-4
  Rensselaer 17 7-6-3 12-11-5
  Dartmouth 17 7-6-3 11-8-4
  St. Lawrence 16 6-6-4 13-11-4
  Union 16 6-6-4 13-10-5
  Clarkson 15 6-7-3 7-14-7
  Colgate 13 5-8-3 13-11-4
  Brown 13 4-6-5 8-9-5
  Cornell 10 4-10-2 8-13-2
  Harvard 7 3-12-1 5-15-2
  Give the guys some credit.
  - Kyle
    I think you’ve got a case of some faulty logic here. First of all, I never said WCHA is more difficult than ECAC. But if I did believe that (which I do), I’d back it up by the number of WCHA teams in the top 20 (7 in WCHA) vs. 3 in ECAC.
    But I agree, 21 games unbeaten, no matter how poor the teams are, is
    impressive. But no way they do this in the WCHA or Hockey East.
  - holmesaaaa
    I am not saying dont give them credit, they are obviously a good hockey team, but #1? I dont think so is all im saying. And to whoever said Minnesota is going to be turning tail scared to face Quinnipiac? Are you serious?
- wet_socks
  Oh Kyle, you poor thing. It’s people like you who have given us the PWR and KRACH. So, for that, we say THANK YOU
- wet_socks
  I forgot a few details KYLE. Quinip leads in ALL statistical categories in the PWR. ALL. They’re 0.82 vs. TUC. Next in that category is 0.69. Yes, you read that right, 0.13 differential. In case you’re a humanities major, that is 13 out of 100 points differential. Boston College (winner of how many of the more recent National Championships?) is 2nd at 0.69.
  And just to add, schools like QU play “up”, while many others in the Top 10 play at or below their level of historical performance.
  You’re either young or a homer. Either way, you’re not working with facts.
  - Kyle
    wow, didn’t think my argument deserved the personal attack. Pretty sure my initial argument used some pretty good facts, 14 games against top 20 vs. 4. I am by no means an expert on the PWR, but if I understand it correctly it treats each win against a TUC the same, no matter if the team is #1 or #31, hence the reason QU has a higher TUC%.
    For the record (not that I should have to do this), I’m 30 (not sure if you consider this young), have degrees from Minnesota State and Boston University (MBA) and work in corporate finance. So yes, I understand statistics. I’ve also grown up playing hockey and have seen numerous college games in both the WCHA and out East. I was honestly extremely surprised at how lackluster the games were on the East Coast. Even the BU/BC games I used to go to were nowhere near as intense as a Minn/UND game. Just curious, have you been to a WCHA game?
    - wet_socks
      Things seem to have come into the balance here in HEA. Did you watch the PC UNH game yesterday? To think that Providence could bring the Cats to OT. I don’t think it’s a bad thing that the east has leveled off. I think it’s a testimony to the parity, at least among the top 6 in the standings. We still have some weak links on the east coast. But I don’t see the west or central as perfect either.
      And it wasn’t a personal attack. I was presenting the facts as they were. Look, the coaches overwhelming gave the to Quinip (41 1st place votes), the PWR and KRACH equally have the at the top spot. Just saying…. why the hate?
      - Kyle
        well, it sure seems like a personal attack when you imply that I’m young and can’t work with facts. Especially when all I said at the beginning is QU has played 4 games against top 20 teams, and MN has played 14. QU has won 1 game against a top 10 team (Yale- #10), while MN has won 5 and tied 1. I think this point is extremely hard to argue against, no matter what the PWR says.
        The reason their number one is because they haven’t lost in 21 games, which I agree is no small feat. But can you honestly say that you think they could do this in HEA or WCHA?
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        Yale was 8 when QU demolished them… same ranking that St. Cloud was this week when they beat Minnesota..
      - Kyle
        BC was #1 when MN beat them, or to use your words “demolished” them 8-1. Please don’t start that game.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        The game was started about 20 posts ago. It’s all irrelevant because the polls mean nothing for the actual hockey or the tournament. QU has been #1 in the most accurate system NCAAH has, the PairWise, and that’s all that really matters until the puck drops for Regionals.
      - jmsptrk
        i agree with your assessment and think they deserve the no 1 spot as much as anyone, but let’s be real… you took a personal shot, implying “kyle” wasn’t smart enough or was just a homer.
      - wet_socks
        what can I say…. I’ve grown tired of conference and team legacy nonsense. As D1 hockey needs to grow, the last thing we need is our own fans discrediting the system. Maybe I was a bit harsh. But the fact remains, QU deserves its place in the poll, and it’s not the program’s fault that it plays where it plays. I’m sure they make every effort to play big market schools out of conference whenever they can.
        And not for nothing, but when was the last time Minny agreed to split a home and home over a 2 season span with a smaller program? They want too much of the gate money. They want travel reimbursement. They’re a clear example of an “upstairs/downstairs” system. And as long as the fans buy into it, it will remain the norm.
        And yes, perhaps I was a bit harsh on Kyle, but it may have been a matter of a straw breaking a camels back. It happens. It’s the internet.
      - Satriani92
        We have this conversation all the time within the confines of the WCHA blog. Putting together non-conference schedules are a lot harder than they appear on the surface. There are a number of factors that are involved not to mention that they need to be scheduled years in advance. We get people like you that complain that the U of M doesn’t do home and home with smaller schools and then get flack from the other WCHA schools when we do play them. Also what do you mean by smaller program, do you mean a smaller school? Or a smaller hockey program? Because there are both within the WCHA.
      - Kyle
        Think about this economically. What benefit does a WCHA team get by paying all that money to travel to the East Coast to play against a team that’s not any better than the competition in the midwest. Especially when teams in the WCHA already travel way more than the other conferences. I don’t see too many east coast teams making the trip out west either. Are you saying we should want to do this to make other teams better?
      - GopherBulldogHockey
        You know nothing about Minnesota hockey, they split series that have reasonable drives for a Friday to Saturday game. Such as SCSU and Minn State. Both smaller schools and programs but very competitive series. Would you like a 6 1/2 hour drive to Michigan Tech then back to Minneapolis, I don’t think either team would be too happy
    - cawlidgehawkeyfan
      Again, 9-0 against top 20 teams…
      - William Blake
        So you’d say a team that beat Michigan week 1 would still be able to say they beat a top 20 team?
  - GopherBulldogHockey
    Your schedule sucks period. You have played Omaha, Yale and Dartmouth. Congrats. Don’t let that #1 fool you because it doesn’t last forever and no ones going to be intimated by a #1 Quinnipiac in the NCAA tournament. Most people have never even heard of it or even no how to say it. If you guys are so much better than the Gophers or the Eagles or any one in the top nine, why aren’t they on your schedule.
- John
  No one is dening the quality of either the WCHA or Minnesota, but as far as polls go it is hard to deny QU the top slot this week because of four points they got this weekend, their undefeated streak and MN’s loss. Chances are MN will be back to #1 next Monday even if both teams win out this coming weekend, but even so let QU enjoy this moment. This program deserves it, they have worked incredibly hard.
- http://twitter.com/DOriginalDonald Donald Paluga
  If Union was still ranked that would be six.
- cawlidgehawkeyfan
  QU is 9-0 against top-20 teams this year. Doesn’t matter where those teams are ranked now, it matters that when QU beat them, they were good enough to be top 20.
  - Kyle
    Your argument is actually laughable. That’s like saying a team that starts out 5-0 and gets ranked number one, but then goes on to lose their next 20 games is STILL the #1 team in the country. Bottom line is they weren’t a good enough team to keep that ranking, so it doesn’t count. So, as I have already said multiple times, QU has played 4 games against top 20 teams. MN 14.
    - cawlidgehawkeyfan
      And since you put so much weight into these rankings, why don’t you just accept the fact that it’s February 13th, Quinnipiac hasn’t lost in 100 days and they’re number 1 in your beloved rankings. Get used to it. They’re here to stay.
      - Kyle
        for this year? Or many to come? For this year yes, because they’re still not gonna play anyone good.
      - cawlidgehawkeyfan
        Both. This is a program that has only been D-1 since 98-99… the growth has been immense, the facilities are top-notch, and a #1 ranking is only going to enhance recruiting. Also, rumor has it they’re jacking up their non-conference schedule next year. No more Atlantic teams, more HE and a few WCHA.. it’ll be the year to prove if they have staying power. But all arguments aside, it’s been a pretty solid year for college hockey and the fact that this conversation can take place and really have neither side be completely wrong, that’s all that really matters.
The Big Hurt
I’ve got to agree with Kyle partially; I don’t think QU has the strength of schedule that other teams have such as BC and Minnesota. I give QU much credit and as a QU Alum I am proud of them…but when compared to Boston College, it is like comparing a major league baseball team (BC) to an AAA team (QU); don’t let your bias blind you.
- Kyle
  Thanks, even if it’s only partial agreement, I’ll take it! I don’t know if I’d say it’s quite as big of a gap like MLB vs. AAA, but it’s more like the mid-major argument in college football.
  If you want a #1 ranking, you should at least strengthen up your non-conference schedule.
  - wet_socks
    wow! A conference snob. That explains it. I guess they taught you that at Jack Parker University. I can’t wait until a “mid major” knocks off a big school. And it does happen every year.
    - Kyle
      I don’t understand why you’re surprised I said the ECAC isn’t as good as WCHA or HEA…I’ve been saying that all along. I love how you can turn my compliment (they’re not a AAA team) into a negative remark
      - wet_socks
        I’m not going to disagree that there are some conferences that are stronger than others. But to use that reality to discredit a number 1 ranking for a “weaker” conference school does the entire system a discredit. Not to mention the disrespect it shows to the student athletes who have accomplished such a feat. Again, #1 with the coaches, and #1 with the computers. But you go ahead and knock em all you want. Not sure to what end.
The Big Hurt
I’ve got to agree with Kyle partially; I don’t think QU has the strength of schedule that other teams have such as BC and Minnesota. I give QU much credit and as a QU Alum I am proud of them…but when compared to Boston College, it is like comparing a major league baseball team (BC) to an AAA team (QU); don’t let your bias blind you.
GoGophs
As an avid Minnesota fan, I too would like to congratulate QU! They have taken care of business in every way they possibly can. 21 games, wow. And discounting ANY team with that sort of momentum and confidence is a huge and arrogant mistake, no matter what conference, TUC, etc. This is great for the sport! ..and, I know better than to say “we’ll see in March” because eating crow is no fun haha! We’ve all been there. Or wait, no..no WE haven’t… lest we all forget these teams’ wins and losses are not any of our PERSONAL victories or defeats, are they? Before we get all pride-filled and vicariously glory-hungry (which I will be the first to admit I have), lets all try to keep it civil and think twice before you make personal attack or sarcastic shot. We’re better than that. Should be a fun rest of the year!
http://www.facebook.com/matthew5168 Matt Forget
I think I have it figured out: downvote = I disagree or I think you’re being argumentative
jmsptrk
Congrats to Quinnipiac. Nice to see another program grow into a strong competitor. Hope it continues.
http://twitter.com/RawBTate Rob Tatro
I’m excited to see what QU will do in the tourney! They’ve gotten straight A’s on their midterm quizzes and homework, so their chemistry should make an interesting splash on their final. Minnesota’s my alma mater and has been my favorite NCAA team for 20 years, and I hope we see them so we can challenge yet another top-ranked team. Good programs should play good programs.
Jason
Congrats to QU, a 21 game winning streak is impressive.

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