Minnesota-Duluth Surges to Fourth in Poll

Minnesota-Duluth’s rise up the rankings continues.

The Bulldogs have jumped nine spots in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll over the last two weeks, placing a season-high fourth in the rankings released Monday.

Related link: USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll: Jan. 18, 2010

Denver, Miami and Wisconsin stayed put as the top three teams for the second straight week, while Minnesota-Duluth improved six spots from its No. 10 ranking a week ago.

The Bulldogs are 5-1 since the holiday break and carry a four-game winning streak into a home-and-home series this weekend against No. 14 Bemidji State.

The No. 4 ranking is Minnesota-Duluth’s highest since checking in at third on Nov. 1, 2004.

North Dakota, Yale, Colorado College, Ferris State, Cornell and Michigan State rounded out the top 10.

No. 15 Massachusetts and No. 16 New Hampshire each moved up four spots from last week.

With just one loss in its last 12 games, Lake Superior State entered the top 20 at No. 18.

A steady fall since a 12-1 start has cost Quinnipiac its spot in the poll. The Bobcats were as high as No. 4 on Nov. 30.

This week’s marquee matchup features No. 1 Denver at No. 3 Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday.

Other games between ranked teams include: No. 5 North Dakota at No. 9 Cornell on Friday and Saturday; No. 11 Boston College at No. 19 Massachusetts-Lowell on Saturday; and No. 15 Massachusetts hosting No. 17 Vermont on Saturday and Sunday.