Minnesota Duluth unanimous No. 1 in new USCHO college hockey poll
For the first time in nearly half a decade Minnesota Duluth is the No. 1-ranked college hockey team in the nation.
The Bulldogs captured all 50 votes in the USCHO.com Division I men's poll after sweeping conference rival and former No. 1 North Dakota over the weekend.
Senior Alex Iafallo led the way for the then-No. 2-ranked Bulldogs, registering his first collegiate hat trick in a 5-2 win Friday, before freshman goaltender Hunter Miska picked up his second shutout in a 3-0 win Saturday.
Alex Iafallo gets the hat trick! His empty-netter makes it 5-2 @UMDMensHockey pic.twitter.com/VoNldxbyEv
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) October 29, 2016
UMD was last ranked No. 1 during the 2011-12 season, a year after capturing their first national championship.
USCHO's latest poll features three Minnesota teams in the top 10.
St. Cloud State rose to No. 8 after sweeping Alabama Huntsville, while Minnesota State fell to No. 10 following a split with WCHA rival Ferris State.
The Minnesota Gophers slipped one spot to No. 13 despite downing Clarkson in overtime and playing St. Lawrence to a tie, and Bemidji State solidified its standing with a sweep of Alaska Anchorage, rising two spots to No. 18.
The Bulldogs face another tough task Friday, when they travel to St. Cloud for a two-game series with the Huskies.
