For the first time in program history, the Canisius hockey team has earned a national ranking during the regular season as it was ranked No. 20 in the latest USCHO.com poll released on Monday.
Sitting in first place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference standings, the Golden Griffins (10-5-1, 10-4-0 AHC) make their debut in the poll after sweeping No. 20 Niagara last weekend in a home-and-home league series.
Canisius, with a 3-2 record against nationally-ranked opponents this season, has won seven of its last eight contests. Its lone loss in that stretch came in a setback to No. 4 Clarkson at HARBORCENTER on Dec. 2.
Monday’s announcement marks the second-straight season and third time in program history that Canisius has been a part of the national rankings.
Canisius was ranked for the first time in school history at No. 20 after winning the 2013 Atlantic Hockey Tournament. The Griffs were also tabbed No. 19 in the final poll of the 2012-13 campaign.
Last season, Canisius was listed 20th in the mid-March after extending their program-record unbeaten streak to 17 games with a sweep of Niagara in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Atlantic Hockey Conference Tournament.
Canisius returns to action Dec. 30 when it faces No. 5 Cornell in a 4 p.m. contest at Lynah Rink in Ithaca, N.Y.
