MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – After dropping a pair of Atlantic Hockey opponents this past weekend to remain undefeated in conference play, the Niagara men’s hockey team garnered national attention as the Purple Eagles were slated in the 20th spot in the USCHO.com Division I Poll.
The previously unranked Purple Eagles (8-2-3; 7-0-0 AHA) enter the ranking at No. 20 with 112 votes during the week of Nov. 19 after becoming the fifth team in the nation to register eight wins, joining Boston College, Denver, Notre Dame and New Hampshire.
Niagara’s inclusion on the USCHO.com poll is the first time the Purps have been ranked in the online poll since March 24, 2008 when the team was slated 19th. The Purple Eagles were ranked in the top-20 for 10 weeks during that season, with their highest ranking coming in at 17. Niagara wrapped up the 2007-08 campaign slated in the 19th position with a 22-10-4 record while earning a trip to the 2008 NCAA Tournament for the third time in the program’s history.
Niagara is currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak which is tied for the longest in the nation with Boston College (9-0-0) who remained the nation’s top-ranked team in the USCHO.com Poll. In seven AHA contests, NU has outscored its opponents by a 24-3 margin which is the fewest tallies allowed in conference play in the nation. The Purple Eagles are ranked third in the nation in combined special teams (58.1) and their powerplay is currently slated in the eight spot in the nation (89.4).
The USCHO.com Poll consists of 50 voters, including 28 coaches from the Division I conferences and 22 beat writers and sports professionals from across the country. The poll, published weekly by the Associated Press, is a production of USCHO.com, which provides in-depth coverage of college hockey.
Niagara returns to the ice on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1 when the Purple Eagles welcome AHA foe the Sacred Heart Pioneers to Dwyer Arena.
