November 25, 2007
INCH Power Rankings

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Last week's rankings
USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll
USCHO.com/CSTV Poll

Half the teams in this week's INCH Power Rankings felt like we did after Thursday's Thanksgiving meal — they didn't feel like moving. Of the 10 that did shift up or down, five are just one spot removed from the previous week's rating. The week's big gainer and loser hail from Hockey East, as Northeastern climbed six spots after its overtime win at Boston College, a loss that sent the Eagles plummeting eight positions.

Here's how the Inside College Hockey editors and staff rank the nation's top teams (along with a note for each team).

No. Team

Of Note
1. Miami
Hey Andy, did you hear about this one? Junior forward Brian Kaufman scored 3-5—8 in the RedHawks' back-to-back romps over Canisius, then pinned Jerry "The King" Lawler to win the AWA world heavyweight belt.
13-1-0 (9-1-0 CCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Canisius, 4-0; W vs. Canisius, 11-1. THIS WEEK: Off.
2. Michigan
Here's your weekly Kevin Porter update — the senior forward has seven goals and five assists in the Wolverines' last four games. He potted three goals and three assists in Michigan's wins this past weekend over Wisconsin and Minnesota.
13-1-0 (8-0-0 CCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Wisconsin, 3-2; W vs. Minnesota, 5-1. THIS WEEK: vs. Ohio State, vs. Ohio State.
3. Denver
This weekend’s split gives us a definite “2005 all over” vibe. Imagine the Pioneers and Tigers tying for the league title again and not settling the issue until the Frozen Four. Ticket scalpers outside the Pepsi Center like that idea...
9-3-0 (6-2-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L at Colorado College, 5-1; W vs. Colorado College, 3-2. THIS WEEK: vs. North Dakota, vs. North Dakota.
4. Michigan State
Fit to be tied: "There's a bad taste right now and there should be," said MSU coach Rick Comley following the Spartans' come-from-ahead tie with Wisconsin, which had lost four in a row, Saturday.
8-3-2 (4-2-0 CCHA) LAST WEEK: T vs. Minnesota, 3-3 ot; T vs. Wisconsin, 4-4 ot. THIS WEEK: at Lake Superior State, at Lake Superior State.
5. Colorado College
Before their next home game (Jan. 11), the Tigers travel to Anchorage, St. Cloud, Tampa, and Madison. That’ll put 14,418 miles on your car if you plan on following Chad Rau and Co. for the next six weeks.
8-4-0 (8-2-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Denver, 5-1; L at Denver, 3-2. THIS WEEK: at Alaska Anchorage, at Alaska Anchorage.
6. New Hampshire
Wildcats are feeling tricky, as Mike Radja scored three after freshman Paul Thompson notched a hat trick last weekend.
7-2-1 (4-2-1 Hockey East) LAST WEEK: W vs. Brown, 5-2. THIS WEEK: vs. UMass Lowell, at UMass Lowell.
7. Notre Dame
2
With a 2-1 win against Bowling Green and a 4-3 triumph over Rensselaer last week, the Fighting Irish improve to 5-0 in one-goal games this season.
12-4-0 (8-2-0 CCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Bowling Green, 2-1; W vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 4-1; W vs. Rensselaer, 4-3. THIS WEEK: vs. Nebraska-Omaha, vs. Nebraska-Omaha.
8. Clarkson
1
What I did on my Christmas vacation: Following Saturday's game at St. Lawrence, the Knights enjoy a 27-day layoff until meeting Maine in the opening round of the Florida College Classic in Estero Dec. 28.
10-4-0 (6-1-0 ECAC Hockey) LAST WEEK: L vs. St. Cloud State, 4-1; W vs. St. Cloud State, 3-2. THIS WEEK: at St. Lawrence.
9. North Dakota
1
A month ago, we wondered if J-P Lamoureux would ever give up a goal. Saturday, he allowed one on a shot from the red line as the Fighting Sioux failed once again to stay above .500 in WCHA play.
6-4-1 (4-4-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W vs. Minnesota Duluth, 8-3; L vs. Minnesota Duluth, 4-2. THIS WEEK: at Denver, at Denver.
10. Minnesota Duluth
2
Drew Akins picked an opportune time to score his first two goals of the season, as the Bulldogs made a few more believers with a win in Grand Forks. A win or two in Mankato this weekend would be equally valuable.
6-4-2 (5-4-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L at North Dakota, 8-3; W at North Dakota, 4-2. THIS WEEK: at Minnesota State, at Minnesota State.
11. Northeastern
6
It's more than just Brad Thiessen who can beat you, as the Huskies get their first win when allowing more than two goals.
6-4-1 (6-3-1 Hockey East) LAST WEEK: W at Boston College, 4-3 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. Brown.
12. St. Cloud State
1
There’s little chance that the Huskies will be looking ahead to home dates with Denver and Colorado College next month, what with that trip to Madison on the docket for this weekend.
7-3-2 (3-2-1 WCHA) LAST WEEK: W at Clarkson, 4-1; L at Clarkson, 3-2. THIS WEEK: at Wisconsin, at Wisconsin.
13. Massachusetts
1
The Minutemen make their second visit to Lynah Rink, hoping for more success than their 8-1 loss there in 1995-96
6-3-4 (3-2-4 Hockey East) LAST WEEK: L at Vermont, 4-2; W vs. Union, 5-2. THIS WEEK: at Cornell, vs. U.S. NTDP (exhibition).
14. Wisconsin
3
It may be too early to call him “Mr. October,” but freshman Kyle Turris had five collegiate goals on Oct. 20, and will still have those same five goals to his credit when the Badgers face St. Cloud State on Nov. 30.
5-6-1 (2-4-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: L at Michigan, 3-2; T at Michigan State, 4-4 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. St. Cloud State, vs. St. Cloud State.
15. Minnesota
Those fans chanting “We Want Kangas!” will note that the rookie tied the defending national champs, while Jeff Frazee got lit up by Michigan. In Frazee's defense, the Wolverines are doing that to everyone these days.
7-6-1 (3-5-0 WCHA) LAST WEEK: T at Michigan State, 3-3 ot; L at Michigan, 5-1. THIS WEEK: vs. Michigan Tech, vs. Michigan Tech.
16. Rensselaer
Up 2-0 after one against the Irish, the Engineers were outshot 28-7 the rest of the way and couldn't hold on.
6-4-3 (1-1-2 ECAC Hockey) LAST WEEK: T vs. American International, 1-1 ot; L vs. Notre Dame, 4-3. THIS WEEK: at Princeton, at Quinnipiac.
17. Harvard
1
The Crimson, like "Dancing With the Stars," appear just about every night of the week. Harvard's slate between last week's win at BU and its Dec. 12 date with BC reads: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday.
5-2-0 (4-2-0 ECAC Hockey) LAST WEEK: W at Boston University, 2-1 ot. THIS WEEK: at Yale, vs. Dartmouth.
18. Boston College
8
Eight spots is a significant drop, but when you haven't beaten anybody but Merrimack since Oct. 13, that snowman doesn't look so bad.
3-4-5 (2-3-4 Hockey East) LAST WEEK: L vs. Northeastern, 4-3 ot. THIS WEEK: vs. Boston University, at Boston University
19. Niagara
The Purps, tied for fourth nationally in scoring defense at 1.91 goals allowed per game, face a Bemidji State team that ranks 54th in the land in scoring offense (2.08 goals per game.)
8-3-0 (2-2-0 CHA) LAST WEEK:Off. THIS WEEK: vs. Bemidji State, vs. Bemidji State.
20. Bowling Green
The Falcons aim for win no. 7 this weekend against non-conference foe Wayne State. BGSU picked up its seventh win last season on Feb. 24.
6-4-0 (5-3-0 CCHA) LAST WEEK: L at Notre Dame, 2-1. THIS WEEK: at Wayne State, vs. Wayne State.

Dropped out: None

Bubble-licious: Robert Morris, Air Force.