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CIS Men’s Hockey Top 10 (#8): No. 1 V-Reds perfect at the break
OTTAWA (CIS) – The reigning University Cup champion New
Brunswick Varsity Reds top the CIS men’s hockey rankings for
the eighth time in as many media polls this fall.
UNB was a unanimous choice at No. 1 for the seventh straight week
thanks to 18 first-place votes in the final Top 10 of the fall
semester. The rankings will resume on January 12, 2010.
The V-Reds improved to 15-0 in conference over the past weekend.
While they easily defeated UPEI 7-0 on Friday, the defending champs
needed overtime for the fourth time this season on Sunday to edge
the No. 8 Saint Mary’s Huskies (9-3-3) 2-1.
The V-Reds are on pace to improve on their AUS-record 26-1-1 mark
from 2007-08, when they opened the campaign with 11 wins.
Following UNB in this week’s media poll are No. 2 Alberta
(14-1-1), No. 3 Western Ontario (14-2-0), No. 4 Acadia (11-3-0),
No. 5 McGill (12-2-0), No. 6 UQTR (14-2-1), No. 7 Manitoba (9-3-2),
No. 8 Mary’s, No. 9 Wilfrid Laurier (12-4-1), and No. 10
Lakehead (11-3-2).
The Canada West-leading Golden Bears, who were inactive over the
past seven days, are second in the nation for the eighth straight
week.
Acadia, Manitoba and Lakehead also enjoyed a break in conference
play last week but the Thunderwolves drop two spots in the Top 10
after being swept at home by Saskatchewan, 5-2 and 4-3 in a
shootout, in non-conference action.
The OUA West-leading Mustangs (14-2-0), CIS finalists a year ago,
remain at No. 3 for the third week in a row after they edged
Windsor 3-2 in overtime to go into the break on a 14-game winning
streak.
OUA East rivals McGill and UQTR switch places at No. 5 and No. 6.
The Redmen, who trail the Patriotes by five points in the standings
but have three games in hand, swept a two-game series against
Ryerson, 7-0 and 8-5, while UQTR doubled Nipissing 4-2 but was
upset 3-2 in OT by Carleton.
Saint Mary’s moves up one spot despite the close loss to
top-ranked UNB. The Huskies had started the week with a 4-1 win
over StFX.
Laurier also improves one position following convincing victories
over York, 8-3, and UOIT, 7-0.
CIS MEN’S
HOCKEY TOP 10 (#8)
Voting is based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis, with a 1st place
vote worth 10 points. The CIS Men’s Ice Hockey Top Ten
Committee is made up of media members from across Canada.
(Regular season record) / votes (first-place votes) / (last
week)
1. UNB (15-0-0) / 180 (18) / (1)
2. Alberta (14-1-1) / 162 / (2)
3. Western Ontario (14-2-0) / 142 / (3)
4. Acadia (11-3-0) / 118 / (4)
5. McGill (12-2-0) / 101 / (6)
6. UQTR (14-2-1) / 76 / (5)
7. Manitoba (9-3-2) / 72 / (7)
8. Saint Mary’s (9-3-3) / 44 / (9) - x
9. Wilfrid Laurier (12-4-1) / 44 / (10) - x
10. Lakehead (11-3-2) / 30 / (8)
x- Saint Mary’s was awarded the higher ranking (over
Wilfrid Laurier) based on number of higher-placed votes.
Other teams receiving votes: Saskatchewan (19), Waterloo (2).
-CIS-
