MCRHL Power Rankings 11/15/12

By: Kyle Jones

The JCC weekend event has concluded and every team has their first set of games under their belts.  There has been some interesting findings since the start of the season and some teams have asserted themselves as top dogs.  Here is what I have seen (DISCLAIMER: These are just one opinion, all rankings are subject to change as the year progresses):

 

 

Comments/Notes: It’s still early, but the Division I race is tight. Each team at the top matches up differently against one another.  Grand Valley remains the only undefeated team in Division I.  They to look have a solid defense and good goaltending.  Grand Valley still has not faced Michigan State in a regular season game which will be a great match-up.  The Spartans stumbled out of the gates to Eastern Michigan, but credit EMU for a big win behind a lock down defense and outstanding goaltending.  Besides the victory of MSU, the Eagles do not have another signature win so far this season.  Ohio State has taken care of business against against EMU twice this year.  One of which was a 5-4 victory with the game winning goal being scored with 0.1 seconds remaining.  These are the power rankings now, but they very well could change after the next tournament in Shelby Township, MI.

 

 

Comments/Notes:  Division II has had its share of surprises so far.  After winning only five wins last year, Cincinnati started off the season 3-0.  Western is also off to a surprising start.  They finished with the second most points last year, but the Broncos started off this season 1-2.  Every game WMU has been close, but were unable to topple Binghamton (from the ECRHA), Cincinnati and Miami (OH).  Miami has looked like the class of division II.  They have a goal differential of +27 so far.  Also be on the watch for Northern Illinois and Michigan Tech.  Each team has the potential to make a run, but in the first tournament, were unable to secure wins against the teams at the top.  There still lots of time left for every team to make a run for the top.  We will see more DII games come the first weekend in December.  

 

 

Comments/Notes: The B division may come down two team: Grand Valley and Michigan State.  They have tied once this year already and I anticipate more close match-ups in the future.  Eastern and Ohio State have some catching up to do after digging themselves in a hole to start the season.  These teams will match up for one more tournament before the semester is over.  Once completed, who knows what the second semester will have in store for the B league.