Every Wednesday we'll rank the 10 competitors of Hockey East, based not only on what their records might suggest, but how each has been playing lately, and who might be dangerous as the season goes on.
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UMASS-LOWELL (4-2-0, 2-1-0)
National polls: 8/8 * Last week: NA
The River Hawks made a statement by winning at BU last Saturday night, and a deep, talented, hard-nosed team has shown enough so far to earn the initial nod as Hockey East's top team. |
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BOSTON UNIVERSITY (2-3-0, 1-2-0)
National polls: 7/5 * Last week: NA
The reigning national champs slumped to an 0-2 start, but the last two weekends has seen the Terriers come to life a bit, beating then-No. 4 Michigan before splitting with Lowell. The hangover may be ending. |
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MASSACHUSETTS (4-1-0, 3-1-0)
National polls: 19/NR * Last week: NA
The only thing between UMass and an unbeaten October was Alex Beaudry, the PC goalie who stopped 47 of 48 shots last Saturday. The Minutemen aren't a team anybody wants to play right now. |
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MERRIMACK (5-3-0, 2-1-0)
National polls: NR/NR * Last week: NA
The Warriors went toe-to-toe with BC at Conte Forum last Friday, then beat the Eagles 5-3 a night later - in a game that was 5-1 in the third. Merrimack's now 5-0 at home ... and looking legit. |
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UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (2-4-1, 2-0-0)
National polls: NR/NR * Last week: NA
A disappointing weekend at Wisconsin saw the Wildcats outscored 10-2 -- and outshot 95-35 -- but look at the bright side: They enter a run of 10 straight in-leagues games as Hockey East's last unbeaten. |
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BOSTON COLLEGE (2-2-0, 1-2-0)
National polls: 16/NR * Last week: NA
Eagles' goalie John Muse returned earlier than expected from offseason hip surgery, which could -- and has been -- a problem for BC. Thus far Muse and frosh Parker Milner have a combined .841 save percentage. |
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PROVIDENCE COLLEGE (5-2-0, 1-1-0)
National polls: NR/NR * Last week: NA
Since New Year's Day there have been few players more valuable to their team than Alex Beaudry, the Friar netminder with a 2.01 GAA and .939 save percentage this season. He is PC's reason to believe. |
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UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT (2-3-0, 1-2-0)
National polls: 15/15 * Last week: NA
The Catamounts came into the year with hopes as high as anybody in Hockey East, but so far it's been a bit of a struggle. The last two weekends they've lost to Merrimack and Maine by an aggregate of 9-3. |
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UNIVERSITY OF MAINE (2-5-0, 1-2-0)
National polls: NR/NR * Last week: NA
A week after looking downright downtrodden in losing to UNH, the Black Bears showed some signs of life by beating Vermont. Still, to be a threat they've got to improve the league's worst defense (4.14 gpg). |
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NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (2-3-0, 0-2-0)
National polls: NR/NR * Last week: NA
After losing league MVP Brad Thiessen, goaltending was the preseason question for the Huskies -- but so far the problems have come at the other end. Northeastern (2.40 gpg) ranks last in scoring. |
