Hockey East Power Rankings - 11/2/09

By Chris Aliano

1.  UMass-Lowell (4-2-0, 2-1-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 1) – In the aftermath that was the epic BU-UML home-and-home Halloween series, the River Hawks hang on to the top spot for a number of reasons: they were the more physical team both nights, they dominated on faceoffs Saturday night, and they dictated the style of play both at home and on the road.  They could have arguably swept both games from the Terriers if not for a fluke goal by Zach Cohen in the third period Friday night.  Michael Scheu found the back of the net in both games, while Nevin Hamilton came up with 24 saves for the win.  The River Hawks head to No. 15 Vermont on Friday before returning to square off against UNH on Sunday.

2. UMass (4-1-0, 3-1-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 4) – The last unbeaten Hockey East team falls, and the Minutemen were nearly swept by upstart Providence.  UMass needed a three-goal third period on Friday night at Schneider Arena to get by the Frairs.  Providence returned the favor the next night on the road, quieting a UMass offense that has scored 3.80 goals per game.  A home-and-home with CHA-foe Niagara is on the slate for this weekend.


3. BU (2-3-0, 1-2-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 5) – The Terriers were able to steal a win from UML on Friday night at Tsongas Arena before falling 3-2 on Halloween at home.  Junior defenseman Colby Cohen netted the game-winner in overtime.  Sophomore blueliner David Warsofsky had a big weekend, scoring two goals Friday night and collecting three points through both games, earning Hockey East Player of the Week honors in the process.  Aside from those two and the steadily improving play of the special teams, not much else went right for the Terriers.  They were outplayed beneath the dots both nights, and were terrible in winning faceoffs.  A pair of away games are in store for this weekend: a trip to the newly renovated Matthews Arena to take on Northeastern on Friday, and a trek to Orono on Sunday against Maine.

4. Providence (5-2-0, 1-1-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 8) – Someone forgot to give Providence the memo that it wasn't supposed to be this good this early.  Instead, the Friars come off a huge weekend having to feel good about themselves.  They took a game from No. 19 UMass on the road, and led 3-2 against the Minutemen heading into the third period at home before falling 5-3.  Still, Providence had four wins when it faced BU for the first time last January, so the hot start is all the more encouraging.  Sophomore goalie Alex Beaudry stopped a ridiculous 78 shots through both games, including a career-high 47 in their victory, earning him Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week honors.  Even more impressive: UMass outshot Providence 21-0 in the final period of that game and was still unable to score.  The Friars head to free-falling Vermont on Sunday.  

5. BC (2-2-0, 1-2-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 6) – What do we make of the Eagles?  John Muse has not looked good in the early goings, they're struggling to score and giving up four goals per game in the conference, and saw a 3-0 lead against Merrimack go out the window before rallying to beat the Warriors 4-3 Friday night at home.  Brian Gibbons had a four-point weekend, but no one has really stood out early on for BC.  This weekend it will have struggling UNH and Northeastern to look forward to.  Maybe we'll know more about this enigmatic Eagles squad afterward.

6. Merrimack (5-3-0, 2-1-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 7) – The Warriors are 5-0 at home and are playing some tremendous college hockey at the moment.  Freshman forward Brandon Brodhag collected a goal and an assist in both games against the Eagles this weekend, earning him co-Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week honors.  Merrimack is idle this weekend, and will look to keep it going against BU in a home-and-home the week after.

7. Vermont (2-3-0, 1-2-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 2) –Does anyone know what's up with the Cats?  It's the second week in a row they've gotten upset by a (seemingly) inferior team, this time on the road, 4-1 to Maine.  The Catamount offense has struggled since opening up the season with a 4-1 drubbing of BC, perhaps a result of losing Viktor Stalberg to the NHL ranks.  They'll have to find other ways of lighting lamp if they want to pull out of this tailspin, and it doesn't get any easier this weekend hosting No. 8 UMass-Lowell and up-and-coming Providence.

8. UNH (2-4-1, 2-0-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 3) – Bad weekend for both cat-like mascots of the conference.  If you think Vermont had it bad, you must not have noticed both UNH scores from the weekend.  The Wildcats boarded a plane for Madison in high spirits and returned home with more questions than answers.  No. 18 Wisconsin was 1-2-1 heading into the weekend, but the Badgers used UNH as a springboard to get them back into the national picture, bludgeoning the Wildcats 4-1 and 6-1 Friday and Saturday night, respectively.  Could have been the jet lag, but let's be honest: the only positive to come out of last weekend for UNH was the play of netminder Brian Foster, who made 77 saves in both games.  Let's not forget that former Terrier goat Brett Bennett plays for Wisconsin now, so extra demerits for losing to him twice.  They host BC Friday before heading to Northeastern the next night.

9. Maine (2-5-0, 1-2-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 10) – The Black Bears trip up Vermont in their only game of the weekend, highlighted by the efforts of Co-Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week Adam Shemanksy.  The freshman forward scored a pair of goals to secure the win.  Sophomore Scott Darling had his best outing of the season, making 31 saves against the Catamounts.  Next big test comes this Sunday when No. 7 BU comes to town.

10. Northeastern (2-3-0, 0-2-0 HE - LAST WEEK: 9) – The Huskies fall to the bottom of the pack only because they were idle and didn't have the chance to pull the rug out from underneath anyone last weekend.  If they want to make any noise, they'll have the chance this weekend against both BU and BC.  You think Greg Cronin doesn't have his young squad up for that task?  Me neither.