We’ve had quite a cluster you-know-what at the top of the Division III poll for several weeks, with as many as six teams getting first place votes. This week we had a tie for the first time that I can remember, and I’ve been with USCHO since the inception of the poll. I think there’s a couple of reasons for the madness:
– We went from 15 to 20 voters this season, adding more coaches and writers. More people means more opinions.
– There are a lot of really strong teams out there right now. Four teams are undefeated (Elmira, Babson, Southern Maine and New England College), and there are six teams in the poll with just one loss and four others with just two.
So who’s number one? One can make a case for either Plattsburgh or Elmira. I’ve got to give the nod to Elmira on the basis of a 3-2 head-to-head win, Plattsburgh’s only loss. But the Cards have played five more games at this point, so we’ll have to wait and see what Elmira’s record is after 12 games. Frankly, I think they’ll still be undefeated as I don’t see a real challenge for the Soaring Eagles until the end of January when they host Utica. Geneseo on 1/12 has a shot, but I think Elmira is on its way to a 20 win season for the first time since 1999-2000.
