Gophers women No. 1 in hockey poll

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: January 12, 2009 - 2:35 PM

The University of Minnesota women's hockey team has seized the No. 1 spot in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online poll, overtaking Wisconsin.

After Wisconsin's loss and tie to Minnesota, Duluth, this past weekend, the Gophers moved from No. 2 to the top rung. Minnesota took eight of 15 first-place votes, with Wisconsin grabbing the other seven.

The UMD Bulldogs round out the top three and are 13-6-3 overall.

Under head coach Brad Frost, the Gophers are 19-2-1 overall this season and 14-1-1 in the WCHA. Minnesota, on a 14-game winning streak, defeated Ohio State 9-2 and 12-1 last weekend.

Minnesota's previous loss was Oct. 26, when Wisconsin won, 2-1, in Madison.

The Gophers will play nine of their final 12 regular-season games at home, including a series at Ridder Arena this Friday and Saturday against Bemidji State.