The Gophers are No. 1 in the polls after winning the Ice Breaker Tournament last weekend at Notre Dame. They defeated in-state rival Minnesota Duluth 4-3, and topped RPI 3-0 in the championship game to win back-to-back Ice Breaker titles.
It was the program's third Ice Breaker championship and the first back-to-back title run of any program in the College Hockey Inc. tournament's 18-year history.
Defending national champion Union climbed to No. 2 after three of the top four teams lost their season openers. North Dakota lost to Bemidji State, Providence lost to Ohio State and Boston College fell to UMass-Lowell.
Minnesota Duluth climbed into the Top 20 after shutting out Notre Dame in the Ice Breaker consolation game. Minnesota State jumped a spot to No. 12 after splitting with Nebraska-Omaha. St. Cloud State fell one spot to No. 8 after a split with No. 6 Colgate.
The Big Ten added a fourth team to the Top 20. Ohio State's upset of No. 3 Providence placed the Buckeyes at No. 17 in the USCHO poll. Wisconsin dropped eight spots to No. 18 after losses to Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage over the weekend. Michigan fell to No. 10 after a loss to Ferris State on Oct. 4.
The Gophers women's hockey team dropped to No. 2 in the USCHO poll after tying Minnesota Duluth on the road. The Bulldogs went on to win the WCHA shootout and extra point in league standings. Unbeaten Wisconsin (6-0-0) takes over the top spot in the polls.
USCHO men's hockey poll.
USCHO women's hockey poll.
