![Michigan out shot the gophers in teh 1st period. Gopher goalie Justen Close stopped this shot by MichiganÕs Erik Middendorf in the 1st period. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. University of Minnesota vs Michigan State MenÕs Hockey at 3M Arena at Mariucci. ] Brian Peterson ¥ brian.peterson@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/T7AHTDHS4EOS7OE5FKUITR2U5Y.jpg?&w=1080)
The Gophers men's hockey team, which swept Michigan State 8-0 and 6-3 over the weekend, is ranked No. 1 in both the U.S. College Hockey Online and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls released Monday.
Minnesota (20-7-1) received 38 of 50 first-place votes in the USCHO poll and 27 of 35 first-place votes in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings. The Gophers took over the top spot from St. Cloud State (18-8-0), which was swept 5-3 and 6-3 at Minnesota Duluth over the weekend.
No. 2 Quinnipiac (20-3-3), No. 3 Boston University (19-6-0), No. 4 Denver (20-7-0) and St. Cloud State complete the top five in both polls.
The Big Ten has six of its seven teams in the top 20 of the USCHO poll. Joining the Gophers are No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 9 Penn State, No. 17 Michigan State and No. 20 Notre Dame.
Minnesota State Mankato, riding an eight-game winning streak, is No. 13 in both polls.
In the PairWise Ratings, the computer formula that the NCAA uses to help select and seed its 16-team tournament, the Gophers remain No. 1, followed by Quinnipiac, Boston University, Michigan and St. Cloud State.
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Gophers women upcoming
The Gophers women's team remained No. 3 in the USCHO poll and is host to a big WCHA series on Friday and Saturday when top-ranked Ohio State, the defending national champion, visits Ridder Arena. Minnesota holds a two-point lead in the WCHA standings over the Buckeyes.
