Gophers only Big Ten hockey team above .500

The Gophers are the only future Big Ten team above .500 this regular season, which is about half over.

Here is a look at the six teams that will form the Big Ten Conference in 2013-14:

Gophers, 13-3-3 overall ... 6-3-3 in WCHA with 15 points, tied for fifth place with Nebraska Omaha ... Last game: Beat No. 1 Boston College 8-1 on Sunday, which enabled U to jump up in PairWise ratings to a tie for sixth.

Ohio State, 7-8-5 overall ... 6-3-3-1 in CCHA with 22 points (conference uses a different formula for points than WCHA) fourth place ... Last game: Only other future Big Ten team in PairWise ratings, at No. 25. ... Last game: Lost to Penn State 5-4 on Sunday at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

Penn State, 8-9 overall ... Nittany Lions are an independent ... Last game: Beat Ohio State 5-4 on Sunday in the Three River Classic. Former Gopher Max Gardner had three assists for PSU. ... This was the first meeting ever between these teams. Penn State is a first-year program on the varsity level.

Michigan, 7-10-2 overall ... 4-7-2-2 in CCHA for 16 points, tied for seventh place ... Last game: Defeated Michigan State 5-2 on Sunday in consolation game of the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit. It's first time neither team was in championship game since 1981. ... Said Wolverines coach Red Berenson, in a uscho.com story: "I know it's not the Stanley Cup, but it's a good win for Michigan."

Michigan State, 5-11-3 ... 4-8-1 in CCHA for 13 points, ninth place ... Last game: Lost to Michigan 5-2 on Sunday in consolation game of Great Lakes Invitational.