When the Gophers men's hockey team plays St. Cloud State in a home-and-home series Saturday and Sunday, it'll be facing the nation's No. 1-ranked team.

St. Cloud State on Tuesday retained the No. 1 ranking in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, receiving 33 of 50 first-place votes. The Huskies (12-2-3) are host to the No. 10 Gophers (12-9-1) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, then visit Minnesota at 6 p.m. Sunday at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Notre Dame, Clarkson, Denver and Cornell rounded out the USCHO top five. North Dakota is sixth, followed by Minnesota State Mankato, Ohio State, Northeastern and the Gophers.

Randy Johnson

Three Gophers seniors in showcase

Three Gophers who recently completed their senior seasons — defensive back Adekunle Ayinde, running back Kobe McCrary and tight end Nate Wozniak — will participate in the College Gridiron Showcase from Saturday through Jan. 10 in Addison, Texas. The event provides exposure and education for college seniors from around the country. Players are selected by a panel and will be evaluated by scouts from the NFL and Canadian Football League.

• Former Gophers wide receiver Hunter Register, who announced after the 2017 season finale that he would transfer, posted on Twitter that Southern University will be his new school. Register, who played mainly on special teams last year for the Gophers and did not have a reception, will have two years of eligibility remaining and will be able to play in 2018 at the FCS school in Baton Rouge, La.

Randy Johnson

Johnnies on move in D-III basketball poll

St. John's rose five spots to No. 16 in the D3hoops.com men's basketall top 25 poll released Tuesday. St. John's (8-1, 4-0) is the only MIAC program ranked in the poll's top 25.