March 2, 2003
INCH Power Rankings

Related Links
Seeding speculation:
INCH 4x4
Last week's rankings
USCHO.com Poll
USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll

Our top four teams all captured league titles over the weekend, but you can be sure they have more in mind. In the East, the ECAC and Hockey East get started with the postseason this weekend. Elsewhere, the regular season wraps up, although the only championship that no one has laid claim to is in the MAAC. Looking down the road even further, check out our INCH 4x4, which projects what you might see in the NCAA Tournament regional pairings.

Here's how the Inside College Hockey editors and staff ranks the nation's top teams. You can let us know what you think and we'll share your thoughts below.

1. Colorado College

We're going to chalk up those nine goals against on Saturday night to clinching the McNaughton Cup the night before. But it still raises eyebrows.

2. Ferris State Bulldogs clinched share of CCHA regular season title last weekend. They've only finished better than sixth in the league on three occasions, and never higher than third.
3. Cornell The biggest difference between Cornell and Yale Saturday night? Dave LeNeveu. He earned the shutout, and deserves all the accolades coming his way.
4. New Hampshire Impressive in earning a share of the league title. But you have to wonder if they would have rather finished second and faced Merrimack in the first round, who they haven't lost to in 28 meetings.
5. Maine 1 Black Bears really haven't been on their game in a month. But they played well this weekend, and the playoffs are here – their favorite time of year.
6. Boston College 1 Patrick Eaves to return for the playoffs. That's college hockey's equivalent of a blockbuster NHL trading deadline deal.
7. Minnesota 2 How good would the Gophers be if they didn't spot opponents three-goal leads?
8. Michigan 1 With 17 goals against in the last five games, Wolverines' goaltending suddenly looks vulnerable.
9. Minnesota State Univ., Mankato 1 Shane Joseph scored four goals Saturday night without his running mate, Grant Stevenson (shoulder). That doesn't mean he doesn't want him back soon.
10. Providence 2 Has there ever been a first-round series with more at stake than this weekend's PC-BU tilts? Must-see TV on Thursday.
11. Boston University 2 Two goals in three seconds? They don't even score that fast in the NBA.
12. North Dakota 2 The Sioux have won once in their last 10 outings (1-7-2).
13. Denver 2 Pioneers could finish fourth; they could finish seventh. Home-and-home with Colorado College not a great opponent to face when trying to secure home ice.
14. Harvard 1 Dominic Moore has 9-10—19 during his current eight-game point-scoring streak. Hard to believe he missed an overtime penalty shot Friday night.
15. Ohio State 1 Had a chance to challenge for CCHA title, but have lost four of last five.
16. Michigan State Spartans turned in an impressive performance with a split against Michigan, especially without Jim Slater.
   
Bubble-licious  

Minnesota-Duluth; St. Cloud State; Dartmouth; Alabama-Huntsville

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