NCAA Men’s Power Rankings: Michigan State leapfrogs to No. 1

We had some exciting matchups across college hockey last weekend, and it led to some thrilling contests.

From a few top-five teams playing in New England to an exciting matchup in Grand Forks, a number of high-caliber squads created standout performances, leading to a little bit of a shake-up in this week’s Power Rankings.

Check out my Top 15 after Week 3 of action:

1. Michigan State

Record: 3-1-0
Last Week: 2nd

After a rather stunning loss to New Hampshire, the Spartans have responded well with three straight wins, including two statement victories over Boston University at Agganis last weekend, culminating in a wild overtime finish on Saturday night. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi saved what would’ve been the game-winning goal off the line. MSU then turned around with captain Matt Basgall scoring the winner, helping the Spartans complete the sweep at Agganis.

(Side note: Can someone teach those ESPN guys about puck? It’s Van-sah-gee!)

Basgall ended the weekend with three points, with Vansaghi picking up two points as well. Fellow Flyers draft Porter Martone, Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) each had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s victory.

The Spartans remain on the road this coming weekend, as they face off with former CCHA rival Northern Michigan.

2. Western Michigan

Record: 3-1-0
Last Week: 3rd

The Broncos showed a little bit of that firepower that led many pundits to put them as the No. 1 team in the country last weekend against UMass Lowell. The defending national champions entered the Tsongas Center and never allowed the River Hawks to gain any momentum, outshooting them 76-37 over the two games, sweeping Lowell by a combined score of 8-1. Los Angeles Kings draft pick Hampton Slukynsky made 36 saves in the two wins, with William Whitelaw (Blue Jackets) scoring three goals over the weekend. Ty Henricks (New York Rangers) scored twice in last Saturday’s 6-0 victory, with Grant Slukynsky and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Joona Väisänen each registering three assists.

Western Michigan gets set for a measuring-stick slate this weekend, as they prepare for a home-and-home against rival Michigan.

3. Boston University

Record: 2-2-1
Last Week: 1st

It’s almost as if the Terriers forgot to take Michigan State seriously in the first game of the weekend, and they looked pretty lethargic in the opening period last Saturday. They managed to turn things around and force overtime against the Spartans, but losing twice on home ice, no matter how good the opponent, isn’t the best look for BU. Sascha Boumedienne (Winnipeg Jets), Ben Merrill (Montreal Canadiens) and Conrad Fondrk (New Jersey Devils) totaled two points on the weekend, while goaltender Mikhail Yegorov did his best to go save-for-save against Detroit Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine.

Boston University opens up Hockey East action this weekend with a home-and-home against UConn.

4. Penn State

Record: 5-1-0
Last Week: 4th

Penn State had a strange couple of games against Long Island. The Nittany Lions needed a goal from Predators prospect Aiden Fink to come away with a 5-4 overtime win on Friday night, before pulling out a 3-0 win on Saturday. Gavin McKenna picked up just an assist in game one of the weekend, while Matt Dimarsico was the star of the show. After scoring a hat trick on Friday, the junior assisted on all three of PSU’s goals on Saturday. Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Charlie Cerrato scored a goal and four points on the weekend, giving him 15 points on the year, good for first in the NCAA.

The Nittany Lions remain at home this weekend for another easy matchup, this time hosting Stonehill.

5. Boston College

Record: 2-1-1
Last Week: 6th

The Eagles had just one game this past week, and put forth a convincing effort on the road against RPI. Boston College heavily outshot the Engineers, 41-11, rolling to a 5-1 victory. It was a needed “easier” weekend for the Eagles, who had a couple of tough games against Minnesota the week before, and have some intriguing matchups on the horizon. Boston Bruins prospect James Hagens scored twice in the win, with Dean Letourneau and Jake Sondreal each potting a goal and an assist.

BC has just one again this week, as they welcome Denver to Conte Forum.

6. Michigan

Record: 6-0-0
Last Week: 8th

The Wolverines picked on Robert Morris this past week. Though they only came away with a 4-2 win last Thursday, the maize and blue annihilated the Colonials on Friday with a 10-2 victory. The first game of the back-to-back wasn’t entirely pretty, as Adam Valentini’s two goals helped the Wolverines rally from a 2-1 deficit. They certainly left no doubt in Game 2, with Josh Eernisse and Jayden Perron (Hurricanes) each scoring twice. Perron ended up with three goals and an assist in the two wins.

Michigan will look to keep its unblemished record intact in its biggest test of the season, as the team faces Western Michigan in a home-and-home this weekend.

7. Quinnipiac

Record: 3-1-1
Last Week: 12th

Our biggest riser of the week is the Bobcats. The ECAC power showed some pizzazz last weekend in a pair of games against Maine. Quinnipiac rallied from a 4-1 deficit on Friday to pick up a tie against Black Bears, before controlling most of the second game of the back-to-back, coming away with a 4-0 victory. Jeremy Wilmer and Calgary Flames draft pick Ethan Wyttenbach came to play, scoring in both games. I was really impressed by Matej Marinov, who bounced back after a shaky game on Friday to pitch a 19-save shutout on Saturday.

Quinnipiac takes on a couple of more Hockey East foes this weekend, visiting Merrimack on Friday before taking on New Hampshire on Saturday.

8. Maine

Record: 2-1-1
Last Week: 7th

Playing in enemy territory can be tough, but I really thought Maine had the firepower to keep up with the Bobcats. However, how the Black Bears squandered that lead on Friday night, paired with a disappointing effort on Saturday, really left a sour taste in my throat for a team that’s expected to be in the thick of the Hockey East title race. Preds prospect Miguel Marques was one of the four goal scorers for Maine in Friday night’s draw.

The Black Bears are home this weekend for a couple of games against Colgate.

9. Denver

Record: 2-1-1
Last Week: 5th

Oof.

That’s the best way I can describe Denver losing another game to another team that shouldn’t be in the same league as them. Listen, I’ve been very impressed with how Keith Fisher got his Lindenwood team geared up for the weekend against the Pioneers, but that shouldn’t be enough to beat a team that has been to the Frozen Four in back-to-back years. Denver allowed the Lions to go stride-for-stride with them on Friday, leading to a 4-3 loss. The Pioneers quickly turned things around by winning 4-0 the next day, but it continues to shock me how Denver plays down to its competition.

DU has to find its game before a couple of tough games in New England this weekend. Along with facing Boston College on Friday, the Pioneers visit Northeastern on Saturday.

10. Minnesota

Record: 2-3-1
Last Week: 10th

I was happy with the Golden Gophers’ efforts this past weekend against North Dakota. They went into the Ralph and, for the most part, looked like the better team. They heavily outshot the Fighting Hawks both nights, even though they lost 5-2 on Friday night. Minnesota bounced back on Saturday, scoring four times in the third to come away with a 5-1 victory. Utah Mammoth prospect Tanner Ludtke scored twice for the Gophers, while Brody Lamb (Rangers) put up three points in Saturday’s win.

The Gophers prepare to face another former WCHA rival this weekend, as they host Minnesota Duluth.

11. North Dakota

Record: 3-1-0
Last Week: 9th

The reason I didn’t hold firm with North Dakota this week was because, despite garnering a split with Minnesota, the Fighting Hawks hardly looked like a team that was playing at home. They allowed the Golden Gophers to control play for long stretches on both nights, even when NoDak won on Friday night. When things started to unravel in the third period on Saturday, UND had no answer, leading to a 5-1 defeat. Rangers prospect EJ Emery scored twice on Friday, while Ellis Rickwood posted three assists over the weekend.

The Fighting Hawks hit the road this weekend, getting set for a couple of games against Clarkson.

12. Connecticut

Record: 2-2-0
Last Week: 14th

The Huskies had a week off to prepare for their weekend set against Ohio State, and they played in two very entertaining matchups. UConn survived a late surge to beat the Big Ten school 3-2 last Friday, before the home side gave up a couple of goals late on Saturday, losing 4-2. It was a solid test that I think saw the Huskies check off a few boxes, but I think they’re going to have to find ways to score goals in big moments if they want to be in the Hockey East Championship conversation again.

UConn is going to have its hands full this weekend, as the team opens its conference schedule with a home-and-home against Boston University.

13. Ohio State

Record: 3-1-0
Last Week: NR

I think a lot of us have been sleeping on Ohio State, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a lot of new star power in the Big Ten that’s bolstered a few of the top teams. Yet, the Buckeyes showed last weekend in Connecticut that they are no slouches. Max Montes has continued his strong start to the season, scoring in both games against the Huskies. The biggest thing for OSU is that they have to limit the grade-A chances in order to be successful later on this season, especially in a gun-ho league like the Big Ten.

Ohio State is back home this weekend for a couple of games against Sacred Heart.

14. Providence

Record: 1-2-0
Last Week: 12th

After dropping a couple of games to Michigan last weekend, the Friars built up a little bit of confidence last Saturday with a convincing 5-1 win over Providence. Will Elger scored twice in the victory, while Canadiens prospect Logan Sawyer also found the back of the net. I’m curious to see how the Friars try to ramp up their scoring against tougher teams, and when their conference schedule begins in a couple of weeks. I’m not giving up on them yet, but they need to find ways to take advantage of their chances.

The Friars head west this weekend for a pair of games against St. Thomas.

15. Massachusetts

Record: 4-1-0
Last Week: 15th

Speaking of giving up on teams…if the Minutemen keep playing like the way they have, they might be knocked out of the top 15. Granted, Northeastern is a much better team than a lot of people are giving them credit for. However, almost losing to AHA squad Bentley, on home ice…not the best look for a team trying to keep up with the upper echelon of Hockey East. Thankfully, Colorado Avalanche prospect Francesco Dell’Elce was the hero to give UMass a 4-3 win. Vaclav Nestrasil (Chicago Blackhawks) continues to have a strong start to his freshman campaign, potting a goal and two assists in Saturday’s victory.

UMass is in for a tough weekend ahead, as they visit Omaha for a couple of contests.

Honorable Mentions: Colorado College (5-1-0), Minnesota Duluth (5-1-0), Wisconsin (2-0-2), Augustana (3-1-0)