The Denver Pioneers came in at No. 1 on both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine NCAA Division I Hockey polls this week, both of which were announced Monday.
.@DU_Hockey takes over the top ranking in Week 7 of the USA Today/@USAHMagazine Men's College Hockey Poll: https://t.co/bVd5j20seh pic.twitter.com/ErSaFxPsQG
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) November 14, 2016
Denver went 1-0-1 at North Dakota this past weekend to extend its unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1). The Pioneers (7-2-1, 3-0-1-0 NCHC) will next face conference rivals Miami (3-6-2, 0-4-0-0 NCHC) this coming weekend at Magness Arena.
Last year the Pioneers fell in heartbreaking fashion to North Dakota in the national semifinal, 4-2. It was Denver’s first return to the Frozen Four since winning back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005.
This is the first time since March 15, 2010 that the Pioneers have been ranked No. 1 in the nation.
For @DU_Hockey, it's the first time since March 15, 2010, that the Pioneers have been ranked No. 1 in the #USCHO poll.
— USCHO.com (@USCHO) November 14, 2016
That year Denver advanced to its 20th NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the West Regional in Minneapolis, Minn. The Pioneers were defeated, 4-2, by Miami University and former DU assistant coach Enrico Blasi in that tournament.
Denver edge Minnesota-Duluth, who had previously occupied the top spot, for No. 1 after the Bulldogs dropped a game on Friday night to Western Michigan. Denver swept WMU in a weekend series at the end of October. The Pioneers will host Duluth on Dec. 9 and 10.
Featured Image Credit: DenverPioneers.com