University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Open Year as Preseason Favorites
9/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Sept. 29, 2014
Link: USCHO Poll
Link: USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Link: USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
MINNEAPOLIS (Gophersports.com) - Gopher Hockey will enter the 2014-15 season as the top-ranked team in the nation, according to both major national polls - the USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Preseason Men's College Hockey Poll.
The Maroon & Gold totaled 978 points in the preseason USCHO poll as well as 36 of 50 first-place votes while the Big Ten led all NCAA conferences with three teams ranked in the top 10. North Dakota, Providence, Boston College and Union round out the top five followed by Colgate, St. Cloud State, Michigan, Ferris State and Wisconsin.
Minnesota also led all schools in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll with 505 total points and 32 of 34 first-place votes. North Dakota, Providence, Boston College and Colgate round out the top five that poll followed by St. Cloud State, Michigan, Union and Miami. Ferris State and Notre Dame tied for 10th in the poll.
The 94th season of Gopher Hockey will see the Maroon & Gold look to defend the inaugural Big Ten regular-season conference title. Minnesota has won three-straight regular-season crowns entering the 2014-15 campaign and has reached the NCAA Frozen Four in two of the last three seasons including a national runner-up finish last year in Philadelphia. Minnesota opens the season with an exhibition game against the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology at Mariucci Arena on Oct. 4.
-Pride On Ice-
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