We’re almost a month into the college hockey season, and this weekend wraps up the opening month. Today’s newsletter looks at the teams in my preseason top 16, with some thoughts on what we’ve seen from each so far and what we might have learned in the first few weeks.
No. 1 Michigan (7-0-0)
The Wolverines have been the best team in the country, by far, through the first month. Michigan is undefeated, but even more impressive, it has trailed for just 9.7% of its total minutes this season. The Wolverines have led 63.9% of the time and been tied 26.4% of the time. That’s against a strong schedule, particularly of late. The sweep at Denver was impressive, even with Johnny Hicks out of the Pioneers’ net, and so was last Friday’s win over Western Michigan.
I doubt Michigan will keep up that kind of dominance over a full season. Frankly, it’s almost impossible. But even with some negative regression, the Wolverines are at least one of the top teams in the country, and I’d still argue they’re the best of the bunch right now.
No. 2 Quinnipiac (4-2-0)
The Bobcats have losses at Maine and at home against Army this past weekend, and the Army loss certainly sticks out as an odd one.
Quinnipiac also handed Merrimack its only loss and UNH one of its two, along with Michigan State.
Like Michigan, Quinnipiac has played with the lead more often than not (60.1% of the time).
