Although the college hockey season is just beginning, there's already standings implications in Atlantic Hockey, as six pivotal points are on the line this weekend in Rochester, N.Y. Along with a number of intriguing non-conference matchups.

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Here’s a look at the season's first AHA showdown and what fans can watch for this weekend around the conference.

Pioneers & Tigers To Open AHA Slate

Sacred Heart came in atop the AHA's Preseason Poll as the Pioneers nabbed seven of the 10 first-place votes, earning the title of preseason favorite for a second consecutive year. SHU ended up finishing second in the AHA standings last spring with 53 points but with sophomore goaltender Ajeet Gundarah and three of their top four scorers back, expectations are high in Fairfield.

The Pioneers have never won an AHA title, something they hope change that this winter. The road starts this weekend at RIT, as both teams jump straight into conference action.

The Pioneers played a pair of exhibition contests against Merrimack and Simon Fraser last weekend, falling 3-0 and winning 5-1. While RIT defeated Western (Ont.) by a 6-1 final. RIT came in at No. 8 in the poll.

Friday's game will be the regular-season opener for both clubs, and both games will be available here on Flo. SHU went 1-0-1 against RIT last season but does trail in the all-time series, 18-34-3.

Got two at RIT this weekend for our first business trip of the season 💼#WeAreSHU pic.twitter.com/KCMWPSmhYp

— Sacred Heart University Men's Ice Hockey (@sacredheartmih) October 6, 2025

Trio Of Teams Battle Top-10 Foes

Three AHA teams will see a single-digit in front of their opponent this weekend, as Holy Cross, Air Force and Bentley will have early-season upset opportunities.

Holy Cross travels to No. 6 Maine for a pair of games in Orono. The Black Bears are coming off a 24-win season, NCAA Tournament berth and have followed it up with one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Holy Cross dropped its season-opener at Northeastern last Saturday, 6-4.

Air Force will host No. 5 Denver on Friday while Bentley heads to Denver on Saturday. The Pioneers reached the Frozen Four with 31 wins last spring and their roster features 14 NHL draft picks. Although the Tigers are currently unranked, Air Force will face Colorado College on Saturday as well -- a team that boasts nine NHL picks.

Men's Notes

• The AHA announced its Players of the Week on Tuesday. Canisius forward Grant Porter, Army defenseman Lukas McCloskey, Canisius goaltender Chase Clark and Niagara rookie Marshall Finnie took home the respective honors.
• Porter scored twice and added an assist as the Golden Griffins defeated Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Canisius is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 1998-99.
• Holy Cross forward Matt DeBoer enters the weekend with 119 career games played. DeBoer is tied for second among current Division I players.
• Niagara, Mercyhurst and Canisius will host series this weekend against Bowling Green, Union and LIU respectively. Army also plays at home Sunday afternoon against Stonehill. The full schedule can be found here.

Some good non-conference contests this week 😎#NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/XitPY7hqZN

— Atlantic Hockey America (@Atlantic_Hockey) October 6, 2025

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