2022-23 Atlantic Hockey Power Rankings
Top Tier Remains, Army Marches Forward
A seven-game winning streak has the Tigers in command of the conference and sitting with their first national ranking of the season.
FloHockey’s bimonthly evaluation on everything Atlantic Hockey. Find out which of the AHA’s 10 teams rise, fall, or stay put as weekly series unfold in Atlantic Hockey.
1. RIT (Last Ranking: 1)
Record: 8-1-1 (10-2 overall)
The No. 20-ranked Tigers remain with a six-point lead in Atlantic Hockey despite coming off a bye week. A seven-game winning streak has the Tigers in command of the conference and sitting with their first national ranking of the season.
A home-and-home with Canisius is all that remains on the conference schedule for 2022, so games in hand could see a slip in the standings entering 2023. But series with Princeton and Penn State will keep them sharp.
2. Niagara (Last Ranking: 3)
Record: 4-3-1 (6-3-1 overall)
The Purple Eagles spent their bye week with an exhibition 8-5 win over the US U-18 program. It means nothing in the long-run, but keeps efficiency high with another W tacked onto a three-game win streak and four-game point streak.
A non-conference bout with Colgate over Thanksgiving will be their last series on home ice until the new year. A four-game conference schedule in December ends with another non-conference series at Miami.
3. Sacred Heart (Last Ranking: 2)
Record: 6-3-1 (6-5-1 overall)
The Pioneers have largely stuck to conference play this season, where they’ve fared well with a current second place standing. Three consecutive losses since last rankings aren’t enough to knock them down, given one was a non-conference mark and the other a sweep by RIT.
There should be some concern with just two goals during the losing streak, but given RIT’s seven-game winning streak and Merrimack’s six-game winning streak, the Pioneers ran into hot teams and need to maintain confidence.
4. AIC (Last Ranking: 5)
Record: 5-5-1 (7-6-3 overall)
The Yellow Jackets now sit third in the standings with a three-game point streak and have taken 11 of their past 12 possible points. It helps wash out a 2-2-1 mark since last rankings, but shows the Jackets are close to a run.
Goaltender Jarrett Fiske has taken the reins, playing in four of the past five and accumulating a 2-1-1 record in that span. Take notice, Atlantic Hockey.
Say Cheese! 🧀
— AIC Hockey (@AIC_Hockey) November 21, 2022
Jarrett Fiske is the AHA Goalkeeper of the Week for the second time this year! pic.twitter.com/aA8hiWsabw
5. Mercyhurst (Last Ranking: 7)
Record: 2-2-0-2 (3-9-2 overall)
A six-game losing streak to start the season was halted with an overtime win on October 21 before another loss. The ugly 1-7 start meant nothing for conference play.
An 0-2-2 conference mark at least puts a hand in the standings. Fast-forward to a sweep over Holy Cross with 3-1 and 4-1 wins and the Lakers are showing signs of life. Air Force visits this weekend to see if the Lakers can add to the turnaround.
6. Army West Point (Last Ranking: 9)
Record: (overall)
The Black Knights make a three-spot climb despite a ninth place standing in Atlantic Hockey. One of two perfect teams since last rankings, the Knights’ recent series with Bentley was much more in tune with coach Brian Riley’s expectations.
A 2-0 shutout and a 5-2 win could lead to a run with Canisius, Niagara, and Mercyhurst coming over the next three weeks.
7. Canisius (Last Ranking: 8)
Record: 2-3-1 (4-8-1 overall)
The Golden Griffins were the second perfect team since the last rankings, pulling them to a tie for seventh place. A sweep of AIC deserves credit, even when the Jackets are still warming up.
The Griffins hold a two-game winning streak and a three-game point streak, which includes their only conference wins on the season. The wins came with a decisive 5-2 victory and strong pushback after a 13-2 third period shot differential in the second game, due in no small part to one of the conference’s best defensive pairings.
Canisius boasts the stingiest defensive pair in Atlantic Hockey as the duo of Cody Schiavon and David Melaragni have seen just 3⃣ goals scored in their nearly 900 shifts together this season. #AHAStatoftheDay#AHA20 pic.twitter.com/JIYzi0Xdv4
— Atlantic Hockey (@Atlantic_Hockey) November 17, 2022
8. Air Force (Last Ranking: 4)
Record: 2-3-1 (6-6-2 overall)
The Falcons are flying low, but a refueling could be on the schedule with Mercyhurst and Holy Cross coming in back-to-back weeks.
There have been some inconsistencies both offensively and defensively, but when firing on all cylinders, the Falcons have shown to be a dangerous squad.
9. Holy Cross (Last Ranking: 6)
Record: 2-6-1-1 (2-10-1 overall)
Three goals over their past three games garnered three losses since the last rankings. The Crusaders still hold fifth place, but games in hand continue to threaten that position.
Every rival below them in the points column has 4-5 games in hand, meaning a few wins will quickly reshuffle Atlantic Hockey—but there’s a lot of season left.
10. Bentley (Last Ranking: 10)
Record: 1-5 (3-10 overall)
A 1-3 mark against the academies—including being shut-out twice—has the Falcons nested at the bottom of the conference standings.
They did pull out their first conference victory of the season over Army, which sits just three points ahead and one game in hand. With a 1-7 road record, and their next three games as visitors, the conference may start gaining more ground.
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