2022-23 Atlantic Hockey Power Rankings
Tiers Remain As February Nears
RIT only has a four-point lead atop Atlantic Hockey, but the Tigers have gone 5-0-1 in the new year and have a favorable schedule down the stretch.
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: 12-1-1-2 (17-6-1 overall)
A win and shootout loss to Mercyhurst were followed by a sweep of Arizona State, including a three-goal, third-period comeback in the second half of the series.
The No. 19-ranked Tigers only have a four-point lead atop Atlantic Hockey, but they’ve now gone 5-0-1 in the new year and have a favorable schedule down the stretch.
2. Sacred Heart (Last Ranking: 2)
Record: 10-4-3 (12-9-2 overall)
The Pioneers appear to be enjoying their new facility, holding a 1-0-1-1 record at Martire Family Arena.
The nonconference Connecticut Ice Tournament to end the month will see them play No. 1 Quinnipiac and a to-be-determined program.
Then, five more home games (of nine total games), all within conference, will see how the Pioneers prepared to make noise in the postseason.
3. AIC (Last Ranking: 3)
Record: 8-6-3-1 (13-10-5 overall)
The Yellow Jackets have gone 3-1 since the last rankings, and two missed points in overtime wins still have them five points back from the Pioneers and nine points back from a potential fifth straight regular-season title.
They get a chance to make up immediate ground with a home-and-home against Sacred Heart this week in a must-watch matchup.
4. Mercyhurst (Last Ranking: 5)
Record: 6-4-1-5 (7-14-3 overall)
Consistent points are keeping the Lakers afloat and in good standing for home ice as the postseason nears.
Over their past 13 conference games, they have failed to leave the ice without at least a point just two times.
Reliable goaltending is supporting the offense, which has come in waves this season and has been held to fewer than two goals three times in their past five games.
5. Holy Cross (Last Ranking: 7)
Record: 6-7-1-2 (7-14-3 overall)
A sweep over Air Force by a combined score of 9-3 lit a fire under the Crusaders, who then took Sacred Heart to a shootout, despite a losing effort.
Hosting RIT this week brings another challenge, but a favorable February sees four programs currently below the Crusaders in the conference standings come in succession. Their fate is in their own hands.
6. Niagara (Last Ranking: 4)
Record: 6-8-2 (12-10-2 overall)
The Purple Eagles dropped three-straight, including Air Force’s first win in nine games, after the last rankings and now sit outside home ice for the conference tournament due to a tiebreaker.
Vulnerable Army and Canisius programs are on the docket for this week and next, offering 12 points to get a jump back in the standings. But, with each program just two and five points away from jumping the Eagles, respectively, they’ll come prepared.
WHAT A FINISH!#Uncommon pic.twitter.com/Qh3LGfkqkW
— Niagara University Men's Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) January 22, 2023
7. Army (Last Ranking: 6)
Record: 5-6-1-3 (7-13-3 overall)
The Black Knights have just one win in the new year but have managed five points during a three-game point streak. They get a crack at an ailing rival when they host Air Force this week.
Struggling Niagara is up next, and the Knights’ favorable remaining schedule could see a late surge for Army.
8. Canisius (Last Ranking: 8)
Record: 3-6-3-2 (7-12-3 overall)
The Golden Griffins finished second in Atlantic Hockey last season, but streakiness has pulled the feathers form the Griffin’s wings, as they sit in eighth place entering the final week of January.
Yet, a three-game point streak with a 2-0-1 record has them on the good side of that streakiness, with a sinking Niagara program visiting this week.
A remaining schedule features top teams and basement-dwellers, as a late-season push has potential.
9. Bentley (Last Ranking: 10)
Record: 4-11-1 (7-16-1 overall)
A sweep over Niagara and a shootout win over Canisius has brought some life to the Falcons and lifted them out of the bottom rank for the first time since Oct. 24.
Yet, the road doesn’t ease up, as four of their five remaining series come against rankings leaders, with Army the exception as the season-ending matchup.
10. Air Force (Last Ranking: 9)
Record: 3-10-0-1 (7-15-2 overall)
The Falcons snapped a nine-game, regulation losing streak with a surprising 6-3 effort over Niagara this week, but they found themselves back in the losing column the next night.
With 12 games remaining on the schedule, there is a lot of hockey yet to be played.
While every program sits above them in the standings, the top three in RIT, Sacred Heart and AIC will look for easy points over the Falcons in February.
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