Minnesota rises, Minnesota Duluth enters latest women’s hockey Power 5 rankings

With more rink action this week, here is Jordan Menard’s latest women’s ice hockey Power 5 rankings, one week before the December holiday break.

1. Ohio State (Previous: 1)

Despite the 2-1 loss to St. Cloud State on Friday, the Buckeyes resurged on Saturday in a rematch versus the Huskies in a vengeful 6-2 victory. In that match, Cayla Barnes struck first, followed by a St. Cloud State equalizer in the opening period. In the second, though, the Buckeye attack was unleashed as Ohio State struck 19 times and scored on four of those attempts, highlighted by back-to-back Olivia Mobley goals. Joy Dunne sealed the deal by converting a power play opportunity in the third. This weekend’s performances still leave Ohio State with the second-best record in the country at 14-2-0, as the Buckeyes look toward Minnesota State before the break.

2. Minnesota (3)

The Golden Gophers out-scored the Bemidji State Beavers 18-3 to sweep them this weekend. Bemidji State got on the board first, before an onslaught of seven unanswered shut down the Beavers until the third period. In the second contest, there were five different Minnesota goal-scorers in the first period alone, including junior Sadie Lindsay, who caged the opening goal — the first of her career. Minnesota hosts reigning champion Wisconsin next week in Ridder Arena for a top-notch show on ice.

3. Wisconsin (2)

The Badgers have now dropped three of the last of their four games, getting swept by Ohio State last weekend and splitting the series with Minnesota Duluth this Saturday and Sunday. Both contests were sold out; with the return of key defender Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first bout behind Britta Curl’s 30th career goal and an assist. On Sunday, however, neither team found the back of the net until the third period. Down 3-1 in the dwindling moments of regulation, Casey O’Brien cut the lead to one with three seconds to go, but it wasn’t enough to equalize.

4. Minnesota Duluth (NR)

Speaking of Minnesota Duluth, a 3-2 win over the 2022-23 champions earns the Bulldogs a top-5 spot. Goaltender Hailey McLeod returned to the lineup after not playing Saturday, and tallied a career-high 42 saves to thrust the Bulldogs to victory. What’s more, Ida Karlsson’s four blocked shots and three assists over the weekend got her WCHA Defender of the Week honors. St. Cloud State is next on the docket for Minnesota Duluth.

5. Colgate (5)

Colgate didn’t get action on the ice this week on its first bye of the season. In their last two contests against Minnesota Duluth, the Red Raiders were shut out in the first match, 3-0, and drew the second, 1-1. Looking for improvement, they face Syracuse this Tuesday evening.