The WSR DII poll is out for period 4.

Might get a better read on Depaul, Lindenwood and MSU after this weekend. Lindenwood has two against FLorida Gulf Coast and if they can win one or two (OK big if!) it should make for some even more interesting discussion comenext rating period.

Glad you kept MSU where they were, them giving up an average of 6 goals a game over a 5 game stretch in this period does not seem to make much of a case for moving them up.

Their one win over SLU is also tainted when you consider that Lindenwood's D1 team destroyed them 15 - 1 the next weekend. SLU is just not very good, certainly not a good D1 team.

When will the "Official" rankings be out?

Wow... thats all I can really say about WSR's 4th rankings is wow.. I understand that this is just two guys giving their personal opinions, but you think they would have a little more hockey knowledge than what they showed on their rankings.. I guess the top six are correct since Michigan did beat Central Michigan, even though Central Michigan beat Michigan State (Go figure..) But come on now, RMC Maroon ranked #7 is just ridiculous. Yea lately they have been on a good run, but the only decent teams they have beat are ISU and Mankato. The rest of the teams they have beat have been teams they should beat like Toledo, NIU, Marquette, ect. Lets not forget that they were swept by Lindenwood, took bad losses to teams like Dayton and Bowling Green, and were crushed by Depaul. So how could they be a head of Depaul and Lindenwood.. Amazing isn't it?? And St. Thomas as #10 is horrible too.. They haven't played anybody worthy of getting ranked. The only real ranked team they have beat is an overrated Minnesota team and they lost 3 other games to them. And they have split with ISU.. thats about all they have proven is they are about as good as ISU which has been on a bad streak as of late. Everyone else they have beat is not even in the rankings.. and they beat a horrible Nebraska team 4-3.. So why is St. Thomas ranked?? And it is hilarious how WSR then writes "dropped from top 10 Iowa, Lindenwood, SIUE" its to bad that Lindenwood and SIUE haven't been in the top ten all year.. And they are giving votes to Lindenwood.. a good team but you can't forget they were still swept by Iowa. I would be shocked if the #7 through 10 spots were anything like what WSR is predicting.. So for all of you that don't know that much about the rankings, word of advice don't take it to heart what you see posted by Web Sports Radio.. its just their opinion. But hey what do I know.. this is just my opinion.

The answer to the question is Friday.

To be honest JW, you have more than a few valid points. Even though we have done better than average in predicting what the pollsters were thinking through the first three periods (feel free to go back and compare), we have big doubts this time around. We will be happy if we get the first five or six right. The picture after that is anybody's guess, so we'll see!

Thought it might be useful to understand what criteria is being used.

Criteria Used (Random Order)

- Strength of Schedule

- W/L Record based on Strength of Schedule

- Comparitive scoring

- Complying with ACHA Policies

- Head to Head General Knowledge of Voter

- Overall W/L Good Wins/Bad Losses/H & A Records

I just wanted to clear a few things up.. Web Sports Radio has done a great job so far this season with predicting the rankings. And I do mean no disrespect and I realize I probably came off as an "*******" in my previous post. I just felt strongly that the bottom half of the rankings were incorrect. Once again this is only my personal opinion which doesn't mean much. But since I depicted WSR's rankings I feel its only fair if I now post my rankings so here we go..

1) Davenport
2) Grand Valley State
3) Michigan State
4) Missiouri State
5) Michigan
6) Central Michigan
7) Depaul
8) Minnesota
9) SIUE Gold
10) Iowa
11) Lindenwood
12) RMC Maroon
13) St. Thomas
14) St. Cloud State
15) Minnesota Mankato
And recieving votes Illinios State, Mizzou, Kansas

And wow that was harder than I thought it would be. Its really difficult when you know teams have a had some bad games starting second semester due to not playing for a month, guys missing, ect. A little justification here for my #7 spot through #15.. Depaul has a had a few bad losses to Mankato, RMC Maroon, and ISU but they have won the other game against these teams and have beat some good teams and have a strong schedule. Minnesota has also had some bad losses to but like Depaul, they seem to get the better of the team they have lost to in a different game.. I still think their over rated but its so close with these teams for now I have to give them the #8 spot. SIUE has had some wierd splits with Mizzou and ISU, but swept Iowa and has beat other teams pretty bad. Its tough to say they deserve to move up from #12 to #9, its so close with these teams where anyone can beat anyone on any given night, but with that big sweep on Iowa I have to give them #9. Iowa at #10 is simply from some of the big wins they had in the first half of the season. Sweeping Lindenwood, Kansas, and beating Minnesota and Mizzou are all big wins. The record doesn't look so impressive now, but the only D2 teams they have lost to are Missouri State, Minnesota, and SIUE. It really depends how they finish up with Kentucky and ISU to see if they end in the 10 spot. Lindenwood had some big wins like against Depaul but getting swept by Iowa and losing a game to Bowling Green doesn't help their ranking. RMC Maroon has been on a great streak, but losing to Lindenwood hurts. Their last series before their playoffs is against each other so that should really tell you a lot about where these two teams should stand. As for St. Thomas, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota Mankato these teams have each had big wins and some weak losses. The other problem with these three teams is they have a weak schedule to be ranked. They play each other so many times and play some D3 teams which I don't understand.. And I wish I could put ISU up there, they had that big win over Depaul but they have losses against Mizzou, SIUE, and got swept by Eastern and RMC Maroon which really hurts their ranking. I don't see ISU making the top 10 this season with those losses.. But I have bull****ted enough.. but there is my personal opinion on the rankings..

Oh yea Ckich I would love to see you opinion on what the rankings will be.. and you better hurry since they will be out in a day.

JW, you have way...WAY....too much time on your hands.
Get a girlfriend.

For starters, this thread has been one of the most "mature" one's that have been put up here, with exception of the previous anonymous post. Its one thing to be a fan boy and say your team is better than other's because "I said so". WSR and JW (thanks btw for posting some sort of initials) are giving their honest opinions and at least back it with some sort of stats, knowledge of other teams, etc. You dont have to like it, but at least respect it. Thats the stuff that makes a forum work, and im sure what JPower had in mind when he created this forum (read disclamer below). Keep the constructive discussion going!

Anyway, here's what I put together:

Period 4

1. Davenport (13-6-2-0-2) Sweeps GVSU, takes over #1 spot
2. GVSU (16-5) Overall wins, tough schedule leaves gives them a solid 2 spot
3. MSU (13-11-1-0-3) Currently slumping, strength of schedule and past wins keep them at 3
4. Mo State (18-8) 5-5 in their last 10 prevents them from moving up
5. Michigan (13-10)Swept #10 UNLV, beat Central Michigan, played Davenport close….once
6. DePaul (18-12-1) 7-4-1 in D2 play since Nov 30; W and T vs. #1 SE FGCU, split w/ #11 LU and #10 ISU and Sweep of #14 Dayton
7. Central Michigan (11-14) 1-11 since sweep of RMC- Maroon in mid-Nov; OT win vs. MSU, extremely tough schedule, and inconsistent lower seeds keeps them in the top 10.
8. RMC-Maroon (19-9-0-1-1) 1 loss since December (10-1 vs D2 teams) 2 ranked wins. Many bargain bin wins hold them at 8.
9. SIUE (13-11) Sweep vs. #8 Iowa, tough schedule, and previous #8, #10, and #11 seeds are slumping; moves them into the 9 spot, losses to Mizzou and Ferris prevent them from the 8 spot.
10. St. Thomas (17-5-0-0-1) (6-1 vs D3 and non-ACHA opponents) WCCHA Conference leader, split w/ ISU earlier in the season, weak schedule.
11. Mankato (12-10) Swept Minnesota, got swept by RMC-Maroon, weak schedule, 4 wins vs. D3 Schools
12. Iowa (13-9-1) Haven’t won a game since Nov 30, losses to #12 SIUE knock them out of the top 10
13. Mizzou (10-10-1) took 2 of 3 from #12 SIUE, 2-4-1 in last 7 games (all against ranked opponents); comparative scoring vs. Lindenwood puts them at #13.
14. Lindenwood (16-7-1) Earlier losses to Iowa keeps them behind SIUE; recent slump moves them back further.
15. Minnesota (12-5-3) Haven’t played may games since rankings period 2, play weak schedule, losses to unranked and low ranked teams drop them from contention.
16. St. Cloud (15-6-2) Split w/ Minnesota, Swept Kansas, and have 4 wins against D3 schools

That being said...the 8 through 10 isnt clinched yet. RMC-Maroon plays Illinois (D2) and Lindenwood. We play recent ranking killer Eastern, and GVSU, St. Thomas and Mankato may see each other in their playoffs which occur within the last rankings period. Iowa still plays Kentucky and ISU, Mizzou and Lindenwood still have big tilts left. Its gonna go down to the wire.

- Kich

hey

Web Sports Radio does an excellent job ranking the teams, and it refreshing to see how far good hockey knowlege goes. I have some mix reactions towards CKich30's last post, and more so in agreement with Dan's Unofficial ranking rather than Steve's.

1. Davenport - Beat Grand Valley State for the top spot, and have been the most consitent team in the NATION.
2. Grand Valley State - A tough loss to Ferris State, but still one of the top teams in the GHML, and a couple nice wins versus D1 teams separates them from the others.
3. Michigan State- Defending Champs, and look for them to turn it on down the stretch ! Split with Ohio State. Loss to Central Michigan was a tough one, but they continue to play the teams that are going to make them better.
4. Mizz. State Maroon – Versus FGCU on paper looked like a horrible performance, but a lot of distractions when your a team from the north trying to play hockey, while checking out babes on the beach + to my understanding team flu virus. Have continued to play well versus conference opponents. Conference may be down, or Maroon must be that good ?
5. Michigan - Will need to look for improvements from the Defensive standpoint if they want a shot at be successful in regions. Strong conference, and strong non-conference schedule boads well, but some sketchy losses.
6. Robert Morris College - Hitting there stride at the right time! Nice wins versus Mankato, but need to keep winning if they plan on staying afloat in the top ten.
7. Central Michigan- Have been playing miserable losing by large amounts, but against formidable opponents. Will need to step it up if they want to advance into regionals.
8. St. Cloud State – Have played consistent most of the year. Two wins versus d1 opponents, Swept Kansas, 2 wins versus Mankato, Splits with St. Thomas and Minnesota
9. St. Thomas – Sweep of Mankato, Split with St. Cloud and Minnesota, Split with ISU. Not a tough schedule, but wins.
10. SIUE – Swept Iowa, puts them over them as well as Minnesota. They’re on the bubble, so it important that they play well down the stretch including there conference tournament.
FLIP A COIN FOR THE REST _
Minnesota – 20 Games doesn’t really cut it, and no real convincing wins. Iowa ? St. Louis ? , only decent non-conference wins, because both teams that they beat are slumping badly which may hurt their stock.

Others : Lindenwood, Mankato, blah blah blah