Michigan is now a top-five hockey team after a road sweep over No. 7 Providence.
The Wolverines moved up five spots to No. 4 in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online poll , released Monday. They received eight of 50 first-place votes and are one of six Big Ten teams in the top 20: Michigan State (No. 3), Penn State (No. 6), Minnesota (No. 13), Ohio State (No. 16) and Wisconsin (No. 17). Boston University is No. 1, followed by defending national champion Western Michigan.
The Wolverines have had a rapid rise in the rankings after beginning the year at No. 12. The ascension comes courtesy of a 4-0 start, where they’ve outscored opponents 26-3.
Michigan’s new-look roster that consists of 14 newcomers – 11 freshmen and three transfers – has gelled immediately. It swept a lowly Mercyhurst