Blugold Men's Hockey Jumps in Latest National Polls

The UW-Eau Claire men's hockey team has reached its highest ranking ever in both the USCHO.com and D3hockey.com Top 15 polls.

In the Nov. 19 USCHO.com poll, the Blugolds are ranked fourth, moving up from No. 8 last week, which was previously the Blugolds' highest ranking ever. Out of 237 USCHO.com polls going back to 1997, the Blugolds have only been ranked in the top 10 five times including the past two weeks. On Nov. 17, 2008, Eau Claire was No. 9 while being No. 10 on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 2008.

In the Nov. 19 D3hockey.com poll, the Blugolds are No. 3, the highest ever in the poll which started last season. Eau Claire's previous best ranking was No. 12 on both Jan. 9 and Jan. 23, 2012. Eau Claire also received one first place vote in the latest poll.

This season, the Blugolds are currently 7-0-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the NCHA, in first place. It's the first time since 1982 the Blugolds have not lost a game over their first eight contests.

The Blugolds are coming off a weekend series at St. Norbert, which was ranked No. 3 at the time. The Blugolds won 5-3 the first night and tied 3-3 the second night. It was the first time since 1995 St. Norbert didn't get at least one win against Eau Claire in the back-to-back series.

Coming up this weekend, the Blugolds will host Concordia University (Wis.) both Saturday and Sunday at Hobbs Ice Center. Saturday's game is slated for 7 p.m. while Sunday's game, which is Youth Day, will begin at 2 p.m. After the game, children can skate with the team.

View Nov. 19 USCHO.com Poll

View Nov. 19 D3hockey.com Poll