UM takes over No. 1 spot in Michigan college hockey power rankings

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Michigan's Will Lockwood (10) during a game last season. (MLive file photo)

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It's still early, but there is a new No. 1 in this week's Michigan college hockey rankings.

Every week, MLive will rank all seven in-state NCAA Division I teams, provide their latest results and look ahead to their next opponents.

There was a shakeup at the top, but there isn't much separating the teams just a few weeks into the season.

There is still just one team ranked in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, but two more are knocking at the door.

See how much movement there was in this week's rankings below.

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No. 7: Lake Superior State

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Record: 2-4 (0-0 WCHA)

Previous ranking: 4th

Last weekend's results: Swept by Michigan, losing 4-0 Friday and 4-3 Saturday

Highlights: The Lakers have now lost four in a row since a season-opening sweep over Merrimack.

They were outshot 28-24 Friday and couldn't solve Wolverines goalie Strauss Mann.

LSSU feel behind 3-0 in the first period before scoring two goals in 45 seconds in the second period.

After Michigan restored a two-goal cushion, junior defenseman Lukas Kaeble pulled the Lakers to within one 22 seconds into the third. Kaelble also had an assist, while junior forward Yuki Miura recorded two assists.

LSSU has allowed 15 goals during its losing streak.

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Up next

The Lakers continue their tough stretch with a road series against No. 5 Notre Dame on Friday and Saturday.

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No. 6: Michigan Tech

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Bowling Green forward Sam Craggs (25) and Michigan Tech forward Raymond Brice (23) try controlling the puck during the first period of a Great Lakes Invitational college hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Record: 2-2 (0-2 WCHA)

Previous ranking: 6th

Last weekend's results: No games

Highlights: The Huskies were idle, but their two losses against Alaska, predicted to be one of the bottom teams in the WCHA, the previous weekend don't look as bad after the Nanooks beat No. 9 Penn State 4-0 on Friday.

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Up next

MTU is back on the ice Friday and Saturday at Bowling Green (3-2, 0-0 WCHA)

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No. 5: Ferris State

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Ferris State's Coale Norris. Hunter Dyke | The Ann Arbor News

Record: 2-1 (0-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association)

Previous ranking: 7th

Last weekend's results: Split with Miami (Ohio), losing 4-3 Friday and winning 3-1 Saturday

Highlights: The Bulldogs had a rough start to the weekend, falling behind 3-0 in the first period Friday. Defenseman Lucas Finner and forward Jake Transit (Royal Oak) pulled them to within one with goals at the 14:58 and 15:41 mark of the second, but the RedHawks (1-3-1) restored their two-goal lead two minutes later.

Forward Oskar Andren, a transfer from Boston University, gave Ferris a chance with an early goal in the third.

On Saturday, forward Coale Norris (Oxford) scored his second of the season to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead, and Finner added a power-play goal at the 4:12 mark of the third.

Sophomore goalie Roni Salmenkangas made 33 saves to improve to 2-0.

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Up next

The Bulldogs open WCHA play at home Friday and Saturday against Northern Michigan.

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No. 4: Michigan State

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MSU goalie Drew DeRidder (1) hydrates during the third period of the NCAA hockey game between University of Michigan and Michigan State University at Yost Ice Arena, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 in Ann Arbor. (Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com)

Record: 1-1 (0-0 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: 5th

Last weekend's results: No games

Highlights: The Spartans had an exhibition game against the U.S. National Team Development Program on Friday, winning 2-1.

Patrick Khodorenko and Gianluca Esteves scored for MSU.

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Up next

The Spartans travel to Colorado College on Friday and Saturday.

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No. 3: Western Michigan

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Record: 1-2-1 (0-0 National Collegiate Hockey Conference)

Previous ranking: 1st

Last weekend's results: Swept by Bowling Green, losing 2-1 Friday and Saturday

Highlights: I know last week I wrote the Broncos had a strong grasp on the No. 1 spot, but after getting swept in a home-and-home series against the Falcons, plus two teams behind them having solid weekends, WMU drops a couple spots this week.

However, it is still the only Michigan team in the USCHO.com poll, dropping four spots to No. 18.

WMU forward and St. Louis Blues draft pick Hugh McGing tied Friday's game at the 13:58 mark of the third, but Bowling Green retook the lead with 4:26 remaining.

The Broncos were outshot 38-21.

On Saturday, senior forward Dawson DiPietrio gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead early in the second, but the Falcons equalized midway through the period.

It took Bowling Green just 11 second into overtime to win it.

The good news for WMU? A strong weekend against one of the team's in front of them could put them back at No. 1.

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Up next

The Broncos have a home-and-home against Michigan this weekend, beginning Friday in Ann Arbor.

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No. 2: Northern Michigan

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Record: 2-1-1 (0-0 WCHA)

Previous ranking: 3rd

Last weekend's results: Finished 1-0-1 against then-No. 20 Boston University, tying 4-4 Friday and winning 4-3 Saturday

Highlights: The Wildcats scored three unanswered goals in the third period Friday to earn a tie. Forward Joseph Nardi had a goal and an assist, while defenseman Hank Sorenson and forward Griffin Loughran each had two assists.

Forward Vincent de Mey also scored before adding two goals on Saturday, including the game-winner. He already has five goals this season.

Forward Darien Craighead, who scored the game-tying goal Friday, added a goal and an assist Saturday.

If NMU's offense keeps rolling, the team could be a serious contender in the WCHA.

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Up next

The Wildcats begin conference play Friday and Saturday at Ferris State.

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No. 1: Michigan

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Record: 2-1-1 (0-0 Big Ten)

Previous ranking: 2nd

Last weekend's results: Swept Lake Superior State, winning 4-0 Friday and 4-3 Saturday

Highlights: The Wolverines jumped out to early leads both nights, with Nolan Moyle scoring 5:30 into Friday's game.

Defenseman Nick Blankeburg, forward Jack Becker and senior captain Will Lockwood (Bloomfield Hills) also scored, while Strauss Mann made 24 saves for the shutout.

Becker, the Big Ten third star of the week, scored two more goals in the first period Saturday to give Michigan a 3-0 lead, but the Lakers pulled to within one at the 6:38 mark of the second. Defenseman Jack Summers (Livonia) netted his first goal of the season less than two minutes later to restore the two-goal cushion.

Mann made 23 saves to preserve the victory.

Overall, it was a strong weekend for the Wolverines, but their lead at No. 1 is razor-thin.

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Up next

Michigan hosts WMU at 7:30 p.m. Friday before facing off in Kalamazoo at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

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More college hockey links

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

Big Ten standings

NCHC standings

WCHA standings

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Previous rankings

Week 1

Week 2 

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