MCHA Releases Preseason Poll
MILWAUKEE -- Adrian College has been selected as the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 1 hockey team for the fourth-straight season, according to the league's 2011-12 preseason coaches poll released today by the league office.
The Bulldogs received 46 points, garnering four possible first-place votes from the leagues eight head coaches (coaches could not vote for their own team).
They are now 102-12-2 overall after four seasons in the league and have claimed the past four MCHA regular season and Harris Cup titles.
A year ago, the Bulldogs again spent most of the campaign in the top 10 of the national poll, eventually going on a postseason run that culminated in an NCAA championship game appearance and runner-up status after a tough 4-3 loss to St. Norbert.
MSOE received three first-place votes and finished second with 42 points. The Raiders went 21-6-1 a season ago, ending the campaign at No. 14 in the final national poll. Marian University made it a three-team race, earning the final first-place vote and 41 points in the poll. The Sabres went 19-8-0 last year, winning the MCHA Northern Division title and receiving votes in the final national poll of the season.
Lawrence University (14-13-1) was fourth with 31 points, with a group of three teams grouped tightly behind the Vikings.
Northland College (9-16-2) and
Finlandia University (3-21-0) tied for fifth place with 19 points,
with Lake Forest College (5-21-1) right behind at 18.
Concordia University Wisconsin (2-22-1) was eighth
with eight last place votes.
The MCHA enters its 14th season this fall, getting
regular season play underway October 21. That evening, Concordia
hits the road to play the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Marian
hosts the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
The USCHO.com preseason poll was also released this week and has Adrian at No. 4 - the highest-ever preseason ranking for an MCHA team - and MSOE at No. 14. Marian is again receiving votes as well.
MCHA Preseason Coaches
Poll
Adrian: 46 points (4 first-place votes)
MSOE: 42 (3 first-place votes)
Marian: 41 (1 first-place votes)
Lawrence: 31
Northland: 19
Finlandia: 19
Lake Forest: 18
CUW: 8
