2022-23 Atlantic Hockey Power Rankings

FloHockey’s bi-monthly evaluation on everything Atlantic Hockey. Find out which of the AHA’s 10 teams rise, fall or stay put as weekly series unfold in Atlantic Hockey.

1. RIT (Last Ranking: 3)

Record: 6-1-1 (8-2 overall)

The Tigers went 4-0 since the last rankings, sweeping Holy Cross and AIC during a five-game winning streak.

Four players at, or above, a point per-game are leading a potent offense made stronger by netminder Kolby Matthews’ consistently strong outings. Look out Atlantic Hockey.

2. Sacred Heart (Last Ranking: 1)

Record: 6-1-1 (6-2-1 overall)

The Pioneers remain near the top largely in part to a 3-0-1 record since last rankings, going unbeaten in four conference games, with 18 goals in that span.

A sweep of Canisius and two wins over Mercyhurst has the Pioneers with 20 points through eight games. They have just two losses in 11 outings – including two exhibition wins.

3. Niagara (Last Ranking: 9)

Record: 4-3-1 (6-3-1 overall)

The Purple Eagles soared to a 3-0-1 record and third place in the standings after a sweep of Bentley and two wins over Mercyhurst through seven different goal scorers.

RECAP | For the first time since 2017-18, Niagara completed an @Atlantic_Hockey regular season road sweep with 4-2 win over Bentley on Saturday!https://t.co/ix3fLaRUhr

— Niagara University Men's Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) November 6, 2022

Three non-conference games and an exhibition with the USA U-18 squad will round out November, where their third-place spot might get phased out through no available points.

4. Air Force (Last Ranking: 4)

Record: 1-1 (5-4-1 overall)

After a lopsided 8-0 loss to Colorado College, the Falcons claimed the second half of the series with a 6-3 win and a sweep of Alaska-Anchorage.

They will look to add to a three-game win streak with 10th-place Bentley visiting this week for both programs’ second conference series of the season.

5. AIC (Last Ranking: 2)

Record: 3-3 (5-4-2 overall) 

RIT handed the Yellow Jackets their first sweep since October 2021 in non-conference losses to Massachusetts. A response to Atlantic Hockey is certain to come.

Sitting at 2-6-1 a year ago, an unencouraging start isn’t enough to discount AIC. The Jackets’ will be in the running for their fifth-straight conference title come spring.

6. Holy Cross (Last Ranking: 8)

Record: 2-3-1-1 (2-7-1 overall)

A regulation and shootout win over Canisius has the Crusaders making the jump to eighth this week, despite dropping both games to RIT the previous series.

Held to just nine total goals over their past five games, the Crusaders’ fourth-place tie is held together by games played, with 3-5 more on the season than all five teams below.

7. Mercyhurst (Last Ranking: 10)

Record: 0-2-2 (1-9-2 overall)

The Lakers squeaked out a pair of shootout losses, earning two points since opening conference play. The Lakers will continue to grind out games after major losses on the transfer portal.

Coach Gotkin shares his thoughts on the game today⬇️☘️ pic.twitter.com/xMWagtdoDZ

— Mercyhurst Men’s Hockey (@HurstMensHockey) November 5, 2022

An exhibition with Ferris State (3-5-2) this week offers some down time to regroup ahead of Holy Cross on Nov. 18-19.

8. Canisius (Last Ranking: 5)

Record: 0-3-1 (2-8-1 overall)

The Golden Griffins opened conference play since the last rankings, earning just one point in four conference outings after a sweep by Sacred Heart and regulation and shootout losses to Holy Cross.

A six-game winless streak has been courtesy of an offense with just 10 goals in their past six outings. There’s too much talent up front for their current trajectory not to change.

9. Army West Point (Last Ranking: 6)

Record: 0-3 (1-7-1 overall)

The Black Knights broke a six-game winless streak with a decisive 8-3 win over Dartmouth, but two more losses to Lindenwood undid the confidence building.

Bentley and Canisius, which sit above and below Army in this week’s rankings, are the Knights’ next two opponents, offering more chances to regain confidence.

10. Bentley (Last Ranking: 7)

Record: 0-2 (2-7 overall)

The Falcons opened conference play with a sweep by Niagara, coming after a split with Lindenwood. Both wins on the season have come with allowing one goal, which says what it needs to for the offense.

A packed November has Air Force, Army and Sacred Heart in consecutive weekends, all for conference play.

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