EXCELSIOR, Minn. – The Trine University men's hockey team dropped one spot in the latest USCHO.com NCAA Division III coaches poll. They remain one of the ten best team currently sitting at tenth in the rankings.
The Thunder received votes totaling 88 points in this week's poll. They sit 15 points back from ninth-ranked Norwich University and five points ahead of Curry College. Two other members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) are ranked this week, with Adrian College sitting in third and St. Norbert College debuting at 12th.
Trine salvaged a series split against visiting Lawrence University. The Vikings got the best of the Thunder on Friday with a 4-2 victory. On Saturday, the home side came from behind in the third period to force overtime and eventually come away with a 3-2 win on senior night. Sam Antenucci scored the game winner in extra time, while Matteo Ybarra accounted for the team's other scores in the contest.
After the two-point weekend, the Thunder enter the final week of regular season in a battle for the NCHA Peters Cup, given to the regular season champion. Currently Trine sits at 37 points, with Adrian ahead with 41 and St. Norbert just behind at 36. The Thunder will secure their first ever Peters Cup with at least five points (a regulation and an overtime win) against Adrian this weekend.
The team has already secured home ice for the first round of the NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs, unable to finish lower than fourth.
Trine will travel to face the Bulldogs on Friday, February 9 with opening puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. They will host the second half of the doubleheader on Saturday, February 10 also with a 7 p.m. start.
