Splits, Sweeps and a First in NCAA Men's Hockey

It was a weekend for splits, sweeps and firsts in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey, from Oct.21-24.

Michigan fell from the top spot in the national polls after first losing and then winning against Western Michigan in a home-and-home series that saw the visitor triumphing in both instances. Boston College lost to Colorado College on Friday at home, but rebounded to top No. 8 Denver the next night by a 5-1 score.

North Dakota, which defeated Quinnipiac in the 2016 NCAA title game in Tampa, split with the host Bobcats last Friday and Saturday in Connecticut. RIT edged Notre Dame in overtime on Thursday night, before the host Irish responded with a shutout win on Friday. Meanwhile, Merrimack split a home-and-home with Boston University in Hockey East play, while independent Arizona State salvaged a split at Colgate with an overtime win in the rematch.

Elsewhere, Clarkson swept Alaska (Fairbanks), Lake Superior State broomed Union, and St. Cloud State did the same to Wisconsin, with the home team winning in each of those instances. Minnesota-Duluth won both halves of a home-and-home with in-state rival Minnesota, and has now won five of its first six outings overall. Bowling Green earned a win and a tie against Miami, while UMass Lowell did the same versus Michigan State, and Sacred Heart did likewise at Maine.

Finally, Division I newcomer St. Thomas recorded its first-ever win at that level with a three-goal triumph over Ferris State on Saturday after falling to the visiting Bulldogs by a goal the night before.