We’ve reached the midpoint of the season and the standings are starting to take shape. While Niagara is starting to pull away from everyone else, the rest of the standings are still jumbled. But its holiday time which means non-conference games and holiday tournaments. At the midpoint, it’s starting to look like no one is going to beat the Purple Eagles. They hold a five point lead over second place Holy Cross with a game in hand.

1. Niagara – The Purple Eagles are undefeated in their last 12 games but there could be some cracks in the armor. They’ve fallen behind 2-0 in each of the last two games. That can’t happen against better opponents.

2. Holy Cross – The Crusaders haven’t lost in three games and completed a sweep of Penn State last week. The next two weeks could be big as they face Yale and travel to North Dakota for two games.

3.Robert Morris – The Colonials appear to be hitting their stride. They haven’t lost in four straight and “swept” Ohio State last week. The Colonials won in Columbus and then won the shootout in Pittsburgh but it’s still recorded as a tie.

4. Army – The Black Knights have points in their last four Atlantic Hockey games and while they lost to Merrimack, they still had a chance to win that game. They continue to be the surprise of the Atlantic Hockey season.

5. Bentley – The Falcons ended a three game losing streak with a tie against Air Force. But that doesn’t mean they are righting the ship. They have Northeastern and UMass-Lowell coming up on the schedule.

6. Air Force – Air Force has turned a corner it seems. They haven’t lost in three straight and are starting to climb the standings. They certainly have the potential to get back to the top of the standings.

7. Mercyhurst – The Lakers surrendered seven goals to AIC in a loss last Friday and continue to struggle with consistency.

8. RIT – Like Air Force, RIT looks to have turned a corner. The Tigers haven’t lost in three straight and have points in four of the last five.

9. Canisius – The Gold Griffins continue to have a stingy defense and have won three straight and have points in the last four games. They’ve allowed just three goals in those four games.

10. UConn – The Huskies season long struggles continue. They host the UConn Hockey Classic in two weeks.

11. AIC – The Yellow Jackets had complete opposite games last weekend scoring seven then surrendering seven.

12. Sacred Heart – The Pioneers continue to be the only winless team in Division I hockey.

Thursday, December 13th, 2012 - 3:52 pm | Atlantic Hockey