This is the last Power Rankings until the end of the playoffs. And if the playoffs are anything like the regular season in Atlantic Hockey, it should be a very fun and exciting couple of weeks.

1. Air Force – The Falcons clinched the regular season title and a first round bye this weekend. They face the winner of the Canisius/UConn matchup next weekend.

2. Niagara – The Purple Eagle’s second half surge culminated in the No. 2 seed in the AHA tournament and a first round bye. After a weekend off, they will face the winner of the AIC/Robert Morris series.

3. RIT – The Tigers took just one point from last weekend and settle for the three seed and a first round bye. They will face the winner of the Bentley/Sacred Heart series. (more…)

It came down to the final day but we finally know who will be playing where in the playoffs. Air Force, Niagara, RIT, and Mercyhurst all earned first round byes.

Air Force – Thanks to a 3-0 win over Robert Morris on Saturday, the Falcons were able to claim to AHA regular season title. Adam McKenzie was the only Falcon to record multiple points this weekend, picking up three assists. Jason Torf picked up his fourth shutout of the season, doubling last year’s total in less games.

AIC – The Yelloe Jackets finished the regular season in tenth place. They took one point against UConn to assured themselves that they wouldn’t finish in last place. Blake Peake scored twice and picked up an assist to give him career highs in goals (5), assists (8), and points (13).  Adam Pleskach also had a three point weekend, scoring once and adding two assists. (more…)

It’s all come down to this: one weekend to decide everything. No one has clinched any spot. The only sure things are 1) Air Force will have a first round bye and 2) UConn and Canisius will play each other in the first round of the playoffs. Other than those things, everything is up in the air.

1. Air Force – The Falcons have already clinched one of the first round byes but don’t have the regular season title wrapped up just yet. They travel to Robert Morris.

2. RIT – The Tigers need just two points for a first round bye. And the regular season title is still in sights. They face Niagara.

3. Niagara – The Purple Eagles finish the regular season with a huge weekend against RIT. They can clinch a first round bye if they win. They have yet to lose to RIT as a Division I school. (more…)

Only one week remains in the regular and there is still a lot to be decided. The difference between first place and sixth place is just three points.

Air Force – The Falcons scored eight against Mercyhurst on Friday but probably should have saved some for Saturday as they fell 2-1. John Kruse, Stephen Carew, and Chad Demers each scored twice for the Falcons. It was the first career multi-goal game for Demers. Kyle De Laurell continued his best season of his career with three assists. In net, Jason Torf has regained the No. 1 job. He recorded his third shutout of the season on Friday and was riding a seven game unbeaten streak until Saturday.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets got back on the winning side after a sweep of Army. Adam Pleskach scored twice and has now scored in three straight games. Michael Penny had a goal and two assists to set a new career high with 13 assists. (more…)

Playoff positioning for many teams is still up in the air as we hit the last two weeks of the regular season. Eight teams still have a chance at a first round bye in the playoffs.

1. Air Force – The Falcons took three points from Niagara this weekend to stay in first place for the second straight week. They are undefeated in their last eight games. The Falcons host Mercyhurst this weekend.

2. RIT – The Tigers rebounded from being swept by sweeping Canisius. The Tigers have taken points in eight of their last 10 games and sit just one point behind Air Force for first place. They host Robert Morris this weekend. (more…)

Air Force – The Falcons are undefeated in their last eight games and continue to sit atop the standings. Stephan Carew scored twice for the Falcons. Kyle De Laurell had an assist and is just one point shy of tying his career high. Tim Kirby also scored. He now has 23 points on the season, tying his career high.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets score just three times en route to being swept by Bentley. They have now lost four straight. Adam Peskach, Steve Mele, and Nick Grasso accounted for all the Yellow Jackets scoring. Pleskach leads the team with 12 goals on the season.

Army – The Black Knights saw their three game winning streak snapped while being swept by Holy Cross. The Black Knights surrendered 10 goals while scoring just three. Mike Hull was involved in a three Black Knight goals, scoring twice and assisting on another. Andy Starczewski scored the other Black Knight goal and picked up an assist as well. Starczewski leads the team with a career best 19 points and 11 goals. (more…)

Not much changes in this week’s power rankings with many teams splitting their weekend series. Air Force jumps back to No.1 with a sweep of RIT while Niagara continues to rise after a seven game winning streak. Outside of the top four teams in the power rankings, there was very little shakeup from last week. And teams tightly packed in the standings, every game from hereon out is huge.

1. Air Force – The Falcons regain the top spot with a sweep of RIT. They are unbeaten in six straight games but will be tested against a very hot Niagara team this weekend.

2. Mercyhurst – The Lakers ended Niagara’s seven game winning streak but now will be on the road for four of their last six games. It starts this weekend with a home-and-home against Robert Morris. (more…)

Air Force – The Falcons are back on top of the Atlantic Hockey standings. After a slow start to 2012, the Falcons are off and running, riding a six game unbeaten streak. The Falcons swept RIT this weekend, surrendering just two goals. Jason Torf received both starts in net and produced his first shutout of the season on Friday. Tim Kirby had a goal and two assists. He has recorded points in eight of the last 10 games.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets scored just one goal while being swept by Holy Cross. Niellson Arcibal scored his sixth of the year to account for the Yellow Jackets only scoring.

Army – The Black Knights are riding a winning streak for the first time this season. Their 9-1 victory over the Royal Military Academy. Mike Hull, Zak Zaremba, and Danny Colvin all scored twice for the Black Knights. Marcel Alvarez chipped in with three assists. Matt Walsh made his first appearance of the season in net,  stopping both shots he faced. (more…)

1. RIT – A win and tie  against Mercyhurst propels the Tigers back to the top spot in the standings and the power rankings.

2. Mercyhurst – The Lakers had the first winless weekend since Nov. 25 and 26, and it cost them first place in the standings.

3. Air Force – The Falcons are starting to turn their play around and currently sit in a tie with Niagara for third place.

4. UConn – The Huskies have won six of their last eight games and appear to be picking up steam as we head towards the playoffs. (more…)

Air Force – The Falcons missed an opportunity to tie Mercyhurst for second in the standings. A win and tie against Canisus has them two points behind Atlantic Hockey leader RIT. John Kruse had a goal and two assists while Scott Mathis had a goal an assist for the Falcons. Kruse has now recorded at least one point in four straight games.

AIC – The Yellow Jackets snapped a four game losing with a split against Sacred Heart. The Yellow Jackets needed two third period goals on Saturday just to force overtime before winning in the extra time. Adam Pleskach scored twice, including the game winner on Saturday. Steve Mele assisted on three goals, giving him a career high nine assists and a four game point streak.

Army – The Black Knights picked up their first win since Dec. 30 on Saturday. Andy Starczewski, Bill Daly, Danny Colvin, and Josh Richards all had a goal and assist on the weekend. Starczewski leads the team with nine goals and 15 points. The nine goals is a career high. Richards goal and assist were both the first of his Black Knight career. (more…)