1. Wisconsin

New year – same team at the top. The Badgers are now winners of nine-straight after a sweep of Notre Dame to open 2024, ranked #3 nationally, and don’t look to be slowing down any time soon.

2. Michigan State

Michigan State was idle this past weekend. But before the new year, they finished as runners-up in the Great Lakes Invitational, only losing in a shoot-out to Michigan Tech. They are sitting comfortably above the rest of the field.

3. Minnesota

A split with Colorado College did not hurt the Gophers in this week’s list, primarily because Michigan has been sitting at home for the past month-plus, but it did it hurt them nationally.

4. Michigan

Michigan moves up a spot this week after a dominant performance against a bunch of high school kids on the USNTDP U-18 team. But seriously, the Wolverines are finally back in action this week and are excited to get their 2024 schedule started.

5. Penn State

Penn State used five unanswered goals to a erase a four-goal deficit (their largest comeback in school history) to beat Army this past weekend. They’re not a great team, but have a chance to win every time they hit the ice.

6. Notre Dame

The Irish were swept by the Badgers this weekend and have now last five in a row in the Big Ten. They show flashes of brilliance, but until they can sustain it, they’re not going to make up any ground in the standings.

7. Ohio State

Ohio State continued their non-conference domination by beating Mercyhurst and Bowling Green (twice), but until that winning shows up in conference play, they’re destined to remain in the bottom. They have a key home series against Notre Dame this week to try to gain some momentum for 2024.