Re: USCHO Poster's Poll: '17-'18
USCHO has RMU in tenth and I’m ok with it for now. They probably need to sweep their next two series against Lindenwood and RIT to stay ranked and that’s fair, assuming those vying for a ranking don’t also have losses. I justify their current ranking by asking who I might put ahead of them right now? I don’t think there is anyone below them with a better record. UNH has the same record as RMU, so maybe you could argue UNH should be there instead of RMU. If UNH won both its games this past weekend at home they probably would be ranked, and RMU out. The poll tends to be a bit sticky though up and down, so RMU might be getting the benefit of the doubt this week. Additionally the ties and loss were on the road, another thing voters might consider.
I know strength of schedule is a thing, but I respect a team that just goes out and gets W’s pretty consistently, like RMU did last year and is trying to do this year. If we too often have to justify losses, at some point it’s like are these guys really good? And that’s tough, because a lot of times the answer is “yes, but...explanation of loss.” Northeastern seems to be paying a price for that right now. Eventually Minnesota will, if they don’t start winning consistently. My Lakers, yea I I think they are good, but they have to WIN. RMU does that, or at least didn’t lose on the road this week, to a team that’s gaining respect.
So for now, I like RMU at ten right now. If they make a habit of losing though, they need to go. I look forward to seeing them more in the CHA. So far the CHA has challenged them more than their non conference schedule. We’ll see if that continues.
USCHO has RMU in tenth and I’m ok with it for now. They probably need to sweep their next two series against Lindenwood and RIT to stay ranked and that’s fair, assuming those vying for a ranking don’t also have losses. I justify their current ranking by asking who I might put ahead of them right now? I don’t think there is anyone below them with a better record. UNH has the same record as RMU, so maybe you could argue UNH should be there instead of RMU. If UNH won both its games this past weekend at home they probably would be ranked, and RMU out. The poll tends to be a bit sticky though up and down, so RMU might be getting the benefit of the doubt this week. Additionally the ties and loss were on the road, another thing voters might consider.
I know strength of schedule is a thing, but I respect a team that just goes out and gets W’s pretty consistently, like RMU did last year and is trying to do this year. If we too often have to justify losses, at some point it’s like are these guys really good? And that’s tough, because a lot of times the answer is “yes, but...explanation of loss.” Northeastern seems to be paying a price for that right now. Eventually Minnesota will, if they don’t start winning consistently. My Lakers, yea I I think they are good, but they have to WIN. RMU does that, or at least didn’t lose on the road this week, to a team that’s gaining respect.
So for now, I like RMU at ten right now. If they make a habit of losing though, they need to go. I look forward to seeing them more in the CHA. So far the CHA has challenged them more than their non conference schedule. We’ll see if that continues.
