News and Notes: 1/30/13

Computer Rankings
In this week's D3hockey.com computer rankings, Utica takes over sole possession of first and UW-Eau Claire moves into second. As the accompanying  intro to the rankings explains, teams are starting to line-up in "layered fashion," which allows for speculation regarding the three  Pool C or "at-large" bids to the 11 team Division-III NCAA men's hockey tournament.   In the top ten, Utica and 6th ranked Hobart would need to earn at large bids, as the ECAC West does not get an automatic bid.

The NESCAC does get an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the winner of the NESCAC playoffs. Should Bowdoin lose in the 'CAC tournament, they have a solid chance at a Pool C bid. Despite moving up to second in the polls, the computers dropped the  Polar Bears two spots to seventh after a bye week in conference play and only a victory over Southern Maine in non-conference play. For a detailed look at how Bowdoin's non-conference schedule hurts them in the computer rankings, check out our piece on Maine rivalries.

Williams stays put at 10 for the third straight week, while Amherst's loss to Trinity didn't change the computers opinion of the Lord Jeffs; the Bantams moved up four spots after their weekend road sweep. Tufts dropped five spots after being swept and Hamilton saw an eight spot descent after losing a tough game to Trinity in the Citrus Bowl and a subsequent 11-3 dismantling by Wesleyan.

It is important to note that margin of victory doesn't play in to the computer rankings. For a reminder of how the rankings work, check out the introduction here. Colby found a way to move up two slots: don't play. The Mules come from behind 2-2 tie against University of New England last night was not factored into the rankings.

Below are the latest NESCAC teams place in the Computer Rankings, including their change in ranking over the past week and their NESCAC standing. For the full rankings click here.

School	NESCAC Standing	Computer Rank	Last week	Change
Bowdoin	1st	7th	5th	-2
Williams	2nd	10th	10th	0
Amherst	5th	14th	14th	0
Trinity	3rd	17th	21st	+4
Middlebury	4th	25th	27th	+2
Wesleyan	6th	26th	25th	+1
Conn. College	8th	38th	35th	-3
Tufts	9th	45th	40th	-5
Hamilton	7th	47th	39th	-8
Colby	10th	62nd	64th	+2

New Enland Hockey Journal Rankings/Game of the Week
In their weekly D-3 column and New England D-3 Hockey Rankings, the NEHJ selected four NESCAC teams for their top 10:  #1. Bowdoin , #3. Williams,#5. Amherst, #6. Trinity.   Amherst moves up one spot to fifth and Trinity moves up two spots, while the Polar Bears and Ephs keep the status quo.

Friday's up coming battle for third place between Trinity at Williams was selected as the  "Game of the Week."  For the article and rankings, click here.