Power rankings and more notes from the ice

By Adam Wodon

SIOC's look at the college hockey universe.

POWER RANKINGS

Goalie Billy Sauer and the Wolverines are 22-3-1 and in first place in SIOC's power rankings. Steven King/Icon SMI

These are based on the KRACH Rankings, a computer system that College Hockey News publishes each week. The NCAA uses a different objective system which is a bit more hodge-podge, but better than smoke-filled rooms and guesswork. That's called the Pairwise system.

1. Michigan (22-3-1) -- Stumbled with just one point against Michigan State last weekend, but still great.

2. Miami (25-3-0) -- Practically a dead heat with Michigan, slightly worse schedule. These two will hook up next weekend in Oxford.

3. Denver (18-6-0) -- Playing without its top scorer indefinitely.

4. Colorado College (18-7-1) -- Hosts of the West Regional this year, with the Frozen Four up the road in Denver.

5. North Dakota (16-8-1) -- Winners of seven straight, and making its annual second-half surge.

6. Michigan State (17-5-5) -- Defending champs looked great against Michigan.

7. New Hampshire (15-7-1) -- Have had ups and downs, but are solid in every area.

8. Notre Dame (20-9-1) -- Stumbled hard against Michigan, but took out frustrations on Bowling Green last weekend.

9. Wisconsin (11-10-5) -- Have played the nation's second-toughest schedule, after North Dakota.

10. Boston College (12-5-7) -- The poster children for removing ties from college hockey, as some want to do.

PENALTY BOX

The WCHA finally suspended referee Randy Schmidt for two blown replay calls that potentially cost points to St. Cloud State and Wisconsin.

Denver will be without sophomore forward Brock Trotter, though the reason for his absence remains a mystery. AP

Denver sophomore forward Brock Trotter is not with the team for its trip this weekend to Minnesota State, and it's uncertain when he will return. In not disclosing the reason for his absence, Denver coach George Gwozdecky revealed that it wasn't because of an injury. "It's a decision that's been made internally, and he will not be with us this weekend," Gwozdecky told the Denver Post. "Each of our players have private lives and I hope people respect their privacy."

Two of college hockey's best players were lost for the season. Air Force's Eric Ehn -- a Hobey Baker Award finalist last season -- broke his leg in the team's tie against Colorado College. Boston College's Brock Bradford -- who missed the first half of the season with a broken arm then returned with a torrid streak -- broke the same arm in a different location.

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