The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) remains the most heavily represented conference at the top of the national landscape, according to the USCHO men’s poll released on January 5. While the league continues to hold three of the top four spots, a high-stakes weekend series between the conference's two highest-ranked teams led to a significant swap in the standings.

The big winner over the weekend was Aurora (12-2-0), which jumped two spots from No. 4 back to the No. 2 position. They received 276 points in the poll. The Spartans made a statement by sweeping Adrian in a home-and-home non-conference series. Aurora took the opener in Adrian with a 4-1 victory on Friday and completed the sweep with a 4-2 win in Geneva on Sunday.

Adrian (10-4-0) fell one spot to No. 3 following the difficult weekend at the hands of Aurora. They received 229 points in the poll. The Bulldogs struggled to find their offensive rhythm against the Spartans' defense, dropping both ends of the weekend series. Despite outshooting Aurora 35-22 on Sunday, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome the Spartans' special teams.

St. Norbert (10-4-1) moved down one spot to No. 4 after receiving 226 points. The Green Knights had a rocky start to the weekend, falling 6-4 at home to UW-Stout team on Friday after surrendering an early 3-0 lead. However, they managed to salvage their weekend and protect their top-five status by earning a 3-2 victory over UW-Stevens Point on Saturday.

Trine (7-5-2) suffered the most significant drop, falling out of the top 15. They received 18 points in the poll. The Thunder traveled to Minnesota for a non-conference series against Saint John's but returned winless, dropping a 3-2 decision on Friday and a 4-2 contest on Saturday. Despite dominating possession and outshooting the Johnnies 48-18 in the finale, Trine couldn't convert opportunities into wins.

USCHO Men's Poll (December 8)
2. Adrian (241 points)
3. St. Norbert (239 points)
4. Aurora (237 points)
12. Trine (82 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (December 1)
2. Aurora (279 points)
3. Adrian (241 points)
5. St. Norbert (217 points)
10. Trine (102 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (November 24)
2. Aurora (268 points)
3. St. Norbert (258 points)
4. Adrian (237 points)
11. Trine (72 points)
RV MSOE (8 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (November 17)
2. Aurora (229 points - 1 first-place vote)
3. St. Norbert (261 points)
4. Adrian (242 points)
11. Trine (99 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (November 10)
2. Adrian (276 points)
3. Aurora (257 points)
4. St. Norbert (211 points)
11. Trine (95 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (November 3)
3. Adrian (252 points)
4. Aurora (237 points)
6. St. Norbert (195 points)
11. Trine (82 points)

USCHO Men's Poll (October 13)
5. St. Norbert (217 points)
6. Aurora (212 poitns)
7. Trine (173 points)
10. Adrian (119 points)