Hockey East Power Rankings (November 10, 2014)

Connecticut might be new to Hockey East, but the Huskies are asserting themselves just fine. Mike Cavanaugh's team knocked off Boston College, 1-0, in the program's first ever home game as a member of Hockey East. A few nights later, UConn more than held its own in a 4-4 tie at Boston University. The three point week against Boston's behemoths earn the Huskies a rise in this week's Hockey East Power Rankings.

Last week's Hockey East Power Rankings can be found here. Here's a look at this week's SB Nation Hockey East Power Rankings:

1. Boston University (5-1-1)

The Terriers rallied for three third period goals for a come from behind victory at archrival Boston College on Friday night. Jack Eichel's incredible start to his freshman season continued over the weekend with a goal against the Eagles and three primary assists in the UConn game.

Last Week: W 5-3 at Boston College, T 4-4 (OT) vs. UConn

This Week: at Maine (11/14)

2. UMass Lowell (6-1-2)

The River Hawks took three of four points from woeful Northeastern over the weekend. It's been said ad nauseam, but Norm Bazin's team just continues to chug along, putting in pieces. One never knows who will score a key goal from game to game for the River Hawks. Freshman goaltender Jeff Smith has a 1.00 goals against average and a .961 save percentage in his three starts after his collegiate debut in relief the game prior.

Last Week: T 3-3 vs. Northeastern, W 5-0 at Northeastern

This Week: vs. Penn State (11/14, 11/15)

3. Vermont (6-1-1)

The cardiac kids from Burlington did it again with a last minute empty-net attacker goal and another in overtime to beat Maine Friday night. The Catamounts made it easier on themselves Saturday for the series sweep. Sophomore Mike Stenerson, who had just two points in 15 games as a freshman, has three goals and five assists already this season. He's scored at least a point in five of the last six games after being held scoreless in the first two. The Surrey, British Columbia native has a three-game point streak going in which he's racked up six points.

Last Week: W 4-3 (OT), W 4-1 vs. Maine

This Week: at Providence (11/14, 11/15)

4. Providence (3-4-1)

The Friars dominated the first two periods on Friday night against Merrimack, but the Warriors took it to Nate Leaman's team for the final 80 minutes of the weekend series. Ross Mauermann is still without a goal, but his play on Saturday night showed he's close. Providence just needs to start burying its chances. There is no need for panic on Huxley Avenue. This weekend will be another tough test with a visit from first place UVM.

Last Week: W 3-2 vs. Merrimack, L 0-1 at Merrimack

This Week: vs. Vermont (11/14, 11/15)

5. Boston College (4-4-0)

The Eagles lost twice over the weekend to fall to .500 on the season. There's been a lot of doom and gloom among the BC fandom the past week, some of it rightly so, but there is still too much talent in the defensive end to write off the Eagles. As long as the Eagles stay near .500, Jerry York's squad will have Steve Santini back for the second half in addition to Noah Hanifin, Michael Matheson, Scott Savage and Ian McCoshen on the blue line. BC fans should be most concerned about the lack of grit up front especially on the third and fourth lines.

Last Week: L 0-1 at UConn, L 3-5 vs. Boston University

This Week: vs. Harvard (11/11), at Michigan State (11/14)

6. Notre Dame (5-4-1)

Mario Lucia was held scoreless in the weekend series against his father's Golden Gophers team. That wasn't the only thing that went wrong for the Fighting Irish in Minneapolis. Next weekend's opponent poses a different challenge for Jeff Jackson's team. ND will go from playing on Mariucci's Olympic sheet to the tight confines of Merrimack's Lawler Rink.

Last Week: L 0-5, L 2-4 at Minnesota

This Week: at Merrimack (11/14, 11/15)

7. Merrimack (6-2-1)

It took a while for Merrimack to establish its style of play against PC, but once it did, it did so very well against the preseason favorite in Hockey East. Hampus Gustafsson, Brian Christie and freshman Brett Seney are proving to be offensive catalysts. This weekend's series against the Irish should be a dandy. It will be ND's first visit to North Andover since the early 90s, but first as a member of Hockey East.

Last Week: L 2-3 at Providence, W 1-0 vs. Providence

This Week: vs. Notre Dame (11/14, 11/15)

8. Connecticut (2-4-3)

In a development very few people out of Storrs probably expected, UConn picked up three of four points last week against BC and BU. Wednesday's home opener in front of a raucous crowd at the XL Center in Hartford should put the rest of Hockey East on notice that there will be backing behind the Huskies program. This writer picked UConn last in preseason, but I'm going on record now as saying Cavanaugh's squad will not finish last.

Last Week: W 1-0 vs. Boston College, T 4-4 (OT) at Boston University

This Week: vs. Sacred Heart (11/14)

9. New Hampshire (3-5-0)

They have played two or three less games than most teams in the league, but the Wildcats are the only team in Hockey East without at least a point, There are certainly more pressing issues in Durham, but an interesting tidbit is the lack of offensive production from the blue line. Last season four UNH defensemen had 20 or more points. It's early, but the defense has a combined 10 points this season. Brett Pesce leads the way with a goal and two assists.

Last Week: L 3-4, W 5-2 vs. Michigan State

This Week: vs. Northeastern (11/14), at Northeastern (11/15)

10. Maine (3-6-1)

It was another rough weekend on the road for the Black Bears. Since taking over the helm Red Gendron is 1-15-3 in true road games away from Orono, not including neutral site zones. Maine's goaltending woes have been in the forefront, but the defensive breakdowns and costly mistakes in its own zone have been just as to blame. Maine ranks 10th in both scoring defense and penalty kill percentage.

Last Week: L 3-4 (OT), L 1-4 at Vermont

This Week: vs. Boston University (11/14)

11. Massachusetts (3-5-0)

The Minutemen avenged last year's embarrassing loss to the Yellow Jackets with a 7-1 thumping over the weekend. John Micheletto's team has the week off to prepare for the following weekend's home dates with BC and UVM. UMass fans can take solace in knowing that Franky Vatrano is finally starting to get his feet back. The once-hyped BC recruit has a four game point streak after being held scoreless in his first five collegiate games.

Last Week: W 7-1 vs. American International

This Week: Off

12. Northeastern (0-7-1)

The Huskies' tough start has been well chronicled here and other places. Even if Clay Witt returns this weekend for the UNH series, it will not make much of a difference with how porous the defense has been playing in front of the NU net this year. It would be unfair to just lay blame on the defense as the forwards haven't exactly held up their end of the bargain on backchecking.

Last Week: T 3-3 (OT) at UMass Lowell, L 0-5 vs. UMass Lowell

This Week: at New Hampshire (11/14), vs. New Hampshire (11/15)

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.