Falcon men get no love in pre-season hockey poll

Mequon

Adrian College has been selected as the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 1 hockey team for the third-straight season, according to the league's 2010-11 preseason coaches poll released today by the league office.

The Bulldogs received 48 points, garnering all but one possible first-place vote from the leagues eight head coaches (coaches could not vote for their own team).

They are now 77-8-1 overall after three seasons and have claimed the past three MCHA regular season and Harris Cup titles. The Bulldogs will carry an NCAA-record 55-game winning streak in conference play into the new season as well.

The Bulldogs again spent most of the campaign in the top 10 of the national poll and also earned the MCHA's first automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They finished the season 24-4-0 overall last season, taking an early lead in the first round of the tournament before falling to third-ranked and eventual national runner-up St. Norbert College.

AC had the top scorer in the country for the third-straight season in Mike Dahlinger (13-41=54) and also had the nation's highest-scoring offense for the third-straight year at 6.71 goals per game (second was 5.31 gpg).

Marian University received the other two first place votes and finished second with 44 points. The Sabres went 20-7-0 a season ago, winning the MCHA Northern Division with an 18-2-0 league record en route to setting a school record for season victories.

The next four spots were a tight race, as MSOE (14-11-2 in 2009-10) was third with 32 points, Lawrence University (10-16-2 last year) fourth with 30 points, Lake Forest (9-16-2) fifth with 28 points and Finlandia University (5-17-3) sixth with 22 points.

Northland (5-21-1) was up next, coming in seventh with 13 points. Our Concordia Falcons (0-20-5) a year ago and 0-1-0 in league action this season were last in the voting with seven points.

MCHA Preseason Coaches Poll
Adrian = 48 points (6 first-place votes)
Marian = 44 (2 first-place votes)
MSOE = 32
Lawrence = 30
Lake Forest = 28
Finlandia = 22
Northland = 13 Concordia = 7