The Cadets have finally graduated.
After nearly two months playing second fiddle to a more seasoned Oswego squad, Norwich finally grabbed sole possession of the top ranking in Division III college hockey.
Now 20-1-4 on the season, the Cadets downed Connecticut College and Tufts by a combined score of 13-2; the Lakers, meanwhile, fell to Geneseo, 3-1, after doubling up Brockport, 4-2.
This is the first time in 11 weeks that Oswego does not hold a least a share of the No.1 ranking.
All voters were not agreement, however, as three teams — Norwich (11), Oswego (7) and St. Norbert (2) — earned first place votes.
The Green Knights, who were idle last weekend, remained in third and Plattsburgh (a 7-3 winner over Potsdam) in fourth.
Staying white-hot, the Middlebury Panthers won two more games over the weekend — they are now and impressive 16-4-4 on the season — to move up one spot to fifth.
St. Scholastica’s two ties with the University of Wisconsin-Superior caused the Saints to fall one rung to No. 6 on the D-III ladder.
Gustavus Adolphus and Williams remained at seventh and eighth, respectively, though the Ephs are now alone there, after sharing that position with Hamline (down to No. 9) last week.
The Bowdoin Polar Bears, fresh off dominating wins over St. Anselm (8-4) and New England College (5-2) jumped up two positions to No. 10.
Struggling for most of the past month, Elmira managed to steady themselves somewhat in splitting a crucial series with No. 14 Manhattanville, though the Soaring Eagles’ altitude still dipped a little, falling one spot to No. 11.
A combined nine goal margin of victory over the Milwaukee School of Engineering didn’t help the Adrian Bulldogs’ standing as they fell one position to No. 12.
Teams 13 through 15 — the Amherst Lord Jeffs, the aforementioned Valiants, and the UW-River Falls Falcons — all remained the same.
