Ohio State hockey hasn’t played a game yet this season, but the Buckeyes have already made history.
The USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls both have Ohio State on top, marking the first time the program has been No. 1 in either.
With 21 players returning from a team that went 26-10-5, Ohio State is the preseason favorite in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes begin the season Friday night at Arizona State.
Ohio State - 26-10-5 in 2017-18 en route to the #FrozenFour - is #⃣1⃣ in the #B1GHockey preseason poll. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5Z39vTaa77
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) September 24, 2018
Coach Steve Rohlik’s Buckeyes are hoping to make a repeat appearance in the Frozen Four. They advanced to the national semifinals last year before losing to eventual national champion Minnesota-Duluth 2-1.
The 2019 Frozen Four is set for April 11 and 13 in Buffalo.
Could there be a rematch? The Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 in the USCHO.com poll.
Additionally, the women’s programs at both schools are in the top five with OSU ranked fifth and UMD No. 4.