LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Norwich University swept all 20 first place votes from the panel of 18 coaches and two writers and held onto the number one ranking in this week’s USCHO.Com division III men’s ice hockey poll.  The Cadets (20-2-0) held off second rank Oswego State University (20-3-0) for the second consecutive week.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire (19-4-2) moved up one place, to third, while Bowdoin (17-2-2) dropped one spot to fourth.  St. Norbert College (19-5-1) found its way back into the top five.  The Green Knights, the two-time reigning national champions, were sixth last week.

Hobart College (18-4-2) fell from fifth to six, while Utica College (19-4-0) moved from eighth to seventh this week.  Adrian College (19-1-3) lost one spot and is ranked eighth, while Plattsburgh State (16-6-1) and Amherst College (13-5-3) round out the top-10 division III hockey schools.  The Cardinals are ninth, while the Lord Jeffs come in at number 10.

The NCAA Division III men's ice hockey national championships return to Lake Placid, N.Y. and the Olympic Center's famed 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena, March 15-16. The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and State University of New York College at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh) are the co-hosts of the event.

The tournament will feature two semi-final games, on the first day, followed by the championship match-up on the second day. This will mark the fifth time in the past six years the national championships have been held in Lake Placid.

Media Advisory: Credential requests are now being accepted. To apply, please visit http://www.ncaa.com/media. All media attending the NCAA championship event must be credentialed. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Lundin, ORDA public relations, e-mail: jlundin@orda.org, Tel: 518-523-1655 ext. 5313.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speedskating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.