EXCELSIOR, Minn. – For the first time in program history, the Trine University men's hockey team has been tabbed as one of the five best teams in the nation according to the USCHO.com Division III coaches poll, coming in at fifth in the latest edition of the rankings.

The Thunder received votes totaling 206 points, equaling their total from the last poll which came out early in December. The team is joined in a logjam with three other members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA). St. Norbert college sits at fourth with 231 points while Aurora University is in sixth with 199 and Adrian College holds seventh with 195 points.

Officially, Trine has been idle since they swept Buffalo State University on during the second weekend of December. On Friday, December 13, the Thunder mounted a heroic comeback led by a hattrick from Brendan Hill. The team trailed 5-2 in the middle part of the second period, before they scored the final four goals, with one coming in overtime, to win the game 6-5. They followed up by cruising to a 6-1 victory on Saturday.

Outside of NCAA play, the team spent the week following Christmas in the French Alps. During their time they played three exhibition contests, winning all three.

Trine returns to American soil and NCAA competition when they travel to face the Bulldogs for a top-ten matchup this Friday, January 10. The game is a non-conference contest hosted by Adrian. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.