AHA power rankings heading into tourney

The field is set for the first round of the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament, and UConn, Niagara, Air Force, and Holy Cross all have byes to the quarterfinals. These are the final rankings for the AHA for the 2012-13 regular season.

12. Sacred Heart (2-28-4, 2-21-4)
After defeating Bentley 3-1 two weeks ago, the Pioneers finished their regular season with two losses and a tie. Sacred Heart scored six goals in their final three games, while allowing their opponents, Holy Cross and UConn, to tally 12 total goals.

11. Army (7-20-5, 7-15-5)
The Black Knights dropped their final five games of the regular season, allowing 22 goals while scoring only 10.

10. Bentley (12-18-3, 10-14-3)
The Falcons went 0-3-2 in their final five games of the regular season, losing to both Sacred Heart and American International. Bentley’s only win since Jan. 25 came on Feb. 15 against Army, 5-3.

9. American International (12-15-6, 9-12-6)
AIC won its final three games of the regular season, scoring 10 goals while only allowing five. The Yellow Jackets finished their season strong, only losing one game since Jan. 25 against UConn.

8. Canisius (13-18-5, 12-13-2)
The Golden Griffins won their final two games of the regular season, 6-5 and 4-2 against the Rochester Institute of Technology. Canisius will play Bentley in the first round of the AHA tournament.

7. Rochester Institute of Technology (13-16-5, 11-12-4)
RIT allowed 17 goals and went 1-3-0 in its final two games of the regular season. The Tigers will face AIC in the opening round of the AHA tournament.

6. Mercyhurst (14-15-5, 12-11-4)
The Lakers will face Army in the first round of the AHA tournament after tying Robert Morris 3-3, and 1-1, both in overtime, in their final two games of the regular season.

5. Robert Morris (18-12-4, 13-11-3)
The Colonials won 13 AHA games on the year, four of which came in their final eight games. Robert Morris will face Sacred Heart in the first round of the AHA tournament.

4. Connecticut (17-13-4, 14-10-3)
The Huskies finished the season with their first winning record since the 1999-2000 season, and clinched a bye to the quarterfinal round of the AHA tournament. UConn will host their best-of-three quarterfinal series at the Mark Freitas Ice Forum March 15-17.

3. Holy Cross (19-12-3, 15-9-3)
The Crusaders also hold a first round bye to the quarterfinal round of the AHA tournament. Holy cross finished the regular season winning their final four games vs. AIC, Sacred Heart, and Army.

2. Air Force (17-11-7, 15-7-5)
Air Force swept No. 13 Niagara in their final two games of the regular season, 5-2 and 6-1. The Falcons have a first round bye to the quarterfinals in the AHA tournament.

1. Niagara (21-8-5, 20-5-2)
The Purple Eagles are one of four teams with a first round bye to the quarterfinals in the AHA tournament. Niagara finished the regular season 2-2-0 in their final four games, scoring three total goals in their two losses, and scoring eight goals in their two wins.