2012 College Hockey schedule: Top 5 teams in action Friday night

Each of the top four teams in the country plays Friday night in a schedule that features plenty of elite competition, including two matchups between top 15 teams.

No. 1 Minnesota plays with the top ranking for the first time on the season, as they head to the Upper Peninsula for a game against Michigan Tech. The Golden Gophers have won their first three games, including an exhibition, by a combined score of 19-2, but are looking to get off on the right foot in WCHA action. They’ll play the Huskies tonight and Saturday.

The No. 2 team in the country, North Dakota, is one of four partaking in the Alaska Goal Rush, pitting them against Alaska-Anchorage in their first game of the season after a pair of exhibitions. The unranked Seawolves are coming off a tie against Air Force.

Boston College’s title defense didn’t get off to the best start, as the No. 3 Eagles lost their top ranking after a season-opening loss to Northeastern. The Huskies, now ranked No. 14, beat a No. 1-ranked Eagles team for the third time in five years 3-1 last Saturday. BC will try to get back on track as they head down the road to UMass.

To round out the top 5, the No. 4 Miami Redhawks host Providence for a pair of games, which should be wins against the 1-1 Friars and the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines host Bentley two games after opening the season with a loss to RIT.

Elsewhere, a pair of games featuring ranked teams highlight Friday night. No. 7 Denver opens their season with a home game against No. 10 UMass Lowell.The River Hawks looked shaky in their opener, tying Vermont 1-1 in a Hockey East matchup, while Denver tied British Columbia 2-2 in an exhibition game. No. 12 Minnesota-Duluth takes on No. 9 Notre Dame a night after beating the Fighting Irish 3-1.

Click here for a look at the full schedule.