Best in the land | by Pat

We rarely venture away from football related topics here, but news like this is too noteworthy to pass up. For the first time in the program's history, the Notre Dame hockey team is the unanimous #1 team in the nation. Both the USCHO and USA Today polls have the Irish in the top spot after spending the past few weeks in second place. In honor of this great achievement we've fired up the #1 light high atop BGS headquarters and indulged in a few drinks in honor of Coach Jeff Jackson and his kick-ass team.

The Irish are currently 23-5-2, which is a dramatic turnaround for a team that finished 5-27-6 two years ago when Jackson was brought in to revitalize the program. Playing in arguably the worst hockey facilities in the nation, Jackson has the team playing a level never before reached in the 39-year history of the program. Helping to lead the way is goaltender David Brown who is one of the frontrunners for the Hobey Baker award, college hockey's version of the Heisman. Part of the voting process includes an online fan vote, which you can do here if you so desire.

With a season for the ages underway, a top notch recruiting class on its way, and upgrades to the hockey rink reportedly part of the JACC renovation, the future for ND hockey is very bright. But for now, let's all raise a glass to the Irish hockey team for their stellar season as they enter the stretch run to the post-season. Go Irish!