Pittsburgh, Pa. - Despite taking the weekend off, the Robert Morris University men's hockey team continued its rise up the national rankings, setting another new program best in the process.

Seven days after establishing a new program high with their No. 18 ranking in the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) poll, the Colonials were rated as the 17th-best team in Division I by USCHO voters on Monday. Out of the 56 D-I schools that have played four or more games, RMU (7-0-1) is one of just two unbeatens remaining, along with 8-0-0 Michigan Tech.

Robert Morris gained 15 points in the rankings from last week, when it jumped into the USCHO top 20 for the first time in two seasons. The Colonials (178 points) edged ahead of Northern Michigan (6-1-1) for the No. 17 spot by four points. 

Not only has RMU reached a new frontier in the USCHO survey, it also matched its highest-ever ranking in any prominent national poll. The Colonials made it to No. 18 in the now-defunct Inside College Hockey poll several times during the 2010-11 season, but never 17th anywhere.

Coach Derek Schooley's team was nearly the only Atlantic Hockey squad mentioned by the USCHO's voting panel of coaches, media and sports professionals. Mercyhurst earned a single 20th-place vote to once again stay in the conversation. Each of the USCHO's 50 voters rank 20 teams on their individual ballots, with the No. 1 team receiving 20 points, the No. 2 team getting 19, and so forth.

In the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine D-I men's hockey poll, the Colonials came in at an unofficial 18th, one spot better than last week. RMU picked up 20 points in that survey, down from last week's season high of 23.

Robert Morris stayed near the top of the Ratings Percentage Index for another week, coming in at No. 12. The RPI is one of the analytical tools employed by the NCAA every March to fill the available at-large postseason berths. RMU earned its first trip to the tournament last season by winning the automatic bid awarded to the champion of the Atlantic Hockey playoffs.

RMU returns to its home ice Friday and Saturday against AHC rival Air Force on Men's Cancer Awareness Weekend. Look for more details on this event later this week on RMUColonials.com, where you can also find a full season schedule.

The Colonials have 12 home games remaining at 84 Lumber Arena this season, in addition to two games at CONSOL Energy Center during the annual Three Rivers Classic on Dec. 29-30. 

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