UNION LAKE, MI (Saturday, October 25, 2008) – The Youngstown State Men’s Hockey team is nationally ranked for the first time in the program’s three-year history.

Hot on the heels of three straight upsets of nationally ranked opponents to open conference play in the CHMA, the Penguins have vaulted to #23 in the ACHA coaches’ poll. In their conference opener, the Penguins knocked off then-24th ranked Pitt 5-3 and followed that win with a 7-6 triumph over #21 Slippery Rock.

The Penguins’ most recent victory, a 5-3 win over #15 West Virginia, is the one that propelled YSU to their first ever national ranking.

Youngstown State Head Coach Rocky Russo is excited by the ranking but doesn’t want his team to let it go to their heads.

“Being nationally ranked is an honor that we take very seriously,” says Russo. “The top 16 teams in the country make the National Tournament, so this is just the start of our journey.

“You are only as good as your last game, though, so we need to continue to get the job done night in and night out."

The #23 Penguins are one of four CHMA teams appearing in Friday’s rankings: West Virginia tumbled to #15, Washington & Jefferson improved to #20 and Slippery Rock dropped to #21.

YSU continues their conference schedule on Sunday when they host unranked John Carroll at 1:00 PM at the Ice Zone in Boardman.

The Youngstown State Men’s Hockey Club is sponsored by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.