FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE: 'U' SKATERS TOP 3 POLLS The Gophers have taken firm command of the No. 1 rating in the nation's three polls of college hockey teams. They received 47 of the 49 first-place votes in the polls. Minnesota (11-0-2) was the unanimous pick of the 14 voters in the media poll of radio station WMEB in Orono, Maine. The Gophers got 24 of 25 first-place votes in the Albany Times-Union rating, which is comprised of half print media and half coaches. And they got nine of the 10 firsts in the coaches poll conducted by WMPL radio station in Hancock, Michigan. All three polls rank Maine (8-1-1) second and Boston College (4-2) third. North Dakota (9-4-1), which plays host to the Gophers this weekend, is 10th in the WMED and WMPL polls and 11th in the Albany poll. --John Gilbert. Carol White U of M GO Gophers!!!