CSUF and UCSB are perfect, the Arizona schools are close behind, and a first-vs-second showdown is coming November 21
Eight weeks into the 2026-27 season, the WCHC M3 division has two teams who havenโt lost and a crowded group right behind them. Thereโs still plenty of hockey left before everyone heads to Las Vegas.
CSUF: perfect and prolific
Cal State Fullerton is 8-0 with 16 points, the most in the division. The Titans have scored 72 goals, the most in the conference, and allowed only 15. Theyโve won both of their road series and taken care of business at home, most recently a 7-3 win over UCI at The Rinks โ Anaheim Ice last Saturday.
UCSB matches them step for step
The Gauchos are 5-0 with 10 points. They opened with a 9-2 win in Lakewood and followed it with a 12-4 home win at Ice in Paradise. On Halloween weekend they swept a series in Flagstaff: they won the opener 4-3 in overtime, then scored four goals in the third period to win the rematch 7-4. Last Saturday they added a 7-3 road win at Paramount Iceland. UCSB has scored 39 goals and allowed 16.
GCU brings the offense
The Antelopes have 42 goals in six games, second only to CSUF. They swept their opening home weekend at AZ Ice Arcadia, then won a home-and-home with NAU, 6-2 at Arcadia and 7-2 in Flagstaff. GCU has eight points, third in the division, and itโs about to get a big test.
Nevada locks it down
The Wolf Pack have allowed just seven goals, the fewest in M3. They opened with a 4-2 win in Vacaville. Then they went to Snoopyโs Home Ice and swept SRJC 5-0 and 7-0, two shutouts on back-to-back nights. UNR has seven points from four games.
The defending champs look sharp
ASU, last seasonโs DIII champion, also has seven points from four games, and it has allowed only nine goals. The Sun Devils opened with a 7-1 win at Mullett Arena. In mid-October they swept GCU at Mountain America Community Iceplex, winning 4-1 and 4-2.
SRJC and SCU make some noise
Santa Rosa opened with two wins over UC Davis: 6-2 in Vacaville and 8-4 back home at Snoopy Ice. SCU earned both of its wins at Fremont. The Broncos beat SRJC 5-3 in October and edged Nevada 5-4 two weeks ago. Each team has four points.
LMUโs offense comes alive
The Lions have scored 33 goals and have two of the seasonโs best moments. They won 10-6 at Great Park Ice in October. Last Sunday at Lakewood Ice, they trailed Long Beach State 3-0 after two periods, then scored seven straight goals in the third to win 7-3.
NAU, UCD, UCI and LBSU each have a big win
NAU won 5-4 at Mullett Arena on opening weekend, and it took UCSB to overtime on Halloween weekend. UC Davis has played just four games and has more of the schedule ahead than almost anyone. UCI won an 8-6 shootout in Lakewood in October. LBSU answered with a 7-5 win at Paramount Iceland two weeks later.
ACHA M3 Standings (as of Nov. 12)
| Pos | Team | GP | PTS | GFโGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CSUF Titans | 8 | 16 | 72โ15 |
| 2 | UCSB Gauchos | 5 | 10 | 39โ16 |
| 3 | GCU Antelopes | 6 | 8 | 42โ18 |
| 4 | UNR Wolf Pack | 4 | 7 | 20โ7 |
| 5 | ASU Sun Devils | 4 | 7 | 19โ9 |
| 6 | SRJC Polar Bears | 5 | 4 | 17โ23 |
| 7 | SCU Broncos | 5 | 4 | 13โ32 |
| 8 | LMU Lions | 7 | 4 | 33โ61 |
| 9 | NAU IceJacks | 8 | 3 | 20โ45 |
| 10 | UCD Aggies | 4 | 2 | 9โ18 |
| 11 | UCI Anteaters | 4 | 2 | 19โ33 |
| 12 | LBSU Beach | 6 | 2 | 24โ50 |
Whatโs next
This weekend has three two-game series. LMU hosts Nevada at Paramount Iceland on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM. LBSU hosts ASU at Lakewood Ice: Friday at 7:15 PM and Saturday at 7:45 PM. And second place meets third at Ice in Paradise, where UCSB hosts GCU: Friday at 7:15 PM and Saturday at 8:45 PM.
On Saturday, November 21, the two unbeaten teams meet when CSUF hosts UCSB at 9:00 PM at Great Park Ice & Fivepoint Arena.
The road ends at the WCHC Playoffs at Las Vegas Ice Center, February 12โ14, 2027.