You'll only catch me saying this once regarding the HC game but any team can crap out once against anyone. Unfortunately for Goldy he did it at pretty much the worst possible time. Every year is a new year. I don't particularly care for the idea that last year's champ is this year's #1 until knocked off for that same reason. I also don't care to call a team the "reigning" national champ the year after they've won it either. The previous team was the champion for that last year, IMO.
In that regard, I don't think you can take performance at the end of the year and necessarily factor that into where they'll be to start this year. What if Ryan Potulny was bored with college hockey? What if he moped around the gopher dressing room pining for the time to pass because he wanted to sign his pro contract and get his signing bonus? What if he got fed up and coughed up the puck to HC and then half-heartedly tried to chase down the play because he WANTED to lose. Do you think THAT should factor in to where the gophers are ranked THIS season?
Disclaimer: the above was an extreme and actually absurd illustration and in no way is meant to portray the author's real opinions on the player Ryan Potulny, who I'm quite certain was a fine teammate and quality guy.