Some changes and shake ups in the top five this week with a pair of Atlantic Division teams set to battle for the top of the division but it’s Belleville who holds on to their top spot in this weeks version of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings.
Binghamton makes a jump into the top five this week and Iowa hangs around also. Pop past the Wild if you didn’t link in direct to see where your favorite team ended up this week.
1
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Last Games: UTI 6 @ BEL 3, MB 4 @ BEL 5 (OT), LAV 4 @ BEL 1, BEL 5 @ CLE 1, BEL 4 @ CLE 1, TOR 4 @ BEL 8 |
 |
Senators hold the top spot for another go around here on the Power Rankings. Remarkable work done by Troy Mann and his crew to turn the race to the North Division crown into a runaway. |
n/a
|
Next Games: vs. ROC 3/6, vs. ROC 3/7, @ LAV 3/11, @ UTI 3/13, @ SYR 3/14 |
| Record: 38-17-4-1 |
2
|
Last Games: HER 1 @ WBS 2, HER 5 @ BRI 4 (SO), CHA 1 @ HER 6, WBS 1 @ HER 5, CHA 6 @ HER 3 |
 |
Hershey’s going to get company quick in the form of Charlotte and/or Providence quickly. The race for the lead in the Atlantic may become a three horse race. |
+3
|
Next Games: @ HFD 3/6, @ HFD 3/7, @ PRO 3/8, vs. TOR 3/13, vs. WBS 3/14, vs. LAV 3/18 |
| Record: 35-18-3-3 |
3
|
Last Games: CHA 1 @ BNG 2, CHA 6 @ BNG 3, HFD 3 @ BNG 5, TOR 4 @ BNG 5, BNG 1 @ BRI 0 |
 |
Quite the turnaround in the Southern Tier, but the Devils have little room for error still out of the playoff picture. |
+4
|
Next Games: vs. WBS 3/6, vs. LV 3/7, @ WBS 3/8, @ ROC 3/11, @ LAV 3/13, @ LAV 3/14, vs. LV 3/18 |
| Record: 30-24-4-0 |
4
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Last Games: SPR 4 @ PRO 7, WBS 1 @ PRO 2, PRO 6 @ WBS 2, PRO 3 @ SPR 1, PRO 3 @ HFD 2 |
 |
Eight straight wins at a time where playoff jockeying is so important. On this trajectory the next time we do this the Bruins could very well be tops in the Atlantic. |
+5
|
Next Games: vs. SPR 3/6, @ SPR 3/7, vs. HER 3/8, @ HFD 3/11, @ CHA 3/14, @ CHA 3/15 |
| Record: 33-18-3-3 |
5
|
Last Games: IA 3 @ TEX 4, IA 4 @ TEX 0, CHI 2 @ IA 5, IA 2 @ STK 0, IA 1 @ SJ 2 (OT), IA 1 @ SJ 5 |
 |
It isn’t out of the realm of the reasonable anymore that Iowa may catch Milwaukee for the best in the Central, but that loss in San Jose Wednesday stinks. |
-3
|
Next Games: @ MB 3/7, @ MB 3/8, @ GR 3/11, vs. SA 3/15, vs. SA 3/18 |
| Record: 36-17-4-3 |
6
|
Last Games: COL 2 @ ONT 1 (OT), SJ 5 @ ONT 2, ONT 4 @ SJ 2, TUC 4 @ ONT 8, BAK 1 @ ONT 2 (SO) |
 |
Reign are in a fight with the Gulls for the fourth spot in the Pacific and are 7-2-1 in their last ten and getting hot at the right time. |
-3
|
Next Games: @ COL 3/6, @ COL 3/7, vs. SJ 3/14, vs. SD 3/15, vs. STK 3/18 |
| Record: 29-20-5-1 |
7
|
Last Games: CHI 1 @ MIL 4, RFD 2 @ MIL 7, SA 5 @ MIL 4 (OT), MIL 4 @ COL 2, MIL 1 @ COL 3, MIL 3 @ TEX 2 (OT) |
 |
Admirals are coming back to the field a bit but they have built up so much credit that minor valleys aren’t too concerning with not many games left in the regular season. |
-1
|
Next Games: @ TEX 3/7, @ SA 3/8, vs. SA 3/11, vs. MB 3/13, vs. MB 3/14, @ RFD 3/18 |
| Record: 39-13-5-3 |
8
|
Last Games: COL 2 @ ONT 1 (OT), COL 5 @ BAK 4 (OT), MIL 4 @ COL 2, MIL 1 @ COL 3 |
 |
Eagles use a 7-3 run to get to second in the Pacific, moving Stockton out of the way. Busy two weeks ahead. |
+3
|
Next Games: vs. ONT 3/6, vs. ONT 3/7, vs. TEX 3/10, vs. TEX 3/11, @ STK 3/14, @ STK 3/15, @ SJ 3/17 |
| Record: 31-17-3-1 |
9
|
Last Games: STK 2 @ TUC 3 (OT), STK 4 @ TUC 1, SD 1 @ TUC 4, TUC 4 @ ONT 8, TUC 3 @ BAK 2 |
 |
Bit of a blip, lost the lead for a minute, but Tucson is back at the top of the Pacific for now. |
+4
|
Next Games: @ CHI 3/5, @ CHI 3/7, vs. SD 3/10, vs. SD 3/11, vs. TEX 3/14, vs. TEX 3/15 |
| Record: 33-18-1-2 |
10
|
Last Games: CHA 1 @ BNG 2, CHA 6 @ BNG 3, CHA 1 @ HER 6, CHA 3 @ LV 5, CHA 4 @ LV 2, CHA 6 @ HER 3 |
 |
Checkers are doing more with less and are reloading for all of the assets lost. They look like a team which isn’t going away. |
+4
|
Next Games: vs. UTI 3/6, vs. UTI 3/7, vs. CLE 3/10, vs. CLE 3/11, vs. PRO 3/14, vs. PRO 3/15 |
| Record: 32-21-4-0 |
11
|
Last Games: SD 4 @ BAK 1, SJ 3 @ SD 6, SD 1 @ TUC 4, SD 4 @ STK 2, SD 4 @ SJ 3 (OT) |
 |
Right in the thick of it in the Pacific, but right now are that fifth team. Three with San Jose this week could help push the Gulls forward here. |
-7
|
Next Games: @ SJ 3/6, @ SJ 3/7, @ TUC 3/10, @ TUC 3/11, vs. SJ 3/13, @ ONT 3/15 |
| Record: 28-18-5-2 |
12
|
Last Games: LV 2 @ ROC 3 (OT), CLE 3 @ ROC 2 (OT), UTI 3 @ ROC 2 (SO), LAV 2 @ ROC 4, ROC 2 @ SYR 4, UTI 3 @ ROC 1 |
 |
Kind of unfair to have Rochester at twelfth here in the Power Rankings, but they really haven’t done anything to push towards the top where Belleville are and haven’t nose dived yet. |
-4
|
Next Games: @ BEL 3/6, @ BEL 3/7, vs. BNG 3/11, vs. SYR 3/13, @ CLE 3/15, @ TOR 3/17 |
| Record: 31-19-4-5 |
13
|
Last Games: HFD 1 @ SPR 4, WBS 4 @ HFD 3 (OT), HFD 4 @ BRI 1, HFD 3 @ BNG 5, HFD 3 @ BRI 1, PRO 3 @ HFD 2 |
 |
Wolf Pack still look OK, but the white hot Providence Bruins are bearing down quick. Busy, tough schedule ahead. |
-3
|
Next Games: vs. HER 3/6, vs. HER 3/7, @ SPR 3/8, vs. PRO 3/11, @ SPR 3/13, @ BRI 3/14, vs. SPR 3/18 |
| Record: 31-16-6-5 |
14
|
Last Games: CLE 3 @ SYR 6, LV 1 @ SYR 2, SYR 2 @ SPR 3 (OT), WBS 3 @ SYR 4, ROC 2 @ SYR 4 |
 |
Crunch are ahead of a very good Binghamton team right now, looking to stay there. All divisional teams over these next two weeks, so maximizing points is a must. |
+7
|
Next Games: @ TOR 3/6, @ TOR 3/7, @ UTI 3/11, @ ROC 3/13, vs. BEL 3/14, vs. UTI 3/17 |
| Record: 28-22-4-5 |
15
|
Last Games: GR 3 @ CHI 2, SA 4 @ GR 3, SA 2 @ GR 1, GR 2 @ SA 4, GR 2 @ TEX 4, GR 4 @ SA 3 |
 |
Griffins are just an average 5-5 in their last ten and are holding onto a playoff spot for now. Winnable games ahead. |
n/a
|
Next Games: @ RFD 3/6, vs. RFD 3/7, vs. IA 3/11, vs. BAK 3/13, vs. BAK 3/14 |
| Record: 27-26-3-4 |
16
|
Last Games: SA 0 @ RFD 1, SA 4 @ GR 3, SA 2 @ GR 1, SA 5 @ MIL 4 (OT), GR 2 @ SA 4, RFD 0 @ SA 3, GR 4 @ SA 3 |
 |
Before the loss Tuesday, the Rampage were winners of five straight, 8-2 in their last ten, and have gotten to fourth in the Central. Litmus test of this run may be known when Milwaukee rolls in this weekend. |
+8
|
Next Games: vs. TEX 3/6, vs. MIL 3/8, @ MIL 3/11, @ CHI 3/13, @ IA 3/15, @ IA 3/18 |
| Record: 24-22-7-5 |
17
|
Last Games: STK 2 @ TUC 3 (OT), STK 4 @ TUC 1, SD 4 @ STK 2, IA 2 @ STK 0 |
 |
Had the Pacific lead for a few days then lost it back to Tucson. May not be the last time this happens before the end of the season, either. |
-5
|
Next Games: vs. BAK 3/6, @ BAK 3/7, vs. SJ 3/10, vs. COL 3/14, vs. COL 3/15, @ ONT 3/18 |
| Record: 29-16-4-3 |
18
|
Last Games: LV 2 @ ROC 3 (OT), LV 1 @ SYR 2, CHA 3 @ LV 5, CHA 4 @ LV 2 |
 |
Phantoms have to keep pushing and these next two weeks where they just go to Binghamton for games is a perfect opportunity for them to. |
+1
|
Next Games: vs. BRI 3/6, @ BNG 3/7, vs. BRI 3/8, vs. WBS 3/11, vs. WBS 3/13, vs. TOR 31/4, @ BNG 3/18 |
| Record: 24-26-2-6 |
19
|
Last Games: MB 1 @ LAV 4, MB 4 @ BEL 5 (OT), CHI 2 @ MB 3 (OT), CHI 3 @ MB 4 (OT) |
 |
Moose, still hanging around in last place in the Central, are still within striking distance in the ever tight Central. |
+6
|
Next Games: vs. IA 3/7, vs. IA 3/8, @ MIL 3/13, @ MIL 3/14, @ CHI 3/15, @ TEX 3/18 |
| Record: 26-32-1-0 |
20
|
Last Games: SA 0 @ RFD 1, RFD 2 @ MIL 7, RFD 1 @ CHI 5, RFD 3 @ TEX 2 (SO), RFD 5 @ TEX 4, RFD 0 @ SA 3 |
 |
Rockford is 6-4 in their last ten and very much in the mix in the Central Division. Important divisional games against teams in the same boat coming up. |
+3
|
Next Games: vs. GR 3/6, @ GR 3/7, @ CHI 3/8, @ CHI 3/14, vs. MIL 3/18 |
| Record: 28-29-1-2 |
21
|
Last Games: GR 3 @ CHI 2, CHI 1 @ MIL 4, RFD 1 @ CHI 5, CHI 2 @ IA 5, CHI 2 @ MB 3 (OT), CHI 3 @ MB 4 (OT) |
 |
Losers of three straight heading into a weekend where they host Tucson who lead the Pacific as a perennial power. Wolves don’t have to leave Rosemont these next two weeks. |
-5
|
Next Games: vs. TUC 3/5, vs. TUC 3/7, vs. RFD 3/8, vs. SA 3/13, vs. RFD 3/14, vs. MB 3/15 |
| Record: 26-25-5-2 |
22
|
Last Games: MB 1 @ LAV 4, TOR 1 @ LAV 2, LAV 4 @ BEL 1, LAV 2 @ ROC 4, LAV 5 @ UTI 2 |
 |
Rocket sell off assets before trade deadline, that’s usually a sign that management have given up because the players have. Should be interesting to see which way the Rocket go these next two weeks. |
n/a
|
Next Games: @ CLE, 3/5, @ CLE 3/6, vs. BEL 3/11, vs. BNG 3/13, vs. BNG 3/14, @ HER 3/18 |
| Record: 27-24-5-3 |
23
|
Last Games: UTI 6 @ BEL 3, UTI 3 @ ROC 2 (SO), TOR 3 @ UTI 7, LAV 5 @ UTI 2, UTI 3 @ ROC 1 |
 |
Yeah, i’t unfair that the Comets are out of the top 20, but they really haven’t stood out despite being a playoff team. |
-3
|
Next Games: @ CHA 3/6, @ CHA 3/7, vs. SYR 3/11, vs. BEL 3/13, @ SPR 3/14, @ SYR 3/17 |
| Record: 32-21-3-2 |
24
|
Last Games: TOR 1 @ LAV 2, CLE 3 @ TOR 4 (OT), TOR 3 @ UTI 7, TOR 4 @ BNG 5, TOR 3 @ TEX 2, TOR 4 @ BEL 8 |
 |
Marlies need something, anything, to kickstart themselves to run to a playoff berth. There are some opportunities here in the next two weeks. |
+5
|
Next Games: vs. SYR 3/6, vs. SYR 3/7, @ BRI 3/11, @ HER 3/13, @ LV 3/14, vs. ROC 3/17 |
| Record: 28-25-3-2 |
25
|
Last Games: IA 3 @ TEX 4, IA 4 @ TEX 0, RFD 3 @ TEX 2 (SO), RFD 5 @ TEX 4, GR 2 @ TEX 4, TOR 3 @ TEX 2, MIL 3 @ TEX 2 (OT) |
 |
Looks like the bottom has fallen out for the Stars. Sure, they have games in hand but if you don’t win those, you’re not making playoffs. |
+3
|
Next Games: @ SA 3/6, vs. MIL 3/7, @ COL 3/1, @ COL 3/11, @ TUC 3/14, @ TUC 3/15, vs. MB 3/18 |
| Record: 24-27-3-4 |
26
|
Last Games: HFD 1 @ SPR 4, SPR 4 @ PRO 7, SYR 2 @ SPR 3 (OT), BRI 6 @ SPR 3, PRO 3 @ SPR 1 |
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For as cold the Penguins have been, so too are the Thunderbirds. Neither team wants to move off of 62 points at present. |
-9
|
Next Games: @ PRO 3/6, vs. PRO 3/7, vs. HFD 3/8, vs. HFD 3/13, vs. UTI 3/14, @ BRI 3/15, @ HFD 3/18 |
| Record: 30-26-2-0 |
27
|
Last Games: HER 1 @ WBS 2, WBS 4 @ HFD 3 (OT), WBS 1 @ PRO 2, PRO 6 @ WBS 2, WBS 3 @ SYR 4, WBS 1 @ HER 5 |
 |
Losers of four straight, 3-7 in their last ten, changes to personnel don’t seem to have worked quite yet. This weekend coming up used to be a cake walk given the opponents. Not anymore. |
-9
|
Next Games: @ BNG 3/6, vs. BRI 3/7, vs. BNG 3/8, @ LV 3/11, @ LV 3/13, @ HER 3/14, vs. CLE 3/18 |
| Record: 27-24-3-5 |
28
|
Last Games: CLE 3 @ SYR 6, CLE 3 @ ROC 2 (OT), CLE 3 @ TOR 4 (OT), BEL 5 @ CLE 1, BEL 4 @ CLE 1 |
 |
Last in the North, and don’t look like a contender this season. A lot of teams who are or who are trying to be over the next course week are on the schedule. |
-2
|
Next Games: vs. LAV 3/5, vs. LAV 3/6, @ CHA 3/10, @ CHA 3/11, vs. ROC 3/15, @ WBS 3/18 |
| Record: 24-28-4-2 |
29
|
Last Games: SD 4 @ BAK 1, COL 5 @ BAK 4 (OT), BAK 1 @ ONT 2 (SO), TUC 3 @ BAK 2 |
 |
Condors join the Barracuda as teams who aren’t making playoffs this year. |
-2
|
Next Games: @ STK 3/6, vs. STK 3/7, @ GR 3/13, @ GR 3/14 |
| Record: 20-26-5-3 |
30
|
Last Games: SJ 3 @ SD 6, SJ 5 @ ONT 2, ONT 4 @ SJ 2, SD 4 @ SJ 3 (OT), IA 1 @ SJ 2 (OT), IA 1 @ SJ 5 |
 |
They are playing out the string in San Jose. Only question is will Bakersfield or the Barracuda finish last. |
n/a
|
Next Games: vs. SD 3/6, vs. SD 3/7, @ STK 3/10, @ SD 3/13, @ ONT 3/14, vs. COL 3/17 |
| Record: 19-27-4-2 |
31
|
Last Games: HER 5 @ BRI 4 (SO), HFD 4 @ BRI 1, BRI 6 @ SPR 3, HFD 3 @ BRI 1, BNG 1 @ BRI 0 |
 |
Bridgeport sold off what little good assets they had left at the trade deadline; Josh Ho-Sang to San Antonio and Ryan Bourque to Charlotte. There’s always next year. |
n/a
|
Next Games: @ LV 3/6, @ WBS 3/7, @ LV 3/8, vs. TOR 3/11, vs. HFD 3/14, vs. SPR 3/15 |
| Record: 20-32-5-2 |
–
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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Chirps from Center Ice 
Thanks for the run-down! I’ve been looking at the way team’a have performed since Mid-December thru to today and we can see which teams are trending up, and which ones are going in the other direction.
SINCE December 12, things have really been shaken up. Here’s how teams stack up over the past 2.5 months have been (Pts % since Dec 12 included as well as previous ranking/Pts percentage; x denotes current playoff position):
1. Iowa – .773 (Prev: 15/.538) x
2. Colorado – .733 (19/.500) x
3. Belleville – .714 (9/.604) x
4. Hershey – .712 (14/.558) x
5. Binghamton – .697 (31/.360) x
6. Charlotte – .682 (23/.479) x
7. San Diego – .667 (24/.475) x
8. Milwaukee – .656 (2/.778) x
9. Ontario – .650 (21/.500)
10. Providence – .638 (8/.625) x
and then there is a HUGE gap…
11. Chicago – .565 (27/.444) x
12. Hartford – .563 (6/.712) x
13. Grand Rapids – .559 (29/.442)
14. Stockton – .552 (5/.717) x
15. Utica – .548 (7/.635) x
16. Springfield – .548 (18/.519)
followed by another large break until…
17. Tucson – .517 (1/.792) x
18. San Antonio – .516 (17/.519) x
19. Syracuse – .515 (11/.600)
20. Rochester – .515 (3/.750) x
21. Texas – .500 (28/.442)
22. Wilkes-Barre – .485 (13/.577)
23. Lehigh Valley – .470 (20/.500)
24. Laval – .468 (12/.589)
And the last gap separating the awful teams…
25. Bakersfield – .435 (25/.457)
26. Manitoba – .422 (22/.481)
27. Cleveland – .422 (16/.519)
28. Rockford – .417 (10/.604)
29. Bridgeport – .391 (30/.407)
30. San Jose – .379 (26/.455)
31. Toronto – .375 (4/.740)
Trending (way) Up:
Binghamton (+.337 | 31st to 5th)
Iowa (+.235 | 15th to 1st)
Colorado (+.233 | 19th to 2nd)
Charlotte (+.203 | 23rd to 6th)
San Diego (+.192 | 24th to 7th)
Hershey (+.154 | 14th to 4th)
Ontario (+.150 | 21st to 9th)
Chicago (+.121 | 27th to 11th)
Grand Rapids (+.117 | 29th to 13th)
Belleville (+.110 | 9th to 3rd)
Trending (way) Down
Laval (-.121 | 12th to 24th)
Milwaukee (-.122 | 2nd to 8th)
Hartford (-.159 | 6th to 12th)
Stockton (-.165 | 5th to 14th)
Rockford (-.187 | 10th to 28th)
Rochester (-.235 | 3rd to 20th)
Tucson (-.265 | 1st to 17th)
Toronto (-.365 | 4th to 31st)
It could be quite feasible, even likely if current long-term trends continue, to have half of the teams that were in a playoff berth after American Thanksgiving be outside the playoff picture when it’s all said and done. Its hard to recall that Rockford was a good team earlier this season but the numbers are there. For them, their special teams have sunk them & they’re bottom 3 in the AHL in both PP and PK efficiency rates. If I had to put money on the Pacific, I’d put it on San Diego or Ontario making the playoffs over Tucson or Stockton; in either case the collapse would be pretty epic (and not the first year Tucson has accomplished such a feat). Hartford will likely be saved by other teams (Wilkes-Barre and Springfield also seemingly to be allergic to playoff hockey) and Milwaukee has really just been coasting since the All-Star Break (tho they should watch out for Iowa).
No division has seen change like the North. Almost every team except Belleville and one other notable exception has seen their fortunes tank, some more than other (cough cough Toronto). At one point, 7 of the best 14 teams in the AHL all resides in the North Division, something that changed in the season’s second half. likely that Laval, Toronto, and even Rochester could all miss the North whilst Binghamton (who had a near 20 point cushion on last place) has come out of nowhere.
Toronto has seen by far the biggest change, positive or negative, going from a Top-5 team to the worst team in the League! Interestingly Sheldon Keefe left the Marlies to become Head Coach of the Leafs right around December 12. Hmmm. If you’re betting on which teams will make a push in the last part of the season my money would be on San Diego and Ontario sneaking in over Stockton in the Pacific and San Antonio (RIP Rampage) and Grand Rapids grabbing the last 2 spots in the Central. The North? I won’t even touch that, and the Atlantic race is all but finished with nearly 20 games to go, unless the Penguins can pull something together.