We are ten weeks into the AHL season and it looks like there are two ends of the spectrum to be had.

San Jose, Charlotte, Iowa and some combination of Rochester and Syracuse are really really good while San Diego, Toronto and Laval are struggling.

Now is there time to turn things around if you are in the bottom third? Of course there is. They haven’t even named All-Stars yet and the action doesn’t really start cranking until after that anyhow.

San Jose jumps to the top spot in this weeks Rankings followed closely by Charlotte who, after a blip last week, jump back to second. Syracuse and Rochester fill the top four while Tucson, who we criminally underrated last week by dropping them out of the top ten, goes back to where they belong in the top five.

Go past the Roadrunners if you didn’t link in direct to see where your favorite team ended up this week.

1	Last Week: SJ 4 @ BAK 2, BAK 0 @ SJ 4
	A rightful number one spot for San Jose this week after crushing Bakersfield this past week. Barracuda have only three losses. (!!!)
+1	This Week: @ SD 12/15, @ ONT 12/16, @ SD 12/19
Record: 15-3-1-2

2	Last Week: CHA 7 @ HFD 4, CHA 5 @ SPR 4 (OT)
	Saturday’s last second comeback victory in Springfield is sure to open the eyes of the doubters that this Checkers team should be taken and kept seriously.
+4	This Week: vs. HFD 12/13, vs. HFD 12/15, vs. UTI 12/16, vs. UTI 12/18
Record: 19-6-1-0

3	Last Week: BNG 0 @ SYR 5, RCH 4 @ SYR 3, SYR 8 @ TOR 1
	Crunch stay third this week with big wins against lesser talented teams. They can’t seem to catch Rochester just yet though.
n/a	This Week: @ LAV 12/14, @ LAV 12/15, @ SPR 12/19
Record: 14-6-2-0

4	Last Week: PRO 1 @ RCH 2, RCH 4 @ SYR 3, BNG 5 @ RCH 1
	Amerks stay four clear of second place Crunch here in mid-December. Two tough matchups with Cleveland coming up.
+4	This Week: vs. CLE 12/14, @ CLE 12/15, vs. BEL 12/19
Record: 16-7-2-0

5	Last Week: ONT 3 @ TUC 4 (SO), ONT 0 @ TUC 5, COL 1 @ TUC 2, COL 2 @ TUC 0
	Played two tight ones with Colorado. San Jose may be the class of the AHL now, but watching Tucson and Colorado battle it out is going to be fun.
+9	This Week: @ CHI 12/15, @ CHI 12/16
Record: 15-6-2-1

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Normally when we look at the Weekly Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings, we focus on the top five teams.

We will get to them, but there are three teams not in the top five that need to get some love. They are Milwaukee (13th) Springfield (12th) and Tucson (14th) – all are deserving of being in the top ten this week, but there is a flood of teams that I’m, at least this week, giving some love to. So don’t despair if you happen to be a fan of these consistently good teams.

To this weeks top five, Iowa has been the most consistent team of late, San Jose has just lost three times in regulation, Syracuse hasn’t lost in regulation since October 27 and Bridgeport and Providence are on tears.

Pop past the Bruins to see where the other teams shook out this week.

1	Last Week: IA 2 @ COL 3 (SO), IA 3 @ COL 2 (SO), CHI 4 @ IA 3 (OT)
	Look at those four losses that Iowa have. Other than San Jose (3) there is no other team in the AHL that doesn’t get points one way or another. Iowa is your new number one team this week and unless they start spilling L’s everywhere, they may stay here for a bit.
+1	This Week: vs. CHI 12/7, vs. GR 12/8, @ TEX 12/12
Record: 13-4-4-2

2	Last Week: SJ 6 @ STK 4, SD 3 @ SJ 5
	Six game point streak has the Barracuda at the top of the Pacific. San Jose hasn’t lost in regulation since November 10.
+1	This Week: @ BAK 12/8, vs. BAK 12/9
Record: 13-3-1-2

3	Last Week: SYR 3 @ CLE 4 (OT), SYR 5 @ CLE 3
	Crunch didn’t lose a single game in regulation in November and their December is off to a similar start. December 8 matchup with Rochester is looming large.
+2	This Week: vs. BNG 12/7, vs. RCH 12/8, @ TOR 12/12
Record: 12-5-2-0

4	Last Week: PRO 2 @ BRI 1 (OT), BRI 5 @ SPR 4 (OT), HFD 1 @ BRI 2
	Got points with every contest this week and with Charlotte’s struggles, close to three points from the top of the Atlantic.
+6	This Week: @ WBS 12/8
Record: 14-7-3-1

5	Last Week: CHA 1 @ PRO 2, PRO 2 @ BRI 1 (OT), CHA 3 @ PRO 2 (OT), PRO 5 @ TOR 0
	Providence continues to rise through the Atlantic on a 7-1-2-0 tear. Took three of four points from leader Charlotte and flat out embarrassed Toronto on Wednesday.
+4	This Week: @ RCH 12/7, @ BEL 12/8, @ UTI 12/12
Record: 10-8-4-0

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As we turn the page towards December, one thing has been certain through the first eight weeks of the season.

The Charlotte Checkers are really good.

The Checkers reclaim the top spot in the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings after a brief two week hiatus in the runner-up spot.

Iowa drops to second, although fans in Des Moines have a gripe with the Politburo because the Wild took points in every contest this week.

Top five regulars San Jose and Springfield are three and four and Syracuse and their deadly power play debut in the top five.

Hit the jump past the Crunch if you didn’t link in direct to see where the other 26 teams ended up this week.

1	Last Week: BEL 2 @ CHA 3 (OT), LAV 2 @ CHA 4, LAV 1 @ CHA 3
	OK, OK, the Checkers have forced our hands and are at the top of the Power Rankings after a brief two week hiatus. The Checkers have not found a worthy opponent yet. Trap games coming up this weekend?
+1	This Week: @ PRO 11/30, @ HFD 12/1, @ PRO 12/2
Record: 16-4-1-0

2	Last Week: IA 2 @ MIL 3 (SO), IA 3 MTB 4 (OT), IA 3 @ MTB 2, GR 3 @ IA 2 (OT)
	Points in every contest this week for Iowa, who drop one place this week, but those loser points cost the Wild the top spot in the Central. Heading to Loveland for a pair this weekend for an interesting matchup against the Eagles.
-1	This Week: @ COL 11/30, @ COL 12/1, vs. CHI 12/5
Record: 12-4-3-1

3	Last Week: SJ 3 @ COL 4 (OT), SJ 3 @ COL 4 (SO), STK 2 @ SJ 4
	Barracuda get back to the top of the Pacific despite setbacks in Loveland, Colorado this past weekend.
+1	This Week: @ STK 12/1, vs. SD 12/3
Record: 11-3-1-2

4	Last Week: WBS 3 @ SPR 4 (OT), SYR 3 @ SPR 0, SPR 3 @ BRI 4, BRI 2 @ SPR 5
	Styles make fights, and the Thunderbirds have the number of the Sound Tigers right now, who take four points away from their Atlantic Division foes.
+2	This Week: @ HER 12/1, vs. BRI 12/2
Record: 11-6-0-2

5	Last Week: SYR 4 @ BNG 1, BNG 3 @ SYR 5, SYR 3 @ SPR 0
	Don’t look now but the Crunch are 9-0-1 in their last ten and ripping their way through the North Division on the way to surpass Rochester for tops. The power play is something to see and Syracuse seem to have found their legs. Two this week with Cleveland.
+6	This Week: @ CLE 11/30, @ CLE 12/1
Record: 11-5-1-0

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A little Thanksgiving Eve Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings for you on a Wednesday. Next week, we will return to our regularly scheduled Thursday.

There is a new number number one this week and they are the Iowa Wild. The Wild lead the Central Division.

Charlotte remains in second this week, we had them at #1 when we ate dinner Tuesday night, see what changed our minds.

Bridgeport jumps into the top five in third followed by San Jose and Milwaukee.

After the Admirals, jump through to see where your favorite team ended up if you didn’t link in direct.

1	Last Week: MIL 0 @ IA 6, IA 4 @ CHI 3 (OT)
	Tim Army has the Wild in first place in the Central heading into the final week of November looking to stay there. It’s a mix of great goaltending and goal scoring. Simple, right?
+3	This Week: @ MIL 11/21, @ MTB 11/23, @ MTB 11/24, vs. GR 11/26
Record: 11-4-1-0

2	Last Week: CHA 2 @ WBS 1, CHA 6 @ WBS 5 (OT), BEL 5 @ CHA 1
	We had Charlotte back at #1 again this week until the Belleville blowout. Checkers remain at number two for another week.
n/a	This Week: vs. BEL 11/21, vs. LAV 11/24, vs. LAV 11/25
Record: 13-4-1-0

3	Last Week: BRI 2 @ LAV 1 (SO), BRI 2 @ BEL 1
	Sweep through Canada. Are probably the only legitimate threat to Charlotte right now.
+3	This Week: vs. HFD 11/23, @ HFD 11/24, vs. SPR 11/25, @ SPR 11/28
Record: 11-5-2-0

4	Last Week: COL 0 @ SJ 5
	Barracuda get right back on the horse after last weeks setback in Tucson and shutout Colorado in their only action this past week. A pair more with Colorado before the Heat drop by.
+4	This Week: @ COL 11/23, @ COL 11/24, vs. STK 11/27
Record: 10-3-0-1

5	Last Week: MIL 0 @ IA 6, ONT 1 @ MIL 2
	Admirals split the week. Another one this week with Iowa for tops in the Central Division.
+2	This Week: vs. IA 11/21, @ GR 11/23, vs. RFD 11/24
Record: 10-6-3-0

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Let’s get some housekeeping out of the way real quick. Due to American Thanksgiving on next Thursday, the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings will be moved up one day. Look for them here on the blog on Wednesday, November 21.

On to this weeks Rankings. There is a new number one team this week for the first time all season. Rochester replaces Charlotte as the Amerks and Checkers swap spots this week.

Tucson, after a slip up a few weeks ago with Colorado, move to number three this week after a pair of shutout wins over Pacific Division leading San Jose.

Iowa moves up one and Lehigh Valley round out the top five. After the Phantoms, hit the jump if you didn’t link in direct to see where all the other teams filled out this week.

1	Last Week: SYR 2 @ RCH 3 (OT)
	Light week last week, with an OT win at home against Syracuse. Three in three through the Atlantic Northeast this weekend.
+1	This Week: @ SPR 11/16, @ PRO 11/17, @ HFD 11/18
Record: 10-3-1-0

2	Last Week: CHA 3 @ BNG 4, CHA 7 @ LV 4, CHA 2 @ BRI 4, CHA 2 @ LV 3 (OT)
	Checkers drop two games this week and for the first time all season are not the number one team in the Power Rankings. Chance to make it back to the top this weekend in Wilkes-Barre and at home against Belleville Tuesday.
-1	This Week: @ WBS 11/16, @ WBS 11/17, vs. BEL 11/20
Record: 11-3-1-0

3	Last Week: SJ 0 @ TUC 5, SJ 0 @ TUC 1
	Impressive shutout wins over division leader San Jose. We think whatever maladies that afflicted the Roadrunners in Colorado last weekend are past them.
+6	This Week: @ STK 11/16, vs. STK 11/20
Record: 9-3-0-1

4	Last Week: BAK 5 @ IA 4 (OT), BAK 4 @ IA 3, MIL 0 @ IA 3
	Split a series with the Condors then shut out the Admirals. Are second in the Central and host Milwaukee in a rematch Friday.
+1	This Week: vs. MIL 11/16, @ CHI 11/17
Record: 9-4-1-0

5	Last Week: SPR 2 @ LV 8, CHA 7 @ LV 4, CHA 2 @ LV 3 (OT)
	Phantoms are good at run and gun, something that most teams are not good at or try to stay away from. Light-ish week coming up.
+2	This Week: @ PRO 11/16, @ SPR 11/17
Record: 8-4-1-1

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One change to the top five but no change at the top for the fifth week in a row here at the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings.

No surprise the Charlotte Checkers, the first team to ten wins, remains the top team in the Rankings.

Springfield and Rochester swap spots. The Thunderbirds were the last AHL team to suffer a regulation loss (to Bridgeport Saturday)

San Jose moves up one. The Barracuda are a solid team that not a lot of people talk about.

Iowa moves into the top five this week. Jump past them if you want to see where the rest of the teams ended up this week.

1	Last Week: PRO 3 @ CHA 4, PRO 2 @ CHA 3
	First team to ten wins, Checkers are just buzzing teams down. Busy road schedule this week.
n/a	This Week: @ BNG 11/9, @ LV 11/10, @ BRI 11/11, @ LV 11/14
Record: 10-1-0-0

2	Last Week: HER 4 @ RCH 2, RCH 4 @ HER 1, CLE 2 @ RCH 5
	Amerks are still good and lead the North. Cleveland and Binghamton look to be the only challengers right now. Stop laughing.
+1	This Week: vs. SYR 11/9
Record: 9-3-1-0

3	Last Week: BRI 2 @ SPR 3, SPR 2 @ BRI 5
	Last team in the AHL to suffer a regulation loss with Saturday’s setback to Bridgeport. Divisional play continues this week with the Pennsylvania teams.
-1	This Week: @ LV 11/9, @ HER 11/10, vs. WBS 11/14
Record: 7-1-0-2

4	Last Week: SA 1 @ SJ 3, STK 2 @ SJ 5
	San Jose is a really good team that not a lot of people know about because they play so far out West. Two huge early road games this weekend in Tucson.
+1	This Week: @ TUC 11/9, @ TUC 11/10
Record: 9-1-0-1

5	Last Week: IA 3 @ GR 2 (SO), IA 2 @ RFD 1 (SO), RFD 4 @ IA 2, IA 3 @ RFD 0
	That slow start that the Wild had seems like a year ago, doesn’t it? Wild are up to third in a suddenly tight Central.
+4	This Week: vs. BAK 11/8, vs. BAK 11/10, vs. MIL 11/14
Record: 8-3-0-0

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Minimal shakeup in this week’s edition of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings. The top five stay the top five, with only San Jose dropping one and Milwaukee moving up.

Charlotte, Springfield and Rochester remain your top three this week after another week of wins. Milwaukee moves up one after holding the biggest lead as a division leader. San Jose rounds out the top five as a defensively stout hockey team.

Jump past the Barracuda to see where the rest of the teams filled out this week if you didn’t link in direct.

1	Last Week: CHA 4 @ BNG 3 (OT), CHA 6 @ SYR 3
	If we moved Charlotte from the top spot last week, which we didn’t, we would have put them back at number one again this week. The Checkers are smoking opponents and there doesn’t appear to be any end in sight.
n/a	This Week: vs. PRO 11/2, vs. PRO 11/3
Record: 8-1-0-0

2	Last Week: PRO 2 @ SPR 4, HFD 2 @ SPR 6
	Thunderbirds have yet to lose in regulation, the last AHL team to do so. Scored four power play goals Sunday at home against Hartford. Home and home with Bridgeport coming up.
n/a	This Week: vs. BRI 11/2, @ BRI 11/3
Record: 6-0-0-2

3	Last Week: UTI 0 @ RCH 4, LAV 2 @ RCH 3
	Run the streak to 7-0-1 in their last eight. Americans are jumping ahead of a tough North Division early.
n/a	This Week: vs. HER 11/2, @ HER 11/3, vs. CLE 11/7
Record: 7-2-1-0

4	Last Week: CLE 2 @ MIL 3 (OT), MTB 1 @ MIL 4, MTB 2 @ MIL 1 (OT)
	Admirals keep collecting points and lead the Central by five points, most of any other division in the AHL.
+1	This Week: vs. RFD 11/2, @ GR 11/3, vs. CHI 11/7
Record: 8-1-2-0

5	Last Week: SJ 2 @ SA 1, SJ 6 @ TEX 1
	Positive Texas road trip where the Barracuda held the opponent to just one goal on each night.
-1	This Week: vs. SA 11/2, vs. STK 11/5
Record: 7-1-0-1

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