We are halfway through November and just two weeks away from American Thanksgiving and there has been some shake up in the Power Rankings.

Hartford and Springfield were the first teams in the Eastern Conference to ten wins. I don’t think anyone predicted that a month ago. They are winning with goaltending and the ability to win close games in regulation, unlike some teams who play close games but can’t either get that extra goal or that extra point.

Tucson was the first AHL team to ten wins this season and while they are not in the top five this week, they are in the top ten.

Top five go this way this week; Hartford, the leaders in the Atlantic look to widen the gap while other teams in the division figure things out.

Stockton, firing in over four goals a game, are locked in an early battle with Tucson, who they have seen a ton of recently, are second this week.

Laval, the surprise team in the AHL so far, are third and lead the North Division. They are a lot like Hartford that even in defeat they are piling up loser points.

Milwaukee is fourth this week. They are hot in a division which has gone cold.

Discount Toronto, our fifth place team this week, at your peril.

After the Marlies, jump in and see where your favorite team ended up this week if you didn’t link in direct. Enjoy.

1	Last Games: HFD 1 @ LAV 2 (SO), HFD 4 @ BEL 5 (SO), HER 1 @ HFD 2, BEL 4 @ HFD 3 (SO), HFD 2 @ PRO 1
	Don’t adjust your computer screens, this is a very good team. Even in losses, they get points.
+2	Next Games: @ PRO 11/15, vs. PRO 11/16, vs. SYR 11/20, @ ROC 11/22, @ SYR 11/23
Record: 10-1-0-4

2	Last Games: SJ 2 @ STK 3 (SO), TUC 4 @ STK 3 (OT), STK 2 @ TUC 3 (SO), STK 6 @ TUC 7, SD 3 @ STK 6
	Tops in goals for (an eye popping 4.08) and also in power play have the Heat just running teams over in the Pacific. It’s going to be fun watching them counter punch with Tucson in this battle through the winter.
+3	Next Games: vs. TUC 11/15, vs. SJ 11/16, @ BAK 11/21, @ SD 11/23, @ ONT 11/27
Record: 8-2-1-2

3	Last Games: HFD 1 @ LAV 2 (SO), TOR 5 @ LAV 6 (SO), LAV 2 @ CLE 1, LAV 4 @ CLE 0, BEL 5 @ LAV 4 (OT)
	I think it’s safe to call Laval the surprise team in the the North a month and a half into 2019-20. Rocket lead the North with 20 points and even in defeat are getting points.
+13	Next Games: vs. MIL 11/15, vs. BRI 11/16, @ TOR 11/20, vs. UTI 11/22, vs. UTI 11/23, @ BEL 11/27
Record: 9-5-2-0

4	Last Games: IA 1 @ MIL 0, CHI 2 @ MIL 5, MB 4 @ MIL 6, MIL 3 @ SA 1, MIL 4 @ SA 3 (SO), CHI 3 @ MIL 6
	Admirals sit atop the Central in the middle of November. Their run of seven wins in their last ten game shot them there. Interesting games ahead for Milwaukee.
+7	Next Games: @ LAV 11/15, @ BEL 11/16, @ IA 11/19, @ GR 11/22, vs. GR 11/23, vs. MB 11/27
Record: 9-3-1-2

5	Last Games: TOR 7 @ BEL 4, TOR 5 @ LAV 6 (SO), TOR 1 @ RFD 3, TOR 1 @ GR 4, TOR 5 @ GR 2
	Marlies are setting up fine, just two regulation losses and don’t have to travel at all now till Thanksgiving. Who thought that the Laval Rocket would be keeping pace with Toronto like this?
-3	Next Games: vs. TEX 11/16, vs. TEX 11/17, vs. LAV 11/20, vs. MB 11/23, vs. MB 11/24
Record: 8-2-2-1

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So we are through October and there is one team that hasn’t lost at all and a team that hasn’t won at all.

Somewhere in between, unless you are a fan of the Utica Comets or the San Diego Gulls, is your team.

Early days as the calendar flips to November, so take these Rankings and hope that your club stays in the top half if you are there or hope that your club jumps into the top half if you are near the bottom.

Moral of the story is that nothing really gets figured out before Christmas. But, some teams are already digging themselves a deep hole.

Toronto, Hartford, Iowa and Stockton round out the top five this week. We kind of expected Toronto to be good, Hartford and Stockton are a bit of a surprise and Iowa picked up where they left off last season.

After the Heat, click through the jump if you didn’t link in direct.

1	Last Games: CHA 2 @ UTI 8, ROC 1 @ UTI 7, BNG 1 @ UTI 5, UTI 2 @ HER 1 (SO), BNG 1 @ UTI 3
	The lone unblemished team are your Utica Comets. Utica is a complete team and are getting lights out goaltending from Zane McIntyre who has five of those eight Comets wins.
+2	Next Games: vs. PRO 11/1, vs. ROC 11/2, @ BNG 11/6, vs. WBS 11/8, @ BNG 11/9, vs. SYR 11/11
Record: 8-0-0-0

2	Last Games: CLE 0 @ TOR 2, CLE 5 @ TOR 6 (SO), TOR 2 @ BNG 3 (OT), TOR 3 @ SYR 4 (OT)
	Pair of OT losses to close out the weekend, but the Marlies still haven’t lost in regulation. They may stay that way until at least that weekend trip to Grand Rapids.
-1	Next Games: @ BEL 11/1, @ LAV 11/2, @ RFD 11/6, @ GR 11/8, @ GR 11/9
Record: 6-0-2-0

3	Last Games: SPR 0 @ HFD 1, HFD 4 @ BNG 3 (OT), LAV 1 @ HFD 2 (OT), BRI 1 @ HFD 4, HFD 2 @ BRI 1 (OT), HFD 1 @ LAV 4
	Dealt their first loss Wednesday in Laval. Lead the Atlantic. Early days, but they may be onto something in Hartford. Talk to us in a month.
+2	Next Games: @ LAV 11/1, @ BEL 11/2, vs. HER 11/8, vs. BEL 11/9, @ PRO 11/10
Record: 8-1-0-1

4	Last Games: IA 6 @ MB 4, IA 4 @ MB 2, IA 1 @ TUC 3, IA 1 @ TUC 2 (OT), IA 4 @ GR 3 (OT)
	Wild at the top of the Central isn’t a fluke. This is a solid team from top to bottom. Problem is, there’s no separation because the division as a whole is stacked.
n/a	Next Games: @ MIL 11/1, @ RFD 11/2, vs. CHI 11/7, vs. ONT 11/9, vs. ONT 11/10
Record: 6-1-1-1

5	Last Games: STK 5 @ SD 1, STK 4 @ BAK 3, BAK 3 @ STK 2 (SO), STK 6 @ BAK 3
	Heat remain hot as October closes out. The run should continue but those three with Tucson could prove to be early tests for both teams.
+1	Next Games: vs. SJ 11/1, vs. TUC 11/2, @ TUC 11/8, @ TUC 11/19, vs. SD 11/11
Record: 6-1-0-1

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You know as I was doing these first Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings for the 2019-20 season, I kind of missed doing these weekly. However, for now, I am committed to running these bi-weekly as opposed to weekly to start. If you really want these to go back to weekly, let me know down in the comments section and I’ll see what I can do. The Power Rankings portion of the blog content is the most up in the air feature I have here. It isn’t going away, I just don’t know where to put it or when to run it anymore.

Anyway, with that out of the way, it’s time to see where your favorite team sits two weeks into the season. There are two undefeated teams and two teams still sitting on preseason points (0).

The Marlies, of course, are the early class of the field. Toronto is out to a 4-0 start after a pair of wins over Manitoba and victories over Belleville and Hershey to start the season.

The San Antonio Rampage, yes, the Rampage, are out to a 3-0-0-1 start and lead the Central Division which is as wide open as far as where you’d expect contenders to be early on.

Utica is the other undefeated team in the league and are third. You have to like the early start that the Comets are on.

Iowa hits the ground running and are out to a great start as well and are fourth and the surprise leader at the top of the Atlantic are the Hartford Wolf Pack which round out the top five.

Hit the jump past the Wolf Pack if you didn’t link in direct to see where your favorite team sits just two weeks into this early season.

1	Last Games: BEL 1 @ TOR 4, TOR 3 @ MTB 2, TOR 4 @ MTB 0, HER 3 @ TOR 4
	Toronto debuts at number one this season after a 4-0 start, tying a franchise record. The Marlies are beating all types of teams. Monsters stop by this weekend.
	Next Games: vs. CLE 10/19, vs. CLE 10/20, @ BNG 10/26, @ SYR 10/27
Record: 4-0-0-0

2	Last Games: MTB 1 @ SA 2, TUC 2 @ SA 5, CHI 0 @ SA 3, CHI 2 @ SA 1 (SO)
	Raise your hand if you thought that the Rampage would have points in all of their contests. Now put your hand down, you liar.
	Next Games: @ TUC 10/18, @ TUC 10/19, @ WBS 10/25, @ WBS 10/26, @ RFD 10/30
Record: 3-0-0-1

3	Last Games: UTI 4 @ BNG 3, UTI 4 @ WBS 3 (OT), SYR 2 @ UTI 6
	Comets are 3-0 and off to an undefeated start. Utica stays busy over the next two weeks against some good competition.
	Next Games: vs. CHA 10/18, vs. RCH 10/19, vs. BNG 10/25, @ HER 10/26, vs. BNG 10/30
Record: 3-0-0-0

4	Last Games: RFD 2 @ IA 3, MIL 2 @ IA 5, TEX 4 @ IA 5 (SO), TEX 2 @ IA 1 (SO)
	Points in all of their games, which have been four at this point, has to feel good for Tim Army’s crew as the season kicks off. No rest for the weary, as Iowa has five games inbound in the next two weeks.
	Next Games: @ MTB 10/18, @ MTB 10/19, @ TUC 10/25, @ TUC 10/26, @ GR 10/30
Record: 3-0-0-1

5	Last Games: CHA 3 @ HFD 5, BRI 3 @ HFD 4 (OT), SPR 1 @ HFD 3, RCH 3 @ HFD 2 (SO)
	Hartford are still unbeaten in regulation. How long does this run continue? Busy week with some healthy competition coming up for the Wolf Pack.
	Next Games: vs. SPR 10/18, @ BNG 10/19, vs. LAV 10/25, vs. BRI 10/26, @ BRI 10/27, @ LAV 10/30
Record: 3-0-0-1

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We have reached the end of the Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings for the season. Another year in the books, thanks to all who read.

The top 16 teams in this weeks Rankings are ranked in some form or fashion from 1-16. I have always done it that way. Also, the division champs are ranked 1-4. Again, I have always done it that way.

No doubt about the number one team, seemingly a constant in the Rankings here all season. Charlotte is the odds on favorite to win it all this year. Will they? Check back Wednesday to see how I predict the Calder Cup Playoffs.

1	Last Week: CHA 2 @ CLE 1, CHA @ CLE
	Anything less than a Calder Cup for the league’s best team all season should be seen as a disappointment.
n/a	Playoffs?: Yes, vs. Providence
Record: 51-17-7-1

2	Last Week: LAV 1 @ SYR 5, RCH 3 @ SYR 4, SYR 3 @ UTI 4 (SO)
	Race for the North Division title won by the Crunch. Now, can they close out the deal and win a Calder Cup? High odds, but a mangrove of really good teams to get through. Hey, if it were easy, we’d all be champions.
n/a	Playoffs?: Yes, vs. Cleveland
Record: 47-21-4-4

3	Last Week: CHI 1 @ IA 2 (OT), MTB 2 @ CHI 4, MTB 6 @ CHI 2
	Odds on favorite to win the Calder Cup not named Charlotte? Possibly. Wolves were class of the Central in a moshpit of other teams that tripped over themselves just to get in.
+1	Playoffs?: Yes, vs. Grand Rapids
Record: 44-22-6-4

4	Last Week: ONT 3 @ BAK 6, BAK 3 @ STK 2
	Should be a favorite to represent the West in the Calder Cup Finals, but spoiler, we don’t like their chances. More Wednesday on this.
+4	Playoffs?: Yes, vs. Colorado
Record: 42-21-3-2

5	Last Week: BNG 4 @ RCH 3 (OT), RCH 3 @ SYR 4, RCH 4 @ BEL 2
	We can’t wait for Friday as that series with Toronto may be one of the more exciting series of the first round of the playoffs.
-2	Playoffs?: Yes, vs. Toronto
Record: 46-23-5-2

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Seven spots are up for grabs in the final weekend of the AHL’s regular season and it appears that no one in the Central wants them.

That race is the biggest one to watch as you have just one team qualified (Chicago) and six teams separated by seven points. It’s anyone’s for the taking really, and the race is likely coming down to the final day.

As for the top five this week in Week 27, no changes to the top four with Providence jumping in to round out the top five.

Click past the Bruins if you didn’t link in direct to see where your favorite team ended up this week and enjoy the final weekend of hockey in the AHL this season!

1	Last Week: SPR 5 @ CHA 3, SPR 0 @ CHA 5
	Will be fine tuning things in the final week for an anticipated first round matchup against the Providence Bruins.
n/a	This Week: @ CLE 4/11, @ CLE 4/12
Record: 49-17-7-1

2	Last Week: SYR 6 @ RCH 1, RCH 5 @ SYR 2
	Crunch lock up home ice for round one, looking to win the division his week against some good opponents.
n/a	This Week: vs. LAV 4/12, vs. RCH 4/13 @ UTI 4/14
Record: 45-21-4-3

3	Last Week: SYR 6 @ RCH 1, RCH 5 @ SYR 2, RCH 2 @ CLE 1
	Division championship still needs to be ferreted out and that will come this weekend, down to the Amerks and Syracuse. Staying healthy between now, then and the start of playoffs is the goal.
n/a	This Week: vs. BNG 4/12, @ SYR 4/13, @ BEL 4/14
Record: 45-22-4-2

4	Last Week: CHI 3 @ MIL 4, COL 2 @ CHI 3, COL 3 @ CHI 2 (SO)
	Desperate teams coming in this week on Chicago’s final tuneup before the start of the postseason.
n/a	This Week: @ IA 4/12, vs. MTB 4/13, vs. MTB 4/14
Record: 43-21-5-4

5	Last Week: BRI 6 @ PRO 8, PRO 3 @ BRI 4, UTI 1 @ PRO 3
	Needs just a point to clinch the fourth and final spot. Very tough first round matchup with Charlotte looms.
+2	This Week: vs. LV 4/12, @ SPR 4/13, vs. SPR 4/14
Record: 37-25-8-3

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Five teams have qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs and fitting this week that those five teams are in the top five in the Week 26 Chirps from Center Ice AHL Power Rankings.

It may not matter though, because the Charlotte Checkers look unstoppable. They will lock up home ice through the playoffs this weekend and good luck trying to beat this team in a five or seven game series.

Syracuse and Rochester have a huge home and home series this weekend for the North Division Championship.

Chicago has punched their ticket to the postseason and are above the noise of six other teams that are battling for the final three spots in the division.

Bakersfield rounds out the top five as a recent qualifier for the postseason.

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

1	Last Week: CHA 4 @ HFD 1, CHA 1 @ BRI 2, LV 1 @ CHA 5, LV 2 @ CHA 6
	Lots of talk on this blog about fourth place in the Atlantic. Well, whoever gets that distinction faces off against Charlotte who will only be extending that teams season by two weeks. Checkers look unstoppable, and that isn’t good for the other 15 teams which qualify for the postseason.
n/a	This Week: vs. SPR 4/6, vs. SPR 4/7
Record: 48-16-7-1

2	Last Week: PRO 3 @ SYR 2, UTI 2 @ SYR 6, SYR 1 @ BEL 0
	Three clear on Rochester for the division title and colud put the division championship away this weekend with a home and home with the Americans.
n/a	This Week: @ RCH 4/5, vs. RCH 4/6
Record: 44-20-4-3

3	Last Week: RCH 2 @ LAV 4, RCH 6 @ BNG 4
	Amerks locked up a spot for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Next is home ice through the first round, maybe the division. Big series with Syracuse this weekend.
+2	This Week: vs. SYR 4/5, @ SYR 4/6, @ CLE 4/8
Record: 43-21-4-2

4	Last Week: CHI 4 @ GR 3, MIL 4 @ CHI 2, CHI 5 @ RFD 2
	Wolves are above the noise which is buzzing at Grand Rapids, Iowa and below for the final three spots in the Central and have already locked up a playoff spot.
n/a	This Week: @ MIL 4/5, vs. COL 4/6, vs. COL 4/7
Record: 42-20-5-3

5	Last Week: BAK 3 @ SD 2, SJ 4 @ BAK 2, BAK 1 @ MTB 3, BAK 2 @ MTB 3
	Condors are a playoff team, but hitting the final stretch a bit cold, having lost three straight.
-2	This Week: @ SA 4/6, vs. TUC 4/10
Record: 39-20-3-2

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Playoff tickets started getting punched this past week and it’s two familiar names at the top of the Power Rankings that were first.

Charlotte, the league’s best team and overall favorite for the Calder Cup and Syracuse, the workhorse team from the North Division both locked up playoff berths.

The next three teams that round out the top five in Bakersfield, Chicago and Rochester. These three teams should be next in line to start planning their postseason.

After the Wolves, click past to see where your favorite team ended up this week.

1	Last Week: HFD 1 @ CHA 3, HFD 2 @ CHA 6, CHA 4 @ BRI 0
	Will be favored to win the Calder Cup by miles. Clearly, above and beyond, the leagues best team.
n/a	This Week: @ HFD 3/29, @ BRI 3/30, vs. LV 4/2, vs. LV 4/3
Record: 45-15-7-1

2	Last Week: UTI 2 @ SYR 6, SYR 1 @ BRI 4, SYR 1 @ BEL 2 (SO)
	Were the second AHL team to lock up a playoff berth. Now, to lock up home ice through the divisional games. Tough games ahead.
n/a	This Week: vs. PRO 3/29, vs. UTI 3/30, @ BEL 4/3
Record: 42-19-4-3

3	Last Week: BAK 4 @ ONT 5 (SO), ONT 2 @ BAK 5
	Should be the first team in the West to lock up a playoff spot. Important series of games coming up this weekend.
+1	This Week: @ SD 3/29, vs. SJ 3/30, @ MTB 4/2, @ MTB 4/3
Record: 38-17-3-2

4	Last Week: CHI 4 @ TEX 1, CHI 5 @ SA 0, CHI 4 @ SA 1
	Very important game Friday with the Griffins with divisional title implications on the line.
+1	This Week: @ GR 3/29, vs. MIL 3/30, @ RFD 3/31
Record: 40-19-5-3

5	Last Week: CLE 5 @ RCH 2, RCH 5 @ TOR 2, RCH 5 @ TOR 4 (OT), LV 4 @ RCH 3 (OT)
	Impressive take down of Toronto this past weekend. It’s a race between Rochester and Bridgeport to see which team qualifies next for the playoffs.
+3	This Week: vs. LAV 3/29, @ BNG 3/30
Record: 41-21-4-2

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