With about two months in the books, The Hockey Writers continues with their weekly Power Rankings of the American Hockey League. The rankings are led by a trio of teams (Springfield, Grand Rapids, and Manchester). See where your favorite team ranks below.
1. Springfield Falcons (14-3-1-1)
The Falcons have the lowest amount of regulation losses in the American Hockey League and continue to play well, recording points in eight straight games (7-0-1-0). They’ve outscored their opponents by 17 goals this season.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th at Albany, 7th vs. Hartford and 8th at Hartford
2. Grand Rapids Griffins (15-4-1-1)
Last year’s Calder Cup Champions continue to play well, even while losing reinforcements to the Detroit Red Wings. They’re 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games and have outscored their opponent by 30 goals.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th vs. Rochester
3. Manchester Monarchs (14-4-1-3)
L.A.’s AHL affiliate has suffered only one regulation loss at home (8-1-1-0) this season as they currently lead the Eastern Conference in points. Forward Jordan Weal is tied for 12th in AHL scoring with 21 points this season.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th at Providence, 7th at Portland and 8th vs. Worcester
4. Abbotsford Heat (17-6-1-1)
The Heat have been paced by their power play, second in the AHL at 23.9%. They’re currently first in the Western Conference standings, ahead of Grand Rapids by four points, but have played four games than the Griffins.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th vs. San Antonio
5. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (13-5-1-2)
Although they lost in overtime this weekend in Hershey, the Penguins are a team to watch. They’re in contention for the AHL East Division crown and recently signed former Bears forward Mike Carman to an AHL contract. He was an a PTO prior to his new deal with the club.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th at St. John’s
6. Binghamton Senators (14-6-0-1)
Ottawa’s AHL affiliate faces a big test in the coming games, losing forward Mike Hoffman due to his recall to the NHL. Hoffman was second in AHL scoring with 26 points in 21 games.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th vs. Hershey and 7th vs. Albany
7. Toronto Marlies (12-7-1-0)
The Marlies enter this week on a three game win streak and third in the Western Conference. They could stretch their point streak to five games with wins against some average teams by the end of this weekend.
Upcoming Schedule: December 5th at Lake Erie and 7th vs. Hamilton
8. Providence Bruins (11-7-1-2)
The Bruins appear to be coming around defensively and through their goaltending. Bobby Robins has contributed three goals along with his play physical and Boston Bruins forward prospect Ryan Spooner continues to pace Providence offensively.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th vs. Manchester, 7th at Worcester and 8th vs. Portland
9. Milwaukee Admirals (10-5-4-1)
Only playing 20 games, the Admirals have been solid throughout this season and enter this week following a win. They’ve outscored their opponents by seven goals in the third period this year.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th vs. Oklahoma City
10. Syracuse Crunch (11-7-1-1)
A talented group of forwards have paced the Crunch this season, who currently hold the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Vladislav Namestnikov leads all active skaters on their roster with 21 points in 16 games.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th vs. Norfolk
11. Albany Devils (12-7-1-1)
After a very tough season last year, the Devils are in the running for a postseason appearance. Keith Kinkaid (7-3-1) has been strong in net, posting a 2.15 goals against average and .912 save percentage.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th vs. Springfield and 7th at Binghamton
12. Texas Stars (11-8-2-2)
Center Travis Morin continues to dominate the league offensively, recording 29 points in only 19 games. However, the Stars have lost two straight games entering a Tuesday matchup with the Barons.
Upcoming Schedule: December 3rd at Oklahoma City, 6th and 7th vs. Iowa
13. Norfolk Admirals (10-8-0-4)
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th at Syracuse
John Gibson and Frederik Andersen are two talented goalies that Norfolk hopes can lead them to an East Division title. The Admirals are 3-6-0-1 in their last ten games.
14. St. John’s IceCaps (11-9-1-2)
The IceCaps picked up a convincing win Wednesday night in Hershey, highlighted by Andrew Gordon’s return to Giant Center. Center Eric O’Dell leads St. John’s with 22 points in 22 games, including a team high ten goals.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th and 7th vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
15. Chicago Wolves (10-9-0-2)
Expected to be a Calder Cup contender, Chicago is turning their season around. They’re 6-3-0-1 in their last ten games, led by their penalty kill, ranked fourth in the AHL (88.1%).
Upcoming Schedule: December 7th and 8th vs. Oklahoma City
16. Hamilton Bulldogs (10-9-0-3)
Led by a 3-0 record in overtime games, the Bulldogs are in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference. They’ve been outscored in the second period 18-27.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th at Lake Erie, 7th at Toronto and 8th vs. Lake Erie
17. Rochester Americans (9-8-2-2)
In the process of numerous roster moves, Rochester is contending for a playoff spot. Center Phil Varone leads the team with 21 points in 21 games, including a team high 16 assists.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th vs. Utica, 6th and 7th at Grand Rapids
18. Adirondack Phantoms (9-9-0-2)
Although they’ve lost forward Michael Raffl to the Philadelphia Flyers, Adirondack’s goaltending has carried the weight. Cal Heeter is 4-3-2 with a 2.58 goals against average and .916 save percentage.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th vs. Bridgeport, 6th vs. Hartford, 7th vs. Utica
19. Lake Erie Monsters (10-9-0-1)
Colorado’s AHL affiliate enters this week with a two game losing streak and face a tough matchup at home against the Marlies this week. Winger Bryan Lerg leads them with 18 points in 20 games.
Upcoming Schedule: December 5th vs. Toronto, 6th vs. Hamilton and 8th at Hamilton
20. San Antonio Rampage (10-10-0-1)
Although at .500, the Rampage have been playing better of late, going 6-4 in their last ten games. Rookie forward Vincent Trocheck has 18 points in 21 games to lead San Antonio offensively.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th vs. Iowa, 6th and 7th at Abbotsford
21. Worcester Sharks (8-8-1-0)
They’ve played an Eastern Conference low 17 games and have won three straight games leading to a winnable contest against the Pirates this weekend. They haven’t lost a game in overtime or a shootout yet (4-0).
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th vs. Portland, 7th vs. Providence and 8th at Manchester
22. Hershey Bears (7-7-2-3)
The Chocolate and White picked up three out of a possible four points this weekend as they finished up a five game home stand. They lost goaltender Philipp Gruauber and defenseman Dmitry Orlov last week due to their call ups to the NHL.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th at Binghamton and 7th at Bridgeport
23. Oklahoma City Barons (9-10-0-3)
The Barons head into this week on a two game point streak in hopes of climbing up the Western Conference standings. They’ve been outscored by eight goals this season.
Upcoming Schedule: December 3rd vs. Texas, 6th at Milwaukee, 7th and 8th at Chicago
24. Rockford IceHogs (12-11-1-0)
Although they currently sit sixth in the Western Conference standings, the IceHogs haven’t played very well at all, even with a one game winning streak. They’ve been outscored by 15 goals this season (69-84).
Upcoming Schedule: December 5th and 7th at Charlotte
25. Hartford Wolf Pack (9-10-0-2)
Rookie forward Danny Kristo (17 points) continues to lead the slumping Wolf Pack, who are 2-8 in their last ten games. They received forward J.T. Miller on assignment from the New York Rangers last week, the young prospect has five goals in six games in the AHL this season.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th at Adirondack, 7th at Springfield and 8th vs. Springfield
26. Portland Pirates (7-8-1-2)
Coming into this week the Pirates have lost three straight games and face tough games against the Bruins and Monarchs this weekend.
Upcoming Schedule: December 6th at Worcester, 7th vs. Manchester and 8th at Providence
27. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (6-10-1-3)
The Sound Tigers sit dead last in the Eastern Conference, with only a .400 winning percentage. Rookie forward Ryan Strome recently won AHL player of the week.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th at Adirondack, 6th at Utica and 7th vs. Hershey
28. Iowa Wild (7-11)
Like Hartford, the Wild continue to struggle, also 2-8 in their last ten games. They haven’t yet won a game when trailing after the first (0-7) or second period (0-8).
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th at San Antonio, December 6th and 7th at Texas
29. Utica Comets (6-11-1-1)
After a terrible start, the Comets are showing small signs of resiliency. They enter this week on a two game winning streak and have won six of their last ten games. However, they’re 0-10 when trailing after two periods.
Upcoming Schedule: December 4th at Rochester, 6th vs. Bridgeport and 7th at Adirondack
30. Charlotte Checkers (7-13-0-1)
Charlotte’s 2-8 in their last ten games like a few teams listed above and have been terrible since their home drubbings against the Hershey Bears. They have a 5-7 record when outshooting the opponent.
Upcoming Schedule: December 5th and 7th vs. Rockford
You can follow Matthew on twitter @m_speck and email him at mspeck21@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.