Media Buck's Week 1 Power Rankings

Eastern Atlantic Division

1 - Hartford Wolf Pack:

Hartford had a very solid first week of the season. 1 point behind division leading Hershey, the Wolf Pack finished the week 6-3-0. However, on the first night of the season, they had to use an ECU centre, and went 0-2 while scoring 0 goals and allowing 10. In the final 7 games of the week, they went 6-1 while scoring 33 and allowing 14. Offensively led by @IIx OMARK xII (3-0-0, 8G-7A-15P, +12) and @sicka moose (2-0-0, 7G-4A-11P, +9), the Hartford offense seemed to explode after being shutout in both games on Sunday night. Their top defencemen were @Os1r1s54 (2-1-0, 1G-0A-1P, +3) and @UnoX Clouds (2-1-0, 0G-3A-3P, +3). It seemed that after the opening night, the defence were able to settle in and work on shutting down the opponents very effectively. Lastly, goaltending is led by Management duo of @Tatar l21l (3-2-0, 77.3 Save%, 3 GAA) and @Im_Faces (3-1-0, 83.9 Save%, 2.24 GAA) who both had their fair share of shots faced this week. Tatar faced 66 shots, allowing 15 goals (51/66) while Faces faced 56 shots, allowing 9 goals (47/56). Starting in week two, look for Faces and Tatar to continue rolling their lines out while they lock down the net by sharing the games.


2 - Hershey Bears:

After Week 1, Hershey leads the Eastern Atlantic Division in the standings with a total of 13 points after going 6-2-1 in the first week of Season 27. Up front, they were led by AGM @l Bolts x 91 l (2-1-0, 4G-4A-8P, +2) and @v FrosTiC (3-0-0, 3G-5A-8P, +3). With not many big name players on their roster, it’s shocking to see that Hershey did so well offensively this week. This could also be the result of having strong defencemen who are able to break out the puck really well. Speaking of defencemen, Hershey still has their top duo from last season picking up where they left off. @SlapShot1219 (2-1-0, 0G-6A-6P, +2) and @Leif Ender (2-1-0, 1G-3A-4P, +2) looked like the same old duo that they were last season, helping their forwards offensively and being defensively sound. In net, we saw a brand new starter in the likes of @A Slanted Neck (5-1-0, 83.5 Save%, 2.35 GAA) and veteran goalie @Tarasenko x91x (1-1-0, 88 Save%, 1.5 GAA) looked like the backup playing only 2 games. Slanted saw 85 shots this week and allowed 14 goals (71/85) while Tarasenko saw 25 shots and allowed 3 goals (22/25).


3 - Providence Bruins:

Providence had a great start to the season, going 6-3-0 in Week 1. They are also third in their division after the week. Offensively, they were very even across their roster in terms of Goals, Assists, Points and Plus/Minus but they were offensively led by @rG Breezyy (2-1-0, 3G-4A-7P, +3) and @PaPa Munk (2-1-0, 6G-1A-7P, +3). Defense was their rock this week, and they had 3 studs on the blue line that will get shoutouts this week. @Gucci Clorox (2-0-0, 0G-2A-2P, +7), @BreDrinX (3-0-0, 1G-2A-3P, +7) and @Tomgolf1313 (3-0-0, 0G-2A-2P, +5) were the rocks that this Baby Bruins team needs to succeed. In between the pipes, @Auggy32 (4-0-0, 90.5 Save%, 1 GAA) was a pure brick wall in the crease for them all week while @tristn (2-3-0, 70.7 Save%, 3.41 GAA) had a not so great week. Auggy faced 42 shots, allowing 4 goals (38/42) while Tristan faced 58 shots, allowing 17 goals (41/58).


4 - Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins
5 - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
6 - Springfield Thunderbirds
7 - Bridgeport Sound Tigers



Eastern North Division:

1 - Rochester Americans:

Rochester came storming out of the gates, being one of two teams going undefeated and having that 9-0-0 record. Despite 4 of their wins were Overtime Wins, they also showed their grit and determination to end those longer games with the result in their favour. Offensively led by GM @Gthumbz42o (3-0-0, 4G-6A-10P, +5) and @Impct GREED (3-0-0, 7G-3A-10P, +11), their offence was very well-rounded in the first week. All lines were clicking and putting up the points so that they could win all the games. Defensively, they were led by studs such as @tchang3380 (3-0-0, 1G-6A-7P, +6) and @GroceryStickl5l (3-0-0, 1G-3A-4P, +4). It’s hard to pick a top 2 dmen when a team goes undefeated. In net, they have two of the top goalies in the league. @B4NKS (4-0-0, 81.3 Save%, 1.7 GAA) continued from last season’s dominance while @Ballzy06 (5-0-0, 81.8 Save%, 1.9 GAA) helped lead the charge. Banks faced 32 shots, allowing 6 goals (26/32) while Ballzy faced 55 shots, allowing 10 goals (45/55).


2 - Binghamton Senators:

The Baby Senators had a surprisingly good week, going 6-2-1. This is a little bit shocking as it didn’t look like they put together the greatest team on paper. @xDemon12x (3-0-0, 7G-5A-12P, +7) and linemate @TMel 11 (3-0-0, 5G-7A-12P, +7) led the charge up front for these Baby Sens. GM @Horvat ll53ll must have done a good job with his line matching in the first week if he also got 11 points himself. Defensively, this team played relatively sound hockey. @RAFF x l52l (3-0-0, 1G-2A-3P, +10) and @Brian1591 (2-1-0, 0G-1A-1P, +5) rounded the top of the defensive core off. Now, bringing down Darcy from the NHL after a season with the Ottawa Senators may have been a gift or a curse. Goaltending was indeed led this week by @Darcy Kuemper (4-1-0, 89.1 Save%, 1.2 GAA) and he was backed up by @bl1zz72 (2-1-1, 71.4 Save%, 3.84 GAA). Darcy faced 55 shots in 5 games, allowing 6 goals (49/55) while Blizz faced 56 shots in 4 games, allowing 16 goals (40/56).


3 - Albany Devils:

The Little Devils had an above average week in the first week of the season, going 5-4-0. Being just above .500 in a weaker division is enough to get them the 3rd spot on the East North division rankings. Offensively led by @Soxfan7744 (3-0-0, 7G-6A-13P, +11) and @nO Undies On (2-1-0, 3G-9A-12P, +6) they were several forwards in the double digits category for points. It goes to show that their offence has exploded early on, but with the record that the team had, maybe their defence was atrocious. Speaking of defence, they were led by @Gnashty41 (2-1-0, 0G-6A-6P, +5) and @KuroiTaiyou (2-1-0, 0G-3A-3P, +5). It seems that after this defensive pairing, that the defence was just non-existent in Albany. Goaltending wise, they were led by @adidaht88 (4-2-0, 78.4 Save%, 3.17 GAA) who had a bit of a rough week and back up @xHabs022 (1-2-0, 75 Save%, 4 GAA) didn’t do all too well himself. Adidaht faced 88 shots over 6 games, allowing 19 goals (69/88) while Habs faced 48 shots over 3 games, allowing 12 goals (36/48).


4 - Toronto Marlies
5 - Utica Comets
6 - St. John’s Ice Caps
7 - Syracuse Crunch



Western Central Division

1 - Rockford IceHogs:

It’s hard not to put Rockford first in the mighty Central division with them going 9-0-0 as well. They had an outstanding week and had some tough competition in some games. Up front, the were led by @l1l Little l8l (3-0-0, 9G-3A-12P, +8) and @paradoxskills (3-0-0, 3G-8A-11P, +7). As I previously said with Rochester, it’s hard to choose a specific top two for defencemen when a team goes undefeated over the week. However, for Rockford, it looks like the best pair were @BulgingBlowfish (3-0-0, 1G-4A-5P, +7) and @KeBrik (3-0-0, 0G-2A-2P, +7). It doesn’t matter who I pick as they were all outstanding, but these two deserve some credit. Lastly, rocking the pipes were GM @Im4thLineWorthy’s best friend @ll 7th ll (5-0-0, 84.3 Save%, 1.56 GAA) who is only on the team because of his friendship with 4thLine and star draft pick goalie @l sergei x 91 l (3-0-0, 93.3 Save%, 0.67 GAA) who was the league’s #1 goalie for the week. 7th faced 51 shots over 5 games, allowing 8 goals (43/51) and grabbing 1 shutout while Sergei faced 30 shots over 3 games, allowing 2 goals (28/30) and grabbing 1 shutout.


2 - Charlotte Checkers:

I put the Checkers at #2 over the Moose because of their two tough Overtime Losses this week. Going 5-2-2, the Checkers will probably look to do better and win those games going to Overtime next week. Offensively, they were led by @heD HonChO (2-1-0, 2G-6A-8P, +1) and @MrShts2ez (1-1-1, 4G-2A-6P, -5) which just shows you that despite some lines going undefeated, there was not much scoring this week. Defensively, they were a little more sound all around but were led by @BigPun1985 (2-0-1, 0G-1A-1P, +3) and @FtB x Grizz (2-0-1, 0G-0A-0P, +4). I hate the guy, but Grizz performed this week. Stats do not lie. In net, as expected, @DA JABR0NY (3-1-2, 80 Save%, 2.18 GAA) took the brunt of the workload while backup @Ratty68 (2-1-0, 69 Save%, 4.33 GAA) played 3 games. Jabrony faced 75 shots over 6 games, allowing 15 goals (60/75) while Ratty faced 42 shots over 3 games, allowing 13 goals (29/42).


3 - Manitoba Moose:

The Moose had a very respectable 6-3-0 record in Week 1. This puts them 3rd on my weekly rankings. Dudley’s little stunt in the NHL last season seems to have conditioned him a little more for AHL Management once again. Offensively led by @Bitty nP (3-0-0, 9G-3A-12P, +6) and @Rhyan (3-0-0, 4G-4A-8P, +6), there were alot of times that the Moose had the chances to score over the week but just didn’t. Most of their forwards sit between the 4-7 point range. Watching the blue line and making sure there are no cherry pickers were @StealthyWhales (3-0-0, 0G-2A-2P, +4) and @WeezyFnSwamprat (3-0-0, 0G-2A-2P, +4). It slowly went downhill from there as the defensive pairings went 2-1-0 and 1-2-0 respectively. In net, the Moose’s starter @CAPTAIN TURTL31 (3-3-0, 80.8 Save%, 2.86 GAA) had a solid first week of the season while backup @Vhipers (3-0-0, 80 Save%, 2 GAA) had a great start. Captain faced 99 shots over 6 games, allowing 19 goals (80/99) while Vhipers faced 30 shots over 3 games, allowing 6 goals (24/30).


4 - Chicago Wolves
5 - Iowa Wild
6 - Grand Rapids Griffins
7 - Milwaukee Admirals
8 - Cleveland Mighty Lightning



Western Pacific Division

1 - San Diego Gulls:

The Gulls started off this season exactly how they did in Season 26: at the top of their division. Going 7-2-0 in Week 1 was a blessing and they played very well to get there. It’s unfortunate that their Owner took things into his own hands and made 6 trades in a row as soon as the trade windows opened up, hurting the Gulls. However, the Gulls were dominant nonetheless and look to continue that into Week 2. They were offensively led by @BuddyWhackit7 (3-0-0, 7G-3A-10P, +6) and @Juke 4K (3-0-0, 2G-6A-8P, +6). After that, not much happened offensively in the terms of big numbers. Defensively, the Gulls were led by @Hammy x 27 (3-0-0, 1G-5A-6P, +3) and @JTRx91 (3-0-0, 0G-3A-3P, +6). In between the pipes, the starter did an amazing job, while their backup didn’t do the greatest. Starter @IVIDewMan (6-0-0, 84.4 Save%, 1.61 GAA) had a fantastic week showing that last season’s success was no fluke. Backup goalie @xx BROWN xx31 (1-2-0, 75 Save%, 2.34 GAA) had decent numbers but simply could not get his team the necessary wins. Dewman faced 64 shots over 6 games, allowing 10 goals (54/64) while Brown faced 28 shots over 3 games and allowing 7 goals (21/28).


2 - Ontario Reign:

It’s always nice to see surprises at the top of the Standings for each division and the Reign are just that. Going 5-3-1 in Week 1 was a great kick off to the season. The team management did very well this week in terms of getting wins and points and that is very important for a manager to be leading by example. This week, they were offensively led by @P3k1ng DuK (2-1-0, 4G-7A-11P, +7) and @Clarke Kid (2-1-0, 5G-5A-10P, +7). It seemed like an offensive explosion in Ontario this week. Defensively, they were sound for the most part and were led in that category by @General Jobo (3-0-0, 1G-5A-6P, +8) and Xx CousinAvi xX (3-0-0, 1G-3A-4P, +8). In net for the Reign, @Mastadon31 (3-0-1, 75 Save%, 3.23 GAA) did alright in the win column, just not in the stats department. On the other hand, @conV Tipsy (2-2-0, 80.9 Save%, 3.26 GAA) had somewhat decent stats. Mastadon faced 52 shots over 4 games, allowing 13 goals (39/52) while Tipsy faced 68 shots over 4 games, allowing 13 goals (55/68).


3 - San Jose Barracuda:

The Barracuda round out this Week’s edition of the Power Rankings. They had a semi-decent week in a very weak Pacific division, going 4-3-2. Offensively led by @LIVE Jordan (1-0-2, 3G-6A-9P, +3) and @x Jonny 97x (2-1-0, 4G-5A-9P, +/- 0), there was not too much offensive prowess coming out of San Jose this week. San Jose happened to take advantage of a weaker division’s inability to score to pull some close games out. Defensively, they were led by @tH4tWutSh3S4id2 (2-1-0, 1G-1A-2P, +/- 0), which is a TERRIBLE gamertag, and @Dekeapedia (1-1-0, 1G-0A-1P, +2). I wouldn’t consider their defence very strong as they don’t have much depth in that department, since they had 2 above average goalies. @CjC Cobras (3-0-1, 84.7 Save%, 2.02 GAA) took the brunt of the work and excelled as expected while backup @Brett R (1-2-1, 81 Save%, 2.79 GAA) couldn’t string the wins together this week. Cobras faced 59 shots over 4 games, allowing 9 goals (50/59) while his counterpart Brett faced 63 shots over 4 games, allowing 12 goals (51/63).


4 - Stockton Heat
5 - San Antonio Rampage
6 - Bakersfield Condors
7 - Tucson Roadrunners
8 - Texas Stars

 

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