NAHL Power Rankings #3
Since our last edition of power rankings, there has been some movement in the top 5. Leaving the top 5 were the Austin Bruins, who continue to struggle with consistency and have cooled despite holding their lead of the Central Division. Enter the previously unranked New Jersey Titans, who went 6-0 after losing their first game of December to finish 6-1 for the month, and 11-3 since November 1st. The South Division from top to bottom is the deepest in the league, with 3 teams in the top 10 with Lone Star, Corpus Christi and Shreveport all on the outside yet running with winning streaks.
Point Leaders
Cade Neilson (Aberdeen) - 28GP 15G 28A
Tommy Bannister (New Jersey) - 32GP 14G 25A
Brendan Dumas (New Jersey) - 32GP 13G 25A
Jake Black (Johnstown) - 28GP 19G 18A
Alex Malinowski (Fairbanks) - 29GP 14G 23A
Top Scorers
Talon Sigurdson (Anchorage) - 29GP 23G
Jake Black (Johnstown) - 28GP 19G
Kristaps Skrastins (Amarillo) - 26GP 19G
Top Goalies
Luca Di Pasquo (Maryland) - 13GP 2.06 GAA .928 Save %
Max Gutjahr (Amarillo) - 23GP 2.11 GAA .932 Save %
Beni Halasz (New Mexico) - 20GP 2.12 GAA .921 Save %
1 - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
22-8-0-1 45Pts - Previous Rank :4 3
The Ice Dogs sit three points ahead of the Springfield Jr. Blues for first place in the mid-west division. Fairbanks forward Alex Malinowski has been a good reason for the Ice Dogs success this year as he is one of the league leaders in points and fellow forward Billy Renfrew has accumulated 16 goals of his own this year.
The offensive attack combined with the solid defensive mindset has made Fairbanks an elite team in the league this season. With their last loss coming November 20th to Anchorage, this Ice Dog team could be special this year. Good luck to any team traveling North to the Big Dipper Ice Arena in January as they have been extremely successful in front of sellout crowds of 2,242 fans a night.
2 - New Jersey Titans
22-9-1-0 45Pts - Previous Rank : N/A
After a slow start to the season the Titans have quietly climbed the ladder through the NAHL standings. With only 3 losses since Halloween the Titans have been taking care of business top to bottom in the East Division.
A main reason for the success has been the acquisition of recent Colgate commit Goaltender Andrew Takacs who has posted a 91.9 save percentage for the Titans. With Takacs in net and arguably the best line in the NAHL of Anthony Calafiore (35pts), Brendan Dumas (38pts) and Tommy Bannister (39pts) all of which who should be committed soon, look for the Titans to continue their upward trend.
3 - Springfield Jr. Blues
20-9-1-1 42Pts - Previous Rank : 2
They drop one spot mostly because of the New Jersey Titans not because of any poor performances. Actually, the Jr Blues have been one of the most consistent teams in the league and have not left our top 5 all year. They have relied on goaltender Ethan Roberts who has posted a 92.4 save percentage and has been lights out all year. Roberts has rattled off five straight wins for his team as they look to catch Fairbanks.
Their last trip to Alaska was a huge success as they went 4-1 overall including a much-needed split of the Ice Dogs. This is a very capable Jr. Blues team and they should continue to pose a threat to every team they face this season.
4 - New Mexico Ice Wolves
18-8-1-1 38Pts - Previous Rank : 7
Playing a tough south division New Mexico sits at the top of it, barely ahead of Amarillo who takes our 5 spot. This team has shown the ability to skate with any team in the South and have impressed our scouts to be named one of the best teams thru Christmas.
A big reason for their success has been the year U-Mass Lowell Commit Dillan Bentley has had as he has really blossomed in his second year in the league with 27 points. There are some concerns of streakiness from the Ice Wolves as they have a tendency to sweep teams or get swept, especially of late.
5 - Amarillo Wranglers
27-8-0-1 37Pts - Previous Rank : 4
The Wranglers have performed well this year and have found themselves in a tight South Division race as they are only one point behind New Mexico. Amarillo is a pretty complete team that has high end scorers, a solid defensive core and a goaltender in Max Gutjahr who has been absolute rock solid in his 20 year old season.
Their power play is the division's best at 26.9 percent and they take of business on the PK with a 84.9 percent kill rate. Amarillo has a busy month of January and it all starts on New Years eve when they take on Witchita Falls.
Outside Looking In
Maryland Blackbears
Odessa Jackalopes
Austin Bruins
Minot Minotauros
Lone Star Brahmas
Recent Commits
Andrew Takacs (New Jersey) - Colgate
Tyler Gaulin (Maine) - Mercyhurst University
AJ Casperson (Janesville) - LIU
Conor Cole (Maryland) - Alaska Anchorage
Talon Sigurdson (Anchorage) - Arizona State
Artur Turansky (Lone Star) - Miami
Brandon Lajoie (St Cloud) - Alaska Anchorage
Davis Goukler (Shreveport) - Alaska Anchorage
Jan Scorpio (Lone Star) - LIU
Alex Game (New Mexico) - Alaska Anchorage
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