2022-23 ECHL Power Rankings
Growlers Hold Off Charging Steelheads To Stay In Top Spot
The Idaho Steelheads once again are charging, but the Newfoundland Growlers remain in the top spot in this week’s very unofficial FloHockey ECHL power rankings.
While it’s neck and neck for the top two spots, the fact that Toledo quietly has climbed up to third might be the most interesting move of them all.
The defending Western Conference champions have emerged after a sluggish start to the season to reestablish themselves as a real threat.
1) Newfoundland Growlers (34-12-1-0) (Last Week: 1)
The Growlers hang on to the top spot, albeit barely, after taking two out of three at home against a fairly lightly-regarded Adirondack team, losing the opener on Wednesday before coming back to win on Friday and Saturday.
2) Idaho Steelheads (36-8-0-2) (Last Week: 2)
Wrapping up a bit of bizarre scheduling that includes six consecutive games against the Tulsa Oilers, Idaho swept the home portion, outscoring Tulsa by a whopping 16-4 margin in a four-day span this past week.
3) Toledo Walleye (27-15-4-2) (Last Week: 4)
It has been a slow burn for the Walleye to get to this point, and yes, you could make an argument that they’re ranked a bit high, given that they’re only in third place in their own division.
But, with at least a point in each of their last six games, and their recent pedigree, they should be taken very seriously as the last third of the regular season gets set to unfold.
4) Cincinnati Cyclones (27-12-5-2) (Last Week: 11)
The Cyclones have been a steady presence at or near the top 10 all season, and they rocket back up to fourth after a big week that included taking all three games on the road against Savannah and Atlanta, posting 17 goals along the way.
5) Indy Fuel (31-15-2-0) (Last Week: 5)
That’s three Central Division teams in the top 5, with Indy coming in fifth for another week. The Fuel earned their spot with wins in two of their three games, including a big road shutout over Kalamazoo on Saturday.
6) South Carolina Stingrays (28-12-4-1) (Last Week: 7)
Three games, three huge offensive showings for the Stingrays, who move up one spot after a 17-goal output over Greenville, Savannah and Atlanta that netted them four points in the standings.
7) Greenville Swamp Rabbits (26-12-7-0) (Last Week: 14)
The Swamp Rabbits hopped back into the top 10 this week with wins in three straight, including overtime road victories in Jacksonville and Atlanta.
8) Jacksonville Icemen (29-15-2-0) (Last Week: 3)
With losses in two of three, the Icemen slide five spots down to eighth this week, only salvaging their most recent slate with a 2-1 win at home over Atlanta on Friday night.
9) Florida Everblades (27-11-4-3) (Last Week: 6)
The defending Kelly Cup champions also experienced a bit of a slide after two losses this past week, dropping back-to-back 3-2 games to Orlando at home.
10) Maine Mariners (27-14-1-1) (Last Week: 9)
The Mariners seem to be back on track, taking advantage of a light schedule this past week to win both of their games against Trois-Rivieres in a home-and-home.
The Rest Of The ECHL
11) Fort Wayne Komets (23-15-4-2) (Last Week: 8)
12) Reading Royals (27-15-3-0) (Last Week: 10)
13) Orlando Solar Bears (23-20-5-1) (Last Week: 16)
14) Kansas City Mavericks (22-18-5-0) (Last Week: 19)
15) Allen Americans (22-23-1-0) (Last Week: 13)
16) Worcester Railers (24-21-3-0) (Last Week: 17)
17) Atlanta Gladiators (24-18-5-1) (Last Week: 12)
18) Wichita Thunder (25-19-4-0) (Last Week: 15)
19) Adirondack Thunder (16-22-5-1) (Last Week: 24)
20) Wheeling Nailers (20-21-5-0) (Last Week: 22)
21) Rapid City Rush (22-23-1-0) (Last Week: 23)
22) Utah Grizzlies (19-24-2-0) (Last Week: 18)
23) Tulsa Oilers (16-22-7-1) (Last Week: 21)
24) Savannah Ghost Pirates (15-24-8-1) (Last Week: 26)
25) Trois-Rivieres Lions (17-27-2-0) (Last Week: 25)
26) Kalamazoo Wings (18-24-3-0) (Last Week: 20)
27) Iowa Heartlanders (10-25-9-1) (Last Week: 27)
28) Norfolk Admirals (10-34-1-2) (Last Week: 28)