2022-23 ECHL Power Rankings
Idaho, Worcester Maintain Hold On Top Spots
For a second straight week, the Idaho Steelheads and Worcester Railers are in the top two spots in FloHockey’s ECHL power rankings. For the only time this season, those teams will meet, with a three-game series set to take place at the DCU Center starting on Friday night. The series should serve as an early-season measuring stick for who’s truly the top team.
1) Idaho Steelheads (14-3-0-1) (Last Week: 1)
Yes, Idaho is coming off a loss—a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Utah on Saturday night—but it was their first regulation “L” in their last ten games, as they largely remain hot heading into the most-anticipated series of the year.
2) Worcester Railers (16-3-1-0) (Last Week: 2)
Worcester, who have slightly more momentum, went to Newfoundland and took two of the three games they played this week, falling only on Sunday in a 3-2 loss after a late third period goal by the Growlers’ Brett Budgell.
3) Indy Fuel (14-5-1-0) (Last Week: 8)
The Fuel is pumping? The Fuel are pumping? Either way, things are good in Indy right now, as the Blackhawks affiliate has rattled off wins in five straight games, all on the road.
4) Reading Royals (11-5-1-0) (Last Week: 6)
On paper, the Royals look a little out of place this high up in the rankings, as they’re only ninth in the overall league standings. However, Reading might be the hottest team in the league right now, with a whopping 18 points accumulated over their last ten games.
5) Cincinnati Cyclones (11-2-2-2) (Last Week: 3)
Understandably, Cincinnati has cooled off after an incredible start to their season. They’d lost four straight games heading into Sunday’s road contest in Fort Wayne, and needed overtime to get past the Komets.
6) Newfoundland Growlers (14-5-1-0) (Last Week: 4)
The Growlers came up a bit short in a big test this past weekend. They dropped two of three at home against the Worcester Railers, albeit without their top scorer, Zach O’Brien, who’d been summoned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
7) Florida Everblades (11-3-2-1) (Last Week: 5)
The defending champs have posted points in seven straight games now, including a dominant two-game home slate against Kalamazoo this past week, outscoring the K-Wings by a 7-1 margin.
8) Rapid City Rush (11-8-0-0) (Last Week: 15)
It must be the Terry Ryan boost for the Rush, who have been on a roll since the Shoresy star visited the South Dakota club. Rapid City has potted five or more goals in five of their last eight games now, including lighting the lamp 17 times in a three-game sweep in Allen this past week.
9) South Carolina Stingrays (11-4-1-1) (Last Week: 9)
The Stingrays remain at number nine even with points in their last four games, including a clean sweep of the weekend over both Savannah and Jacksonville.
10) Wichita Thunder (11-6-2-0) (Last Week: 12)
Wichita sneaks into the top ten after winning three straight, capping the week off in grand fashion with a 3-0 shutout of the Kansas City Mavericks on Sunday.
The Rest Of The ECHL:
11) Trois-Rivieres Lions (9-8-1-0) (Last Week: 18)
12) Atlanta Gladiators (10-6-1-0) (Last Week: 7)
13) Wheeling Nailers (10-8-0-0) (Last Week: 20)
14) Maine Mariners (9-9-1-0) (Last Week: 24)
15) Savannah Ghost Pirates (8-6-3-0) (Last Week: 16)
16) Greenville Swamp Rabbits (9-6-3-0) (Last Week: 11)
17) Kalamazoo Wings (8-8-1-0) (Last Week: 19)
18) Orlando Solar Bears (6-8-4-1) (Last Week: 23)
19) Jacksonville Icemen (9-9-0-0) (Last Week: 17)
20) Utah Grizzlies (9-9-0-0) (Last Week: 14)
21) Kansas City Mavericks (8-8-2-0) (Last Week: 13)
22) Tulsa Oilers (6-7-5-0) (Last Week: 10)
23) Fort Wayne Komets (5-7-3-2) (Last Week: 22)
24) Toledo Walleye (7-9-0-1) (Last Week: 25)
25) Adirondack Thunder (4-9-3-1) (Last Week: 21)
26) Iowa Heartlanders (4-9-3-1) (Last Week: 26)
27) Allen Americans (5-11-1-0) (Last Week: 27)
28) Norfolk Admirals (2-17-1-0) (Last Week: 28)