10. Calgary Roughnecks (4-3)
Power Rating: -0.0507
Current Win Total Projection: 9.04
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: -10.4
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 7th
Last Week’s Ranking: 11th
11. Ottawa Black Bears (4-4)
Power Rating: -0.0572
Current Win Total Projection: 8.78
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: -11.7
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 8th
Last Week’s Ranking: 9th
12. Halifax Thunderbirds (3-4)
Power Rating: -0.0601
Current Win Total Projection: 8.06
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: -12.3
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 11th
Last Week’s Ranking: 13th
13. Albany FireWolves (2-7)
Power Rating: -0.1181
Current Win Total Projection: 6.11
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: -24.3
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 13th
Last Week’s Ranking: 10th
14. Las Vegas Desert Dogs (2-6)
Power Rating: -0.2001
Current Win Total Projection: 5.93
Latest Projected Final Point Differential: -41.2
Latest Projected Finish in Standings: 14th
Last Week’s Ranking: 14th
The margin between my final five teams is thin. Each team has major weaknesses and, while they all have upset potential, I don’t expect any of them to be serious playoff contenders.
Calgary finally got a great game out of Cam MacLeod, but it’s not like Ottawa’s offense has been lighting up the scoreboard this season. Zach Higgins continues his goaltender of the year campaign, but the way Ottawa’s offense is playing, he could be an MVP candidate too considering how much he’s carrying this team.
Halifax got a much-needed win and played its most complete game of the season, but I’ll need to see more than one great game from Warren Hill before I’m ready to consider them a potential playoff team. The defense still looks subpar and the offense relied heavily on transition chances against Vancouver.
The injury-plagued Albany fought valiantly, but their defense has far too many holes and the pressure to be perfect has been causing Doug Jamieson to be uncharacteristically average this season. Las Vegas, despite still being last in my rankings, is a team I’ve actually seen the most improvement from. The activating of Jackson Webster, starting of Justin Geddie and addition of Drew Belgrave have made them much more competitive. Getting a healthy Connor Kirst back will also improve their chances of securing more wins this season. I think the playoffs will be out of reach this season, but a rise in the power rankings is possible if they keep on this upward trajectory.
