Claimed: Week 1 Power Rankings, Nordic countries leading the way

[Gudnason 607]

BIGGEST MOVERS: None

 

 

 

1 - Stockholm Vikings

Strength of Schedule: 0.561

(Last Week: 1, High: 1, Low: 1)

 

Not only are Stockholm leading the other frontrunners by at least two points, but they have done so facing much stiffer opposition. The Vikings have also already been able to secure two wins from the two games STO G has been in net.

 

 

 

2 - Helsinki Titans

Strength of Schedule: 0.524

(Last Week: 2, High: 2, Low: 2)

 

The only team that remains undefeated in regulation, Helsinki has one of the league's stiffest defenses allowing an European-low 21 shots on goal each game. Shaky goaltender Astrid Moon is in a nice run of form, having only allowed four goals in his last six games.

 

 

 

3 - New York Americans

Strength of Schedule: 0.514

(Last Week: 3, High: 3, Low: 3)

 

Jakab Holik began the season with five straight shutouts, and he has added three more since. Currently on a two-game shutout streak, if he can hold the Meute scoreless in the next game, the Czech netminder has a shot at another five-game shutout streak with the Bears and Dynamo on tap afterwards.

 

 

 

4 - Quebec City Meute

Strength of Schedule: 0.510

(Last Week: 4, High: 4, Low: 4)

 

Led by rookie John Locke who is tied for the league lead in goals, Quebec City are tied with the Americans atop the North American Conference. But like New York, they have both faced the weakest oppositions so far. They will visit the Americans later on today in the showcase match as Apollo Skye looks to limit the free scoring Americans' offense.

 

 

 

5 - Toronto Legion

Strength of Schedule: 0.576

(Last Week: 5, High: 5, Low: 5)

 

In the midst of a rebuild, rookies Torstein Ironside and Roman Sokolov have both played relatively well so far against some of the league's strongest teams.

 

 

 

6 - Riga Reign

Strength of Schedule: 0.520

(Last Week: 6, High: 6, Low: 6)

 

Points-wise, Riga are currently the best of the rest, but I see Cologne leapfrogging them in the not-so-near future once the schedule tilts in the Germans' favour.

 

 

 

7 - Cologne Express

Strength of Schedule: 0.540

(Last Week: 7, High: 7, Low: 7)

 

Rookie Markus King is coming off a 22-save shutout against rival Torstein Ironside's Toronto Legion, but the next nine games do not look good for the Express as they will play Quebec City four times, Stockholm three times, and Helsinki and New York once each.

 

 

 

8 - Calgary Wranglers

Strength of Schedule: 0.581

(Last Week: 8, High: 8, Low: 8)

 

Yes, Jacob is being bombarded with quality shots to the tune of a league-high 45 shots against per game, but they have only played once against Seattle and have yet to play Davos. I expect them to crawl out of the bottom spot very soon once their strength of schedule reverts to average levels. Trust the process.

 

 

 

9 - HC Davos Dynamo

Strength of Schedule: 0.554

(Last Week: 9, High: 9, Low: 9)

 

Not much to say about the Dynamo except for the fact that they won't be adding anything to their trophy cabinet this year, or next year too, to supplement their league-best nine Continental Cups.

 

 

 

10 - Seattle Bears

Strength of Schedule: 0.521

(Last Week: 10, High: 10, Low: 10)

 

This Seattle Bears team is having serious troubles scoring goals, and having let Jakab Holik leave as a free agent, rookie Aleksei Federov seems to be the lone bright spot. It will be quite hard for Seattle to move up in the power rankings next week, but at least that means the only way is up right?

[Gudnason 607]

Was planning on posting it as a 590, but miraculous the word count was long enough for a media spot.

[Laflamme 376]

Very good man, sounds like the vikings are gonna win it all.  keep up the stellar work!