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Nexlevel Power Rankings - Week #13

By Neil Ravin - Director of Communications, 12/22/20, 9:00AM EST

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Final Rankings of 2020

BOSTON, MA -- It's hard to believe, but we've officially reached the holiday break in both the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and the Eastern Hockey League (EHLP). While this season has been beyond challenging with all the different hurdles and obstacles that have been thrown our way, the league is very proud to say that the two divisions have combined for 270 total games played to date.

EHL

Breaking down the action in the EHL first, and the defending Regular Season Champions have picked up right where they left off. After losing their season opener in a shootout, the top-ranked Boston Jr Rangers went on to win 19 of their next 20 games, and they sit right at the top of the league standings with an overall record of 19-1-1. After scoring 208 goals this past year (4.52 goals per game), the Rangers have managed to rise above that spectacular pace with 102 tallies so far this season (4.86).

Speaking of scoring goals, the #2 New Jersey 87s finished the the 2019-20 season with 234 goals for, which ranks 3rd all-time for a single regular season. The 87's are leading the way again this year with 108 goals scored to date, along with the league's best power-play, converting on 27.4% of their chances. New Jersey is one point behind the Rangers with a mark of 18-2-1.

At #3, the New Hampshire Avalanche boast a solid power-play of their own, with a 25.6 percentage so far this year. The Avalanche are also tied with the Rangers for the fewest goals allowed in the league, as each team has only surrendered 41 to date. It's also worth noting that the Avalanche are the least penalized team in the league at the midway point.

Speaking of penalties, and killing them off in this regard, the #4 Walpole Express own the league's top penalty kill at 90.1%. After starting the season off 0-4-1 in their first five games of the year, Walpole has completely flipped the switch while going 17-3-0 in 20 games since.

Wrapping things up at #5, the Connecticut Chiefs are 8-6-3 through their first 17 games of the year, which puts the club on a great pace to surpass the win totals amassed over the previous two seasons (14 last year, 13 two years ago).

EHLP

At the EHLP level, the top-ranked New Hampshire Avalanche nearly reached the holiday break with a perfect record, but will settle for 13-1-0 in their first 14 games of the season. Averaging 5.36 goals per game has truly helped the Avalanche throughout their hot start, which combines well with only 33 goals against so far this season.

At #2, the Boston Jr Rangers are the three-time defending Regular Season Champions, and proving once again why they are an annual contender at both levels. The Rangers ranked towards the very top of the league in games played, and despite that, they are also near the very top of the goals against charts. Combined with a league-leading 88 goals for, the Rangers are own great depth on both ends of the ice. Also, just like the Avalanche are the favorites in the North Division, the Rangers are the front-runners to emerge out of the Central Division.

Last, but not least, we reach the #3 New Jersey 87s and the #4 Philadelphia Little Flyers who appeared destined to match up in the South Division Finals, with a trip to the Frozen Finals on the line.

At 13-3-1, the 87's hit the break riding the longest active winning streak in the league at seven games. As for the rival Little Flyers, they themselves closed out their first half on a three-game point streak, winning two of their final three contests.

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