Bauer NAHL Power Rankings: Mudbugs Hold Off Contenders Shreveport returns to the top, while a hot Janesville team surges

The early weeks of the North American Hockey League regular season are providing plenty of clarity as divisional matchups take center stage. While the Mudbugs are holding their ground at the top, the battle underneath is tightening, with Central and South Division heavyweights trying to close the gap. As the season progresses, these are the top fifteen teams in the league, with rankings determined strictly by points percentage, goal differential, and current momentum.

1. Shreveport Mudbugs (16 GP, 13-2-1-0) The Mudbugs continue their early-season dominance with a +28 goal differential and 27 points. Riding a 9-0-1-0 stretch in their last ten, Shreveport controls the South Division through a potent mix of offensive firepower and a stingy defensive core.

2. Lone Star Brahmas (15 GP, 12-2-0-1) The Brahmas survived a tense weekend, needing a shootout to defeat Corpus Christi on Saturday. They are right on Shreveport's heels with a .8333 points percentage. With only 33 goals allowed all season, Lone Star's identity remains rooted in suffocating team defense.

3. Minot Minotauros (15 GP, 12-3-0-0) Minot split a very competitive series against the Watertown Shamrocks over the weekend, utilizing high-pressure attacks to secure a Friday win before dropping the Saturday rematch. At 24 points, they still look dangerous at the top of the Central.

4. Fairbanks Ice Dogs (14 GP, 10-2-0-2) Fairbanks remains a grueling challenge for any opponent, sitting at a .7857 points percentage. Despite a tough shootout loss to the Minnesota Mallards on Saturday, their ability to grind out points keeps them highly ranked.

5. Bismarck Bobcats (15 GP, 11-3-1-0) The Bobcats secured a hard-fought overtime victory against Austin on Saturday night, thanks to a game-winning power-play goal from Will Harker. With 23 points, Bismarck continues to prove they can win tight games in the Central Division.

6. Maryland Black Bears (17 GP, 12-4-1-0) Maryland remains a force in the East, splitting their weekend series with Elmira. Generating heavy shot volume and executing well on the power play, the Black Bears sit at 25 points and look poised for a strong November push.

7. Northeast Generals (15 GP, 10-3-0-2) Northeast bounced back in a major way on Saturday, erasing an early deficit to score seven unanswered goals in an 8-4 victory over Danbury. The Generals are a resilient group tied for the East Division lead in points percentage.

8. Odessa Jackalopes (15 GP, 11-4-0-0) The Jackalopes relied on strong defensive zone coverage and timely goaltending to secure a pair of tightly contested wins over El Paso this past weekend. Sitting at 22 points, Odessa is grinding out victories when it matters most.

9. Ogden Mustangs (13 GP, 7-2-0-4) Ogden maximized their weekend by completing a sweep over the Idaho Falls Spud Kings. Exploding for five unanswered goals on Saturday, the Mustangs are finding their offensive rhythm and climbing the ranks with games in hand.

10. Janesville Jets (16 GP, 11-5-0-0) The Jets have been an absolute offensive juggernaut, riding a massive scoring wave to dominate the Minnesota Wilderness over the weekend. Scoring 15 goals across two games, Janesville is forcing the opposition into track meets they simply cannot win.

11. Anchorage Wolverines (14 GP, 9-4-0-1) The Wolverines dropped a tight 3-2 contest to Kenai River on Friday night. Despite the setback, Anchorage boasts a dangerous power play and remains a heavy hitter in the Midwest with a .6786 points percentage.

12. Aberdeen Wings (12 GP, 8-4-0-0) Sitting idle this past weekend, the Wings hold strong in the rankings with 16 points in just 12 games played. Their ability to generate offense in high-pressure situations keeps them firmly in the Central Division hunt.

13. Corpus Christi IceRays (15 GP, 9-5-0-1) The IceRays battled incredibly hard against Lone Star, narrowly dropping Friday's contest before pushing Saturday's rematch to a shootout. Sitting on a +5 goal differential, Corpus Christi is proving they can skate with the best in the South.

14. Billings Cattle Punchers (16 GP, 9-5-2-0) The Cattle Punchers bounced back in a major way to split their weekend series with Pueblo. After a tough Friday loss, Billings locked down defensively on Saturday to secure a commanding 4-0 shutout victory.

15. Johnstown Tomahawks (14 GP, 7-4-1-2) Johnstown used a dominant offensive weekend to sweep New Jersey. Piling up 13 goals across two victories, the Tomahawks are finding their scoring touch and steadily climbing the East Division standings.

Grand Junction River Hawks (14 GP, 8-5-1-0)

Pueblo Peppers (15 GP, 7-4-3-1)

Philadelphia Rebels (18 GP, 10-7-1-0)

New Jersey Titans (18 GP, 8-5-2-3)

Minnesota Wilderness (16 GP, 9-7-0-0)

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