THL Power Rankings Week 7

Week six we had not only the top ranked team but the second place team lose as well so there is shakeup at the top and we see more of that in the middle ranks.  As we look towards next week there is a lot to be excited about.  With only three weeks left in the season the stakes are higher than ever and each series becomes that much more impactful.  Week seven we will have a total of eight inter-division matchups and each will affect both the divisional and wild card races.  Before that happens though let's see where the teams currently stand.

1. The Hairy Generals (+2) - Other than a hiccup in week three the Hairy Generals have kept up their dominating ways from a season ago despite losing two key pieces to their team in the offseason.  This past week they played a troubled Aeon team but went about their business and with a Team Rank Five loss find themselves atop the power rankings.  Now the defending champions will work on solidifying their playoff spot and chasing that coveted one seed for the Blue-Orange conference, while also trying to hold off Soupreme from within the division.

2. Team Rank Five (=) - It was a close loss, as it seems all of Team Rank Five's losses are, but the Orange division leader came up two points short against Noob Central to record their first defeat of season three.  There isn't much cause for concern though as they still lead all teams in points and have a sizable lead in their division but they are vulnerable as evidenced this past week.

3. Soupreme (+1) - Outside of one forfeit, Soupreme won all of their matches against the Damaged Ones this past week to keep pace in the Blue division.  Rayc591 has had no problem in his first season of THL going 6-0 so far, a feat only shared with Craeon.  Having already played the Hairy Generals and Team Rank Five, DeerJason and his team will look to close out the regular season strong and get ready for the playoffs.    
       
4. N.W.A. (+1) - Another team to win four of their five matches in week six and also feature a 6-0 player, N.W.A. dismantled a Xnergy team which had been playing really well.  It's not a big surprise N.W.A was able to win but winning 16-5 is not something many expected and is a bit of a statement win.  The good week allowed N.W.A. to grow their lead in the Red division but they will play the second place team of Archon Storm next week.

5. Team Avatar (+1) - Team Avatar was able to follow their first loss with a win over Yogg Champs and with a poor week from Xnergy have worked their way back up to first in the Green division.  Winning this week was PumbaasBFF and Leumer, both of which are now 5-1 on the season and have been a big part of Avatar's success.  Also winning this week was Zabger who talked about his first match on After the Salt Settles, and who will replace Odeffen as the new five seed for Team Avatar.

6. Xnergy (-4) - For a brief moment Xnergy had the most points in the league and led their division but that was wiped away with a tough loss to N.W.A. week six.  We've seen good teams have a really bad week and then things go back to normal which is what I imagine will be the case with Xnergy.  The first chance to get back on track will be against Pure Strategy in week seven.

7. Archon Storm (=) - There were two no contests in the series between Archon Storm and Dream Team but of the three matches played Archon Storm took them all.  One player that was able to play was n00basaurus who has quietly put together a 5-1 record so far.  While Archon Storm does trail behind division foe N.W.A. by six points, they do play each other next week in a very important series for the Red division.

8. Noob Central (+1) - The team which took down Team Rank Five in the season one championship was also the team which handed them their first loss this season.  While the two point win isn't enough to threaten the top spot in Orange, it is a marquee win and helps them out in what has become a very competitive race for second in the division.
 
9. Netherstorm (+3) - With seventeen points the past two weeks, one team trending up is Netherstorm of the Blue division.  With the help of substitute HectoHowl the Super Heroes weren't much of a challenge for them in week six.  Next week may be a different story with the Hairy Generals as their next opponent, though if they were able to win they could really shake up the Blue division.

10. Dream Team (-2) - If Netherstorm is an example of a team trending up then Dream Team is an example of a team trending down.  Once a contender within the Red division,  after a combined seven points over the last two weeks the Dream Team has seemingly fallen out of contention for the division.  If they hope to make a run for a wild card then having a good showing against Team Avatar in week seven will be the first step.

11. The Gosu Casuals (=) -  After back-to-back wins against the leaders in Red, Archon Storm and N.W.A., it seemed the Gosu Casuals were really gaining momentum but a one point loss to a struggling Pure Strategy team has slowed that down.  Now finding themselves last in their division, their next opponent will be Green rival Danger Zone, a team building up their own momentum over the last couple of weeks.

12. Super Heroes (=) - The Super Heroes were able to cut down their disqualifications from two down to one this week but didn't fare well against Netherstorm.  Despite some issues the Heroes are still very much in the race for second in the Orange division, no doubt thanks to the good season Kraxximus and Crono are both having.  In week seven they will square off with a Team Rank Five team looking to get back on track after their first loss.

13. Team Golden Wisp (+2) - Benefiting from three forfeits, Team Golden Wisp racked up the points for an easy win over Boom Squad.  Points may be a little harder to come by next week though as they play fellow Blue division team Soupreme.  
 
14. Yogg Champs (-1) - Yogg Champs played a close series against a good Avatar team but came up just a little short.  After a good start to the season this is now the third straight loss for the Champs but they will look to end that streak next week playing against a down Entropy team.

15. Danger Zone (+1) - Danger Zone is the opposite of Yogg Champs, they started the season off poorly but have won their last three series with Entropy being their latest victim.  Danger Zone has a really big contest coming in week seven when they play the Gosu Casuals in a series that could have big implications for the wild card race in the Red-Green conference.

16. Pure Strategy (+1) - Hoping to end their four game losing streak, Pure Strategy came out strong against the Gosu Casuals and walked away with a one point victory.  Alexstrasza, having a tougher season than the one prior, came up big with a win against the always dangerous Slimsch.  Next up for Hambowen's group is a Xnergy team eager to put week six behind them.

17. Damaged Ones (-3) - Alternating between wins and losses every week the Damaged Ones have arrived at 3-3 after their most recent loss to Soupreme.  Even with the loss they are just two points away from the second place team in the Orange division, Noob Central, and guess which two teams play next week?  If their win/loss pattern holds true it means the Damaged Ones will win but I'm sure Noob Central will be trying to end that pattern.

18. Entropy (=) - Only able to take one match against Danger Zone, Entropy had a tough week in what has been a tough season.  At this point Jaxox's squad get to play the role of spoiler and their first target will be Yogg Champs next week.

19. Boom Squad (=) - I guess if implosions make a boom sound then Boom Squad is aptly named.  Week six Pizza and Brunson were able to win their matches but with three forfeits it didn't amount to a team victory.  SwankyTiger has been called up from SPL and will replace Horikoshi; maybe a new face will help change things up.

20. Aeon (=) - Unable to upset the Hairy Generals, Aeon finds itself still searching for that first win.  It seems their chances look a little better this coming week for two reasons.  One is their opponent is Boom Squad who has had their share of issues this season, and two is the newest member of Aeon in HectorHowl who is replacing Tophatdemon.  HectorHowl has impressed early with a Wicked Wednesday victory and a big win over Kraxximus last week in his first THL match.  Maybe this will be the week for Detrucci's team.