Last weekend the Tucson Roadrunners (Arizona Coyotes farm team) had moved into first place in the AHL.  They appear to have benefitted from playing fewer games than the Eastern teams and were probably overachieving.  Their game last Saturday was postponed when captain and top scorer at the time Craig Cunningham collapsed before their game due to an apparent heart attack.  This puts the Roadrunners in a tough situation.  It is hard to return to hockey and succeed given the emotional toll and the lack of a top player.  They lost their first game back to the Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames affiliate) 3-2 and dropped from first place.

Taking over as the league leader is the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predator affiliate).  Milwaukee has a 12-5 record with three regulation tie points.  This gives them a .794 winning percentage and first place.  They have points in their last eleven games with nine wins and two regulation ties.  Milwaukee is a relatively low scoring team.  Their 49 goals puts them behind most teams with similar games played.  Their success has been from preventing goals.  41 goals against is a low total for a team with 17 games played.  Juuse Saros has been a top goaltender with a league leading 1.59 GAA and .945 saves percentage.  Much of their success comes from his play.  This is a precarious position for an AHL team.  What happens if he gets called up to the NHL?

Milwaukee may not be a high enough scoring team to hold onto the first overall spot in the AHL for too long.  They have played very well lately and are on a good streak with points in their last 11 games.  In the meantime, Tucson will probably fall in the standings with their problems with the loss of their captain.