The North Division has rarely been so competitive in recent seasons, with eight points currently separating 1-5 and the sixth-placed Cleveland Monsters a further six points behind but with a game in hand available to narrow the gap.
There can be no resting on their laurels for the Marlies especially given the clubs around them in the standings are all in good recent form, particularly the fifth-placed Belleville Senators, who have hoisted themselves to the brink of a playoff berth on the back of an incredible 17-game points streak (12-0-5). In fourth are the Utica Comets, who have put together a 7-3-2 record through their last 12 games.