KIF
12-05-2007, 04:42 PM
:clap: From sportsnet.com
Way to go Ice Hard work is getting noticed
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are back on top in the Ontario Hockey League's West Division thanks to a solid week from goaltender Kyle Gajewski.
In the Western Hockey League, the Kootenay Ice are making a charge for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with yet another strong week.
Meanwhile, Brad Marchand of the Val-d'Or Foreurs is making his case for the Canadian world junior team after a 10-point week.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Kootenay Ice yeehoo
Don't look now but the Kootenay Ice are within striking distance of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Kootenay won all three of its games last week, bringing its regulation unbeaten streak to 12 games. The Ice are now just a point behind Lethbridge for second in the Central Division and four behind Calgary for first in the division and conference.
Hot player: Mark Santorelli, Chilliwack Bruins
Santorelli and his linemate Oscar Moller were nearly unstoppable last week. Santorelli scored seven times and had two assists to go with a plus-4 rating in three games while Moller also had nine points in three games. Thanks to the play of their stars, the Bruins are just one point behind Kelowna for second in the B.C. Division.
Cold team: Everett Silvertips
Things have gone from bad to worse for the struggling Silvertips. Everett has recorded just a point from a shootout loss in its past five games and is just three points ahead of Seattle for third in the U.S. Division. Everett's most recent win was a 4-2 victory over Chilliwack on Nov. 18.
Cold player: Zach Hamill, Everett Silvertips
If Hamill is going to make the Canadian national junior team, he will need to play better than he did last week. The 19-year-old was held off the scores sheet in two games and was a minus-5.
This week's key matchup: Spokane Chiefs vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes, Wednesday, Dec. 5
Two of the top teams in the league will face off in their only matchup this season when the Hurricanes play host to the Chiefs. Spokane continues to lead the league in points with 45 and has been impressive away from home. The Chiefs got a big win Friday when they beat the Hitmen in Calgary in overtime. For the Hurricanes, this game will go a long way in determining just how legitimate their chances are of winning the title. Not only would a win help their confidence, but it would also help them stay ahead of the red-hot Kootenay Ice and make ground on the Hitmen in the division and conference.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Saint John Sea Dogs
The third-year franchise is looking more and more like a contender each week. Saint John took advantage of home ice last week, winning all three of its games and extending its winning streak to six. The high point of the week came Sunday when the Sea Dogs set a franchise record for goals scored in a game with 10 against the P.E.I. Rocket.
Hot player: Brad Marchand, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Marchand couldn't have picked a better week to turn it on with the Canadian junior selection camp right around the corner. In three games, the 19-year-old scored three goals and had seven assists with a plus-3 rating. Marchand is now averaging more than a point per game this season.
Cold team: Shawinigan Cataractes
The Cataractes left their offensive prowess in Shawinigan as the team struggled to score goals on its Eastern Division road swing. Playing three games in three nights, Shawinigan was outscored 11-3 and now leads Rimouski by only three points for eighth in the Telus Division.
Cold player: Michaël Dupont, Rimouski Océanic
Last week's CHL goaltender of the week had a rough outing in two games this week. Dupont allowed a combined 12 goals on 56 shots, giving him a 0.786 save percentage on the week. The over-age goaltender will need to work on his consistency for the Océanic to stay in the playoff race.
This week's key matchup: Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Saturday, Dec. 8
Rouyn-Noranda will host Baie-Comeau for the second consecutive night on Saturday as two of the top teams in the Telus Division standings face off. The Huskies enter the week having won their past three games while the Drakkar have won five of their past 10. The Drakkar have proven they are a team capable of successfully playing any style while the Huskies have a balanced scoring attack. This will be an important back-to-back affair as the teams will only meet four times this season with the Huskies having already won the first game. A playoff tiebreaker could be determined this week as these two teams have been vying for the top spot in the division all season.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Greyhounds needed a strong effort last week and their star players certainly raised their games. Sault Ste. Marie won all three games, defeating strong opposition from Sarnia, Windsor and Kitchener. The Greyhounds are currently riding a four game winning streak and have won seven of their past 10 games.
Hot player: Kyle Gajewski, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Gajewski was nearly unbeatable this past week for the West Division-leading Soo Greyhounds. In three games, Gajewski surrendered just four goals on 84 shots, giving him a 0.952 save percentage in the process. The Greyhounds will need much of the same from the over-age goaltender to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the top-heavy Western Conference.
Cold team: Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm are fading quickly after another winless week. Guelph lost all three of its games last week, although two came in a shootout. However, the Storm lost to Owen Sound, which has now taken over the third spot in the division, and Erie, which currently has the worst record in the league. Guelph has not won since an 8-2 win over London on Nov. 4.
Cold player: Daryl Borden, Oshawa Generals
The 18-year-old goaltender had a sub-par performance for the Generals last week. Borden was beat 11 times on 62 shots for a 0.823 save percentage. Much more is expected from Borden as the Generals prepare themselves for a playoff run this season.
This week's key matchup: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. Windsor Spitfires, Thursday, Dec. 6
This will be only the second of six meetings between these two teams when the Spitfires play host to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie leads the season series after winning Friday's game 2-1 against Windsor. So far this season, these two teams have gone back and forth for the top spot in the West Division while also competing for the top spot in the Western Conference. Neither team can afford an off night in a game which could help determine the winner of the division and conference.
Way to go Ice Hard work is getting noticed
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are back on top in the Ontario Hockey League's West Division thanks to a solid week from goaltender Kyle Gajewski.
In the Western Hockey League, the Kootenay Ice are making a charge for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with yet another strong week.
Meanwhile, Brad Marchand of the Val-d'Or Foreurs is making his case for the Canadian world junior team after a 10-point week.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Kootenay Ice yeehoo
Don't look now but the Kootenay Ice are within striking distance of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Kootenay won all three of its games last week, bringing its regulation unbeaten streak to 12 games. The Ice are now just a point behind Lethbridge for second in the Central Division and four behind Calgary for first in the division and conference.
Hot player: Mark Santorelli, Chilliwack Bruins
Santorelli and his linemate Oscar Moller were nearly unstoppable last week. Santorelli scored seven times and had two assists to go with a plus-4 rating in three games while Moller also had nine points in three games. Thanks to the play of their stars, the Bruins are just one point behind Kelowna for second in the B.C. Division.
Cold team: Everett Silvertips
Things have gone from bad to worse for the struggling Silvertips. Everett has recorded just a point from a shootout loss in its past five games and is just three points ahead of Seattle for third in the U.S. Division. Everett's most recent win was a 4-2 victory over Chilliwack on Nov. 18.
Cold player: Zach Hamill, Everett Silvertips
If Hamill is going to make the Canadian national junior team, he will need to play better than he did last week. The 19-year-old was held off the scores sheet in two games and was a minus-5.
This week's key matchup: Spokane Chiefs vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes, Wednesday, Dec. 5
Two of the top teams in the league will face off in their only matchup this season when the Hurricanes play host to the Chiefs. Spokane continues to lead the league in points with 45 and has been impressive away from home. The Chiefs got a big win Friday when they beat the Hitmen in Calgary in overtime. For the Hurricanes, this game will go a long way in determining just how legitimate their chances are of winning the title. Not only would a win help their confidence, but it would also help them stay ahead of the red-hot Kootenay Ice and make ground on the Hitmen in the division and conference.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Saint John Sea Dogs
The third-year franchise is looking more and more like a contender each week. Saint John took advantage of home ice last week, winning all three of its games and extending its winning streak to six. The high point of the week came Sunday when the Sea Dogs set a franchise record for goals scored in a game with 10 against the P.E.I. Rocket.
Hot player: Brad Marchand, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Marchand couldn't have picked a better week to turn it on with the Canadian junior selection camp right around the corner. In three games, the 19-year-old scored three goals and had seven assists with a plus-3 rating. Marchand is now averaging more than a point per game this season.
Cold team: Shawinigan Cataractes
The Cataractes left their offensive prowess in Shawinigan as the team struggled to score goals on its Eastern Division road swing. Playing three games in three nights, Shawinigan was outscored 11-3 and now leads Rimouski by only three points for eighth in the Telus Division.
Cold player: Michaël Dupont, Rimouski Océanic
Last week's CHL goaltender of the week had a rough outing in two games this week. Dupont allowed a combined 12 goals on 56 shots, giving him a 0.786 save percentage on the week. The over-age goaltender will need to work on his consistency for the Océanic to stay in the playoff race.
This week's key matchup: Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Saturday, Dec. 8
Rouyn-Noranda will host Baie-Comeau for the second consecutive night on Saturday as two of the top teams in the Telus Division standings face off. The Huskies enter the week having won their past three games while the Drakkar have won five of their past 10. The Drakkar have proven they are a team capable of successfully playing any style while the Huskies have a balanced scoring attack. This will be an important back-to-back affair as the teams will only meet four times this season with the Huskies having already won the first game. A playoff tiebreaker could be determined this week as these two teams have been vying for the top spot in the division all season.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Greyhounds needed a strong effort last week and their star players certainly raised their games. Sault Ste. Marie won all three games, defeating strong opposition from Sarnia, Windsor and Kitchener. The Greyhounds are currently riding a four game winning streak and have won seven of their past 10 games.
Hot player: Kyle Gajewski, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Gajewski was nearly unbeatable this past week for the West Division-leading Soo Greyhounds. In three games, Gajewski surrendered just four goals on 84 shots, giving him a 0.952 save percentage in the process. The Greyhounds will need much of the same from the over-age goaltender to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the top-heavy Western Conference.
Cold team: Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm are fading quickly after another winless week. Guelph lost all three of its games last week, although two came in a shootout. However, the Storm lost to Owen Sound, which has now taken over the third spot in the division, and Erie, which currently has the worst record in the league. Guelph has not won since an 8-2 win over London on Nov. 4.
Cold player: Daryl Borden, Oshawa Generals
The 18-year-old goaltender had a sub-par performance for the Generals last week. Borden was beat 11 times on 62 shots for a 0.823 save percentage. Much more is expected from Borden as the Generals prepare themselves for a playoff run this season.
This week's key matchup: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs. Windsor Spitfires, Thursday, Dec. 6
This will be only the second of six meetings between these two teams when the Spitfires play host to the Greyhounds. Sault Ste. Marie leads the season series after winning Friday's game 2-1 against Windsor. So far this season, these two teams have gone back and forth for the top spot in the West Division while also competing for the top spot in the Western Conference. Neither team can afford an off night in a game which could help determine the winner of the division and conference.