Scout
12-19-2007, 06:35 PM
Courtesy Whl.ca
The 2007-08 Western Hockey League season is at the midway point with teams having played roughly half of their regular season schedules, and it's time to take a look at how the season has shaped up so far.
Here's a team-by-team look at the Eastern Conference through the first half of the 2007-08 WHL season:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
East Division
Brandon Wheat Kings
2007-08 record: 34gp 23-10-0-1, 47pts (1st in Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 134 GA: 91
Top Scorers:
Tyler Dittmer 34gp-25g-17a-42pts
Andrew Clark 30gp-11g-28a-39pts
Matt Lowry 34gp-16g-21a-37pts
The Wheat Kings enjoyed a very solid first half of the 2007-08 WHL season, and find themselves in the East Division driver’s seat at the Christmas break. After posting an average 7-6-0-1 record through their first 14 games, the Wheaties have stormed to a 16-4 record since, and haven’t lost back-to-back games since dropping five straight from October 19th-26th. A big reason for the Wheat Kings’ strong record is their top-ranked offense, which has produced a WHL-best 134 goals. Led offensively by veterans Tyler Dittmer, Andrew Clark and Matt Lowry, the Wheat Kings have also received a surprising amount of scoring from the rookie trio of Brayden Schenn, Scott Glennie and Matt Calvert. Schenn, 16, leads all WHL rookies in scoring with 34 points this season, while Glennie, also 16, ranks third among WHL freshmen with 13 goals. The Wheat Kings’ defense has also been equally tough, allowing the third-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to the fourth-best penalty-killing unit in the League. Sophomore goaltender Joe Caligiuri has proved a worthy successor to former Wheaties’ starting netminder Tyler Plante, while rookie Andrew Hayes has posted five wins and two shutouts in nine appearances this season.
Moose Jaw Warriors
2007-08 record: 34gp 18-9-4-3, 43pts (3rd in Div., 7th in Conf.) GF: 105 GA: 92
Top Scorers:
Jordan Knackstedt 34gp-18g-26a-44pts
Jason Bast 34pg-14g-26a-40pts
Joel Broda 36gp-16g-12a-28pts
The Warriors have enjoyed a successful, if inconsistent first half of the 2007-08 season, losing and winning in large stretches. After losing their first five games of the season, the Warriors would go on to win nine of their next 11. A seven-game losing streak through most of November set them back in the East Division and Eastern Conference races. However, another stretch of nine wins in 11 games leading up to the Christmas break have the Warriors back in the log jammed upper half of the Eastern Conference. Player movement has also been a story for the Warriors through the first half of the season, with five new faces in the lineup since the start of the season. Up front, Jordan Knackstedt and Jason Bast have been consistent offensive producers, with Joel Broda Frazer McLaren and, when healthy, Riley Holzapfel chipping in extra scoring. The addition of NHL first-rounder Keaton Ellerby has strengthened a defense corps that hasn’t conceded more than two goals in a game since mid November. Veteran goaltender Joey Perricone has been strong and steady for the most part, posting a career-best three shutouts and a .918 save percentage through the first half of the season.
Prince Albert Raiders
2007-08 record: 36gp 11-20-3-2, 27pts (5th in Div., 10th in Conf.) GF: 91 GA: 115
Top Scorers:
Ryan McDonald 36gp-15g-15a-30pts
Matt Robertson 36gp-15g-12a-27pts
Justin Bernhardt 31gp-13g-11a-24pts
The Raiders have had a trying first half of the 2007-08 WHL season and, with 14 points currently separating them and Swift Current for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, have a deep hole to dig themselves out of if they want to see post-season hockey. Consistency has been an issue for the Raiders as the team has only twice this season recorded back-to-back wins, while suffering losing streaks of five or more games on two occasions. The inability to win on home ice has also been a problem for the Raiders, who have picked up just four victories at the Art Hauser Centre this season. Matt Robertson and Ryan McDonald have carried much of the offense for the Raiders, with both players on pace for 30 goals, while the addition of Justin Bernhardt has also helped boost the scoring output. Defensively, the Raiders have conceded the third-most goals in the Eastern Conference, and have just two defensemen with positive +/- figures. Veteran goaltender Dustin Butler has enjoyed terrific outings but has struggled at times, while rookie Steven Stanford has shown great potential. Injuries have also played a role for the Raiders with top defenseman Jeff May and key offensive forward Andy Smith both missing significant time.
Regina Pats
2007-08 record: 38gp 22-14-1-1, 46pts (2nd in Div., 4th in Conf.) GF: 113 GA: 113
Top Scorers:
Jordan Eberle 36gp-24g-15a-39pts
Tim Kraus 38gp-7g-29a-36pts
Logan Pyett 35gp-14g-16a-30pts
The Pats may be slightly disappointed in the first half of their season, considering the high expectations pinned on them coming into the season. However, with 46 points through 38 games, the team is still right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. Always strong at home, the Pats have again been a force when playing in Regina, posting a 14-4-0-1 record at the Brandt Centre. Owning the WHL’s top power play has also helped the Pats keep themselves at or near the top of the East Division all season. However, inconsistency has kept the Pats from reaching their potential, considering they’ve lost six times to teams currently ranked in the bottom five in the WHL. Offensively, Jordan Eberle, Tim Kraus, and Michael MacAngus have led the way up front. Eberle, who is draft-eligible this season, ranks fourth in the WHL in goals and tied for third in power play goals. Rearguards Logan Pyett, Nick Ross, and Juraj Valach have also added much to the offense, combining for 24 goals and 77 points. Defensively, the Pats have been average, allowing an equal number of goals as they’ve scored. Neither Linden Rowat nor rookie Jeff Bosch is among the WHL’s top 15 goaltenders in either goals-against average or save percentage.
Saskatoon Blades
2007-08 record: 34gp 12-20-2-0, 26pts (6th in Div., 11th in Conf.) GF: 78 GA: 114
Top Scorers:
Ondrej Fiala 30gp-8g-17a-25pts
Stefan Elliott 34gp-7g-16a-23pts
Derek Hulak 34gp-7g-13a-20pts
The Blades have struggled through the first half of the 2007-08 WHL season, and currently find themselves 15 points behind in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. One of the big factors in the Blades’ struggles has been their inability to win on the road, having posted just two victories away from home in the season’s first half. As it was last season, offensive production has been an issue for the Blades through the first half of this season. The team has tallied an Eastern Conference-low 78 goals, and only one player – Colton Gillies - has topped the 10-goal plateau. Ondrej Fiala, acquired from Everett early in the season, has been consistent offensively, averaging almost a point per game. Injuries to Fiala, veterans Chris Durand and Justin McCrae, and offensive rearguard Jyri Niemi, though, have taken their toll on the Blades in the scoring department. On the bright side, the play of 16-year-old rookie defenseman Stefan Elliott, particularly offensively, has been tremendous as he currently ranks second on the Blades with 23 points. Braden Holtby has performed admirably in the Blades’ net, posting a respectable .907 save percentage while facing the second-most shots of any goalie.
Swift Current Broncos
2007-08 record: 37gp 18-14-0-5, 41pts (4th in Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 122 GA: 111
Top Scorers:
Zack Smith 37gp-12g-241a-36pts
Erik Felde 37gp-18g-17a-35pts
Michael Wilson 37gp-3g-30a-33pts
The Broncos have enjoyed modest success through the 2007-08 season’s first half, and currently find themselves comfortably in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and only six points out of the East Division lead. What’s more is that they’ve managed to post an above-.500 record despite playing 22 of their first 37 games on the road. Offensively, the Broncos have not had issues scoring, having potted the sixth-most goals in the League, and the second-most in the Eastern Conference. With six players with 10 or more goals and eight players with 20 or more points, the Broncos boast one of the most balanced attacks in the WHL. On the back end, Michael Wilson and Eric Doyle are both among the top six WHL defensemen in scoring while Wilson ranks fifth in the WHL with a +21 rating. However, the rest of the Broncos’ defense is a combined -12. Goaltender Travis Yonkman finds himself among the WHL’s top 15 in both save percentage and goals-against average since assuming the number one role this season following the graduation of longtime starter Kyle Moir. However, Yonkman has also lost five of six shootout games in which he’s been involved.
The 2007-08 Western Hockey League season is at the midway point with teams having played roughly half of their regular season schedules, and it's time to take a look at how the season has shaped up so far.
Here's a team-by-team look at the Eastern Conference through the first half of the 2007-08 WHL season:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
East Division
Brandon Wheat Kings
2007-08 record: 34gp 23-10-0-1, 47pts (1st in Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 134 GA: 91
Top Scorers:
Tyler Dittmer 34gp-25g-17a-42pts
Andrew Clark 30gp-11g-28a-39pts
Matt Lowry 34gp-16g-21a-37pts
The Wheat Kings enjoyed a very solid first half of the 2007-08 WHL season, and find themselves in the East Division driver’s seat at the Christmas break. After posting an average 7-6-0-1 record through their first 14 games, the Wheaties have stormed to a 16-4 record since, and haven’t lost back-to-back games since dropping five straight from October 19th-26th. A big reason for the Wheat Kings’ strong record is their top-ranked offense, which has produced a WHL-best 134 goals. Led offensively by veterans Tyler Dittmer, Andrew Clark and Matt Lowry, the Wheat Kings have also received a surprising amount of scoring from the rookie trio of Brayden Schenn, Scott Glennie and Matt Calvert. Schenn, 16, leads all WHL rookies in scoring with 34 points this season, while Glennie, also 16, ranks third among WHL freshmen with 13 goals. The Wheat Kings’ defense has also been equally tough, allowing the third-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to the fourth-best penalty-killing unit in the League. Sophomore goaltender Joe Caligiuri has proved a worthy successor to former Wheaties’ starting netminder Tyler Plante, while rookie Andrew Hayes has posted five wins and two shutouts in nine appearances this season.
Moose Jaw Warriors
2007-08 record: 34gp 18-9-4-3, 43pts (3rd in Div., 7th in Conf.) GF: 105 GA: 92
Top Scorers:
Jordan Knackstedt 34gp-18g-26a-44pts
Jason Bast 34pg-14g-26a-40pts
Joel Broda 36gp-16g-12a-28pts
The Warriors have enjoyed a successful, if inconsistent first half of the 2007-08 season, losing and winning in large stretches. After losing their first five games of the season, the Warriors would go on to win nine of their next 11. A seven-game losing streak through most of November set them back in the East Division and Eastern Conference races. However, another stretch of nine wins in 11 games leading up to the Christmas break have the Warriors back in the log jammed upper half of the Eastern Conference. Player movement has also been a story for the Warriors through the first half of the season, with five new faces in the lineup since the start of the season. Up front, Jordan Knackstedt and Jason Bast have been consistent offensive producers, with Joel Broda Frazer McLaren and, when healthy, Riley Holzapfel chipping in extra scoring. The addition of NHL first-rounder Keaton Ellerby has strengthened a defense corps that hasn’t conceded more than two goals in a game since mid November. Veteran goaltender Joey Perricone has been strong and steady for the most part, posting a career-best three shutouts and a .918 save percentage through the first half of the season.
Prince Albert Raiders
2007-08 record: 36gp 11-20-3-2, 27pts (5th in Div., 10th in Conf.) GF: 91 GA: 115
Top Scorers:
Ryan McDonald 36gp-15g-15a-30pts
Matt Robertson 36gp-15g-12a-27pts
Justin Bernhardt 31gp-13g-11a-24pts
The Raiders have had a trying first half of the 2007-08 WHL season and, with 14 points currently separating them and Swift Current for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, have a deep hole to dig themselves out of if they want to see post-season hockey. Consistency has been an issue for the Raiders as the team has only twice this season recorded back-to-back wins, while suffering losing streaks of five or more games on two occasions. The inability to win on home ice has also been a problem for the Raiders, who have picked up just four victories at the Art Hauser Centre this season. Matt Robertson and Ryan McDonald have carried much of the offense for the Raiders, with both players on pace for 30 goals, while the addition of Justin Bernhardt has also helped boost the scoring output. Defensively, the Raiders have conceded the third-most goals in the Eastern Conference, and have just two defensemen with positive +/- figures. Veteran goaltender Dustin Butler has enjoyed terrific outings but has struggled at times, while rookie Steven Stanford has shown great potential. Injuries have also played a role for the Raiders with top defenseman Jeff May and key offensive forward Andy Smith both missing significant time.
Regina Pats
2007-08 record: 38gp 22-14-1-1, 46pts (2nd in Div., 4th in Conf.) GF: 113 GA: 113
Top Scorers:
Jordan Eberle 36gp-24g-15a-39pts
Tim Kraus 38gp-7g-29a-36pts
Logan Pyett 35gp-14g-16a-30pts
The Pats may be slightly disappointed in the first half of their season, considering the high expectations pinned on them coming into the season. However, with 46 points through 38 games, the team is still right in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. Always strong at home, the Pats have again been a force when playing in Regina, posting a 14-4-0-1 record at the Brandt Centre. Owning the WHL’s top power play has also helped the Pats keep themselves at or near the top of the East Division all season. However, inconsistency has kept the Pats from reaching their potential, considering they’ve lost six times to teams currently ranked in the bottom five in the WHL. Offensively, Jordan Eberle, Tim Kraus, and Michael MacAngus have led the way up front. Eberle, who is draft-eligible this season, ranks fourth in the WHL in goals and tied for third in power play goals. Rearguards Logan Pyett, Nick Ross, and Juraj Valach have also added much to the offense, combining for 24 goals and 77 points. Defensively, the Pats have been average, allowing an equal number of goals as they’ve scored. Neither Linden Rowat nor rookie Jeff Bosch is among the WHL’s top 15 goaltenders in either goals-against average or save percentage.
Saskatoon Blades
2007-08 record: 34gp 12-20-2-0, 26pts (6th in Div., 11th in Conf.) GF: 78 GA: 114
Top Scorers:
Ondrej Fiala 30gp-8g-17a-25pts
Stefan Elliott 34gp-7g-16a-23pts
Derek Hulak 34gp-7g-13a-20pts
The Blades have struggled through the first half of the 2007-08 WHL season, and currently find themselves 15 points behind in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. One of the big factors in the Blades’ struggles has been their inability to win on the road, having posted just two victories away from home in the season’s first half. As it was last season, offensive production has been an issue for the Blades through the first half of this season. The team has tallied an Eastern Conference-low 78 goals, and only one player – Colton Gillies - has topped the 10-goal plateau. Ondrej Fiala, acquired from Everett early in the season, has been consistent offensively, averaging almost a point per game. Injuries to Fiala, veterans Chris Durand and Justin McCrae, and offensive rearguard Jyri Niemi, though, have taken their toll on the Blades in the scoring department. On the bright side, the play of 16-year-old rookie defenseman Stefan Elliott, particularly offensively, has been tremendous as he currently ranks second on the Blades with 23 points. Braden Holtby has performed admirably in the Blades’ net, posting a respectable .907 save percentage while facing the second-most shots of any goalie.
Swift Current Broncos
2007-08 record: 37gp 18-14-0-5, 41pts (4th in Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 122 GA: 111
Top Scorers:
Zack Smith 37gp-12g-241a-36pts
Erik Felde 37gp-18g-17a-35pts
Michael Wilson 37gp-3g-30a-33pts
The Broncos have enjoyed modest success through the 2007-08 season’s first half, and currently find themselves comfortably in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and only six points out of the East Division lead. What’s more is that they’ve managed to post an above-.500 record despite playing 22 of their first 37 games on the road. Offensively, the Broncos have not had issues scoring, having potted the sixth-most goals in the League, and the second-most in the Eastern Conference. With six players with 10 or more goals and eight players with 20 or more points, the Broncos boast one of the most balanced attacks in the WHL. On the back end, Michael Wilson and Eric Doyle are both among the top six WHL defensemen in scoring while Wilson ranks fifth in the WHL with a +21 rating. However, the rest of the Broncos’ defense is a combined -12. Goaltender Travis Yonkman finds himself among the WHL’s top 15 in both save percentage and goals-against average since assuming the number one role this season following the graduation of longtime starter Kyle Moir. However, Yonkman has also lost five of six shootout games in which he’s been involved.