By Patrick King, Sportsnet.ca
The Canadian Hockey League’s hottest team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, did little to lose that title last week and remain unbeaten in regulation this season.
Meanwhile, the Moncton Wildcats, two seasons removed from hosting the Memorial Cup and going to the final, have fallen in the standings after a rough week.
In the Western Hockey League, Medicine Hat’s Tyler Ennis regained his offensive touch and finds himself atop the league in scoring.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Saint John Sea Dogs
The third season is proving to be the charm for the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Sea Dogs won both contests last week, improving their season record to 7-3. Saint John sits in third place in the Eastern Division and are receiving some stellar goaltending from Travis Fullerton and Robert Mayer.
Hot player: Jean-Simon Allard, St. John’s Fog Devils
The former fourth-overall QMJHL pick had a big week, leading the Fog Devils to two wins. In four games, Allard potted four goals and four assists and was a plus-2. The Fog Devils will need much of the same from Allard to climb back into contention in the Eastern Division.
Cold team: Moncton Wildcats
The Wildcats have hit the skids following a hot start to the season. Moncton has lost their last five games, including both last week. The Wildcats have received solid goaltending from Nicola Riopel but the team hasn’t scored more than two goals in any of their last five losses.
Cold player: Antoine Lafleur, P.E.I. Rocket
The third-year goaltender has had a rocky start this season. In two games last week, Lafleur was lit up for 12 goals on 82 shots, losing both contests. The Rocket will need their star goaltender to return to last year’s form if they’re going to climb out of the cellar in the Eastern Division this season.
This week’s key match-up: Gatineau Olympiques vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Wednesday, Oct. 17
The top two teams in the league face off in Sydney, N.S. on Wednesday. After losing several key players from last season’s team, the Screaming Eagles are a surprise to have come out of the gate so strongly. The Olympiques, meanwhile, aren’t much of a surprise this season with the return of scoring sensation Claude Giroux. Olivier Roy has provided the Screaming Eagles with strong goaltending but will be put to the test against one of the league’s sharpest shooters.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Greyhounds have been absolutely dominant to open the 2007-2008 campaign. Sault Ste. Marie won all three games last week, remaining unbeaten in regulation in all 11 games this season. The Greyhounds outscored the competition 16-5 last week against solid teams in the Sarnia Sting, Saginaw Spirit and Plymouth Whalers.
Hot player: John Tavares, Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals and, in particular John Tavares, are firing on all cylinders right now. In two games last week, the phenom scored four times and assisted on three others and was a plus-3.
Cold team: Kingston Frontenacs
Things appear to have gone from bad to worse in Kingston as the Frontenacs have now lost their last four games. Kingston was outscored 25-7 during the losing streak and until the team is able to find solid goaltending, it could be a long season.
Cold player: Jaroslav Janus, Erie Otters
Although he can hardly be blamed, the Slovakian ‘keeper was beat 11 times last week in two starts. Janus allowed seven goals in a loss at Peterborough then another four in two periods of work against Windsor. Erie is in serious need of help on defence as the Otters allowed 86 shots on Janus in five periods of work last week.
This week’s key match-up: Belleville Bulls vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Friday, Oct. 19
The top team in the league will face their biggest challenge when the unbeaten-in-regulation Greyhounds host the Bulls on Friday. The Bulls have been hot this season but not quite as hot as the Greyhounds. A win for the Bulls could go a long way in proving their strength to the rest of the league but will have to do it in a building the Greyhounds haven’t lost in yet this season.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Moose Jaw Warriors
The Moose Jaw Warriors turned their fortunes around in a big way last week, reeling off four wins. Their four wins were their first of the season as they not only reached the .500 win percentage mark, but also jumped two spots in the East Division.
Hot player: Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat Tigers
The third-year forward regained his scoring touch last week after being held off the scoresheet in three straight games. In four games, Ennis scored three times and assisted on five others and was a plus-3. Entering the week, Ennis is tied with Swift Current defenceman Michael Wilson for the league lead in points.
Cold team: Portland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winter Hawks just can’t seem to find a way to win this season. The Winter Hawks lost all three games last week and have now lost four straight. While their record of 1-8 is the league worst, they can take positives from the fact they haven’t been losing big this season. A few bounces here and there and their record could be different.
Cold player: T.J. Galiardi, Calgary Hitmen
Like many of his teammates, Galiardi had a rough week in the Hitmen’s B.C. road trip. In four games, Galiardi scored one goal and finished with an even plus-minus. He has been held off the scoresheet in his last three games and has just four points in the month of October.
This week’s key match-up: Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Brandon Wheat Kings, Saturday, Oct. 20
The Brandon Wheat Kings will receive a big test Saturday when they host the defending league champion Medicine Hat Tigers. Brandon has put up great numbers this season while the Tigers, despite losing a strong core from last season, are a contender once again. The Wheat Kings will need to hold this week’s hot player, Tyler Ennis, if they’re going to walk away with a win.
