By Patrick King

SPORTSNET.CA

The Canadian Hockey League kicked off the first full weekend of action across all three leagues last week as 60 teams begin their pursuit of the Memorial Cup championship. Sportsnet.ca reviews the hot and cold teams and players while also taking a look ahead at three big games the following week in the first installment of the CHL's Hot-Not.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot Team: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Although the Screaming Eagles have a new head coach this season, one thing is certain: Cape Breton can never be underestimated. The Screaming Eagles are off to the quickest start, winners of all three games last week to improve their record to 5-0. Goaltender Olivier Roy appears unfazed by the sophomore jinx while newcomer Michael Stinziani has been on a tear since joining the Screaming Eagles.

Hot Player: Linden Bahm, Halifax Mooseheads

With the departure of their core of star players from last season, one of the biggest questions the Halifax Mooseheads had this season was at offence. Bahm, acquired for a draft pick from the Shawinigan Cataractes in the off-season, did his best Jakub Voracek impression last week, scoring three goals and two assists with a plus-2 rating in two games.

Cold Team: Val-d'Or Foreurs

Although they're missing four players who are still away at NHL camps, head coach Eric Lavigne can't be pleased with the start this season. Val-d'Or has lost all five games of the season, four of which were played last week. The Foreurs will need to improve defensively as they have allowed more than five goals per game while their goaltenders have faced an average of 36.6 shots per game.

Cold Player: Raffaele D'Orso, Val-d'Or Foreurs

It was a rough week for D'Orso, who many coaches and general managers around the league felt was one of the best in the league. The second-year starter allowed 10 goals on 70 shots in two losses last week for a 0.857 save percentage. If Val-d'Or's start is any indication, it could be a long season for D'Orso and backup rookie goaltender Jean-Sébastien Boucher.

This week's key match-up: Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Shawinigan Cataractes, Sunday

Two of the league's top heavyweights will go head-to-head for the first of a home and home this season. This will also represent the only two times these two teams meet during the regular season. Both teams entered this season with a lot of hype as league contenders and could very well meet at some point in this year's playoffs. The two have identical 2-2 records entering this week while also missing some key players who are still away at NHL camps. In spite of this fact, these two games will be a good measuring stick for each team to see how well they stack up against another contender.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot Team: Windsor Spitfires

The pre-season favourites to contend for the OHL championship haven't disappointed early this season. Windsor won both contests on the road against Sarnia and Saginaw, outscoring them 8-5 in the process. Sophomore forward Taylor Hall is poised for a big season offensively and was strong out of the gate, recording six points through two games.

Hot Player: Matthew Lyall, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Big expectations were placed on Lyall when the team named him their captain before the season started and so far the overage forward has not disappointed. Lyall is tied atop the scoring leaderboard along with Windsor's Taylor Hall through the opening weekend of the season with three goals and three assists for six points. In fitting fashion, the captain scored the overtime winner in their second game to give his team its first win of the season.

Cold Team: Plymouth Whalers

The Whalers appear to have their work cut out for them if they're going to fit the label of dark horse after being voted as such in Sportsnet.ca's poll of head coaches and general managers. Plymouth lost their first two contests to Kitchener and Erie but there's no reason for concern as their top two stars, goaltender Jeremy Smith and forward Chris Terry, were absent while they attend NHL camps.

Cold Player: Phil Varone, London Knights

Varone is off to a slow start in what is expected to be a big season offensively from the sophomore forward. In three games, Varone recorded one assist and was a minus-2. He was a big part of the package that Kitchener sent to London last season for goaltender Steve Mason and will be relied upon to provide the Knights with plenty of offence this season.

This week's key match-up: Windsor Spitfires vs. London Knights, Friday

Picked by many to battle it out for the Western Conference and league crowns this season, Friday's game will mark the first of six games between the Spitfires and Knights. Both teams have shown promise early in the season as the Spitfires opened with two wins while the Knights are 2-1. London could have an edge given the game is at home and that the Spitfires play in their home opener the day before. Although the season has just begun, expect a playoff feel as each team is very well coached and know the importance winning the season series could bring down the line.

Western Hockey League

Hot Team: Prince George Cougars

The Cougars got off on the right foot after a rough rebuilding campaign last season. The Cougars were impressive in their two victories, both over the Seattle Thunderbirds. Prince George outscored Seattle 7-2 with newly acquired overage goaltender Kevin Armstrong recording two wins, a shutout and posting a 0.962 save percentage.

Hot Player: Mark Isherwood, Medicine Hat Tigers

The veteran defenceman was instrumental in helping the Tigers acquire three of a possible four points in the opening weekend of the regular season. Isherwood, known more for his defence scored three goals and two assists in two games with a plus-3 rating. Isherwood's five points place him in a four-way tie for the league lead in points early in the season.

Cold Team: Moose Jaw Warriors

The Warriors haven't been the quickest team out of the gate the last few seasons, a trend that has continued this season. Moose Jaw dropped both games on the opening weekend of the season to their division rival Swift Current Broncos. The Warriors were outscored 9-3 through those games, allowing an average of 38.5 shots against per game.

Cold Player: Kris Lazaruk, Kelowna Rockets

Lazaruk has had a rocky start since being acquired by the Kelowna Rockets. The overage goaltender suited up for his new team the same day his rights were acquired from the Kootenay Ice, allowing five goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Tri-City Americans. Lazaruk was beat twice on 17 shots in a loss to Portland on Sunday, giving him an 0-2 record and a 0.860 save percentage to start the season.

This week's key match-up: Tri-City Americans vs. Spokane Chiefs, Saturday

Like a heavyweight fight, the Americans and Chiefs will square off for round one on Saturday. These two teams engaged in a seven-game thriller to decide the Western Conference championship in last year's playoffs. The Chiefs won the series and went on to be crowned league and Memorial Cup champions and it's not a stretch to say the Americans could have enjoyed the same success had they won the decisive seventh game. There won't be any love lost as both teams are gearing up for another championship-caliber season which could once again see them determine the Western Conference.