By PATRICK KING
Sportsnet.ca
If Angelo Esposito is disappointed to be returning to junior this season he certainly didn't show it. The Montreal Juniors forward gave fans a glimpse of the season he could enjoy on a team which could contend for the league championship this season.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
On the strength of goaltender Chris Carrozzi who had an impressive week, the Majors are making noise in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Mississauga beat two tough opponents in Sault Ste. Marie and Niagara last week, improving their record to 4-1 with a four game winning streak.
Hot player: Stefan Della Rovere, Barrie Colts
The third year forward from Maple, Ont. could be on the verge of a breakout season offensively as the former first round OHL priority selection pick is on pace to shatter his personal best of 32 points in a season. Della Rovere scored four goals and added three assists for seven points in just two games last week.
Cold team: Kingston Frontenacs
Sportsnet.ca's OHL dark horse team has stumbled out of the gate this season, going winless in their first five games. The Frontenacs have failed to receive dependable goaltending this season and are hurt just as badly by their lack of scoring. Just eight players have recorded more than a point this season while forward Nathan Moon has reached the score sheet in only two games.
Cold player: Anthony Peters, Kingston Frontenacs
It was a rough week for the Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Anthony Peters. In two road starts, Peters was beaten 11 times on 66 shots for a 0.833 save percentage. Peters will need to improve quickly as Mavric Parks had a strong outing in a losing cause against the Guelph Storm and could assume the starter's role.
This week's key match-up: Guelph Storm vs. London Knights, Saturday
Thanks to a hot start to the season, the Guelph Storm assumed the lead in the Midwest Division but after back-to-back losses lead the London Knights by just two points. The Knights, by comparison, have won their last two games and will only continue getting better. The Knights have a strong group of offensive players who appear to be gelling, which is bad news for the rest of the league. The Storm won the only other contest between these two teams 3-2 on Sept. 28.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Vancouver Giants
It's becoming a recurring theme in Vancouver as the Giants are positioning themselves for another potential run at the league title this season. Vancouver outscored their opponents 17-3 through two games last week and boasts two of the top three leading scorers while both goaltenders are also among the league leaders.
Hot player: Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver Giants
The overage forward is making his final season a memorable one. Pierro-Zabotel scored twice and had five assists for seven points in just two games with a plus-7 rating last week. He has recorded a point in each game so far this season and is tied with teammate Evander Kane and Calgary forward Brett Sonne for the league lead in points with 13.
Cold team: Portland Winter Hawks
Although they should be improved compared to last season, the Winter Hawks are still going through growing pains early in the season. Portland lost their only contest last week, a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Vancouver Giants, and have now lost three consecutive games.
Cold player: Brennan Bosch, Medicine Hat Tigers
The Tigers captain had a poor week for Medicine Hat, failing to record a point in four games. After scoring 70 points last season, Bosch will be expected to produce similar stats in his overage season while helping guide a potential dark horse team to the playoffs.
This week's key match-up: Tri-City Americans vs. Regina Pats, Saturday
The defending regular season champion Tri-City Americans continue their eastern road trip with a big game against the Pats. Regina is beginning to heat up as they have won their last three games heading into this week. Tri-City has received solid goaltending from first round NHL draft pick Chet Pickard since being sent back down by the Nashville Predators. The Americans will need a strong finish to their road trip in order to keep pace with the Spokane Chiefs, who saw the return of Drayson Bowman from NHL camp, and the red-hot Vancouver Giants.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Québec Remparts
The Québec Remparts have been as good as advertised this season. Many predicted the Remparts would contend for the league championship and if the first month of the season is any indication that prediction could be coming to fruition. The Remparts beat Baie-Comeau and rival Chicoutimi to extend their winning streak to six games, giving them a 7-1 record on the season.
Hot player: Angelo Esposito, Montreal Juniors
It didn't take Angelo Esposito long to make his presence felt with his new team. The 19-year-old star picked up an assist in his first game back in junior before exploding offensively on Sunday, scoring twice and assisting on four others. Esposito is the last of five players the Juniors were waiting to return from NHL camps.
Cold team: Val-d'Or Foreurs
Although the Foreurs recorded their first point of the season in an overtime loss to Drummondville, the team remains winless this season with their losing streak reaching eight games. On the bright side, the Foreurs are beginning to compete as the losses are becoming less one-sided.
Cold player: Mark Yetman, Halifax Mooseheads
The overage goaltender was shell-shocked in three contests last week. Yetman allowed 11 goals on just 49 shots, giving him a 0.776 save percentage. Although backup goaltender Mathieu Corbeil-Thériault didn't fare much better, Yetman's job could be on the line if he continues to struggle.
This week's key match-up: Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Shawinigan Cataractes, Wednesday
The top two teams from the Telus Central Division will face off the first of eight meetings this season. The rebuilt and reloaded Drummondville Voltigeurs are the early surprise this season, winning seven of their first nine games after winning just 14 games last season. The Cataractes, meanwhile, were expected to contend after adding several key players through trade in the off-season. This will be the second biggest test of the season for the Voltigeurs who lost in a shootout to Québec earlier this season. A win for Drummondville would give their team plenty of confidence moving forward this season.
