The Windsor Spitfires continued their Ontario Hockey League dominance last week with impressive wins over worthy opponents. Meanwhile, the Shawinigan Cataractes trumped a tough schedule to win their 10th consecutive game and sit in a tie for first place overall in league standings with the Moncton Wildcats.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Shawinigan Cataractes
The Cataractes are playing so well this season that even a tough four games in five nights did little to slow them down. Shawinigan won all four games, three of which were at home, with an exclamation mark in the form of a 5-2 win over heated rival Drummondville on Saturday. The Cataractes' winning streak has now reached 10 games.
Hot player: Danick Paquette, Lewiston MAINEiacs
The MAINEiacs captain led the way this week as the gritty forward displayed his offensive flair. In two games, Paquette scored four times with one assist for five points and a plus-3 rating. Paquette scored the game winner and insurance goal into an empty net in Saturday's win over Acadie-Bathurst.
Cold team: Gatineau Olympiques
The defending league champions will be looking to use home ice as a springboard to get back into the win column. The Olympiques have lost their last 10 games, one of which came by way of a shootout, as most of their games were on the road. All but one of the next nine games will be at home as Gatineau will look to climb back up in the Telus Western Division standings.
Cold player: Michael Stinziani, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The veteran forward had a quiet week on the score sheet as Stinziani failed to record a point in two outings and was a minus-2. The 19-year-old, who won the league title with Gatineau a year ago, will be key if the Screaming Eagles are going to keep their impressive start going this season.
This week's key match-up: Shawinigan Cataractes vs. Québec Remparts, Sunday
Although the season is still young it's not a stretch to say this could be a league finals preview. Both teams have had terrific starts to the season while the Cataractes are the league's hottest team after rattling off 10 consecutive victories. The Remparts, on the other hand, have lost three of their last five games but could have an advantage in terms of home ice and rest as the Cataractes play Saturday in Montreal. This should be an intense game as both teams look to derail the other team's psyche.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Windsor Spitfires
If ever there was any question as to how good the Windsor Spitfires are this season, the question was answered last week. Windsor manhandled two talented teams in London and Oshawa, outscoring the two 14-6 in the process. The Spitfires have now won 11 straight games as their only loss of the season came on Oct. 4 at Barrie.
Hot player: Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
The footsteps Taylor Hall was hearing from atop the league's scoring race came from his own locker room as defenceman Ryan Ellis is now tied with his Spitfire teammate with 33 points. Ellis was a plus-8 after scoring two goals and five assists for seven points in two games last week.
Cold team: Kitchener Rangers
The defending OHL champion Rangers have yet to find their way back to the win column as they have lost their last six consecutive games. Kitchener gained a point from an overtime loss over Saginaw on Sunday which will keep them in third place in the Midwest Division, a point ahead of Owen Sound and Erie.
Cold player: Chris Carrozzi, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
The brightest light in the Majors' young season proved he is human last week. The talented goaltender allowed nine goals on 66 shots in two losses for a 0.864 save percentage. While his numbers weren't too bad last week, it is a considerable drop from where Carrozzi had been performing to this point this season.
This week's key match-up: Belleville Bulls vs. Brampton Battalion, Sunday
The Eastern Conference is considered to be wide-open this season which appears to be the case so far. The top two teams in the East will square off for the first of four meetings this season. Brampton has rebounded admirably after a slow start, winners of their last eight games. Last year's Eastern Conference champion Bulls, meanwhile, have been a bit inconsistent, yet successful, this season as the team is younger than a year ago. Belleville will need a quick start as Sunday's game will be the third in as many nights.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Vancouver Giants
The Giants have kept the regulation unbeaten streak alive after two tough tests at home against Tri-City and Brandon. Vancouver was victorious in both games, winning by a 4-3 margin in each game. Giants head coach Don Hay reached a career milestone with his 400th career win in Saturday's win over Brandon. The Giants' record this season is 12-0-0-3.
Hot player: Jamie Benn, Kelowna Rockets
Jamie Benn is the WHL's hot player of the week for the second consecutive week after scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in three games. Benn scored a game-winner and insurance tally as his Rockets have taken off after a slow start. Kelowna trails Vancouver by three points but has played four more games so far.
Cold team: Chilliwack Bruins
The young Bruins took their lumps last week as the growing pains continue for the struggling team this season. Chilliwack has lost their last eight consecutive games as they were outscored 14-5 in two losses against Lethbridge and Brandon. The Bruins do have the luxury of home ice in seven of their next 10 games.
Cold player: Drayson Bowman, Spokane Chiefs
Bowman will have some catching up to do if he's going to contend for the league's scoring crown this season. The 19-year-old forward was held off the score sheet in two games last week, bringing his pointless streak to five games. The star forward scored 42 goals last season, a feat he might have difficulty equaling this season.
This week's key match-up: Swift Current Broncos vs. Regina Pats, Saturday
The Broncos-Pats rivalry has become one of the league's great recent rivalries as the two teams battled in some entertaining first round playoff rounds. Regina won the first series two seasons ago while the Broncos upset the Pats last season. The two teams are tied for first place in the East Division standings entering the week with 26 points, one ahead of the Saskatoon Blades. Saturday's game is the first of eight meetings between the inter-provincial rivals as they will renew hostilities with top spot in the division on the line.
