PATRICK KING
Sportsnet.ca
The Shawinigan Cataractes and Brampton Battalion continue to dazzle with their impressive winning streaks as their respective league's hottest teams. Meanwhile, Brandon's less-heralded 17-year-old sensation provided the heroics for the Wheat Kings last week.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Shawinigan Cataractes
Just one game on the schedule for the league's hottest team last week, a convincing 7-4 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs on Friday. Defenceman Simon Lacroix led the way with a three-point game en route to Shawinigan's 15th straight victory. There was one dent in the armor, however, as the Cataractes uncharacteristically allowed 45 shots on goaltender Timo Pielmeier.
Hot player: Michael Kirkpatrick, Saint John Sea Dogs
Kirkpatrick tied his career high with his 22nd point last week. The product of North Sydney, N.S., scored four goals and had one assist in two games with a plus-1 rating. His four-point effort Saturday helped lead his team to a shootout win over one of the league's top teams, the Moncton Wildcats.
Cold team: Victoriaville Tigres
The losses continued to mount for the Tigres with the low point coming in a 10-2 thrashing by division-rival Drummondville on Sunday. Although Victoriaville plays in a top-heavy division with kingpins Shawinigan and Drummondville, they could still place third. However, they'll need to get back on track after losing four straight and winning just one of their past 10 games.
Cold player: Kevin Poulin, Victoriaville Tigres
The New York Islanders' fifth rounder was rocked in two outings last week. Poulin started both games against Rimouski and Drummondville, allowing nine goals on 47 shots for a 0.809 save percentage. If the Tigres are going to remain ahead of Lewiston in the Telus Central Division standings, they'll need a more consistent effort from their goaltender.
This week's key match-up: Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs, Friday
It will be a battle between pleasant surprises from the last two years. The Sea Dogs were the feel-good story of last season while the formerly-rebuilding Voltigeurs provide that same storyline this season. Saint John will have a tough test this week with games against Halifax, Drummondville, Québec and Rimouski. Saint John has won seven of its last 10 games but trails Moncton by seven points for top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Voltigeurs are riding a seven-game winning-streak but remain four points behind red-hot Shawinigan for the division lead.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Brampton Battalion
Canada's hottest team brought its winning-streak to 16 games after victories over Ottawa and Sudbury last week. Brampton has enjoyed success from some of its secondary scorers while goaltender Patrick Killeen has also been impressive. The Battalion will be tested this week with three games in four nights as they try to keep the streak alive.
Hot player: Eric Tangradi, Belleville Bulls
The Bulls' captain exploded offensively last week, helping his team acquire five of a possible six points. In three games, the Anaheim Ducks' prospect scored four times with five assists for nine points with a plus-6 rating. His two goals against Niagara on Wednesday accounted for the game winner and an insurance goal in an 8-1 win over the IceDogs.
Cold team: Sudbury Wolves
The Wolves simply weren't getting the results in a tough schedule last week. Playing three games in as many nights, Sudbury picked up just one point in a shootout loss to Saginaw on Friday. The Wolves will need to find themselves on the winning side of the close games if they plan on making the playoffs after missing out last season.
Cold player: Jaroslav Janus, Erie Otters
The Slovakian goaltender had a week to forget as his Otters lost games to both Kitchener and London. While Janus' numbers have improved this season over last, he was beat nine times on 43 shots for a 0.791 save percentage. The Otters will need a stronger all-around effort if they're going to reach the post-season for the first time in four seasons.
This week's key match-up: Belleville Bulls vs. Guelph Storm, Friday
This will be the second and final game between these two teams this season after the Bulls took the first game 2-1 on Oct. 4. The Storm will have a tough test in the Bulls who have won seven of their past 10 games and lead the Eastern Conference in points. Guelph has a strong team worthy of making a run this season as goaltender Thomas McCollum is one of the top goalkeepers in the league. His counterpart, Mike Murphy, leads the league in goals against average and save percentage. This game should provide a playoff atmosphere as neither team can afford an off night.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Calgary Hitmen
The Hitmen kept their hot streak alive despite playing just one game last week. Calgary manhandled the struggling Prince Albert Raiders at home, running away with a 6-1 win. The Hitmen continue to lead the Eastern Conference as they have now won nine consecutive games. Entering the week, Calgary is eight points ahead of Medicine Hat in the conference standings.
Hot player: Scott Glennie, Brandon Wheat Kings
One of two potential first round National Hockey League draft picks this summer on the Wheat Kings (Brayden Schenn being the other), Glennie jumped into the top 20 in league scoring last week. In three games, Glennie scored six goals and two assists for eight points with a plus-2 rating. Two of his six goals were game winners as the local product leads his team in scoring.
Cold team: Prince Albert Raiders
The Raiders will be looking forward to having extra time for practice this week as they don't play until Friday after extending their losing streak to six games. Prince Albert, who host the final game of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge on Thursday, didn't manage to pick up a single point on their four game Alberta road swing. The Raiders are now in fifth place in the East Division standings and have won just two of their past 10 games.
Cold player: Steven Stanford, Prince Albert Raiders
Prince Albert's 18-year-old starter will have some catching up to do on his save percentage after he was rocked last week. Although he was strong in his first start of the week, overall he allowed 12 goals on 73 shots for a 0.836 save percentage. Not surprisingly, his team lost all three contests.
This week's key match-up: Vancouver Giants vs. Tri-City Americans, Saturday
Two of the Western Conference's top teams play their second of four games this season. The Giants took the first game of the season series by a 4-3 final on Oct. 29. Tri-City trails Vancouver by nine points for top spot in the conference standings. The season series could be huge down the line as the Americans were just two points up on the Giants for the regular season crown last season. These two teams, along with Spokane and Kelowna, are expected to battle it out for the conference crown this season. Both teams will play the night before, giving neither an advantage in terms of rest. Look for a tight-checking, close game.
