A pair of Canadian hopefuls have left an impression on the eve of the world junior selection camp roster announcement. Taylor Hall and Marc-André Bourdon hope their play of late has earned them an invitation to camp while another hopeful, Dustin Tokarski, experienced his first inconsistent week.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen continue to lead the way in the WHL this season with another two impressive wins on home ice. Calgary won contests against Swift Current and Brandon, outscoring the opposition 13-8. When goalie Martin Jones faltered Friday against Swift Current, the team’s offence stepped up. The Hitmen are now riding an 11-game winning streak.
Hot player: Taylor Procyshen, Tri-City Americans
The Americans’ captain led the way as Tri-City won all three games last week. Procyshen scored twice and added five assists in three games with a plus-4 rating. He scored both of his team’s goals in a 2-1 win over Everett on Wednesday and is now tied for 10th in league scoring with 35 points in 28 games.
Cold team: Prince Albert Raiders
A pair of road games did little to slow the Raiders’ losing skid. Prince Albert lost to Saskatoon and Edmonton last weekend, extending their losing streak to eight games. The Raiders will welcome the sight of home ice this week as their next three games are at home.
Cold player: Dustin Tokarski, Spokane Chiefs
Last year’s Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player had an uncharacteristically rough week. In two games, Tokarski was beated nine times on 69 shots. He also endured a lot of travel last week going from Spokane to Prince Albert where he came within four minutes of reaching a shutout in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge on Thursday. He should, however, receive an invitation to Hockey Canada’s selection camp as he has been one of the most dependable players this season.
This week’s key match-up: Calgary Hitmen vs. Spokane Chiefs
The league’s hottest team will have one of its biggest tests on Wednesday when it heads to Washington to battle the defending league and Memorial Cup champions. Spokane has been cold by their standards lately, losing their last two games while also winning just five of their last 10. They trail the Americans by five points for first in the U.S. Division. The Hitmen, on the other hand, have everything working for them as they have not lost since dropping a 3-2 decision on Oct. 29 at Saskatoon.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Drummondville Voltigeurs
After the Telus Central Division-leading Shawinigan Cataractes lost for the first time in 16 games, it was another team from the same division taking over. The Voltigeurs have rattled off nine-consecutive victories, just one shy of tying their franchise record. It’s a far cry from the Voltigeurs of last season who won just 14 games all year and missed the playoffs.
Hot player: Marc-André Bourdon, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
The 19-year-old defenceman picked a good time to start a hot streak. With Hockey Canada’s selection camp roster being announced this week, Bourdon may have left the right impression last week. In two games, Bourdon assisted on seven goals including the overtime winner over Montreal on Saturday. He was a plus-6 through both games.
Cold team: P.E.I. Rocket
A home-and-home series, sandwiched with a game against the Memorial Cup host Rimouski Océanic, did little to break the P.E.I. Rocket out of their funk. P.E.I. lost all three games last week, two of which came against the Atlantic Division-leading Moncton Wildcats. The Rocket has won just two of the past 10 games and is three points behind Acadie-Bathurst for fourth in the division.
Cold player: Olivier Roy, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The 17-year-old goaltender, who has received praise for his steady and consistent play, had his worst week since joining the league last season. In two starts, Roy was rocked to the tune of eight goals on 29 shots. Not surprisingly, his Screaming Eagles lost both games.
This week’s key match-up: Moncton Wildcats vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
There’s nothing quite like a rivalry game with something on the line. The Screaming Eagles will be hoping to break out of their recent slump against a familiar foe when they host the Wildcats. Moncton has lost just twice in regulation all season, accumulating a stunning 46 of a possible 54 points this season. The Screaming Eagles, to their credit, aren’t far behind as they trail Moncton by just six points for first in the Atlantic Division standings.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Brampton Battalion
Despite having their 16-game winning-streak snapped, the Battalion remain the league’s hottest team as their unbeaten in regulation streak remains alive. Niagara’s Alex Pietrangelo gave Brampton its first loss in well over a month with seven seconds remaining in overtime on Thursday. Brampton, however, won their next two and has an 18-0-1-0 record in their last 19.
Hot player: Taylor Hall, Windsor Spitfires
It was simply another week at the office for the sophomore sensation. In three games, Hall scored three goals and three assists for six points. Of his three goals, one was a game winner while another was an insurance marker. Hall will likely get a long look for the Canadian world junior team at the upcoming selection camp.
Cold team: Kingston Frontenacs
Doug Gilmour won his first game as an OHL head coach in thrilling fashion with a late overtime goal on Nov. 21 to beat the Belleville Bulls 5-4. Since then, it has been hard trekking for the struggling Frontenacs who have yet to reach win No. 2 of the Gilmour era. Kingston lost all three games last week, giving them a 0-4-0-1 record in their last five.
Cold player: Justin DiBenedetto, Sarnia Sting
The overage sniper had his first off-week of the season. After starting the season with 24 points in his first 10 games, including a seven-point game against the Soo, DiBenedetto has cooled off of late with one assist in three games and a minus-3 rating last week. The veteran forward could find himself in another uniform if his Sting find themselves out of contention near Christmas.
This week’s key match-up: Guelph Storm vs. Windsor Spitfires
Perhaps in fitting fashion, the Windsor Spitfires will play their last game at the Windsor Arena on a Thursday night. The Arena, affectionately referred to as ‘The Barn,’ has been in operation since 1924 and once housed the Detroit Red Wings. The Spitfires will look to close out their history at the rink with a big win over a tough, Western Conference-rival. Windsor defeated the Storm in their only other meeting, 5-3 on Oct. 23, and will meet two more times this season.
