With several junior stars away at the Canadian world junior selection camp some notable players stepped up in their absence for their teams. Meanwhile, the red-hot Drummondville Voltigeurs have another big test this week in the final week of Canadian Hockey League action before the Christmas break.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Drummondville Voltigeurs
The Voltigeurs may have gotten over the hump last week, as the club recorded its first win of the season against their Telus Central Division rivals, the Shawinigan Cataractes. With their wins over Shawinigan and Rouyn-Noranda, the Voltigeurs are tied for the top spot in the division with the Cataractes. Their winning streak now sits at 15 games, a team record and a winning streak with one more win than they recorded all of last season.
Hot player: Yannick Riendeau, Drummondville Voltigeurs
The overage sniper was back at it in a short week for the Voltigeurs. Riendeau scored a goal and added five assists in two games with a plus-3 rating. Although he scored just once, his goal led his team to only its first win over rival Shawinigan this season. His game winner could be huge as with a win, his team can still take the season series with Shawinigan.
Cold team: Halifax Mooseheads
Last season's Eastern Division champions appear to be a long shot to reach the playoffs this season. As is the case with a dramatic turnover of a roster, the Mooseheads have struggled to win this season and haven't done so in their last four games, all losses. Halifax has won 10 games this season and holds the league's second-worst record ahead of Val-d'Or.
Cold player: Matthew Pistilli, Shawinigan Cataractes
The Cataractes needed more from their go-to sniper who was held to one assist in three games last week. Shawinigan lost twice, to Montreal and Drummondville, before winning in a shootout against Victoriaville. Although points were hard to come by it wasn't for a lack of effort as Pistilli had 14 shots, nine alone against Victoriaville.
This week's key match-up: Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Shawinigan Cataractes, Thursday
Top spot in the Telus Central Division standings will be on the line when the Voltigeurs and Cataractes hook up for the second consecutive week. Drummondville won at home last week and is riding an impressive winning streak while the Cataractes lost two of three last week. Both teams are tied atop the division with 56 points. One 15-game winning streak will come to an end Thursday as the Voltigeurs have won 15 in a row while the Cataractes' home winning streak stands at 15 games. This will be the last game at the Aréna Jacques Plante as the Cataractes will open the doors to their new building after the break.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Ottawa 67's
If last week's play was any indication, the Ottawa 67's could be a dangerous team in the second half of the season. Ottawa won all three games, outscoring their opposition 21-5. The biggest win came Friday when they tattooed the John Tavares-less Oshawa Generals 10-0. The 67's have won six of their last 10 games and trail the Belleville Bulls by 10 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Hot player: Michael Hutchinson, Barrie Colts
Two starts in two nights did little to cool the red-hot Barrie Colts goaltender last week. In two games against Brampton and Kingston, Hutchinson was beat twice on 71 shots for a 0.972 save percentage. He continued to haunt the Brampton Battalion, whom he had stymied in last year's playoffs, with a 36-save shutout on Thursday.
Cold team: Kitchener Rangers
Things have looked better in Kitchener as the defending OHL champions saw their losing streak hit six games. Kitchener has not won in the month of December and is quickly falling out of playoff contention. The Rangers are in last place in the Midwest Division and Western Conference standings with 28 points, two behind the Erie Otters.
Cold player: Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs
The 16-year-old goaltender, who has performed admirably this season, was rocked in two contests on the weekend. Visentin was beat nine times on 29 shots through less than three periods in two games for a save percentage of 0.690. With just one more week left before the Christmas break, the IceDogs and their goaltender will be getting some much needed time off.
This week's key match-up: London Knights vs. Peterborough Petes, Thursday
Knights goaltender Trevor Cann will make his first, and possibly last, appearance as a visiting player in Peterborough. The Petes will host the Knights as the two teams meet for the second and final time this season. London won the first game earlier this season at home and will look for a similar performance as they continue to chase the Western Conference-leading Windsor Spitfires, who are eight points up on the Knights. The Petes, who have won four of their last 10 games, will need a strong performance as they try to stay in the fight for a playoff spot.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Vancouver Giants
Despite missing forward Evander Kane and goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, who left the team midweek for Canada's world junior selection camp, the Giants didn't miss a beat. Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Jonathon Blum picked up the scoring slack in Kane's absence as the Giants ran their winning streak to six contests. Vancouver continues to lead the Western Conference and B.C. Division with 57 points.
Hot player: Ian Duval, Moose Jaw Warriors
The overage product of Winnipeg, Man., has begun finding his scoring touch with the Warriors. Duval, who hadn't recorded a multi-point game until December, has done so in four of five games this month. He scored five goals and two assists for seven points in three games and a plus-2. He scored an insurance goal against Brandon on Tuesday then assisted on the game winner Friday against Lethbridge.
Cold team: Portland Winter Hawks
Home ice did little to cure the rebuilding Winter Hawks who have gone winless in their last five games. Portland lost to Prince George in overtime and Medicine Hat in regulation last week. The Winter Hawks don't play again until the league comes back from break where they head to Seattle for a road game before another three consecutive at home.
Cold player: Mitch Wahl, Spokane Chiefs
The third-year forward has had a slow month in December. In three games last week, the second-round pick of the Calgary Flames had one assist. Wahl and teammate Drayson Bowman haven't been finding the back of the net at the same pace as last season but will, nevertheless, be heading to Ottawa shortly for the world junior championships to represent Team USA.
This week's key match-up: Calgary Hitmen vs. Saskatoon Blades, Tuesday
If any team can say they have Calgary's number this season, it's the Saskatoon Blades. The East Division-leading Blades will host the Central Division and Eastern Conference-leading Hitmen on Tuesday in the third of four meetings this season. Calgary has lost just five games in regulation this season, two of which were to the Blades. The Hitmen have won four in a row and eight of their last 10 while the Blades are winners of seven of their past 10 games. Calgary would certainly like to eliminate any doubt against the Blades as their last meeting will be in Calgary on Feb. 18.
