The holiday break in the Canadian Hockey League provided some interesting returns. Mississauga hit the ground running while the Seattle Thunderbirds went through a holiday hangover in a condensed version of the CHL's Hot and Not.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: Mississauga St. Michael's Majors

The Majors continued inching closer to Central Division leaders Brampton. The Majors won both games last week over Eastern Conference-leader Belleville and defending league champions Kitchener. Mississauga has now won their last seven consecutive games as they narrowed the gap to six points behind Brampton in the race for the division lead.

Hot player: Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers

If last week's play was any indication, Akeson could be on the verge of a breakout in the second-half of the season. The 18-year-old, sixth round pick by Kitchener in 2007, scored four goals and added two assists in two games with a plus-4 rating. He scored both the first goal and game-winner in a 7-2 rout over Owen Sound on Saturday.

Cold team: Kingston Frontenacs

Just one game on the schedule for the Frontenacs on the weekend and it was another loss for the rebuilding Frontenacs. Kingston is ice cold having lost their last five straight games and nine of their last 10. The Frontenacs have the inside track on acquiring the top pick in this summer's draft with just 20 points in their first 37 games. The next closest teams have 32 points each.

Cold player: Tyler Beskorowany, Owen Sound Attack

The Dallas Stars' second rounder from 2008 has not fared particularly well this season with the Attack. Rumoured to be a trade possibility, Beskorowany didn't improve his stock in one start on the weekend as he was lit up for six goals on 22 shots for a 0.727 save percentage against Kitchener on Saturday. Beskorowany then watched Sunday's game as Scott Stajcer turned in a solid performance between Owen Sound's pipes.

This week's key match-up: Mississauga St. Michael's Majors vs. Brampton Battalion, Wednesday

The timing couldn't be better for the Majors to steal some points from their Central Division rivals. Mississauga will have the benefit of a full lineup when they make the short, 10-minute road trip to the Powerade Center in Brampton. The Battalion will be without forwards Cody Hodgson and Evgeny Grachev who are in Ottawa at the world juniors. Brampton will, however, have top prospect Matt Duchene in the lineup. Duchene had the hot-hand over the weekend, recording a point in all four of his team's goals in a 5-4 shootout loss to Erie. Majors goaltender Chris Carrozzi will provide Duchene with a tough test in the game within the game.

Western Hockey League

Hot team: Calgary Hitmen

Despite playing without heart-and-soul player Brett Sonne, who is representing Canada at the world juniors, the Calgary Hitmen kept their winning streak alive. Calgary won both games on the weekend, topping Red Deer 4-2 before shutting out Moose Jaw 4-0 on Sunday. The Hitmen's winning streak is now at eight games as they continue to lead the Eastern Conference standings with 68 points, 16 more than second place Saskatoon.

Hot player: John Negrin, Kootenay Ice

The Calgary Flames' third round pick in 2007, Negrin displayed his offensive prowess in the shortened week. In two games against Lethbridge and Red Deer, the puck-moving defenceman scored once and had six assists. Negrin is 15 points shy of tying his season best of 42, which he recorded last season through 71 games.

Cold team: Seattle Thunderbirds

The T-Birds have struggled of late, particularly after the holiday break. Seattle lost both home games on the weekend, losing 5-1 to Portland and 4-0 to Spokane. The loss to the Winter Hawks was surprising given Portland has won just nine times this season. Meanwhile, the shorthanded Spokane Chiefs, who have several players missing at the world juniors, played a solid game in the win. Seattle has won just four of their last 10 and sit in fourth in the U.S. Division.

Cold player: Carter Ashton, Lethbridge Hurricanes

The sophomore forward broke out in a big way through November and December but struggled in his two games back after the break. Ashton, the son of former NHLer Brent Ashton, was held pointless through two games and was a minus-3. With teammate Zach Boychuk away at the world juniors, Ashton is looked upon as the main offensive weapon but failed to lead his team to victory on the weekend.

This week's key match-up: Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Calgary Hitmen, Sunday

One of the league's greatest rivalries will recommence when the Hitmen host the Tigers. Sunday's game will mark the fourth of six meetings between the provincial rivals. Both teams are missing key players as Calgary's Sonne and Medicine Hat's Tyler Ennis are on the Canadian world junior squad. The Hitmen won all three of the previous games, outscoring the Tigers 11-3. Although the Tigers trail the Hitmen by 20 points for top spot in the Central Division standings, Medicine Hat doesn't have much room for error as both Kootenay and Lethbridge aren't far behind. It's always a heated affair when these two teams meet and fans can expect nothing less than a physical and entertaining game.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot team: Québec Remparts

Patrick Roy's squad returned to their early-season form, winning their last five games and eight of the last 10. The Remparts kept their road prowess in check, winning both games against division rivals Baie-Comeau and Chicoutimi, both by 3-2 finals. Québec has the fourth best record in the league while also boasting a healthy 14-point lead for first in the Telus Eastern Division standings.

Hot player: Jan Stransky, Halifax Mooseheads

The 18-year-old Czech forward wasted little time making an impact with his new team. Acquired by Halifax for a draft pick from Gatineau on Dec. 27, Stransky scored three goals and added two assists in his first two games with his new team. He capped the comeback win over Saint John on Sunday, scoring the winner and third unanswered goal with less than three minutes remaining in the third period.

Cold team: Rimouski Océanic

One of the league's hottest second-half teams a year ago, Rimouski failed to break out of their funk after returning from the holiday break. The Océanic were beat rather handily 8-2 by Telus Eastern Division-rivals Chicoutimi on Saturday. The loss was the third consecutive for this year's Memorial Cup hosts and sixth in their last 10 contests. Newcomer Logan MacMillan, who was acquired from Halifax, was a minus-3 with no points in his first game with Rimouski.

Cold player: Robert Mayer, Saint John Sea Dogs

The Swiss goaltender had a pair of rough outings returning from the holiday break. In two starts against Acadie-Bathurst and Halifax, Mayer allowed a combined nine goals on 69 shots for a 0.870 save percentage. He was beat on both shootout goals against Acadie-Bathurst while relinquishing a two-goal third period lead against Halifax, allowing the game-tying and game-winning goals with less than four minutes remaining.

This week's key match-up: Drummondville Voltigeurs vs. Gatineau Olympiques, Sunday

The Drummondville Voltigeurs saw a tiny chink in the armour Sunday when they lost their first game in nearly two months with a shootout loss to rival Shawinigan. Prior to Sunday's game, Drummondville had won 18 consecutive games as they continue to lead the league in points, one ahead of the Cataractes. The Olympiques, meanwhile, have returned to respectability following a coaching change. Gatineau beat their Telus Western Division-rival, Rouyn-Noranda, in their only game last week. The Olympiques have won seven in a row and now trail Rouyn-Noranda by eight points for top spot in the division. A strong outing against Drummondville could help solidify their confidence as they aim for a playoff spot down the stretch.