The first full week of action since the holiday break saw Moose Jaw’s Joel Broda and Québec’s Mikhail Stefanovich terrorize goaltenders in a busy week in the Canadian Hockey League.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot team: Québec Remparts

The early-season juggernaut appears to have returned to form. Québec had a big week offensively, outscoring the opposition 21-3 through three games. The Remparts have won eight consecutive games and now trail the Moncton Wildcats by three points for top spot in the league standings.

Hot player: Mikhail Stefanovich, Québec Remparts

Stefanovich may not have recorded the highest point total last week but his hot-hand and clutch scoring can’t be ignored. A fourth round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, Stefanovich scored seven times and assisted on one other in three games with a plus-7 rating. Two of his goals were game winners while another was an insurance goal as he helped lead his team to a perfect week.

Cold team: Lewiston MAINEiacs

The QMJHL’s only American-based franchise has fallen on hard times since winning the league championship just two seasons ago. Lewiston is riding a seven-game losing streak and has lost eight of their past 10. The team’s fortunes might turn around if they can find a way to win the close games as six of their past eight losses have come by just a single goal.

Cold player: Maxim Gougeon, Rimouski Océanic

Despite playing against middle-of-the-pack teams, the Océanic weren’t able to secure any wins last week. Their goaltender, Maxim Gougeon, had a sub-par week between the pipes, allowing a combined 12 goals on 78 shots. Although the team is playing without several top players who are either injured or at the world juniors, their goaltender will need to step up if they’re going to make ground on the elite teams in the second half.

This week’s key match-up: Gatineau Olympiques vs. Moncton Wildcats

The Gatineau Olympiques are one of the league’s hottest teams of late, winners of seven of their past 10 games. The Olympiques have turned their season around after undergoing a 10-game losing streak that eventually saw their head coach, Mario Richer, step down after just 20 games. Moncton on the other hand, has turned into a powerhouse after finishing with the second-worst record in the league last season. Both teams are red-hot right now as the Wildcats hold a slim lead on the overall league standings. Meanwhile, the surging Olympiques are just five points behind first-place Rouyn-Noranda in the Telus Western Division standings.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: Erie Otters

One would think that playing without their top goaltender, Jaroslav Janus, who’s making a name at the world juniors in Ottawa, would be the kiss of death to the young team. Instead, the Otters have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning their past six games. Erie beat a few solid opponents in the streak, ousting Guelph then Brampton twice. The Otters are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

Hot player: Eric O’Dell, Sudbury Wolves

Few players’ stocks rose quicker than O’Dell’s last season. Despite playing less than half a season in Sudbury, O’Dell was a second round pick by Anaheim. His play this season indicates the success he enjoyed a year ago was no fluke. In four games last week, O’Dell scored five goals and three assists with a plus-7 rating. He scored the first goal in two of his four games while also chipping in the game-winner over Peterborough on Friday.

Cold team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Although still within reach of a playoff spot, the Greyhounds could be hard-pressed to reach the second season if they continue playing the way they have. The Greyhounds have lost four straight games and have won just two of their past 10. While their goaltending has hurt them, so too has their lack of offence leaving the Soo with the worst record in the Western Conference.

Cold player: Matt Caria, Plymouth Whalers

Acquired in a trade with the Soo Greyhounds early in December, Caria helped boost the offence quickly upon his arrival. Last week was an exception, however, as Caria was held pointless in three games and was an unflattering minus-4. If Plymouth is going to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot this season, Caria will need to regain his scoring touch.

This week’s key match-up: Oshawa Generals vs. London Knights

With the trade deadline steadily approaching, it’s possible John Tavares might not be suiting up for Oshawa in this game. The Knights are believed to be the front-runners to add Tavares, which would make Friday’s game an intriguing against his would-be former team. Oshawa could be in a selling mode this week but it’s unlikely many players, outside of Tavares, would be traded. The Generals should still contend for a playoff spot while the Knights keep trying to catch the Windsor Spitfires for first in the Western Conference.

Western Hockey League

Hot team: Calgary Hitmen

The Eastern Conference-leading Hitmen feasted on Central Division opponents last week, beating Edmonton, Kootenay and Medicine Hat by a combined score of 12-1. Goaltender Martin Jones had an impressive week, posting back-to-back shutouts over the Ice and Tigers. Their winning-streak now stands at 11 games as they haven’t lost since Dec. 6 to Tri-City. Calgary will only get stronger with the addition of Brett Sonne from the Canadian world junior team early this week.

Hot player: Joel Broda, Moose Jaw Warriors

The 19-year-old sniper had one of the most impressive weeks offensively this season in the WHL. In four games, Broda scored nine goals and two assists for 11 points with a plus-5 rating. His red-hot week helped his team earn three wins in four road games through British Columbia. Broda scored the game-winner against Chilliwack on New Year’s Eve.

Cold team: Lethbridge Hurricanes

The defending Eastern Conference champion Lethbridge Hurricanes have work to do if they’re going to get back to the league final this season. The Hurricanes have lost their last six consecutive games, including a couple of shutout losses on their recent road trip through Saskatchewan. Lethbridge has struggled at both ends of the ice of late but should receive a boost when Zach Boychuk and Juha Metsola return from world junior action.

Cold player: Michael Tadjdeh, Lethbridge Hurricanes

With Metsola gone representing Finland at the world juniors, backup Tadjdeh was rocked with a depleted lineup in front of him. In three games, he allowed 13 goals on 54 shots. Tadjdeh will hand over the starting duties to Metsola once he returns.

This week’s key match-up: Prince Albert Raiders vs. Calgary Hitmen

The Prince Albert Raiders picked the right time to start a winning streak with the trade deadline just around the corner. The Raiders haven’t lost since returning from the holiday break and have outscored the opposition 28-14 through those five games. The streak will face its stiffest test when they face the Calgary Hitmen. Calgary is 21-1 on home ice this season, with their only loss an Oct. 12 decision to the Saskatoon Blades. If the Raiders can beat the Hitmen at home it would be a great morale boost as the Raiders attempt to get back to the playoffs.