BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca
The resurgent Victoriaville Tigres enjoyed another hot performance from one of their players as import forward Tomas Kubalik tied a franchise record for assists in one game. Meanwhile, meetings of elite teams highlight an exciting week ahead in the Canadian Hockey League.
Western Hockey League
Hot team: Saskatoon Blades
Despite playing four games in six days, the Blades managed to extend its winning streak to five.
Saskatoon holds the league’s top record in the young season thanks in part to the play of third-year defenceman Stefan Elliott who recorded six points last week. The Blades will have another tough schedule, this time playing four games in five days.
Hot player: Garrett Zemlak, Prince Albert Raiders
The overage goaltender is coming into form this season. Zemlak was nearly unbeatable in his two starts against Medicine Hat and Regina, allowing just one goal on 81 shots for a .988 save percentage. His strong play this season enabled the Raiders to trade Steven Stanford to Saskatoon.
The overage goaltender is coming into form this season. Zemlak was nearly unbeatable in his two starts against Medicine Hat and Regina, allowing just one goal on 81 shots for a .988 save percentage. His strong play this season enabled the Raiders to trade Steven Stanford to Saskatoon.
Cold team: Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops played just once last week, dropping a 7-1 decision to the Chilliwack Bruins. The Blazers are suffering through a six-game losing-streak after firing head coach Barry Smith last week. Their attention to defence and goaltending needs to improve if the Blazers are going to regain their early-season form.
Cold player: Linden Vey, Medicine Hat Tigers
Vey was uncharacteristically cold last week, failing to pick up a point in four games with a minus-1 rating. The third-year forward averaged more than a point per game last season and is relied on as one of Medicine Hat’s top contributors after the departure of Tyler Ennis. Vey is still having a strong campaign, however, with 21 points through his first 19 games.
Game of the week: Vancouver Giants vs. Portland Winterhawks
The perennial contending Giants meet the up-and-coming Winterhawks for the first time this season. Portland turned the corner after a few seasons of futility, culminated by a change in ownership early last season.
The Winterhawks have a young nucleus of talented players including Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter. Vancouver sits atop the B.C. Division standings, a remarkable feat considering Evander Kane and Tyson Sexsmith, among others, graduated this summer. Portland is tied atop the U.S. Division with the Tri-City Americans, with one more point than Vancouver in the Western Conference standings.
Québec Major Junior Hockey League
Hot team: Saint John Sea Dogs
The Sea Dogs are beginning to pull away from the pack in the top-heavy Atlantic Division. Saint John won all three games on their Telus Eastern Division road trip to extend their winning streak to eight games. The red-hot Sea Dogs have the league’s best record and are now seven points up on Moncton for the division lead.
Hot player: Tomas Kubalik, Victoriaville Tigres
The first-year Czech forward broke out for the surging Tigres.
In four games, Kubalik had four goals and seven assists for 11 points with a plus-7 rating. His biggest game came against Rouyn-Noranda Friday where he recorded a goal and seven assists. Kubalik also scored the game-winning goal in overtime over rival Shawinigan on Sunday.
Cold team: Halifax Mooseheads
The rebuilding Mooseheads had another week of set-backs as they continue to search for their second win of the season. Halifax was beat in both outings against Montreal and Cape Breton by a combined 10-3 margin. It won’t get any easier for the Mooseheads this week as they will face Saint John, Val-d’Or and P.E.I.
Cold player: Mickael Audette, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Audette did little to quiet the critics who are suggesting the Huskies would be better off to acquire a proven starting goaltender this season. Through four games, Audette allowed 13 goals on 75 shots for a .827 save percentage. The lowest point came Friday against Victoriaville where he lasted less than seven minutes before being pulled.
Game of the week: Victoriaville Tigres vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs
The Tigres are keeping things interesting in the Telus Central Division this season after the defending champion Voltigeurs jumped out to an early lead. Victoriaville is showing signs it could be ready to contend while Drummondville hardly missed a beat from last season. The Voltigeurs lead the way with 25 points through their first 18 games, six more than Victoriaville who have played twice more.
Games between these two heated-rivals are always intense as the Tigres make the 45-minute drive to neighbouring Drummondville.
Ontario Hockey League
Hot team: Kitchener Rangers
The Rangers’ winning-streak continued but the team’s focus is with the health of rookie defenceman Ben Fannelli, who was taken to Hamilton General Hospital after a vicious hit in a game against Erie on Friday.
Kitchener is riding a five-game winning-streak and have outscored their opposition 12-1, maintaining their position atop the Midwest Division. Fannelli remains in intensive care after suffering skull and facial fractures. The Rangers stated he was in critical but stable condition as of Sunday afternoon.
Hot player: Marcus Carroll, Owen Sound Attack
The overage forward stepped up offensively for the Attack. Carroll scored three goals while adding seven assists for 10 points through three games with a plus-4 rating. He’s averaging a point-per-game this season and has been one of his team’s biggest contributors since the injury to star forward Joey Hishon.
Cold team: Oshawa Generals
The Generals came back down to earth after a strong start to their season. Oshawa’s losing streak hit five games last week with another three losses to Peterborough, London and Belleville. More concerning than the losses is their poor defensive play and goaltending, which saw the team allow 17 goals through three games last week.
Cold player: Peter Holland, Guelph Storm
The offensive forward managed a goal and an assist through two games but was a ghastly minus-6 on the week. Holland’s junior career has been mired with inconsistency while he is still learning his defensive play. Drafted 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks last summer, Holland will need to round out his game in order to succeed at the next level and help his team this season.
Game of the week: Windsor Spitfires vs. Kitchener Rangers
The league’s top two teams will meet for the first time when the Spitfires head to Kitchener. The Rangers are a pleasant surprise after missing the playoffs last season while the defending Memorial Cup champion Spitfires are meeting the lofty expectations. Kitchener’s Brandon Maxwell emerged as one of the top goaltenders this season after the Spitfires traded his rights to the Rangers last season.
Both teams possess plenty of offensive prowess which should make for an entertaining game between two of the league’s elite teams.
