Tyler Seguin.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

Tyler Seguin hardly missed a beat when returning to league play after the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Meanwhile, Gatineau’s Maxime Clermont was unable to find similar success upon his return. Several league heavyweights headline the week of games in this week’s edition.

Ontario Hockey League

Hot team: London Knights

The Knights flexed its offensive muscle with three wins last week with Toronto first-rounder Nazem Kadri posting a 10-point week. London has won eight of its past 10 games, including all three last week. The Knights are nine points back of the defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires for first in the Western Conference.

Hot player: Tyler Seguin, Plymouth Whalers

The sophomore sniper is back on top in the league’s scoring race. Seguin scored five goals and six assists for 11 points in three games with a plus-6 rating. With his impressive week, Seguin reclaimed top spot ahead of Windsor’s Taylor Hall. Seguin’s 79 points are seven more than Hall, who has played in three fewer games this season.

Cold team: Sarnia Sting

The Sting’s pointless streak hit eight games as Sarnia was outscored 16-4 in three losses to Guelph, Niagara and Owen Sound respectively. Sarnia is still without a win in 2010 and has garnered just one point, from an overtime loss to Sault Ste. Marie, in the new year. The Sting will play three games in three nights for the third consecutive week.

Cold player: Adam Courchaine, Erie Otters

It was a rough week for the Otters’ goaltending tandem of Courchaine and Ramis Sadikov. Courchaine allowed 14 goals on 97 shots in three losses for a .856 save percentage. The Otters remain in the Western Conference playoff picture as the eighth seed, but will need to pick up the pace as the Guelph Storm is streaking.

Game of the week: Barrie Colts vs. Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, Friday

The Eastern Conference’s top two teams will meet for the fourth of six meetings this season. Barrie holds the edge in the season series with two wins and will be looking to open the gap up even further. The Colts begin the week eight points ahead of the Majors, but have played one more game. These regular season tilts are important in deciding home ice in the playoffs as it’s unlikely these two teams won’t determine the winner of the East this season.

Western Hockey League

Hot team: Everett Silvertips

The Silvertips remain unbeaten in January as the team added another three victories to its string of 12. Everett is climbing up the Western Conference charts with the streak and has defeated elite teams such as Vancouver, Portland and Spokane along the way. The best could be yet to come from this team due to its balanced scoring and reliable goaltending.

Hot player: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen

The shifty and elusive forward was at his best once again last week. Kozun scored twice and assisted on five more in three games last week, but continues to trail Vancouver’s Craig Cunningham for the league scoring crown. Kozun played in nine fewer games as he missed time while representing Canada at the world junior hockey championship.

Cold team: Edmonton Oil Kings

The Alberta provincial capital team has not fared well this season and there’s been little reason for optimism of late. Although the team improved in its second meeting against Medicine Hat on Sunday in a game televised on Sportsnet, the Oil Kings remain winless in their past 14 games. Although Edmonton has the Eastern Conference’s worst record, it is still 11 points up on Prince George.

Cold player: Morgan Clark, Swift Current Broncos

The veteran goaltender has failed to provide his team with the reliable goaltending it will need down the stretch. Clark was beat on seven-of-30 shots for a .767 save percentage in two outings. The Broncos cannot afford inconsistency between the pipes as they trail Red Deer by three points for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Game of the week: Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Kootenay Ice, Tuesday

The Ice remains one of the league’s hottest teams despite losing in Prince Albert on Saturday. The Raiders ended Kootenay’s 14-game winning-streak as the Ice is now in contention for home ice in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Memorial Cup-host Wheat Kings are just two points back of Saskatoon for first in the East and are firing on every cylinder offensively of late. Kootenay won both previous meetings this season after Brandon swept them out of last year’s playoffs in the first round.

Québec Major Junior Hockey League

Hot team: Moncton Wildcats

The surging Wildcats passed the test this week by winning all three road games in three nights. A year ago, a similar road trip with games in Victoriaville and Drummondville went wrong. Moncton is winners of the last 10 games and has not lost in 2010. The Wildcats trail the Sea Dogs by 11 points for first in the Atlantic Division standings with a game in hand.

Hot player: Matthew Brenton, Montreal Juniors

The overage forward set a personal best for points in a season thanks in part to a six-point week. Brenton scored three times and added three assists in just two games with a plus-5 rating. He came up clutch for the Juniors in the second game, scoring the game-winning goal over the Saint John Sea Dogs while shorthanded late in the third period.

Cold team: Gatineau Olympiques

Home ice did little to slow the Olympiques’ losing streak. Gatineau lost both games to Val-d’Or and Saint John by a combined 13-4 score. The Olympiques are riding a four-game losing streak and are now tied with Montreal for second in the Telus Western Division standings. The second-place team will obtain home ice for the first round of the playoffs.

Cold player: Maxime Clermont, Gatineau Olympiques

Perhaps fatigued from traveling to Windsor for the Top Prospects Game earlier in the week, Clermont struggled upon his return to league play. The third-year goaltender was beaten on 11-of-57 shots for a .807 save percentage. The low point in the week came in an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of league powerhouse Saint John on Sunday.

Game of the week: Victoriaville Tigres vs. Moncton Wildcats, Thursday

The Tigres and Wildcats will meet for the second-consecutive week. The Wildcats are the league’s hottest team with a streak of 10 wins while the Tigres are winners of eight of their past 10. Moncton handled Victoriaville with a decisive 6-2 win on Friday, which should give the Tigres plenty of motivation going into the season finale. Victoriaville remains tied with Drummondville for first in the Telus Central Division standings.