The 2014-15 debut of Friday Night Hockey took a hit when Connor McDavid was injured Tuesday night in his second career fight. With McDavid, out, the Erie Otters will look to Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat (both eligible in 2015) and Nick Betz (undrafted) to continue scoring.
Click here for ticket information on the Subway SuperSeries
The Niagara IceDogs got off to a horrible start, winning just two of their first 15 games. Injuries to last season’s second-highest scorer and 12th-overall pick (Arizona) Brendan Perlini and top offensive D-man Luke Mercer have taken more than an expected toll. But the Dogs have won three straight, feature the reigning OHL Goalie of the Week in Brent Moran (dallas, 115th in 2014) and on Friday evening acquired New York Islanders’ first-rounder Josh Ho-Sang from the Windsor Spitfires.
Here’s a breakdown:
Erie Otters Otters
The Otters are 16-1-0-1 (6-1-0-1 on the road) have won their past three games. Their ranked No. 1 in the CHL BMO Top 10 Rankings and sit 1st overall in the OHL.
Team Leaders
*Connor McDavid, C, 16-35-51 (OHL leader in point and assists)
Dylan Strome, C/W, 13-28-41 (2nd in OHL points)
Alex DeBrincat, C/W, 20-14-34 (1st in OHL goals)
Nick Betz, RW, 9-13-22 (T-1 in OHL game-winning goals)
Devin Williams 11-1-0-1, 2.69, .890
Team Stats
PP 24/74, 32.4%, 1st
PK 12/64, 81.3%, 5th
GF 5.67, 1st
GA 2.67, 3rd
NHL Affiliated Players
Kyle Petit (Vancouver, 156th in 2014)
Kurtis MacDermid (Los Angeles, free agent signing in 2012)
Troy Donnay (New York Rangers, free agent signing in 2013)
NHL Central Scouting
PTW A
*Connor McDavid
Ryan Strome
PTW B
Travis Dermott
PTW C
Cole Mayo
Nick Betz
TJ Fergus
Patrick Murphy
Mason Marchment
Under The Radar
Mason Marchment (eligible in 2015). He continues to rise in the eyes of NHL scouts. A late bloomer with magic hands.
Niagara IceDogs
The Dogs are a miserable 5-13-0-0 (4-4-0-0 at home), but have won three in a row. They are 4th Central Division and 9th Eastern Conference.
Team Leaders
Carter Verhaeghe, C, 6-6-12
Billy Jenkins, LW, 2-10-12
Graham Knott, LW, 6-5-11
Cody Payne, RW, 6-5-11
Vince Dunn, D, 3-8-11
Brent Moran 4-11-0-0, 3.16, .906%
Team Stats
PP 8-83, 9.6%, 20th
PK 10/80, 87.5%, 2nd
GF 2.72, 18th
GA 3.67, 12th
NHL Affiliated Players
*Brendan Perlini, LW (Arizona, 11th in 2014)
Carter Verhaeghe, C (Toronto 82nd in 2013)
Blake Siebenaler, D, (Columbus, 77th in2014)
Ryan Mantha, D (New York Rangers, 104th in 2014)
Brent Moran, G, (Dallas 115th in 2014)
Aaron Haydon, D (Dallas, 154th in2014)
NHL Central Scouting
PTW B
Graham Knott
Vince Dunn
PTW C
Hayden McCool
Under the Radar
Mikkel Aagaard, LW Skates well and is very coachable with high hockey IQ.
*injured