While most of the focus from hockey fans was directed at the tentative agreement being reached between National Hockey League owners and players, the United States capturing world junior gold for the second time in four years and Canada’s disappointing fourth place finish, CHL action continued over the first weekend of the new year, and just as they did in Ufa, Russians were making some noise.
Nikolay Goldobin grabbed a lot of attention last week with a four-goal performance, including the overtime winner, to help the Sarnia Sting end the London Knights’ 24-game winning streak, and he and his teammates didn’t slow down this weekend with three wins in as many nights. The 17-year-old Russian rookie had three goals and four assists in the three games, including a three-point performance against Erie, which you can view below.
As you can see, Goldobin was all over the ice against the Otters and he hasn’t shown much difficulty in adapting to the major junior level with 21 goals this season. He now sits just one point behind Connor McDavid for the OHL rookie scoring lead.
Much like his Russian counterpart, Valentin Zykov, who leads QMJHL rookies with 25 goals and 43 points in 40 games, posted three goals and four helpers in three wins this weekend, as the red hot Baie-Comeau Drakkar (9-1 in their last 10 GP) extended their winning streak to six games. A 5-4 shootout win over the surging Rimouski Océanic showcased Zykov and Frédérik Gauthier each posting a goal and two assists in a head-to-head battle between the Q’s elite rookies, who can both count on hearing their names being called in the early rounds of this year’s NHL Draft.
Sudbury Wolves forward Mathew Campagna extended his point-streak to 16 games with a goal in the Wolves’ 5-4 road win over the Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday. The Mississauga native currently has seven goals and 28 points while owning the longest point streak in the OHL this season.
Mathew Campagna continued his point scoring streak with a goal this afternoon! #16andcounting
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) January 6, 2013
After injuries limited his sophomore year to just 45 games (8 goals, 23 assists), Campagna has rebounded strongly with 11 goals and 42 points in 40 games this season. With the win on Sunday, the Wolves extended their streak to four games and have earned at least a point in nine straight contests.
Elsewhere in the CHL this weekend, the Kelowna Rockets extended their win streak to six games with back-to-back wins and find themselves within sight of the WHL-leading Portland Winterhawks.
The struggles continue in Prince Albert (4-5-0-1 in their last 10 GP), as the Raiders went winless in two games this weekend.
With an 8-2 thrashing of the Saginaw Spirit and a 3-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers, the London Knights pushed their point streak to 27 games (26-0-1) and haven’t lost in regulation since Nov. 1.