By Patrick King, Sportsnet.ca
Just call Leland Irving and Ryan Mior the ‘Kings of the Crease.’
Irving and Mior wrote their names into the record books last week after each added to their shutout list.
Irving, a goaltender for the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips, tied the WHL record for most career shutouts with 21 when he blanked the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday. The Calgary Flames’ first-round draft pick in 2006 tied the mark set by former Thunderbird and Kootenay Ice goaltender Bryan Bridges.
There won’t be much time left for Irving to beat the mark as heading into Wednesday’s action the Silvertips have just six games remaining in their schedule. Although Irving is eligible to return to junior next season, it’s highly unlikely the star goaltender will be back as he is likely to begin his professional career.
Meanwhile, Gatineau Olympiques goaltender Mior, who already had the Québec Major Junior Hockey League career shutout record, added one more in a decisive 7-0 win over Shawinigan on Friday.
The shutout not only helps pad his career stats, which now stand at 15 career shutouts, but gives him the Olympiques’ franchise record ahead of Colorado Avalanche goaltender José Théodore. Mior’s six shutouts this season now puts him one ahead of Théodore.
Spitfires Show Plenty of Heart
After unexpectedly losing a teammate and friend, no one would have blamed the Windsor Spitfires for losing upon their return to the ice.
However, after dedicating the rest of their season to captain Mickey Renaud, who passed away on Feb. 18, the Spitfires have simply been on fire.
Windsor has gathered seven of a possible eight points since returning to the ice after the tragedy. Their only loss came in their first game back, a shootout defeat to the Eastern Conference-leading Belleville Bulls.
The Spitfires haven’t been doing it against slouches, either. Windsor beat two league contenders in Sault Ste. Marie and Oshawa, including a shutout win on the road against the Greyhounds.
Their 16-year-old rookie Taylor Hall has been the biggest key to the puzzle for the Spitfires as he has tallied 12 points in four games. Hall was also named last week’s player of the week from the OHL.
Already considered a contender for the championship this season, the Spitfires will be the emotional favourite of every fan come playoff time.
Playoff Picture Becoming Clearer
The P.E.I. Rocket of the QMJHL put themselves in the driver’s seat to acquire the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.
Geoff Walker’s overtime winner over the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday gave them the lead over the team that’s chasing them. P.E.I. leads Moncton by four points with just six games to go in each team’s schedule.
The biggest game for each team might be their final game on March 16 when the Rocket host the Wildcats. The outcome of the game on March 16 could determine the final playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the St. John’s Fog Devils, who will be relocating to Verdun, Que. next season, clinched a playoff spot for the third time in franchise history last week.
In the OHL, the Peterborough Petes will soon join the Barrie Colts, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Ottawa 67’s in the playoffs this week as they have a healthy 11 point lead over Kingston going into the home-stretch.
The Belleville Bulls should clinch the Eastern Conference title later this week while the Kitchener Rangers won the regular season championship.
Kitchener became the first team outside of the London Knights to win the regular season crown since they accomplished the feat five seasons ago. Thus ends London’s remarkable run of four consecutive regular season championships including league and Memorial Cup titles in the 2004-2005 season.
All WHL playoff spots have been clinched to date with playoff positioning being the only thing left to be determined. The race for the regular season crown remains just as wide open as it was last week with the Tri-City Americans, Vancouver Giants, Calgary Hitmen and Spokane Chiefs all in contention.
Record-Breaking Performances
Irving and Mior weren’t the only players making headlines by breaking records this week. Here are a few more of the record-breaking performances from players and teams throughout the Canadian Hockey League:
The Tri-City Americans of the WHL beat last season’s record for points in a season by recording their 98th point in a win over Kootenay on Saturday; Kootenay Ice forward Steve DaSilva tied a franchise record for goals in a game with four against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday; Saginaw Spirit forward Jack Combs is now the franchise leader in single season scoring with 93 points and counting.
Noteworthy: Baie-Comeau Drakkar forward Benjamin Breault is the QMJHL’s offensive player of the week and CHL player of the week while St. John’s Fog Devils goaltender Jake Allen was named the league’s defensive player of the week … Regina Pats defenceman Victor Bartley was named the WHL’s player of the week … Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Juha Metsola was named the CHL goaltender of the week … Vancouver Giants forward Spencer Machacek was named the WHL’s player of the month … The QMJHL announced their performers of the month and they are: Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Francis Paré (offensive), Acadie-Bathurst Titan defenceman Drew Paris (defensive) and Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Jacob Lagacé (rookie) … The Oshawa Generals will retire Eric Lindros’ old No. 88 on March 6 … All OHL players will be required to wear neck protection beginning next week after Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik recently received a vicious cut to the throat in NHL play … The CHL announced the times of the Memorial Cup games which will be played in Kitchener, Ont. from May 16 to 25. The Memorial Cup Championship game will be played on May 25 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT. Rogers Sportsnet is the official television broadcaster of the Memorial Cup and each game can be seen in each region.
