Statement from the Ontario Hockey League regarding the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has reached a settlement with the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club with regard to the club’s violation of player recruitment rules.  The club will pay a fine of $150,000.00 and shall forfeit its first round pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

The club has acknowledged that it violated OHL player recruitment rules. The club recognizes the importance of these rules and agrees to comply.

This settlement follows the league announcement in February that the league had levied fines against the club and had taken away first round draft selections in the OHL Priority Selection process.

OHL Announces 2018-19 Coaches Poll Winners

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches Polls for the 2018-19 OHL regular season.

The OHL Coaches Poll provides member club coaches with the opportunity to recognize the top three players in 20 different skill categories within their own conference.

In the Eastern Conference, the Hamilton Spectator Trophy winning Ottawa 67’s lead the way with eight players represented inside the top three votes across nine different categories.  Among them is rookie Marco Rossi who was the club’s only top vote getter recognized as the Smartest Player.  The Oshawa Generals had seven players voted across nine different categories and finished tied for the Eastern Conference lead with four first place votes including Brett Neumann (Best Skater), Mitchell Brewer (Best Shot Blocker), Kyle MacLean (Best Defensive Forward), and Kyle Keyser (Best Puck Handling Goalie, tied).

The Hamilton Bulldogs also placed first in four different categories headlined by Arthur Kaliyev atop two of them including Best Shot and Hardest Shot.  Fellow 2019 NHL Draft prospect Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads also led his club in two of their four first place votes including Most Improved Player and Best Offensive Defenceman.  Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves was also first in a pair of categories including Best Shootout Goaltender and tied with Keyser for Best Puck Handling Goalie.  Justin Brazeau of the North Bay Battalion was the only player to appear as a top three finisher in four different categories winning the Most Dangerous in the Goal Area vote.  Kaliyev and Harley both had a trio of top three finishes along with the Barrie Colts pair of Ryan Suzuki and Jason Willms who both claimed first place votes in Best Playmaker and Best on Face-Offs respectively.  Detroit Red Wings prospect Zach Gallant of the Peterborough Petes finished behind Willms in the face-off category but was recognized as one of the best for a third straight season.  Gallant was one of eight players to appear in two categories along with fellow Pete Ryan Merkley, Generals MacLean and Keyser, Wolves Luukkonen and Macauley Carson, Sasha Chmelevski of the 67’s, and Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs.

In the Western Conference, the first place London Knights lead the way with nine different players spread across 11 of the 20 different categories.  Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard is the only Knight to appear in multiple categories voted third Smartest Player for a second straight year, second Hardest Shot after winning the vote last season, and third Best Offensive Defenceman after finishing first a year ago.  The Knights were represented in first place votes by Ottawa Senators prospect Alex Formenton picked Best Skater for a second straight year, and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Liam Foudy who tied for first in the Best Penalty Killer vote.  The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds were also represented in 11 different categories with five different players receiving top three votes including a total of five first place selections which tied for the Western Conference lead.  Philadelphia Flyers prospect Morgan Frost led the West by finishing first in three of them including Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler both for a second straight season, along with Best Shootout Shooter.  He also finished second in the Smartest Player category after winning the vote a year ago.

The West Division winning Saginaw Spirit were represented by six players across 10 different categories and tied the Greyhounds with five first place votes.  Among them was Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett who was voted first two times including Hardest Shot along with Most Dangerous in the Goal Area after appearing second and first in the last two Eastern Conference polls.  The Guelph Storm were also represented in 10 different categories with five players spread across the votes.  Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov appeared in three categories and finished first in two of them including Best Body Checker and Best Defensive Defenceman.  Storm forward Nick Suzuki, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, also appeared in three different categories winning the Smartest Player vote.  10 players were recognized in two different categories including Tippett and fellow Spirit including captain Damien Giroux, and defencemen Bode Wilde and Justin Murray, Greyhounds Mac Hollowell and Matthew Villalta, Storm captain Isaac Ratcliffe, Firebirds captain Ty Dellandrea, Sting captain Ryan McGregor, and Jonathan Yantsis of the Kitchener Rangers.  Also of note, Windsor Spitfires captain Luke Boka was voted Best Shot Blocker for a second consecutive season.

The Coaches Poll is tabulated when each team submits one nominee per category, and coaches then vote for the top three players for each category within their conference.  Players receive five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote, and one point for a third place vote.  Clubs are not permitted to vote for players from their own team allowing for a maximum of 45 possible points for each winner.

All 20 categories are listed below with Eastern Conference and Western Conference winners including their final point totals in brackets.

Most Underrated Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Alan Lyszczarczyk, Mississauga Steelheads (17)
2. Cedrick Andree, Ottawa 67’s (16)
3. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (13)

Western Conference:
1. Damien Giroux, Saginaw Spirit (24)
2. Jake Durham, Flint Firebirds (21)
3. Rickard Hugg, Kitchener Rangers (11)

Most Improved Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (39)
2. Philip Tomasino, Niagara IceDogs (14)
3. Hunter Jones, Peterborough Petes (13)

Western Conference:
1. Jonathan Yantsis, Kitchener Rangers (31)
2. Cole MacKay, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (16)
3. Connor McMichael, London Knights (15)

Smartest Player:

Eastern Conference:
1. Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67’s (22)
2. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (21)
3. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (20)

Western Conference:
1. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (32)
2. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (26) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (13) – finished third in 2017-18

Hardest Worker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Keean Washkurak, Mississauga Steelheads (32)
2. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (25)
3. Ryan Cranford, Kingston Frontenacs (11)

Western Conference:
1. Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound Attack (22)
2. Franco Sproviero, Sarnia Sting (15)
3. Greg Meireles, Kitchener Rangers (12)

Best Playmaker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (28)
2. Jason Robertson, Niagara IceDogs (18)
3. Ryan Merkley, Peterborough Petes (16)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (37) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (16)
3. Kevin Hancock, London Knights (15)

Most Dangerous in Goal Area:

Eastern Conference:
1. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (33)
2. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (21)
3. Tye Felhaber, Ottawa 67’s (20)

Western Conference:
1. Owen Tippett, Saginaw Spirit (29) – finished second in 2017-18 and first in 2016-17 Eastern Conference
2. Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (23)
3. Jonathan Yantsis, Kitchener Rangers (16)

Best Skater:

Eastern Conference:
1. Brett Neumann, Oshawa Generals (28)
2. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (19)
3. Philip Tomasino, Niagara IceDogs (12)

Western Conference:
1. Alex Formenton, London Knights (38) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Mac Hollowell, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (20)
3. Jamie Drysdale, Erie Otters (10) tied –
3. Jean-Luc Foudy, Windsor Spitfires (10)

Best Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (35)
2. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (24)
3. Brandon Saigeon, Oshawa Generals (11)

Western Conference:
1. Bode Wilde, Saginaw Spirit (28)
2. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (27) – finished tied for second in 2017-18
3. Hugo Leufvenius, Sarnia Sting (15)

Hardest Shot:

Eastern Conference:
1. Arthur Kaliyev, Hamilton Bulldogs (26)
2. Nicolas Mattinen, Oshawa Generals (25)
3. Kirill Maksimov, Niagara IceDogs (21)

Western Conference:
1. Owen Tippett, Saginaw Spirit (35)
2. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (32) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Mitch Eliot, Sarnia Sting (8)

Best Stickhandler:

Eastern Conference:
1. Nick Robertson, Peterborough Petes (21)
2. Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts (20)
3. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (15) – finished second in 2017-18

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (29) – finished tied for first in 2017-18
2. Joseph Garreffa, Kitchener Rangers (25)
3. Nick Suzuki, Guelph Storm (20) – finished third in 2017-18

Best on Face-Offs:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (29)
2. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (27) – finished second in 2017-18 and first in 2016-17
3. Jack Studnicka, Niagara IceDogs (11) tied –
3. Sasha Chmelevski, Ottawa 67’s (11)

Western Conference:
1. Ty Dellandrea, Flint Firebirds (22)
2. Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (17)
3. Billy Moskal, London Knights (16)

Best Body Checker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Tyler Tucker, Barrie Colts (31) – finished third in 2017-18
2. Navrin Mutter, Hamilton Bulldogs (21)
3. Brad Chenier, North Bay Battalion (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (40)
2. Kelton Hatcher, Sarnia Sting (15)
3. Justin Murray, Saginaw Spirit (12)

Best Shot Blocker:

Eastern Conference:
1. Mitchell Brewer, Oshawa Generals (20) tied
1. Macauley Carson, Sudbury Wolves (20)
3. Nikita Okhotyuk, Ottawa 67’s (16)

Western Conference:
1. Luke Boka, Windsor Spitfires (25) – finished first in 2017-18
2. Jack Hanley, Guelph Storm (14)
3. Mark Woolley, Owen Sound Attack (13) tied –
3. Reilly Webb, Saginaw Spirit (13)

Best Defensive Forward:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kyle MacLean, Oshawa Generals (23)
2. Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (18)
3. Jason Willms, Barrie Colts (14) tied
3. Ben Jones, Niagara IceDogs (14) – finished third in 2017-18

Western Conference:
1. MacKenzie Entwistle, Guelph Storm (24)
2. Damien Giroux, Saginaw Spirit (20)
3. Ryan McGregor, Sarnia Sting (17) – finished tied for third in 2017-18

Best Penalty Killer:

Eastern Conference:
1. Isaac Nurse, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)
2. Macauley Carson, Sudbury Wolves (17)
3. Christopher Paquette, Peterborough Petes (13)

Western Conference:
1. Liam Foudy, London Knights (20) tied –
1. Ryan McGregor, Sarnia Sting (20)
3. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (19)

Best Offensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Thomas Harley, Mississauga Steelheads (33)
2. Ryan Merkley, Peterborough Petes (27)
3. Noel Hoefenmayer, Ottawa 67’s (15)

Western Conference:
1. Mac Hollowell, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (37)
2. Bode Wilde, Saginaw Spirit (20)
3. Evan Bouchard, London Knights (16) – finished first in 2017-18

Best Defensive Defenceman:

Eastern Conference:
1. Jacob Paquette, Niagara IceDogs (21)
2. Liam Ham, Mississauga Steelheads (16) tied –
2. Merrick Rippon, Ottawa 67’s (16)

Western Conference:
1. Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (34)
2. Jordan Sambrook, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (18)
3. Justin Murray, Saginaw Spirit (17)

Best Puck-Handling Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (20) – finished second in 2017-18
1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sudbury Wolves (20)
3. Michael DiPietro, Ottawa 67’s – finished first in 2017-18 Western Conference

Western Conference:
1. Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (39) – finished second in 2017-18
2. Joseph Raaymakers, London Knights (22)
3. Luke Richardson, Kitchener Rangers (9) tied –
3. Colton Incze, Windsor Spitfires (9)

Best Shootout Shooter:

Eastern Conference:
1. Matthew Strome, Hamilton Bulldogs (20)
2. Cole Carter, Mississauga Steelheads (15)
3. Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion (13)

Western Conference:
1. Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (24)
2. Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (19) – finished first in 2017-18
3. Antonio Stranges, London Knights (17)

Best Shootout Goalie:

Eastern Conference:
1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sudbury Wolves (41)
2. Kyle Keyser, Oshawa Generals (19) – finished second in 2017-18
3. Jacob Ingham, Mississauga Steelheads (13)

Western Conference:
1. Ivan Prosvetov, Saginaw Spirit (29)
2. Matthew Villalta, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (21)
3. Jordan Kooy, London Knights (17)

Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

 

2019 Playoff Bracket

Ottawa 67’s vs Hamilton Bulldogs: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Ottawa 5-0-0-0 Hamilton 0-4-1-0
Head to Head last season Ottawa 0-5-0-0 Hamilton 5-0-0-0
Last 5 Years Ottawa 18-11-1-0 Hamilton 12-16-2-0
At Ottawa Ottawa 10-4-0-0 Hamilton 4-9-1-0
At Hamilton Ottawa 8-7-1-0 Hamilton 8-7-1-0
This Season Ottawa 5 @ Hamilton 3
Hamilton 1 @ Ottawa 8
Ottawa 4 @ Hamilton 3
Hamilton 3 @ Ottawa 5
Ottawa 4 @ Hamilton 3 OT
How the 2 teams match up
Hamilton Ottawa
Team Record 29-34-3-2 — 63 points 50-12-4-2 — 106 points
Division Ranking 4th East 1st East
Conference Ranking 8th Eastern 1st Eastern
League Ranking 14th 1st
Past 10 Games 2-8-0-0 6-3-1-0
Streak 0-3-0-0 3-0-1-0
Home Record 15-15-2-2 29-3-1-1
Away Record 14-19-1-0 21-9-3-1
GF 241 296
GA 283 183
PP (Overall) (72/286) 25.2% (60/259) 23.2%
PP (Home) (35/145) 24.1% (30/131) 22.9%
PP (Away) (37/141) 26.2% (30/128) 23.4%
PK (Overall) (62/266) 76.7% (62/276) 77.5%
PK (Home) (30/135) 77.8% (22/127) 82.7%
PK (Away) (32/131) 75.6% (40/149) 73.2%
PP vs. Opp. (4/19) 21.1% (5/16) 31.3%
PK vs. Opp. (5/16) 68.8% (4/19) 78.9%
Leading Rookie Morrison (14-20-34) Rossi (29-36-65)
Most PIM Mutter – 96 Clark – 98
Team PIM/GM 10.9/Game 13.1/Game
Leading Scorers Kaliyev (51-51-102) Felhaber (59-50-109)
Strome (28-51-79) Keating (22-67-89)
Landry (6-45-51) Maksimovich (35-46-81)
Henderson (14-33-47) Chiodo (29-50-79)
Morrison (14-20-34) Chmelevski (35-40-75)
Leading After 1st 15-5-1-2 31-0-0-2
Leading After 2nd 22-2-0-2 40-0-2-2
Tied After 1st 11-6-0-0 17-3-2-0
Tied After 2nd 6-4-1-0 7-3-1-0
Trailing After 1st 3-23-2-0 2-9-2-0
Trailing After 2nd 1-28-2-0 3-9-1-0
Out Shooting Opponents 19-17-0-1 32-9-3-1
Out Shot by Opponents 9-14-3-1 13-2-1-1
1-Goal Games 11-6-3-2 12-5-4-2
2-Goal Games 8-10-0-0 10-1-0-0
3-Goal Games 4-6-0-0 13-3-0-0
Niagara IceDogs vs North Bay Battalion: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Niagara 4-1-1-0 North Bay 2-4-0-0
Head to Head last season Niagara 4-1-0-1 North Bay 2-3-1-0
Last 5 Years Niagara 16-9-3-2 North Bay 14-14-2-0
At Niagara Niagara 9-3-2-1 North Bay 6-8-1-0
At North Bay Niagara 7-6-1-1 North Bay 8-6-1-0
This Season Niagara 8 @ North Bay 3
Niagara 6 @ North Bay 4
North Bay 2 @ Niagara 5
Niagara 3 @ North Bay 4
North Bay 4 @ Niagara 3
North Bay 1 @ Niagara 6
How the 2 teams match up
North Bay Niagara
Team Record 30-33-3-2 — 65 points 44-17-7-0 — 95 points
Division Ranking 4th Central 1st Central
Conference Ranking 7th Eastern 2nd Eastern
League Ranking 13th 4th
Past 10 Games 4-6-0-0 8-2-0-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 6-0-0-0
Home Record 17-13-3-1 25-6-3-0
Away Record 13-20-0-1 19-11-4-0
GF 230 326
GA 281 209
PP (Overall) (56/232) 24.1% (85/303) 28.1%
PP (Home) (30/125) 24.0% (50/151) 33.1%
PP (Away) (26/107) 24.3% (35/152) 23.0%
PK (Overall) (64/286) 77.6% (63/276) 77.2%
PK (Home) (31/143) 78.3% (28/131) 78.6%
PK (Away) (33/143) 76.9% (35/145) 75.9%
PP vs. Opp. (4/17) 23.5% (6/27) 22.2%
PK vs. Opp. (6/27) 77.8% (4/17) 76.5%
Leading Rookie Caines (9-12-21) Uberti (2-7-9)
Most PIM Walker – 129 Maksimov – 118
Team PIM/GM 12.0/Game 11.3/Game
Leading Scorers Brazeau (61-52-113) Robertson (48-69-117)
Struthers (31-50-81) Jones (41-61-102)
Chenier (30-35-65) Thomas (38-64-102)
King (8-32-40) Studnicka (36-47-83)
Coe (17-20-37) Maksimov (40-39-79)
Leading After 1st 17-3-2-1 32-2-0-0
Leading After 2nd 20-0-2-1 39-0-1-0
Tied After 1st 6-8-1-0 8-7-1-0
Tied After 2nd 5-6-1-0 4-4-2-0
Trailing After 1st 7-22-0-1 4-8-6-0
Trailing After 2nd 5-27-0-1 1-13-4-0
Out Shooting Opponents 7-7-0-0 35-7-4-0
Out Shot by Opponents 21-26-3-2 8-9-2-0
1-Goal Games 11-6-3-2 10-9-7-0
2-Goal Games 6-4-0-0 5-2-0-0
3-Goal Games 9-8-0-0 10-4-0-0
Oshawa Generals vs Peterborough Petes: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Oshawa 6-1-1-0 Peterborough 2-5-1-0
Head to Head Last Season Oshawa 6-2-0-0 Peterborough 2-5-0-1
Last 5 Years Oshawa 28-8-3-1 Peterborough 12-22-3-3
At Oshawa Oshawa 15-4-1-0 Peterborough 5-14-0-1
At Peterborough Oshawa 13-4-2-1 Peterborough 7-8-3-2
This Season Peterborough 3 @ Oshawa 6
Oshawa 6 @ Peterborough 3
Peterborough 6 @ Oshawa 12
Oshawa 6 @ Peterborough 5
Oshawa 2 @ Peterborough 3
Peterborough 1 @ Oshawa 4
Oshawa 4 @ Peterborough 1
Peterborough 2 @ Oshawa 1
How the 2 teams match up
Peterborough Oshawa
Team Record 33-31-2-2 — 70 points 44-20-4-0 — 92 points
Division Ranking 3rd East 2nd East
Conference Ranking 6th Eastern 3rd Eastern
League Ranking 11th 6th
Past 10 Games 7-2-1-0 7-2-1-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 3-0-0-0
Home Record 19-11-2-2 21-10-3-0
Away Record 14-20-0-0 23-10-1-0
GF 234 288
GA 256 216
PP (Overall) (49/258) 19.0% (71/290) 24.5%
PP (Home) (28/138) 20.3% (42/152) 27.6%
PP (Away) (21/120) 17.5% (29/138) 21.0%
PK (Overall) (61/274) 77.7% (49/270) 81.9%
PK (Home) (21/124) 83.1% (23/127) 81.9%
PK (Away) (40/150) 73.3% (26/143) 81.8%
PP vs. Opp. (4/27) 14.8% (7/33) 21.2%
PK vs. Opp. (7/33) 78.8% (4/27) 85.2%
Leading Rookie Butler (18-8-26) Tullio (15-27-42)
Most PIM Osmanski – 78 Gross – 81
Team PIM/GM 11.3/Game 11.4/Game
Leading Scorers Merkley (14-57-71) Saigeon (37-55-92)
Robertson (27-28-55) Salinitri (48-40-88)
Timleck (23-30-53) Noel (34-47-81)
Paquette (29-23-52) Neumann (45-34-79)
Chisholm (5-43-48) McShane (34-35-69)
Leading After 1st 15-2-0-0 26-3-2-0
Leading After 2nd 21-2-1-1 32-1-0-0
Tied After 1st 9-14-2-1 12-3-0-0
Tied After 2nd 9-1-0-0 6-2-2-0
Trailing After 1st 9-15-0-1 6-14-2-0
Trailing After 2nd 3-28-1-1 6-17-2-0
Out Shooting Opponents 17-7-0-2 26-9-2-0
Out Shot by Opponents 16-23-2-0 17-9-2-0
1-Goal Games 11-3-2-2 14-4-4-0
2-Goal Games 3-8-0-0 5-5-0-0
3-Goal Games 12-9-0-0 11-7-0-0
Sudbury Wolves vs Mississauga Steelheads: Head To Head Stats
Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Sudbury 4-2-0-0 Mississauga 2-4-0-0
Head to Head Last Season Sudbury 1-5-0-0 Mississauga 5-1-0-0
Last 5 Years Sudbury 9-19-1-1 Mississauga 21-6-0-3
At Sudbury Sudbury 7-7-1-0 Mississauga 8-4-0-3
At Mississauga Sudbury 2-12-0-1 Mississauga 13-2-0-0
This Season Sudbury 2 @ Mississauga 1
Mississauga 0 @ Sudbury 3
Sudbury 1 @ Mississauga 3
Mississauga 0 @ Sudbury 7
Mississauga 2 @ Sudbury 3
Sudbury 3 @ Mississauga 5
How the 2 teams match up
Mississauga Sudbury
Team Record 32-29-5-2 — 71 points 43-20-3-2 — 91 points
Division Ranking 3rd Central 2nd Central
Conference Ranking 5th Eastern 4th Eastern
League Ranking 10th 7th
Past 10 Games 3-7-0-0 7-3-0-0
Streak 1-0-0-0 0-1-0-0
Home Record 21-12-1-0 27-6-1-0
Away Record 11-17-4-2 16-14-2-2
GF 239 254
GA 250 206
PP (Overall) (67/282) 23.8% (38/280) 13.6%
PP (Home) (37/140) 26.4% (16/147) 10.9%
PP (Away) (30/142) 21.1% (22/133) 16.5%
PK (Overall) (49/244) 79.9% (51/305) 83.3%
PK (Home) (30/130) 76.9% (23/162) 85.8%
PK (Away) (19/114) 83.3% (28/143) 80.4%
PP vs. Opp. (6/32) 18.8% (2/25) 8%
PK vs. Opp. (2/25) 92% (6/32) 81.3%
Leading Rookie Hardie (15-7-22) Byfield (29-32-61)
Most PIM Canade – 89 Pilon – 121
Team PIM/GM 10.9/Game 13.7/Game
Leading Scorers Lyszczarczyk (39-43-82) Ruzicka (35-43-78)
Carter (35-33-68) Byfield (29-32-61)
Harley (11-47-58) Bulitka (19-35-54)
Schwindt (19-30-49) Murray (30-20-50)
Washkurak (16-31-47) Carson (17-29-46)
Leading After 1st 16-5-1-2 21-3-1-0
Leading After 2nd 22-2-1-1 31-0-1-0
Tied After 1st 9-8-2-0 14-6-2-0
Tied After 2nd 4-5-2-1 7-1-1-0
Trailing After 1st 7-16-2-0 8-11-0-2
Trailing After 2nd 6-22-2-0 5-19-1-2
Out Shooting Opponents 24-16-3-1 27-8-2-0
Out Shot by Opponents 6-11-1-1 16-12-1-2
1-Goal Games 12-3-5-2 16-0-3-2
2-Goal Games 5-12-0-0 7-6-0-0
3-Goal Games 10-9-0-0 8-9-0-0

Predictions

Ottawa in 5 games

Niagara in 5 games

Oshawa in 5 games

Sudbury in 6 games

Don Mills Flyers are 2019 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Champions

OHL Cup

Toronto, ON – Shane Wright set up Brennan Othmann with 1:30 left in overtime as the Don Mills Flyers overcame a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Toronto Red Wings 6-5 and capture their first OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Championship.

Blueliner Brandt Clarke sent Wright and Othmann off to the races on a two-on-one with a high flip through the neutral zone as the former fed the latter who lifted a high shot up and over Red Wings goaltender Josh Rosenzweig.

“It’s amazing. I can’t take credit for it,” said overtime hero Othmann moments before getting a celebratory shower from his teammates. “I have great teammates and Shane made a beautiful pass. I just saw the opening and I buried it.”

It’s more than just another win for the Flyers, a team that lost just once all season. The boys in black and orange celebrated the memory of fallen teammate and former goaltender Roy Pejcinovski who passed away just over a year ago.

“It’s an exciting night obviously. It is sad though, we do miss Roy,” said Flyers head coach Marc Slawson. “We feel like he was here tonight supporting us. We feel like he’s been with us all season and had our back. A big shout out to Vaz and Victoria. We miss them, we love them and Roy will always be a part of this team.”

With an assist on the game winner, exceptional status OHL Priority Selection prospect Shane Wright earned Tim Adams Tournament MVP honours, finishing the game with a goal and two helpers for an overall total of 18 points, one shy of Connor McDavid’s 2012 event record.

“It’s incredible, just to have this moment and to take in what just happened,” said Wright. “Coming back from down 4-1 to win in overtime. It’s a brotherhood in that dressing room. We all came together, stayed calm and focused on what we had to do.”

Sending pucks to the net paid off for the Red Wings early as Justin Ertel (3) snapped a shot past Don Mills’ Anson Thornton from the top of the circle just 1:41 into action.

Toronto blueliner Owen Simpson put the Wings up 2-0 at 7:30 before Othmann did laymen’s work down low to set up Wright and give the Flyers some life with 4:06 left in the period.

The Red Wings reinstated the two-goal lead before the first expired though as a Francesco Pinelli (7) power play one-timer spelled an end to Thornton’s night at 13:16 as Sergei Litvinov took over in the Don Mills crease.

Don Mills’ play improved after Toronto defenceman Chandler Romeo (1) followed up his own rebound to put the Wings up 4-1 inside the opening minute of the second.

Francesco Arcuri found a streaking Edward Moskowitz (5) coming down the middle at 3:55 to cut the lead to two before the high-scoring Othmann (7) finished off a nice play between Arcuri and defenceman Paul Christopoulos entering the zone at the midway point of the frame.

With the Red Wings up 4-3, the second period came to an exciting end after Rosenzweig denied Don Mills’ Brandt Clarke of a sure goal on the doorstep before Toronto’s Noah Filice hit iron inside the final two minutes of action.

Liam Arnsby (1) knotted the score at four with a tip in the high slot 1:25 into the third period but Red Wings underage sniper Adam Fantilli (5) neutralized that momentum with a shot from down the left wing to put Toronto back in front 5-4.

The Flyers drew even again with 4:05 to go as Arnsby took out his man in the corner, allowing Edward Moskowitz to come up with the puck and find a waiting Alex Christopoulos (6) who ripped a high shot over the shoulder of Rosenzweig.

The OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Final went to overtime for the third time in the past five years as Wright fed Othmann in a thrilling finish.

Don Mills outshot Toronto 30-27 while the Red Wings went 2-for-2 on the power play.

The Toronto Red Wings end their showcase with a 5-2-0 record, outscoring opponents 29-18. They were led in scoring by captain Francesco Pinelli (7-7–14) while Luca Del Bel Belluz (6-2–8), Ryan Gillespie (0-8–8) and Adam Fantilli (5-2–7) also frequented the scoresheet. Goaltender Josh Rosenzweig played all seven of the team’s games, finishing with a 2.44 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage.

The Flyers played to a perfect 7-0-0 record, becoming the first champion to do so since the 2012 Mississauga Rebels. They tied the 2008 Toronto Jr. Canadiens’ event record 41 goals for while surrendering just 10. Wright (8-10–18) led the way offensively followed by Othmann (8-6–14) and Francesco Arcuri (4-9–13). Goaltenders Thornton and Litvinov finished with sub-1.60 goals-against averages and save percentages of .909 and .910 respectively.

The OHL Cup was presented to Flyers captain Ethan Mistry by Hockey Night in Canada Stars and minor hockey advocates Don Cherry and Ron MacLean along with GTHL President Don West and OHL Commissioner David Branch. The game was broadcast live on Sportsnet Ontario.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top minor midget aged players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

STATS | HIGHLIGHTS

For more information, please visit ohlcup.ca.

OHL Announces 2018-19 Regular Season Award Winners

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the recipients of four of the league’s annual awards following the conclusion of the 2018-19 regular season.

Offensively, Dallas Stars prospect Jason Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs captured the league’s scoring title earning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, while North Bay Battalion captain Justin Brazeau is the recipient of the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy for Top Scoring Right Winger.  Recognizing defensive efforts, the goaltending tandem of the team with the fewest goals against goes to Ottawa 67’s Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro who earn the Dave Pinkney Trophy, while Ethan Taylor of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds claims the F.W “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie with the best goals-against average.

Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Scoring Champion): Jason Robertson, Niagara IceDogs

Jason Robertson finished atop the regular season scoring charts with 117 points powered by 48 goals and 69 assists in 62 games for a league-best points-per-game average of 1.89.

The 19-year-old from Northville, Michigan, split his season between the Niagara IceDogs and the Kingston Frontenacs where he was originally a fourth round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  His tenure with the IceDogs began in November and included 25 goals and 54 assists for 79 points in 38 games helping the club clinch their second Central Division title.

His season highlight was undoubtedly on March 1 when he surpassed the century mark for points in a season while reaching the 300 point milestone for his career.  One of three IceDogs to top 100 points this season, Robertson accomplished the feat with 30 multi-point performances including five hat-tricks while producing point-streaks of 19 and 18 games which rank second and fourth respectively among the league’s best in 2018-19.

The second round pick of the Stars in the 2017 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract last May and won silver with the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He finishes his four-year OHL career with three-straight seasons of more than 40 goals lighting the lamp a total of 149 times with 168 helpers for 317 points in 252 games.

Robertson becomes the first member of the IceDogs to win the award and sixth American following Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters, 2017), Kevin Labanc (Barrie Colts, 2016), Vincent Trocheck (Plymouth Whalers, 2013), Patrick Kane (London Knights, 2007), and Rob Schremp (London Knights, 2006).

The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Eddie Powers and was first awarded in 1945-46 to Tod Sloan of St. Michael’s who scored 79 points in 25 games.  Aaron Luchuk of the Barrie Colts was last year’s recipient with 115 points in 68 games including 50 goals and 65 assists.  Other recent winners include Otters Dylan Strome (2015) and Connor Brown (2014).

Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy (Top Scoring Right Winger): Justin Brazeau, North Bay Battalion

Justin Brazeau finished second in OHL scoring but led all right wingers with 113 points including a league-high 61 goals along with 52 assists in 68 games.

The 21-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., set a new Battalion mark for goals in a season and is one of just three North Bay OHL stars to surpass the 60 goal plateau joining former Centennials Vitali Yachmenev who scored 61 in 1993-94, and Nick Kypreos who netted 62 during the 1985-86 season.  Brazeau became just the second Battalion player to join the OHL’s century club for points in a season following Wojtek Wolski who produced 128 points in 2005-06.  It’s also the first time North Bay fans have seen a 100-point player since Trevor Gallant accomplished the feat by putting up 105 points for the Centennials in 1995-96.

Brazeau’s season was highlighted by 33 multi-point performances including five hat-tricks and an OHL best seven-point outing on October 21.  The 13th round pick by the Battalion in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection finishes his OHL career with 128 goals and 238 points which are the most by any player to suit up for the Troops since they relocated to North Bay in 2013-14.  His 128 goals are second behind Wolski (130) on the club’s all-time goal scoring list.

The Jim Mahon Trophy was first presented following the 1971-72 season by the players and management of the Peterborough Petes in memory of their right winger Jim Mahon who was accidentally killed that summer.  Brazeau becomes the second Battalion player to receive the honour following John Hughes who recorded 91 points in 68 games during the 2007-08 season.  Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting was last year’s recipient with 109 points in 56 games scoring 39 goals with 70 assists.  Recent winners also include Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters in 2017, Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts in 2016, and Mitch Marner of the London Knights in 2015.

Dave Pinkney Trophy (Lowest Team Goals Against): Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro, Ottawa 67’s

The Ottawa 67’s allowed the fewest goals in the OHL during the 2018-19 season with just 183 against, backstopped primarily by the tandem of Cedrick Andree and Michael DiPietro.

The pair finished first and second among league leaders in goals-against-average with DiPietro’s overall mark of 2.40 just ahead of Andree’s 2.48.  The netminders were instrumental in delivering a franchise record of 106 points which included 50 wins for just the second time in team history en route to the club’s fourth Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions.

Andree, an 18-year-old from Orleans, Ont., appeared in 45 games for the Barber Poles amassing an overall record of 34-5-2-2 with a sparkling .910 save percentage.  The 12th round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection also recorded four shutouts this season which tied for third most in the league beginning with the first of his career on November 1.

DiPietro, a 19-year-old from Amherstburg, Ont., joined the 67’s in a December trade with the Windsor Spitfires.  As a member of the 67’s he played 17 games carrying a record of 12-4-0-0 with a goals-against-average of 2.50 and save percentage of .897 with three shutouts.  DiPietro made OHL history this season by setting the league’s all-time shutout record with 17 and finishes his illustrious career with 19.  He finishes his four-year OHL career as one of the best all-time winning a 2017 Memorial Cup title, earning 2018 Goaltender of the Year honours, representing Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, and backstopping his teams to 98 wins in 174 games.  The third round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Draft made his NHL debut on February 11 during his stint as an emergency recall.

This marks the sixth time the 67’s have led the league with the fewest goals against with past award recipients including Craig Hillier and Seamus Kotyk (172 GA) in 1997-98, Tim Keyes and Craig Hillier (177 GA) in 1996-97, Darren Pang and Greg Coram (223 GA) in 1983-84, Jim Ralph (264 GA) in 1980-81, Michael Larocque (216) in 1971-72

The Dave Pinkney Trophy is awarded annually to the goaltending tandem from the team that allows the fewest goals against during the regular season.  Last season, Matthew Villalta and Tyler Johnson were part of a Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds club that allowed 186 goals against to claim the award.

F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy (Best Rookie GAA): Ethan Taylor, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Ethan Taylor posted the best-goals-against-average among OHL rookie goaltenders in 2018-19 with a mark of 3.24.

The 17-year-old from Trenton, Ont., appeared in 22 games for the Greyhounds this season playing to a 10-1-2-1 record with a .894 save percentage.  Chosen by the Greyhounds in the ninth round of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection from the Quinte Red Devils Minor Midgets, Taylor played Midget AAA a year ago in Quinte before committing to the club in September.  He won his first career start on October 5 turning aside 36 shots in a 4-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.

Taylor becomes the sixth Greyhound to win the award following current teammate Matthew Villalta (2.41 GAA in 2016-17), Kyle Gajewski (2.55 GAA in 2004-05), Kevin Hodson (3.22 GAA in 1990-91), Gerry Iuliano (3.64 GAA in 1983-84), and John Vanbiesbrouck (4.14 GAA in 1980-81).

The trophy is named after F.W. “Dinty” Moore of Port Colborne, ON, who served as OHA President from 1942-45.  In order to qualify for this rookie award, a goaltender must play a minimum of 900 minutes.  Jordan Kooy of the London Knights won the award last season with a 3.11 goals-against-average, with other recent recipients including Michael DiPietro of the Windsor Spitfires (2.45 GAA) and Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack (2.79 GAA) winning in 2016 and 2015 respectively.

Western Conference Playoff Preview

 

2019 Playoff Bracket

London Knights vs Windsor Spitfires: Head To Head Stats Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record London 5-1-0-0 Windsor 1-5-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams London 19-8-2-1 Windsor 11-18-1-0
Previous Meetings This Season Windsor 0 @ London 7
London 7 @ Windsor 3
Windsor 6 @ London 8
London 4 @ Windsor 2
London 0 @ Windsor 2
Windsor 2 @ London 5
How the 2 teams match up
Windsor London
Team Record 25-33-5-5 — 60 points 46-15-6-1 — 99 points
Division Ranking 4th West 1st Midwest
Conference Ranking 8th Western 1st Western
League Ranking 16th 2nd
Past 10 Games 1-5-2-2 6-4-0-0
Streak 1-0-0-2 1-0-0-0
Last Game 4-3 L @ Sarnia SO 5-2 W @ Saginaw Final
Home Record 16-14-3-1 27-5-2-0
Away Record 9-19-2-4 19-10-4-1
GF 216 299
GA 257 211
PP (Overall) (45/250) 18.0% (59/257) 23.0%
PP (Home) (24/121) 19.8% (33/134) 24.6%
PP (Away) (21/129) 16.3% (26/123) 21.1%
PK (Overall) (47/235) 80.0% (41/290) 85.9%
PK (Home) (17/113) 85.0% (19/143) 86.7%
PK (Away) (30/122) 75.4% (22/147) 85.0%
PP vs. Opp. (2/23) 8.7% (3/17) 17.6%
PK vs. Opp. (3/17) 82.4% (2/23) 91.3%
Leading Rookie Foudy (8-41-49) Stranges (13-21-34)
Most PIM Allen – 84 Keane – 103
Team PIM/GM 9.0/Game 12.8/Game
Leading Scorers Purboo (29-26-55) Hancock (52-55-107)
Douglas (27-26-53) McMichael (36-36-72)
Foudy (8-41-49) Foudy (36-32-68)
D’Amico (21-25-46) Boqvist (20-40-60)
Angle (20-24-44) Dunkley (23-30-53)
Leading After 1st 14-5-1-1 28-2-0-0
Leading After 2nd 19-0-1-1 35-1-1-0
Tied After 1st 8-11-1-1 12-3-3-1
Tied After 2nd 5-9-2-1 8-1-1-1
Trailing After 1st 3-17-3-3 6-10-3-0
Trailing After 2nd 1-24-2-3 3-13-4-0
Out Shooting Opponents 10-16-2-2 33-11-4-0
Out Shot by Opponents 14-16-3-2 12-4-2-1
1-Goal Games 9-7-5-5 9-2-6-1
2-Goal Games 4-5-0-0 12-5-0-0
3-Goal Games 7-13-0-0 13-4-0-0
Saginaw Spirit vs Sarnia Sting: Head To Head Stats Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Saginaw 3-2-0-1 Sarnia 3-3-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams Saginaw 14-14-1-3 Sarnia 18-10-3-1
Saginaw vs. Sarnia Last 5 Years record at Saginaw Saginaw 9-6-0-1 Sarnia 7-5-3-1
Saginaw vs. Sarnia Last 5 Years record at Sarnia Saginaw 5-8-1-2 Sarnia 11-5-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season Saginaw 6 @ Sarnia 2
Saginaw 6 @ Sarnia 7  SO
Sarnia 3 @ Saginaw 7
Sarnia 1 @ Saginaw 2
Saginaw 3 @ Sarnia 5
Sarnia 6 @ Saginaw 2
How the 2 teams match up
Sarnia Saginaw
Team Record 28-33-5-2 — 63 points 45-17-3-3 — 96 points
Division Ranking 3rd West 1st West
Conference Ranking 7th Western 2nd Western
League Ranking 15th 3rd
Past 10 Games 4-6-0-0 7-2-1-0
Streak 1-0-0-0 0-2-1-0
Last Game 6-3 W vs Flint 5-2 L @ Soo
Home Record 18-13-2-1 24-7-2-1
Away Record 10-20-3-1 21-10-1-2
GF 271 294
GA 300 218
PP (Overall) (56/279) 20.1% (51/227) 22.5%
PP (Home) (26/141) 18.4% (24/107) 22.4%
PP (Away) (30/138) 21.7% (27/120) 22.5%
PK (Overall) (60/270) 77.8% (40/234) 82.9%
PK (Home) (26/135) 80.7% (20/118) 83.1%
PK (Away) (34/135) 74.8% (20/116) 82.8%
PP vs. Opp. (4/18) 22.2% (3/21) 14.3%
PK vs. Opp. (3/21) 85.7% (4/18) 77.8%
Leading Rookie Perreault (30-25-55) Perfetti (37-37-74)
Most PIM Eliot – 84 Murray – 115
Team PIM/GM 12.5/Game 8.7/Game
Leading Scorers Leufvenius (37-43-80) Perfetti (37-37-74)
McGregor (25-52-77) Tippett (33-41-74)
Sproviero (22-38-60) Wilde (19-51-70)
Perreault (30-25-55) Coskey (31-32-63)
Eliot (17-38-55) McLeod (19-43-62)
Leading After 1st 15-3-2-1 31-3-1-0
Leading After 2nd 23-1-0-1 40-1-0-0
Tied After 1st 10-10-3-0 11-4-1-2
Tied After 2nd 5-2-3-1 4-3-2-2
Trailing After 1st 3-20-0-1 3-10-1-1
Trailing After 2nd 0-30-2-0 1-13-1-1
Out Shooting Opponents 20-14-0-1 27-8-3-2
Out Shot by Opponents 8-19-5-1 17-9-0-1
1-Goal Games 11-8-5-2 8-1-3-3
2-Goal Games 2-5-0-0 12-3-0-0
3-Goal Games 5-9-0-0 10-6-0-0
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds vs Owen Sound Attack: Head To Head Stats Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Sault Ste. Marie 2-0-0-0 Owen Sound 0-2-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams Sault Ste. Marie 6-2-1-1 Owen Sound 4-5-0-1
Greyhounds vs. Owen Sound Last 5 Years record at Soo Sault Ste. Marie 3-1-1-0 Owen Sound 2-3-0-0
Greyhounds vs. Owen Sound Last 5 Years record at Owen Sound Sault Ste. Marie 3-1-0-1 Owen Sound 2-2-0-1
Previous Meetings This Season Owen Sound 3 @ Soo 4
Soo 7 @ Owen Sound 4
How the 2 teams match up
Owen Sound Sault Ste. Marie
Team Record 31-31-4-2 — 68 points 44-16-7-1 — 96 points
Division Ranking 4th Midwest 2nd West
Conference Ranking 6th Western 3rd Western
League Ranking 12th 5th
Past 10 Games 4-6-0-0 6-3-1-0
Streak 1-0-0-0 4-0-1-0
Last Game 4-2 W vs Kitchener 5-2 W vs Saginaw
Home Record 22-9-1-2 24-6-3-1
Away Record 9-22-3-0 20-10-4-0
GF 224 292
GA 274 224
PP (Overall) (48/243) 19.8% (59/266) 22.2%
PP (Home) (32/135) 23.7% (33/144) 22.9%
PP (Away) (16/108) 14.8% (26/122) 21.3%
PK (Overall) (58/244) 76.2% (51/288) 82.3%
PK (Home) (25/118) 78.8% (22/137) 83.9%
PK (Away) (33/126) 73.8% (29/151) 80.8%
PP vs. Opp. (1/12) 8.3% (3/5) 60%
PK vs. Opp. (3/5) 40% (1/12) 91.7%
Leading Rookie Wilson (4-9-13) Kartye (4-20-24)
Most PIM Groulx – 97 Sambrook – 83
Team PIM/GM 10.6/Game 11.2/Game
Leading Scorers Dudas (26-36-62) Frost (37-72-109)
Sushko (18-33-51) Howdeshell (46-31-77)
McMaster (17-34-51) Hollowell (24-53-77)
Kirwin (21-22-43) Hayton (26-40-66)
Lyle (11-30-41) MacKay (27-34-61)
Leading After 1st 19-2-1-2 25-0-2-0
Leading After 2nd 23-1-2-0 36-0-3-0
Tied After 1st 7-10-2-0 10-4-2-0
Tied After 2nd 5-7-1-1 6-7-2-1
Trailing After 1st 5-19-1-0 9-12-3-1
Trailing After 2nd 3-23-1-1 2-9-2-0
Out Shooting Opponents 23-11-2-2 26-8-3-1
Out Shot by Opponents 7-18-2-0 16-8-4-0
1-Goal Games 9-5-4-2 15-3-7-1
2-Goal Games 8-2-0-0 5-8-0-0
3-Goal Games 9-9-0-0 15-2-0-0
Guelph Storm vs Kitchener Rangers: Head To Head Stats Summary
Description Result
Head to Head Record Guelph 4-3-1-0 Kitchener 4-4-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams Guelph 14-23-3-0 Kitchener 26-13-1-0
Guelph vs. Kitchener Last 5 Years record at Guelph Guelph 10-8-2-0 Kitchener 10-9-1-0
Guelph vs. Kitchener Last 5 Years record at Kitchener Guelph 4-15-1-0 Kitchener 16-4-0-0
Previous Meetings This Season Kitchener 5 @ Guelph 2
Guelph 8 @ Kitchener 4
Kitchener 5 @ Guelph 2
Guelph 3 @ Kitchener 4 OT
Kitchener 1 @ Guelph 8
Guelph 6 @ Kitchener 2
Kitchener 2 @ Guelph 5
Guelph 0 @ Kitchener 5
How the 2 teams match up
Kitchener Guelph
Team Record 34-30-3-1 — 72 points 40-18-6-4 — 90 points
Division Ranking 3rd Midwest 2nd Midwest
Conference Ranking 5th Western 4th Western
League Ranking 9th 8th
Past 10 Games 6-4-0-0 8-2-0-0
Streak 0-1-0-0 3-0-0-0
Last Game 4-2 L @ Owen Sound 5-2 W @ Erie
Home Record 17-13-3-1 23-9-1-1
Away Record 17-17-0-0 17-9-5-3
GF 251 308
GA 267 230
PP (Overall) (76/262) 29.0% (69/267) 25.8%
PP (Home) (40/131) 30.5% (37/146) 25.3%
PP (Away) (36/131) 27.5% (32/121) 26.4%
PK (Overall) (49/212) 76.9% (53/252) 79.0%
PK (Home) (24/100) 76.0% (28/126) 77.8%
PK (Away) (25/112) 77.7% (25/126) 80.2%
PP vs. Opp. (11/38) 28.9% (8/41) 19.5%
PK vs. Opp. (8/41) 80.5% (11/38) 71.1%
Leading Rookie Sebrango (7-19-26) Collins (6-10-16)
Most PIM Yantsis – 85 Ratcliffe – 105
Team PIM/GM 9.1/Game 9.9/Game
Leading Scorers Meireles (36-61-97) Schnarr (34-68-102)
Garreffa (32-55-87) Suzuki (34-60-94)
Damiani (30-55-85) Ratcliffe (50-32-82)
Yantsis (50-23-73) Hawel (37-41-78)
Hugg (33-40-73) Entwistle (30-27-57)
Leading After 1st 19-2-1-0 24-3-3-0
Leading After 2nd 26-2-0-0 32-1-3-1
Tied After 1st 11-7-2-1 9-4-3-4
Tied After 2nd 7-3-1-0 4-0-1-2
Trailing After 1st 4-21-0-0 7-11-0-0
Trailing After 2nd 1-25-2-1 4-17-2-1
Out Shooting Opponents 18-10-0-0 28-8-2-2
Out Shot by Opponents 15-19-3-1 11-9-4-2
1-Goal Games 11-2-3-1 10-5-6-4
2-Goal Games 5-6-0-0 4-2-0-0
3-Goal Games 9-12-0-0 8-7-0-0

Predictions

London in 5 games

Saginaw in 6 games

Sault Ste Marie in 5 games

Guelph in 6 games

 

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Meireles makes his mark, Scott shuts the door

Rangers’ Greg Meireles named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Greg Meireles of the Kitchener Rangers is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 10 with nine points in three games including two goals and seven assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-2.

Meireles put up multi-point efforts in all three appearances last week as the Rangers found the win column twice to improve to 32-29-3-1 and secure their fifth-straight playoff berth. His week began Wednesday as he tallied two assists against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Meireles then followed up that performance with a four-point night, including one goal and three assists, to tie his season-best showing in an 8-4 win over the Erie Otters in which he was recognized as the second star. He then wrapped his week with a goal and two assists in a 5-2 victory against the Midwest Division rival Guelph Storm en route to his second consecutive second-star honour.

A 20-year-old from Ottawa, Ont., Meireles is currently riding a 17-game point streak in which he has collected 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points. Meireles, who is competing in his third full season with the Rangers, has recorded a career-high 92 points this season, including 34 goals and 58 assists, to lead Kitchener in scoring and rank 10th in the Ontario Hockey League.

Also considered for the award this week was Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Jordy Bellerive, who notched four goals and three assists for seven points in three games, as well as Montreal Canadiens draft pick and Chicoutimi Sagueneens centre Samuel Houde after he registered two goals and three assists for five points in three games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Greg Meireles (Kitchener Rangers)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Raiders’ Ian Scott named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Ian Scott of the Prince Albert Raiders is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending March 10 with a 3-0-0-0 record, three shutouts, a goals-against average of 0.00, and save percentage of 1.000.

Scott claims the honour for the second time this season after putting together three perfect games last week in which he stopped a combined 52 shots to help the Raiders improve to 53-9-2-2 and clinch the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy, presented to the Western Hockey League’s regular season champion. His top performance came Tuesday when he made 24 saves in a 6-0 win over the Swift Current Broncos. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect then followed that up with consecutive 14-saving outings in two more games against Swift Current. Scott now has eight shutouts on the season, surpassing the Everett Silvertips’ Dustin Wolf for the most in the entire CHL.

Scott, 20, is competing in his fourth season with the Raiders, where this year he has already notched career highs in wins and shutouts. Through 47 games, the Calgary, Alta., native has posted a 37-7-1-2 record alongside a 1.82 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Jonathan Lemieux of the Val-d’Or Foreurs after he posted a 1-0-0-1 record in two appearances, including back-to-back first-star honours against the Charlottetown Islanders and Rimouski Oceanic, to go with a goals-against average of 1.44 and save percentage of .963. In the OHL, Buffalo Sabres prospect and Sudbury Wolves netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went 2-1-0-0, while making 91 saves over three games, a stretch which saw him notch the Wolves’ franchise record for shutouts in a season with six, alongside a goals-against average of 1.01 and save percentage of .968.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Mar. 4 – Mar. 10: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)

Hamilton Bulldogs to host 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League and the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club today announced that the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be hosted by the Bulldogs on Thursday January 16, 2020.

For the 25th straight year this event will showcase top NHL Draft eligible talent featuring players from across the OHL, as well as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League competing before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance.

“In 1996 this event began in partnership with the National Hockey League and with the support of builders Don Cherry and Bobby Orr,” said CHL President David Branch. “The CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game truly is one of the great hockey events circled annually on the calendar and it has been rewarding to experience its evolution over the last quarter of a century. We look forward to creating another special experience for our players, NHL scouts, and CHL fans in the City of Hamilton next season.”

The 2020 event will be played in Ontario for the 13th time with Hamilton becoming the 17th different Canadian city to host.  The list of past event hosts include Toronto (1996-98, 2000, 2011), Calgary (1999, 2001, 2014), Saskatoon (2002), Kitchener (2003), London (2004), Vancouver (2005, 2016), Ottawa (2006), Quebec City (2007, 2017), Edmonton (2008), Oshawa (2009), Windsor (2010), Kelowna (2012), Halifax (2013), St. Catharines (2015), Guelph (2018), and Red Deer (2019).

“We are excited to host this first class hockey event,” said Hamilton Bulldogs President and General Manager Steve Staios. “This is another proud moment for Hamilton to showcase junior hockey to the country. We’ve had great success hosting the CIBC Canada Russia Series and World Juniors pre-tournament events and we know the City of Hamilton and our passionate Bulldogs fans will rally behind this.”

In four seasons since the Bulldogs began OHL competition in Hamilton the club has been represented by three players in this event including MacKenzie Entwistle and Matthew Strome in 2017 and projected first round pick Arthur Kaliyev in 2019.  Kaliyev scored twice with one assist for Team Cherry on January 23 in Red Deer despite a 5-4 loss in a game that featured a total of 20 CHL players listed inside NHL Central Scouting’s top-31 ranked North American skaters for the 2019 NHL Draft.

Since the event was first introduced in 1996 the game has featured 14 players that were selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft including Chris Phillips (1996), Joe Thornton (1997), Vincent Lecavalier (1998), Rick Nash (2002), Marc-Andre Fleury (2003), Patrick Kane (2007), Steven Stamkos (2008), John Tavares (2009), Taylor Hall (2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Nathan MacKinnon (2013), Aaron Ekblad (2014), Connor McDavid (2015), and Nico Hischier (2017). 

The Bulldogs will offer competitive pricing structures for this game with tickets starting at just $22.  Season ticket holders will have access to an immediate pre-sale with the general public having access later this spring.

The 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is proudly supported by CHL associate sponsors CIBC, Kia Canada, Cooper Tiers, and Kubota Canada.  The game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

For more event information please visit http://chl.ca.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings

Top 10

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the week twenty-four edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2018-19 season.  The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 24

Rank: Team: Last Week Rank: Number of Weeks Ranked:
1 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (54-7-0-1) 1 21
2 Prince Albert Raiders (51-9-2-2) 2 22
3 Drummondville Voltigeurs (48-11-2-1) 3 19
4 Ottawa 67’s (46-11-3-2) 4 21
5 London Knights (44-12-6-1) 6 20
6 Halifax Mooseheads (46-14-2-1) 5 24
7 Everett Silvertips (45-14-2-2) 7 15
8 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (44-14-2-2) 8 22
9 Vancouver Giants (44-14-2-2) 10 16
10 Saginaw Spirit (42-15-2-3) 4
Honourable Mention:
Saskatoon Blades (42-14-8-0) 2
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (40-15-6-1) 9 8
Guelph Storm (36-16-6-4) 2

Kia CHL Top 10

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Storm’s Nate Schnarr named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Arizona Coyotes prospect Nate Schnarr of the Guelph Storm is the CHL Player of the Week for the regular season week ending March 3 with 13 points in four games including four goals and nine assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-11.

Schnarr recorded at least one point in four straight contests last week as the Storm found the win column in each to push their current win streak to seven and improve to a 36-16-6-4 showing, good for second place in the OHL’s Midwest Division. His week began Tuesday with three assists in an eventual 7-3 victory over the division-rival London Knights. He then picked up another helper the next night in a 4-3 overtime win against the Erie Otters. Schnarr saved his best showings for the latter half of the week as he recorded a goal and three assists in an 11-4 romp of the Windsor Spitfires en route to third-star honours. He then wrapped the weekend Sunday by notching his second hat-trick of the season to go with a pair of assists for a career-high five points in an 8-4 takedown of the Kitchener Rangers.

A 20-year-old from Waterloo, Ont., Schnarr is skating in his third full season with the Storm. After finishing last year with a respectable 39 points in 57 games, the budding forward has stepped up his offensive game this season as he’s tallied a team-leading 96 points, including 31 goals and 65 assists, in 59 appearances.

Also considered for the award this week was Rouyn-Noranda Huskies overage forward Peter Abbandonato, who pocketed a goal and eight assists for nine points in three games, as well as Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Jake Elmer after he recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points in four games.

2018-19 CHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Maxime Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Samuel Asselin (Halifax Mooseheads)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Ethan Crossman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Kyle Maksimovich (Erie Otters)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Gregor MacLeod (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Brett Leason (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joachim Blichfeld (Portland Winterhawks)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Justin Brazeau (North Bay Battalion)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson (Saskatoon Blades)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades)

Silvertips’ Dustin Wolf named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 2019 NHL Draft prospect Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending March 3 with a 2-0-0-0 record, one shutout, a goals-against average of 0.48, and save percentage of .981.

Wolf claims the honour for an impressive third time this season after stopping 53 shots in two games last week to help the Silvertips improve to 44-14-2-2 on the season clinching their third straight U.S Division title in the WHL. Against the Tri-City Americans on Friday, Wolf turned aside 21 shots in an eventual 2-1 victory which set a Silvertips single season record with his 38th victory. The next night, he came up with a 32-save performance against the Seattle Thunderbirds for a 1-0 win en route to first-star honours as well as his CHL-leading seventh shutout.

The 17-year-old Californian, who is competing in his second season with the Silvertips, was recently ranked 17th among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting. In 56 games this season, Wolf sports a 39-13-2-1 record alongside a 1.72 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

Also considered for the award this week was Tristan Cote-Cazenave of the Victoriaville Tigres after he posted a 2-0-0-0 record with 57 saves in two road appearances with a goals-against average of 1.46 and save percentage of .950. In the OHL, Arizona Coyotes prospect and Saginaw Spirit netminder Ivan Prosvetov went 2-0-0-0 as he picked up his fourth shutout of the season, while making 47 saves over two games for a goals-against average of 1.50 and save percentage of .940.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:

Feb. 25 – Mar. 3: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Feb. 18 – Feb. 24: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Feb. 11 – Feb. 17: Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks)

Feb. 4 – Feb. 10: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jan. 28 – Feb. 3: Jet Greaves (Barrie Colts)

Jan. 21 – Jan. 27: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Jan. 14 – Jan. 20: Olivier Rodrigue (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Jan. 7 – Jan. 13: Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

Dec. 31 – Jan. 6: Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit)

Dec. 24 – Dec. 30: Cedrick Andree (Ottawa 67’s)

Dec. 10 – Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Dec. 3 – Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)

Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)

Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)

Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)

Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Emile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)

Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)

Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)