OHL Academic Players of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for January 2018, including Jakob Brahaney of the Kingston Frontenacs, Travis Mailhot of the North Bay Battalion, Tag Bertuzzi of the Guelph Storm, and Damien Giroux of the Saginaw Spirit.

East Division: Kingston Frontenacs blueliner Jakob Brahaney is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for January. The 18-year-old native of Campbellford, Ont. has maintained high academic standing in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at St. Lawrence College. “Jakob’s dedication to academics mirrors his success on the ice,” said Frontenacs academic advisor Mike Hamilton. “He has a reputation with coaches and teachers as being a committed, hard-working individual on and off the ice.” Kingston’s second round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Brahaney leads the Frontenacs with a plus-minus rating of plus-30 this season, collecting 20 points (4-16–20) in 47 games.


 Central Division: North Bay Battalion defenceman Travis Mailhot is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for January. The 18-year-old native of Caledon East, Ont. holds an 86% average in Grade 12 university-level Law, International Business and Co-op courses at Chippewa Secondary School. “Travis is a very consciencious student who is a hard worker and good role model in class,” noted Battalion academic advisor Colleen Point. The 6-foot-5, 210Ib. former fifth round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection has appeared in 15 games with the Troops this season. 


 Midwest Division: Guelph Storm rookie forward Tag Bertuzzi is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for January. The 16-year-old native of Vancouver, BC has maintained an 80% average in Grade 11 university-level English and Accounting courses at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School. “Tag’s respectful and positive attitude make him a pleasure to teach,” said Storm academic advisor Colleen Driscoll. “His ability to balance his academic and hockey commitments is a direct result of his work ethic and determination.” The second overall pick of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, Bertuzzi has eight points (3-5–8) in 33 games this season. He represented Team Canada Black at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.


 West Division: Saginaw Spirit sophomore forward Damien Giroux is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for January. The 17-year-old native of Hanmer, Ont. holds a 96% average in Grade 12 Mathematics, Chemistry, English and French courses at Heritage High School. “Damien is an exceptional young man and a pleasure to know,” said Spirit academic advisor Pam Moretuzzo. “He is polite, responsible, honest, hard-working and a role model for others.” Saginaw’s third round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Giroux has 33 points (15-18–33) in 48 games this season.


 2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month:


 East Division:
January – Jakob Brahaney (Kingston Frontenacs)
December – Jake Murray (Hamilton Bulldogs)
November – Chad Denault (Peterborough Petes)
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)


 Central Division:
January – Travis Mailhot (North Bay Battalion)
December – Kai Edmonds (Barrie Colts)
November – Isaac Walker (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)


 Midwest Division:
January – Tag Bertuzzi (Guelph Storm)
December – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
November – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)


 West Division:
January – Damien Giroux (Saginaw Spirit)
December – Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
November – Chris Playfair (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Brett Jacklin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)


 Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 301 OHL Alumni with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.17 million.  Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $18.8 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

OHL Top Performers of the Month for January

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in January 2018, including Niagara IceDogs forward Sam Miletic, Mississauga Steelheads defenceman Nicolas Hague, Barrie Colts rookie Andrei Svechnikov and Kitchener Rangers netminder Mario Culina.

OHL Player of the Month – Sam Miletic (Niagara IceDogs):

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sam Miletic of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Player of the Month for January after leading all players with 25 points including 12 goals, 13 assists over 13 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-7. Acquired by the IceDogs early in the month, Miletic recorded 15 of his 25 points with his new club including a four-point effort on Jan. 26th against Sarnia, completing a hat-trick on the overtime winner. He had a total of seven multi-point efforts including two-goal outings on Jan. 7th with the London Knights against the North Bay Battalion as well as on Jan. 12th with the IceDogs against the Barrie Colts. Miletic earned first star of the game honours three different times, helping the IceDogs play to a 5-2-1-1 record since acquiring him as they lead the Central Division.

A 20-year-old native of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Miletic sits fourth in OHL scoring with 69 points and tied for third in league assists with 45. Signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins to a three-year entry level NHL contract this past fall, Miletic was originally a 15th round pick of the London Knights in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection. He’s recorded 138 points (64-74–138) over his 144-game OHL career.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads):

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague of the Mississauga Steelheads is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for January, leading all blueliners with 16 points including five goals and 11 assists over 10 games. The 6-foot-5, 216Ib. Hague registered five multi-point outings last month including three assists on Jan. 3rd at Erie. He ended January with back-to-back three point efforts that both included a goal and two assists on Jan. 26th against Peterborough and again on Jan. 28th against Sudbury. Hague enters February on a three-game goal-scoring streak after helping the Steelheads play to an 8-2-0-0 record in the month of January.

A 19-year-old native of Kitchener, Ont., Hague leads the Steelheads in scoring with 56 points including 25 goals and 31 assists in 46 games. Mississauga’s all-time leader in points by a defenceman, Hague set a single-season franchise record for goals by a blueliner when he scored his 21st back on Jan. 5th against Kitchener. His 25 goals are the most by an OHL defenceman since Anthony DeAngelo and Jordan Subban both reached the mark during the 2014-15 season. Hague represented Team OHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada-Russia Series back in November and was a second round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights this past summer. He was Mississauga’s second round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts):

For the second time this season, Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov is the OHL Rookie of the Month. The top-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings released earlier this month, Svechnikov led OHL rookies with 17 points including nine goals and eight assists over 11 games in January. Svechnikov returned from the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship where he represented Russia to register points in 10 of 11 games, entering the month of February on a six-game run of multi-point performances. He had a pair of two-goal games including Jan. 19th at Mississauga as well as Jan. 31st at Owen Sound.

A 17-year-old native of Barnaul, Russia, Svechnikov leads OHL rookies with 23 goals to go with 15 assists for 38 points in just 27 games after missing time with an injury. The 6-foot-3, 184Ib. left-handed shot was the first overall pick of the 2017 CHL Import Draft and represented Team Orr in the recent 2018 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers):

Overage netminder Mario Culina of the Kitchener Rangers is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for January. Suiting up for both the Rangers and Sudbury Wolves this month, Culina played to an overall record of 6-1-1-0, posting a 1.74 goals-against average, a .946 save percentage and two shutouts over eight games. He is a perfect 6-0-0-0 since joining the Rangers on Jan. 8th. His month was headlined by back-to-back shutout efforts including a 34-save performance on Jan. 17th at Niagara followed by a 36-save showing at home to the Erie Otters on Jan. 19th. He enters the month of February on a six-game winning streak, making over 30 saves in three of his last four games.

A 20-year-old native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Culina joined the Sudbury Wolves in late November after starting the season with the Ryerson University Ram’s Men’s Hockey team. A Mastercard Memorial Cup champion with Windsor last spring, Culina has posted a 2.61 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and 8-5-2-0 record in 16 games this season, improving to 31-18-4-1 in his OHL career. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Windsor Spitfires in September 2015.

2017-18 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:

January – Sam Miletic (Niagara IceDogs)

December – Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

November – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

October – Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)

Defenceman of the Month:

January – Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads)

December – Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

November – Evan Bouchard (London Knights)

October – Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack)

Rookie of the Month:

January – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)

December – Rasmus Sandin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

November – Blade Jenkins (Saginaw Spirit)

October – Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:

January – Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)

December – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

November – Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

October – Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Abbandonato and Helvig earn national honours 

Huskies’ Peter Abbandonato named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Peter Abbandonato of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 28 after recording seven points in two games including two goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-7. 

Abbandonato’s back-to-back multi-point performances helped the Huskies win two games improving their record to 29-12-5-3 which ranks tied for fourth overall in the QMJHL standings.  On Friday night he scored the game’s opening goal against the Victoriaville Tigres then assisted on Alex Beaucage’s game-winner leading to a 4-1 decision.  He scored the opening goal again on Sunday, his 15th of the season, then added four assists for a new career-high five points against the Val-d’Or Foreurs earning second star honours in the 10-1 win. 

A 19-year-old from Laval, Quebec, Abbandonato is playing in his third season with the Huskies who selected him in the second round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.  The 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series captain for Team QMJHL now has 51 points in 49 games and is just four goals, one assist, and five points shy of new personal bests in all offensive categories. 

Also considered for the award this week was Edmonton Oilers prospect Kailer Yamamoto of the Spokane Chiefs who scored six goals and four assists for 10 points in four games, and Los Angeles Kings prospect Gabriel Vilardi of the Kingston Frontenacs who scored three goals and six assists for nine points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Peter Abbandonato (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)  

Frontenacs’ Jeremy Helvig named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig of the Kingston Frontenacs is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 28 posting a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 1.63 and save percentage of .942. 

Helvig turned aside 81 shots last week in a trio of victories for the Frontenacs who are climbing the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings and currently tied for third place with a 25-16-4-3 record.  He was named first star of Friday’s 4-1 win over the Oshawa Generals with 26 saves, then stopped 27 shots on Saturday in a 5-4 overtime win against the Ottawa 67’s.  His week wrapped up Sunday with a 28-save shutout performance earning first star honours in a 2-0 victory over the Peterborough Petes. 

A 20-year-old from Markham, Ont., Helvig is playing in his fourth season with the Frontenacs who chose him in the third round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.  So far this season he carries a record of 21-12-4-3 with two shutouts and is among the league leaders in goals-against-average and save percentage with marks of 2.58 and .920 respectively.  The fifth round pick of the Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Draft is the Frontenacs’ all-time shutout leader with 10, a record his set with his ninth back in December. 

Also considered for the award this week was rookie Ethan Anders of the Red Deer Rebels who posted a 2-0-1-0 record stopping 119 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.62 and save percentage of .960, and St. Louis Blues prospect Evan Fitzpatrick of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan who went 2-0-0-0 with 40 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .909.  

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Sting’s Jordan Kyrou named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 21 after scoring 11 points in three games including two goals and nine assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6. 

Kyrou recorded a trio of multi-point performances last week helping the Sting extend their winning-streak to seven and improving their overall record to 32-12-2-0.  His week was highlighted by a five-point effort on Sunday which extended his personal point-streak to seven games dating back to December 8 tallying the game-winning goal with four assists as first star of a 6-5 road win over the Oshawa Generals.  The Sting captain also chipped in three assists on Wednesday earning third star honours in a 6-3 road win over the Flint Firebirds, then scored a goal and two assists on Friday as part of a 5-3 win against top ranked Sault Ste. Marie giving the Greyhounds their first regulation loss in 30 games since the Sting defeated them on October 27. 

A 19-year-old from Toronto, Ont., Kyrou is playing in his fourth season with the Sting who chose him in the second round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  The World Junior gold medalist has reclaimed the OHL scoring lead with 23 goals and 50 assists for 73 points in just 35 games.  He was a second round pick by the Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was Matt Fonteyne of the Everett Silvertips with three goals and seven assists for 10 points in three games, and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan with four goals and three assists for seven points in two games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Rangers’ Mario Culina named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Mario Culina of the Kitchener Rangers is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 21 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including two shutout victories for a goals-against-average of 0.67 and save percentage of .980. 

Culina turned aside 98 shots last week in a trio of victories for the Rangers who improve their record to 30-14-2-0 atop the OHL’s Midwest Division.  He began the week with back-to-back shutouts, the first two of his career, earning first star honours in both games including Wednesday night with a 34-save performance in a 6-0 win over the Niagara IceDogs and Friday night with 36 saves in a 3-0 victory against the Erie Otters.  He finished the week with 28 saves as part of a 4-2 victory over the Guelph Storm on Sunday afternoon. 

A 20-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Culina is playing in his third OHL season and first with the Rangers after being acquired from the Sudbury Wolves in January.  Since joining the Rangers he’s posted a perfect 5-0-0-0 record with a goals-against-average of 1.20 and save percentage of .958.  Culina began his OHL tenure with the Windsor Spitfires during the 2015-16 season and was part of the club’s 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup title. 

Also considered for the award this week was Philadelphia Flyers prospect and three-time award winner Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips with a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout stopping 48 shots for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .980.  In the QMJHL, Matthew Welsh of the Charlottetown Islanders posted a 1-1-0-0 record making 52 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.52 and save percentage of .945. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Mario Culina (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Raddysh and Skinner shine with new teams 

Greyhounds’ Taylor Raddysh named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey league today announced that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 14 scoring four goals and five assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5. 

Raddysh made the most of his Greyhounds debut last week with a trio of multi-point performances that helped the CHL’s number one team earn three straight wins improving their record to 37-3-2-1 which includes points in 29-straight.  He scored two goals last Wednesday in his first game following the World Junior Championship earning second star honours in a 3-1 win over the Saginaw Spirit, then picked up two assists on Friday in a 5-2 win over the Owen Sound Attack.  The gold medalist extended his personal point-streak to 11 games on Saturday with a season-high five points including two goals and three assists as first star of a 7-4 victory against the Mississauga Steelheads.   

A 19-year-old from Caledon, Ont., Raddysh was acquired by the Greyhounds on January 6 from the Erie Otters where he played more than three seasons after being a first round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.  Last season he helped the Otters capture a 2017 OHL title and reach the Mastercard Memorial Cup final as part of a decorated legacy that includes 253 points in 213 career games with the club.  A two-time member of Canada’s National Junior Team, Raddysh was selected by the Lightning in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was rookie Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes with five goals and four assists for nine points in three games, and overage forward Samuel Dove-McFalls of the Rimouski Oceanic with five goals and three assists for eight points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Taylor Raddysh (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Broncos’ Stuart Skinner named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Edmonton Oilers prospect Stuart Skinner of the Swift Current Broncos is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 14 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .980. 

Skinner turned aside 49 of the first 50 shots he faced in a Broncos uniform backstopping the club to a pair of victories to improve their record to 31-10-3-0 which ranks second in the WHL’s East Division.  On Friday night in his debut he earned first star honours with a 29-save shutout performance in a 4-0 win over the Prince Albert Raiders, then made 20 saves on Saturday in a 9-1 win against the Edmonton Oil Kings. 

A 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., Skinner was acquired by the Broncos on January 9 after playing more than three full seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes where he was selected in the first round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.  In 31 appearances with the Hurricanes this season, Skinner posted a 14-15-2-0 record including four shutouts with a goals-against-average of 3.38 and save percentage of .897.  He was a third round pick by the Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft. 

Also considered for the award this week was Francis Leclerc who went 2-0-0-0 in his first week with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar posting one shutout and making a total of 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .958.  In the OHL, Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser of the Oshawa Generals posted a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 77 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .963. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos)
Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Tippett and Harvey start 2018 with national honours 

Steelheads’ Owen Tippett named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett of the Mississauga Steelheads is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 7 recording 10 points in three games including seven goals with three assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-3. 

Tippett’s three multi-point performances last week earned him a trio of first star honours and led the Steelheads to three straight wins to open 2018.  On Wednesday night he scored twice with one assist in a 5-3 road win over the Erie Otters, then recorded a first period natural hat-trick on Thursday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before scoring the shootout winner in the 4-3 triumph stopping the CHL’s top ranked team from earning their 24th straight win.  Tippett finished the week with a season-high four points including two goals and two assists as part of a 6-2 win over the nation’s seventh ranked Kitchener Rangers.  Tippett has now delivered seven straight multi-point efforts totalling 20 points since December 17 as the Trout continue to climb the OHL’s Eastern Conference standings with a 17-22-0-1 record.  

An 18-year-old from Peterborough, Ont., Tippett is playing in his third season with the Steelheads who chose him fourth overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  The tenth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 23 OHL games since November 10 after starting the season in Florida where he played his first seven career NHL games. 

Also considered for the award this week was overage forward Matteo Gennaro of the Swift Current Broncos with seven goals and three assists for 10 points in five games, and 2019 NHL Draft prospect Raphael Lavoie of the Halifax Mooseheads with four goals and four assists for eight points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)

Huskies’ Samuel Harvey named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Samuel Harvey of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 7 after posting a 2-0-0-1 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.65 and save percentage of .979. 

Harvey stopped 92 of 94 shots faced last week helping the Huskies ring in the new year with five of a possible six points to keep pace in the QMJHL standings carrying an overall record of 24-10-4-3 and just two points shy of first place.  On Thursday he recorded his third shutout of the season and tenth of his career with 26 saves as first star of a 3-0 road win against the Victoriaville Tigres.  Harvey and the Huskies finished the week at home with a 3-1 victory over the Gatineau Olympiques on Saturday and a 2-1 shootout loss to the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Sunday with the netminder producing 24 and 42 save performances respectively and earning second star honours in both games. 

A 19-year-old from Alma, Quebec, Harvey is now a two-time recipient of the CHL’s weekly award this season.  The fourth year goaltender has been a member of the Huskies since being chosen by the club in the second round of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 141 games in that time.  This season he leads the QMJHL with a goals-against-average of 2.13 and save percentage of .930 and holds a 21-5-3-2 personal record. 

Also considered for the award this week was Los Angeles Kings prospect Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who posted a 2-0-0-1 record making 73 saves for a goals-against-average of 1.80 and save percentage of .936, and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades who posted a 3-0-0-0 record with 69 saves for a goals-against-average of 2.00 and save percentage of .920. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

World Juniors Recap: Day 8

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Scores

Denmark 3 Belarus 2 (Denmark wins relegation round)

Sweden 4 USA 2

Canada 7 Czech 2

Upcoming games

January 5, 2018

Czech vs USA (Bronze medal game)

Sweden vs Canada (Gold medal game)

Denmark survives for 2019

Denmark edged Belarus 3-2 in a shootout to sweep their best-of-three relegation series on Thursday at KeyBank Center.

Denmark will return to the elite division for the fifth consecutive year at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Canada (Vancouver and Victoria). Half the team is eligible to play there. “I’m happy about it and I’m also proud,” said Denmark’s Daniel Nielsen. “It’s good for my country. It’s so nice to see our country, when we are so little, that we can stay in the [elite division] and keep fighting with the other teams in the top 10. It’s awesome.” Battling through a spate of injuries and illness, the Danes blew a 2-0 third-period lead in Game Two, but Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup got the shootout winner, and Andreas Grundtvig and Jonas Rondbjerg, with the final shootout tally, also converted. “I tried that move a few times in practice and it worked out,” said Rondbjerg of his high backhand tally, which prompted a wild celebration. “So I just thought I’d do the same. Lucky it went in.” In regulation, team points leader Rondbjerg had a goal and an assist, and Nielsen also scored. Joachim Blichfeld, who left midway after being injured, added two assists. Shots favored Belarus 30-28. Captain Maxim Sushko led the way with a goal and an assist for Belarus, and Ilya Litvinov had the other goal. “It’s so hard right now,” said Sushko. “In my head there are only bad Russian words right now. It’s life and it’s really tough for us.”

The Danes heartstoppingly won Game One 5-4 on two third-period goals at 19:26 and 19:45.

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Swedes dethrone Americans

Sweden scored shorthanded twice in 38 seconds in a 4-2 semi-final win over the defending champion U.S. to advance to Friday’s World Junior gold medal game.

Sweden will face the winner of the Canada-Czech Republic semi-final in the final at 20:00 Buffalo time. The unbeaten Swedes, who finished fourth at the last three World Juniors, now have the opportunity to win gold for the first time since 2012 in Calgary. Their last medal was silver in Malmo in 2014. “We have a big chance, but we’re not going to forget how we got here,” said Elias Petersson. “It’s hard work and believing in ourselves.”

Amazingly, this was the first Swedish playoff win over the U.S. since a 3-0 quarter-final decision in 1996 — the same year the IIHF instituted the playoff system at the World Juniors.

It was a disappointing and anti-climatic ending for an American team that hoped to make history with its first World Junior gold ever on home ice. In the words of American poet T.S. Eliot: “This is how the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.”

For head coach Bob Motzko and the seven returning players from 2017, the dream of winning two straight titles for the first time since Canada’s last five-peat (2005-09) is over. The four previous U.S. golds came in Finland (2004), Canada (2010, 2017), and Russia (2013). “We were all playing for each other, but we didn’t execute,” said U.S. defenceman Ryan Poehling. “Sweden did a better job at that than we did.”

Captain Lias Andersson led the way with a goal and an assist, and Pettersson scored the opening goal for Sweden. Oskar Steen and Axel Jonsson Fjallby had the shorthanded markers.

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Tips of hat to Drake

In the end, it was close for only a brief time. And then it wasn’t. Canada used its high-powered offense and fantastic power play to blast through the Czech defence and win decisively, 7-2.

Drake Batherson had three goals for the winners while Filip Zadina had both goals for the Czechs. Those two players are now tied for the goalscoring lead in the tournament, each with seven.

Canada has never lost to the Czechs in the playoff round since the format was introduced in 1996. The win puts Canada in the gold-medal game with Sweden tomorrow night. It’s the third time in four years the Canadians are in the finals.

“It’s good to celebrate now, but tomorrow we’ve got to get up and do it again,” said winning goalie Carter Hart. “This win is over with now. It’s time to prepare for the real deal. The thing that makes this win sweeter is if we win tomorrow. That’s the only thing that matters.”

“I think we need to be having our best game tomorrow,” said Canada’s coach, Dominique Ducharme. “It’s going to be quite a game.”

The Czechs will play the United States for bronze in the early game tomorrow.

“It was a tough loss,” said Zadina. “We tried to play how we wanted, and in the first period we did it. In the second and last period, it was so hard to play on the PK. We will do anything for the win tomorrow. We will die on the ice. We want to win a medal for the Czech Republic.”

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OHL Academic Players of the Month for December

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the OHL Academic Players of the Month for December 2017, including Jake Murray of the Hamilton Bulldogs, Kai Edmonds of the Barrie Colts, Alex Gritz of the Erie Otters and Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds.


 East Division: Hamilton Bulldogs rookie forward Jake Murray is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Komoka, Ont. has produced excellent grades in Grade 12 university level kinesiology and challenge and change in Society courses, serving as a good example to his classmates and other student athletes. “Jake prepares carefully in advance for missed classes due to road trips and he quickly gets caught up when he returns,” said Bulldogs academic advisor Sean Nicholson. “He sets high expectations for himself and is well liked by both teachers and peers at Ancaster High School.” A former fourth round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets, Murray has a goal and an assist in 22 games with Hamilton this season.

Central Division: Barrie Colts rookie netminder Kai Edmonds is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Carlsbad Springs, Ont. has achieved an overall average of 87% in Grade 12 university level studies at Innisdale Secondary School. “Kai is currently taking four university level courses and has maintained high grades including a 92% average in advanced functions,” said Colts academic advisor Chris Cudmore. A 6-foot-2, 162Ib. goaltender, Edmonds was an 11th round pick by the Colts in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection from the Cumberland Grads Midgets. He’s posted a 5-1-0-0 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage in eight games with the Colts this season.

Midwest Division: Sophomore Erie Otters forward Alex Gritz is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Cranberry Twp., Penn. holds a 91% average over six different Grade 12 courses at Seneca Valley High School including a 98% in psychology and a 96% in physical education. “Alex is an extremely focused and motivated student,” said Otters academic advisor Jaime Cieszynski. “He is a leader in the classroom and sets a great example for his teammates.” A former third round pick by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, the Waterloo Wolves Minor Midget graduate has 10 goals, eight assists and 18 points in 36 games with the Otters this season.

Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

West Division: Sophomore Flint Firebirds centreman Ty Dellandrea has been named the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for December. The 17-year-old native of Port Perry, Ont. has achieved high grades in Grade 12 digital media arts, physical education, English and speech courses at Grand Blanc High School. “Ty is a hard-working and responsible student,” said Firebirds academic advisor Nathan Riek. “He is well respected by his teachers and classmates.” Flint’s first round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Dellandrea has 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points in 34 games for the Firebirds this season. He was a ‘B’ rated skater on NHL Central Scouting’s November ‘Players to Watch’ List for the 2018 NHL Draft.

2017-18 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
 East Division:
December – Jake Murray (Hamilton Bulldogs)
November – Chad Denault (Peterborough Petes)
October – Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)

Central Division:
December – Kai Edmonds (Barrie Colts)
November – Isaac Walker (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Blake McConville (Sudbury Wolves)

Midwest Division:
December – Alex Gritz (Erie Otters)
November – Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
October – Billy Moskal (London Knights)

West Division:
December – Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
November – Chris Playfair (Windsor Spitfires)
October – Brett Jacklin (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Last season, the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program facilitated scholarships for 301 OHL Alumni with a total scholarship payment in excess of $3.17 million.  Since the 2007-08 season, OHL Scholarship payments have totaled more than $18.8 million.

Click here for more information about ‘OHL Players First’ programs.

CHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Kosorenkov and Porter earn final honours for 2017

Tigres’ Ivan Kosorenkov named CHL Player of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Ivan Kosorenkov of the Victoriaville Tigres is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 31 after scoring five goals and four assists for nine points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-5. 

Kosorenkov delivered three multi-point performances after the holiday break helping the Tigres end 2017 with a three-game win-streak improving their record to 18-14-3-2.  On Thursday he scored a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win over the Quebec Remparts, then tallied a season-high four points on Friday with two goals and two assists as first star of a 6-1 road win over the Rimouski Oceanic.  His week wrapped up on New Year’s Eve scoring a pair of goals including the game-winner and insurance marker just 47 seconds apart while adding an assist as second star of a 5-2 win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.  Kosorenkov’s effort on Sunday extended his personal point-streak to nine games covering the entire month of December. 

The 19-year-old Russian is playing in his second QMJHL season after being selected by the Tigres in the first round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft.  He is currently tied for 17th in league scoring with 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 33 games and has averaged exactly a point-per-game over his QMJHL tenure with 101 points in 101 games. 

Also considered for the award this week was Braylon Shmyr of the Saskatoon Blades who scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points in three games, and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Ben Jones of the Niagara IceDogs who scored twice with five assists for seven points in three games. 

2017-18 CHL Players of the Week:

Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: Ivan Kosorenkov (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Alex Barré-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Cliff Pu (London Knights)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Albert Michnac (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Aaron Luchuk (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy (Victoria Royals)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)  

Rockets’ James Porter named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week 

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie James Porter of the Kelowna Rockets is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 31 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.48 and save percentage of .987. 

Porter made 74 saves in a home-and-home series win against the Kamloops Blazers helping the Rockets extend their winning-streak to five and improving their first place B.C Division record to 23-11-2-1.  Last Wednesday he stopped a career-high 46 shots and added four more saves in the shootout earning first star honours in the 2-1 victory at home.  In Kamloops on Friday, Porter was named second star with his second shutout of the season making 28 saves in the 3-0 victory over the Blazers. 

A 17-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Porter was chosen by the Rockets in the seventh round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.  In 26 appearances this season he carries a 15-5-2-0 record with a goals-against-average of 3.22 and save percentage of .904.  His two shutout victories have been recorded in a span of three games with the first coming December 16 before the holiday break with a 40-save performance in a 5-0 win over the Saskatoon Blades. 

Also considered for the award this week was Mathieu Bellemare of the Shawinigan Cataractes who posted a 1-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 71 saves for a goals-against-average of 0.51 and save percentage of .986.  In the OHL, Leo Lazarev of the Barrie Colts made 82 saves while posting a 2-0-0-0 record along with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .965. 

2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:

Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
 Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)

World Juniors Recap: Day 7

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Scores

Czech 4 Finland 3

Canada 8 Switzerland 2

Sweden 3 Slovakia 2

USA 4 Russia 2

Belarus 4 Denmark 5 (best of 3 relegation round, Denmark leads 1-0)

Upcoming games (Medal rounds begin)

January 4, 2018

Belarus vs Denmark (relegation round)

Sweden vs USA

Canada vs Czech

January 5, 2018

Belarus vs Denmark (if necessary)

Winner of Sweden/USA vs Winner of Canada/Czech for gold medal

Losers meet for the silver medal

Necas scores SO winner

It was another uninspired start for Finland, and today it cost the team dearly. They rallied and took the lead, but the Czechs scored late to tie the game.

Kristian Reichel and Martin Necas then scored in the shootout for the Czechs while only Kristian Vesalainen scored for Finland.

Shots favoured Finland, 54-30, but that stat didn’t matter after the game. Josef Korenar was great in goal for the Czechs.

“It feels awesome,” Reichel, the son of Czech legend Robert, said. “We worked so hard for this. We deserved it. They were better but we were luckier in the shootout. Now we’re celebrating.”

Reichel channelled family history into his shootout goal. “When we were at the bench before the shootout, the coach asked us who wants to shoot first and who doesn’t,” Reichel explained. “I said I want to go first. I want to score a goal for everyone in Czech Republic. After I scored, I remembered it was 20 years ago that my dad scored on the first shot against Canada in the semi-finals at the Olympics.”

“We did it! It’s unbelievable,” enthused Filip Zadina, who scored twice for the Czechs. “We played great. I’m so happy. We owe a big thanks to our goalie. He played so well.”

“We had plenty of chances to put the puck in the net, but the Czechs kept going and their goalie was amazing,” said Finland coach Jussi Ahokas. “He played a great game, and we didn’t score. That was the difference.”

The win ends a long semi-finals drought for the Czech Republic. The team hadn’t made it as far as the semis since 2005 when it won bronze. Finland, meanwhile, won gold in 2014 and 2016 and is going home early. The Czechs will now play the winner of Canada-Finland in one semi-finals on Thursday.

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Canada rolls along, 8-2

It took Canada 48 seconds to confirm Swiss coach Christian Wohlwend’s prediction of what would happen in today’s quarter-finals.

That is, Maxime Comtois fired a hard pass to Brett Howden on a two-on-two, and Howden buried the shot to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

It would be unfair to say that the game was over at that point, but the goal confirmed what Wohlwend had predicted – that Canada was bigger, faster, stronger. Better. Plain and simple.

“That was a bit of reverse psychology,” captain Dillon Dube suggested. “But that got us focused to playing our own game. It helped a bit. We came out strong. That first one helped settle us down, and then the floodgates opened.”

The dominating 8-2 win gives Canada a place in the semi-finals on Thursday and a date with the Czech Republic. The winner of that game plays for gold.

“They’re a good team, and they’re fast,” defenceman Cale Makar said of the Czechs. “We’ll turn our focus to them now. We’re excited to play them. We haven’t played our best yet. I know we can step our game up.”

“We played the Czechs before the tournament, so we know a little bit about them,” said Brett Howden, who had a goal and three assists tonight. “They’ve changed a few things, I think, but we’ll address that tomorrow on our day off and get ready for them.”

The Swiss go home now after an 8th-place finish.

“I think we had a good team here,” offered Swiss captain Nando Eggenberger. “We won the deciding game in the preliminary round and wanted to get further, but we have to realize that they were simply stronger. Now we have to start preparing for next year. Every player must become stronger, more disciplined and smarter.”

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Swedes hold off Slovaks

Isac Lundestrom scored twice as unbeaten Sweden edged a gutsy Slovak side 3-2 at HarborCenter on Tuesday to advance to the 2018 World Junior semi-finals.

The Swedes will take on the winner of the USA-Russia quarter-final on Thursday. The result guarantees they will play for a medal for the 12th straight year. “I think we still need another level or two coming up in the next games,” said Alexander Nylander. “We’ve just got to step it up and play playoff hockey.”

Fabian Zetterlund also scored for Sweden, and Tim Soderlund had two assists. Captain Martin Bodak scored both goals for Slovakia. Sweden last medaled on home ice in Malmo in 2014 (silver) when Tomas Monten was an assistant coach. Now the 40-year-old is hoping to win gold in his second stint as head coach. The Swedes have only won gold twice before (1981, 2012).

In a showdown between two of the tournament’s top-performing goalies, Filip Gustavsson prevailed over Slovakia’s Roman Durny. Sweden outshot Slovakia 39-22. Of Durny, Bodak said: “He was all the time outstanding in this tournament. He’s a really good guy in the locker room and on the ice.”

It was Sweden’s fourth quarter-final victory over Slovakia in the last five years, but it was a much tighter result than usual. The Juniorkronorna won 6-0 in 2014, 6-0 in 2016, and 8-3 in 2017.

The Slovaks’ last quarter-final victory was 3-0 over the Czech Republic in 2015, when they marched to an unexpected bronze medal in Montreal. Despite seeing their 2018 medal hopes go up in smoke, they can be proud of what they accomplished in Buffalo, including a 3-2 upset over the United States.

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USA back to semis

Dylan Samberg fired a shoot-in into the corner at just the right angle, and as the puck caromed back into the slot Bellows tore in and one-timed a blistering shot over Vladislav Sukhachyov’s shoulder at 12:31.

This kind of goal was made famous by Gordie Howe-Ted Lindsay-Sid Abel with the Detroit Red Wings when goalies rarely roamed from their crease.

“I think it was just simple hockey,” Bellows offered. “He put the puck deep and I knew the boards are lively back there, so I thought I could just forecheck and put the puck on net. Lucky enough it went in.”

Bellows scored twice for the winners and now leads the tournament with six goals. Teammate Casey Mittelstadt had an assist and continues to lead the points race with 10.

With the win the United States will now play Sweden in the semi-finals on Thursday afternoon. Canada and the Czechs face off in the other semi.

“Obviously our goal is a gold medal, and going through Sweden right now is our focus,” said Adam Fox. “They’re a skilled team. They have a lot of great players. We’ll do our pre-scout and be ready for them.”

Russia, meanwhile, had the longest active medal streak in U20 play, reaching the podium each of the last seven years. Tonight’s result, then, can only be seen as a disappointment.

The game was chippy and emotional, and the Americans were at a disadvantage in that they dressed only 18 skaters (the Russians had the standard 20).

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