As the middle of November arrives, the Ontario Hockey League has hit the quarter mark of the season, and teams are now getting an idea of whether they are able to contend, or if it’s time to plan for next year. This week, we’ll fill you in on how your favourite team did last week, and what’s in store over the next seven days.
ITO 3 Stars
1. Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs) – Ryan may have only played twice this week, but that didn’t stop him from making a huge impact in both contests. After scoring a pair of goals in a victory over Oshawa on Friday, he would score a shorthanded goal as well as four assists in a 5-3 win over Saginaw. In just two games, Ryan would register three goals and seven points, worthy of being this week’s ITO First Star.
2. Stefan Noesen (Plymouth Whalers) – As this week’s Second Star, Stefan would have an impressive week, helping the Whalers register three straight victories this week. Noesen would score once and add three helpers on Friday night in Guelph, and another assist the next night against Sault Ste. Marie. Sunday afternoon, Stefan would score a pair of goals, and add an assist in a win over Erie. With three goals and eight points in three games over the weekend, Stefan Noesen is our Second Star.
3. Alexander Khokhlachev (Windsor Spitfires) – Another player who racked up the points this week, Alexander Khokhlachev earns this week’s nod as the ITO Third Star based on two goals and seven points in action over the weekend. Alex would score both goals on Friday night, to go along with an assist in a victory in Erie. Two nights later, he would register four assists in a big win over Sault Ste. Marie. Though held off the scoresheet against Niagara, Khoklachev’s performance this week earns the Third Star selection.
ITO Power Rankings
1. London Knights – (Last Week: 1) No change at the top of the OHL Power Rankings this week, as the London Knights continue to be the team to beat so far this season. The Knights would lose to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday night, but would bounce back to knock off Erie the next night. This week, London faces three games in three nights, taking on Plymouth on Friday before traveling to Owen Sound a day later to start a home and home series, which will conclude Sunday evening.
2. Sarnia Sting – (Last Week: 2) By splitting a pair of games over the weekend themselves, the Sting find themselves unable to leap past London atop the Power Rankings. Sarnia would drop a decision in Owen Sound on Friday night, but would defeat Mississauga on Sunday afternoon. The Sting also play three games in three nights this week, hosting Kitchener on Thursday. A home and home series wth Saginaw over the next two nights wraps up in Saginaw on Saturday night.
3. Plymouth Whalers – (Last Week: 5) The Whalers were impressive this week, scoring 23 goals in three weekend victories. After doubling up Guelph, Plymouth returned home for lopsided victories over both Sault Ste. Marie and Erie. With points in seven straight games, the Whalers will look to extend the streak with games in Windsor and London on Thursday and Friday, then returning home to face Kitchener on Saturday.
4. Brampton Battalion – (Last Week: 9) A pair of big victories this week help the Battalion jump five spots this week, landing at number four. After defeating Niagara on Friday night, Brampton would use a shootout to knock off Ottawa on Sunday afternoon. Winners of three in a row, the Battalion now head out on the road, playing three times in the week ahead, starting Thursday night in Saginaw. From there, Brampton will make stops in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday and Sudbury on Sunday.
5. Kitchener Rangers – (Last Week: 4) The Rangers slip a spot this week, despite winning both games over the last seven days. Kitchener would defeat Sudbury on Friday night, and then use a shootout to beat Guelph on Sunday afternoon. With points in seven of their last eight games, the Rangers play three times from Thursday through Saturday this week. Beginning in Sarnia on Thursday night, Kitchener hosts Erie before traveling to Plymouth.
6. Belleville Bulls – (Last Week: 8) Only two games over the weekend, but a pair of shootout victories help the Bulls leap two spots this week in the OHL Power Rankings. Belleville would defeat Saginaw on home ice Saturday, and then win again a night later in Oshawa. This week, the Bulls have a couple of weekday games in a three game week. Belleville begins a home and home series with Peterborough on Wednesday night at home, finishing up Thursday night on the road. Saturday night, the Bulls host Ottawa.
7. Ottawa 67’s – (Last Week: 3) Ottawa went sliding down the OHL Power Rankings this week, even though they were able to earn three points in three games over the weekend. The 67’s would start the week with a shootout victory over Saginaw on Friday night, but would lose a night later in Oshawa. Sunday afternoon, Ottawa would drop a shootout decision in Brampton, giving the 67’s just one win in their past five games. Three in three once again for Ottawa this weekend ahead, starting Friday night when they host Barrie. From there, a game in Belleville before finishing the weekend on home ice against Niagara.
8. Peterborough Petes – (Last Week: 7) Not much to report from Peterborough over the last week, as they would drop a decision on home ice Tuesday night to Oshawa, but rebounded to pick up a victory in Barrie on Saturday night. The schedule picks up some this week for the Petes, who have a home and home series with Belleville on Wednesday and Thursday night, before hosting Windsor on Saturday night.
9. Mississauga St. Michaels Majors – (Last Week: 10) The Majors are down one spot this week, after earning just three points in three games over the weekend. Mississauga would defeat Barrie in overtime Friday night, but would lose in the shootout in Owen Sound the next night. The Majors would then drop a Sunday afternoon tilt at home to Sarnia to end the weekend. Three road games await Mississauga this week, as the Majors play games in Niagara on Thursday, Sudbury on Friday, and Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.
10. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – (Last Week: 6) The short staffed Greyhounds had a tough week last weekend, dropping two of three games in lopsided fashion. The week started well as the Soo would pick up the win in London, but they would seem out of place in blowout losses in Plymouth and Windsor. The Hounds look to get back on track this week on home ice, playing games against Brampton Friday and Mississauga Sunday.
11. Sudbury Wolves – (Last Week: 12) The Wolves climb a spot this week, after splitting a pair of games. After a tough one goal loss in Kitchener on Friday, the Wolves would go into Guelph a night later and pick up the win. Sudbury plays three games this week, starting Thursday night when they play in Barrie. Mississauga pays a visit to Sudbury on Friday night, and the Wolves host Brampton on Sunday afternoon.
12. Owen Sound Attack – (Last Week: 15) With wins in both their contests over the last week, the Attack climb three spots to land at number twelve. Friday night, Owen Sound would start the week with an impressive victory over Sarnia, and the momentum carried through a night later, when the Attack would defeat Mississauga in a shootout. Owen Sound hosts Erie on Wednesday of this week, before playing a home and home series with London over the weekend, wrapping up Sunday night on the road.
13. Niagara IceDogs – (Last Week: 14) Niagara finds themselves up a spot this week, after splitting their two games this past week. Niagara would drop a decision in Brampton on Friday night, but replied nicely, defeating Windsor Saturday night. The IceDogs have a tough week ahead, facing Mississauga on Thursday night, before hitting the road for games in Kingston on Friday and Ottawa on Sunday.
14. Guelph Storm – (Last Week: 11) The Storm wouldn’t find any success in three contests this week, picking up just a single point out of six possible in weekend play. Losses to Plymouth and Sudbury, on Friday and Saturday nights respectively, were followed by a shootout loss in Kitchener. With only one win in their last six, the Storm will look to get back in track Friday night when they host Oshawa, before playing in Erie the following night.
15. Barrie Colts – (Last Week: 13) Unable to come up with a win this week, Barrie now finds themselves winless in four. The Colts would earn a point in an overtime loss in Mississauga on Friday, but couldn’t follow it up the next night, losing on home ice to Peterborough. On Thursday, Barrie plays host to Sudbury, then heads out on the road for games in Ottawa on Friday and Kingston on Sunday.
16. Oshawa Generals – (Last Week: 16) A busy week for the Generals sees them pick up five points in four games. The week started well for Oshawa when they would pick up the win in Peterborough on Tuesday night, but a lopsided loss in Kingston Friday night took away some of their momentum. The following night, however, the Generals would defeat Ottawa on home ice, then would lose in a shootout to Belleville on Sunday evening. Three in three on tap for Oshawa again this weekend, as they open the week in Guelph on Friday night, then return home for contests with Kingston and Windsor to finish up the week.
17. Windsor Spitfires – (Last Week: 17) Windsor earns a pair of victories in a three game weekend, defeating Erie on Friday, but losing to Niagara a night later. A lopsided victory over Sault Ste. Marie would keep the Spits from sliding any spots this week. Windsor plays three games this week starting Thursday against Plymouth, before hitting the road over the weekend, with games in Peterborough on Saturday, and Oshawa on Sunday.
18. Saginaw Spirit – (Last Week: 18) Despite not earning a win in any of their three contests, the Spirit still found a way to earn a pair of points this week, losing in shootouts to Ottawa and Belleville on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively. Saginaw would finish the weekend with a loss in Kingston on Sunday afternoon. Three more games this week for the Spirit, who host Brampton on Thursday night, then begin a home and home series with Sarnia on the road the following night.
19. Kingston Frontenacs – (Last Week: 19) While the Fronts remain at number 19 this week in the OHL Power Rankings, they have surely climbed closer to the rest of the pack, after winning two games this week to build a modest three game winning streak. Three in three over the weekend ahead, however, has Kingston hosting Niagara on Friday night, before playing in Oshawa on Saturday, and returning home to face Barrie on Sunday afternoon.
20. Erie Otters – (Last Week: 20) The Otters remain at the bottom of the OHL Power Rankings this week, as they would lose all three contests during the week, and have won just twice in their last twelve games. After losing a close contest to Windsor Friday night, Erie would lose in London and Plymouth. The road trip continues for the Otters this week, as they play in Owen Sound on Wednesday and Kitchener on Friday, before returning home to tackle with Guelph Saturday night.
The ITO Three Stars and Power Rankings can be found every Tuesday here at In The O… The Radio Show. Be sure to check back next week to see where your favourite team ranks, but if you can’t wait for your OHL fix, find me on Twitter, @N24Nicholson.
Anthony Nicholson covers Junior Hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs for Toronto News 24, and can be heard as a regular contributor to "In The O... The Radio Show". Contact Anthony anytime for a conversation by joining him on Twitter, or send mail to anicholson@n24.ca.
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