It’s time for another look around the league, with a look back at the week that was with our ITO Three Stars, and a new update to the OHL Power Rankings. This week, we’ll let you know how teams did last week, and who they play next.
ITO 3 Stars
1. Matt Puempel (Peterborough Petes) – Matt was a big part of the Petes three wins this past week, and as such, he earns the ITO First Star for the week of November 1st-7th. After scoring twice against Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday, Matt would add a goal and an assist the next night in a game against Mississauga. Matt would finish the week with another goal and assist in Sudbury on Saturday, giving him four goals and six points in three games.
2. Shane Prince (Ottawa 67’s) – Last week’s First Star, Shane makes another appearance in the ITO Three Stars, scoring four times and adding three assists in a busy four game week. Shane would score once and add an assist in Belleville on Wednesday night, and would add two more goals and another assist on Friday night against Owen Sound. Shane was good again on Monday morning, when he would score once and help out on another in a loss to Kingston.
3. Malcolm Subban (Belleville Bulls) – Malcolm would return to the net in Belleville this weekend, after missing nearly six weeks due to injury, and would make an immediate impact winning both games he would play. After stopping 29 shots in a 2-1 victory over Owen Sound on Saturday, Malcolm would be even better the next afternoon, stopping all 25 shots he would face in Mississauga, keeping the Bulls in the game long enough to pick up the overtime victory. Malcolm’s shutout on Sunday, and 1 goal allowed in 55 shots over two games, earns him our ITO Third Star for the week of November 1st-7th.
ITO Power Rankings
1. London Knights – (Last Week: 1) London remains on top of the OHL Power Rankings this week, winning both games in a relatively quiet week. The Knights would defeat Brampton and Erie in games over the weekend, successfully defending the top spot. Another quiet week in store for London ahead, as the Knights host Sault Ste. Marie and Erie on Friday and Saturday respectively.
2. Sarnia Sting – (Last Week: 2) Sarnia also had a light schedule this past week, playing just twice, and were able to pick up three points, enough to keep them in the runner up spot in the OHL Power Rankings. After defeating Windsor on Friday, the Sting would drop an overtime decision to Guelph the next night. Two games on the road this week for the Sting, who play in Owen Sound on Friday before a Sunday afternoon matinee in Mississauga.
3. Ottawa 67’s – (Last Week: 3) The 67’s are coming off of a big week, playing four times in the last seven days. Ottawa would lose in Belleville in overtime on Wednesday, but bounced back to defeat Owen Sound on Friday night. Things would go sour for the 67’s from there, as they would drop games on home ice to Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday afternoon, and to Kingston on Monday morning. Despite the poor week, Ottawa remains in the top three this week, and look to rebound with three games in three nights this weekend. The 67’s host Saginaw on Friday, before heading out on the road for games Saturday in Oshawa and Sunday in Brampton.
4. Kitchener Rangers – (Last Week: 8) Winning two out of three games over the weekend was good enough to jump the Rangers up into this week’s top five. After the home teams won both games of a home and home series with Niagara on Friday and Saturday, Kitchener would pick up the victory in Oshawa on Sunday evening to wrap up a productive week. Just two games for the Rangers on tap this week, both on home ice, as they host Sudbury on Friday, and Guelph on Sunday afternoon.
5. Plymouth Whalers – (Last Week: 9) Another team making a big jump, the Whalers slide into this week’s top five, picking up five out of six possible points over the weekend. A tough overtime loss to Windsor on Saturday was sandwiched between a pair of hard fought victories over Barrie and Saginaw. Plymouth plays three games in three nights again this weekend, playing in Guelph on Friday, before returning home for games against Sault Ste. Marie and Erie.
6. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – (Last Week: 5) Kicking off a long road trip, Sault Ste. Marie was able to win two of three contests this weekend, but still find themselves slipping one spot in the OHL Power Rankings. The Hounds would lose a tough one in Peterborough on Thursday, but were able to pick up victories in Kingston and Ottawa. The Soo will finish up the roadie with three more games from Friday to Sunday, making stops in London, Plymouth, and Windsor.
7. Peterborough Petes – (Last Week: 12) Winning three games in three nights allows the Petes to jump five spots this week. After defeating Sault Ste.Marie on Thursday, Peterborough went out on the road, beating Mississauga on Friday and Sudbury on Saturday. The Petes have a quiet week ahead, hosting Oshawa on Tuesday night (after this article was written) and playing in Barrie on Saturday.
8. Belleville Bulls – (Last Week: 14) After a slide last week, the Bulls are right back in the thick of things, and jump six spots this week in the OHL Power Rankings. Belleville would register three straight victories this week, defeating Ottawa in overtime on Wednesday, and winning games over the weekend against Owen Sound and another overtime victory in Mississauga. After hosting Saginaw on Saturday, the Bulls will travel to Oshawa for a game Sunday evening, as they play just twice in the next week.
9. Brampton Battalion – (Last Week: 7) Another team that is down this week despite winning two of three games, the Battalion tasted defeat at the hands of the top-seeded Knights on Friday, but would pick up wins against Mississauga on Thursday and Guelph on Sunday. Brampton has but two home games this week, playing Niagara on Friday, and Ottawa on Sunday.
10. Mississauga St. Michaels Majors – (Last Week: 4) Mississauga came crashing down the OHL Power Rankings this week, falling six spots after earning just a single point from three contests. After losing in Brampton Thursday and to Peterborough Friday, the Majors would drop an overtime decision to Belleville on Sunday afternoon, getting shutout in the process. Mississauga will look to get back on the right track this week with three games in three nights, hosting Barrie on Friday night, traveling to Owen Sound for a Saturday evening tilt, then returning home for a Sunday matinee against Sarnia.
11. Guelph Storm – (Last Week: 6) The Storm drop this week, winning just once in three tries over the last seven days. After losing a shocker in a shootout to Erie on Friday, Guelph would pull off an upset of their own a night later, defeating Sarnia in overtime. The Storm were unable to capitalize, dropping a decision Sunday afternoon in Brampton. Guelph will look to fight back into the top ten this week with three games in three nights, home to Plymouth on Friday and Sudbury the next night, before wrapping up the weekend in Kitchener Sunday afternoon.
12. Sudbury Wolves – (Last Week: 10) Splitting games this past week results in a small slide for Sudbury this week. Friday night, the Wolves would come out on top over Oshawa, but dropped a game to Peterborough the next night. Games Friday and Saturday again this week, this time on the road, in Kitchener and Guelph.
13. Barrie Colts – (Last Week: 11) Three points in three games for the Colts results in a drop this week. Barrie started the week off well by defeating Windsor on Thursday, but failed to follow up, losing in Plymouth, and gaining a point in an overtime loss in Saginaw. Friday night, the Colts play in Mississauga, and the following night they return home to face Peterborough.
14. Niagara IceDogs – (Last Week: 13) Falling one spot this week, the IceDogs dropped a pair of games, first against Oshawa on Thursday, then in Kitchener Friday. Niagara was able to exact a little revenge against Kitchener the next night back on home ice, picking up the win. The IceDogs play in Brampton on Friday of this week, and return home for a match with Windsor on Saturday.
15. Owen Sound Attack – (Last Week: 15) Owen Sound remains at 15 this week, after going 1-2 during three road games this weekend. Losses in Ottawa and Belleville on Friday and Saturday respectively set up a finale in Kingston, where the Attack were able to pick up the win. Two tough games at home ahead this week, with Sarnia in town on Friday, and Mississauga in a rematch of last year’s OHL Championship Finals on Saturday.
16. Oshawa Generals – (Last Week: 16) Oshawa would get a good start to the week, picking up the win in Niagara on Thursday, but would drop a decision the next night in Sudbury. The Generals would return home to lose a tough defensive battle to Kitchener, causing ownership to make a change. Chris DePiero is out as Coach, remaining on as General Manager, while former London Knights boss Gary Agnew takes over behind the bench. Agnew’s first test comes on Tuesday night (after writing) in Peterborough, before playing three in three over the upcoming weekend. The Generals are in Kingston on Friday night, then come home for a pair of games against Ottawa and Belleville.
17. Windsor Spitfires – (Last Week: 17) The Spits have begun to rebuild in Windsor, and much of the rest of the season will be interesting to watch develop. The Spitfires would lose on Thursday night at home to Barrie, and lost again the next night in Sarnia. Windsor would salvage the week, defeating Plymouth in a shootout on Saturday. Three games over the weekend for Windsor, Friday night in Erie, Saturday in Niagara, and then back at home Sunday against Sault Ste. Marie.
18. Saginaw Spirit – (Last Week: 18) No gain for the Spirit this week, as they would split a pair of games. After getting the extra point in an overtime win over Barrie on Saturday, Saginaw would be shutout by Plymouth a day later. Three road games coming up this weekend for the Spirit, beginning in Ottawa on Friday night. Saginaw also makes stops in Kingston and Belleville.
19. Kingston Frontenacs – (Last Week: 19) Kingston remains at number 19 this week, picking up a win to go along with a pair of losses over the last week. The Fronts would lose on home ice on both Friday and Sunday, to Sault Ste. Marie and Owen Sound, but were able to pick up the victory in Ottawa against the East Division leaders on Monday morning. The Frontenacs play just twice this week, hosting Oshawa on Friday night, and Saginaw on Sunday afternoon.
20. Erie Otters – (Last Week: 20) No change once again at the bottom of the OHL Power Rankings, as the Otters continue to sit in the cellar of the Ontario Hockey League. Erie would win this week, earning a shootout win in Guelph on Friday night, then losing a tough decision against a tough London team. The Otters play three games this weekend, hoping to gain on the rest of the pack. Friday night, Erie plays host to Windsor, then heads out on the road for games in London and Plymouth on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Next week, the OHL Power Rankings moves to a new day, and 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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