February 5th Game Day Previews

by Dwayne Williams

After sporting a 6-3 record on Friday evening (missed the Belleville Kitchener Game) and going 4-4 on Saturday night (Predicting the exact score in 3 of the 4 wins), we now come to a lazy Sunday with only 4 games. Looking to stay above 500 this weekend and improve the overall winning percentage on game Predictions. Let's take a look at the 4 games scheduled for today.


Sudbury at Brampton
The Battalion are looking to salvage some points this weekend as they return home after losses at Erie (7-4) and at Niagara (5-2). In yesterday’s game goals came from unsuspected sources – Froats (2^nd goal of the year) and defenceman Miller (3^rd goal of the year). Sudbury comes to town off a big win at Peterborough last night 8-4. Kuchin and Sgarbossa each with 2 goals and 1 assist – 8 players with multipoint efforts.  Sudbury gave up 7 powerplay chances against the Petes and were scored on 3 times. Sudbury has 56 points and is in 5^th place in the Eastern conference – Brampton has 63 points as they fall to third place.
My prediction Sudbury 3 Brampton 4

Saginaw at Kitchener
Saginaw pushed around the Otters last night to a 3-0 score.  Their big names pulled their weight – Saad with 2 goals and an assist, Shalla with 1 goal and 1 assist, Trochek with 2 assists. Jake Paterson with the 40 save shutout.  The Spirit are in the middle of the pack (5^th place) with 51 points).  Kitchener had yesterday off to ponder the home ice loss to Belleville Friday night (6-3).  In that game the Bulls were able to come from behind and score 4 straight goals to run away with the victory (2 of the goals were late in the 3^rd period into an empty net).  Murphy with one goal, and -3 rating ... Reider with 1 goal and 1 assist and -3 rating.   Kitchener is in 3^rd place in the conference with 67 points and have had 7 wins in their last 10 games.
My prediction Saginaw 2 Kitchener 4

Guelph at Oshawa
Guelph was idle yesterday – so they were able to practice and reflect on their 5-2 home loss on Friday night (vs. the Spirit).  In that game the Storm fell behind early in the first period (4-0) and never quite recovered.   Zack Mitchell had a goal and an assist to go along with 3^rd star honours.  Guelph has 21 wins and 47 points on the season – Oshawa has 22 wins and 49 points on the season.  Guelph lost their last 2 games and the Gens lost their last game.  On Friday night at Ottawa the Generals kept pace with the 67’s in shots (36-37) but were edged out 3-2 in goals.  A late powerplay goal in the third period made the score closer than it probably was. Jensen scored his 21^st goal of the year.
My prediction Guelph 3 Oshawa 2

Mississauga at Windsor
Mississauga lost their last 3 games. The most recent was on Friday night at London 5-2.  They were only able to muster 17 shots against the strong Knights squad.  52 shots against did not bode well for this squad. Wise and Foy with the lamplighters for the blue team.  Maxwell with his 10^th game with the Majors (5-5 record so far). Windsor was outmatched on the scoreboard 5-1 by the strong Plymouth squad. Shots were even at 35 a piece but the Spits did not get sharp goaltending – making another change early in the game – Cullen replacing Pavelka.  In the penalty filled game only 5 Spits did not go into the penalty box.  Windsor has 22 regulation wins and 49 points – Mississauga has 22 regulation wins and 50 points.
My prediction Mississauga 2 Windsor 3