February 17th Game Report - Erie vs. Kingston

by John Duncan

Captain Cody Alcock Leads Fronts Past Otters

Coming into tonight's contest, Igor Bobkov was the only Frontenac goaltender to have recorded a win this season.  Jacob Riley was hoping to change that, in his 6th start as a Frontenac, since being acquired on trade deadline day, January 10th, from Owen Sound.

Riley got off to a shaky start, as he gave up a powerplay, rebound goal, by Anthony Cortellessa, his 3rd of the season at 1:40, then a rather harmless looking backhand by Jake Evans, his first of two, on the night.

Instead of hanging their heads, the Fronts took over the first period, and ultimately the game, from that point.  Going hard to the net, Spencer Green jammed in his 6th of the season, from Nevins and Dupuy, to draw the Fronts to within one at 11:48 of the first.  Shots are 22-9 Fronts after one, but they were down 2-1.

Trevor Morbeck and Tyler McCarthy got the fans into the game, early in the second period with a spirited fight. 

Nathan Cull was allowed to stand all alone at the side of the net and was spotted by Fronts' defenseman, Alex Gudbranson. After two or three tries, he tucked it in, to tie it at 2.

Just prior to the mid way mark of the second, Cody Alcock exploded down the left wing, and tucked one between Sadikov's legs, his first of the night, to give the Fronts the lead for good. Moments later, David Mazurek flew down the same wing on a two on one, and fired a rocket over the gloved hand of goalie Sadikov.  Just 1 minute and 20 secs later, Nathan Cull capitalized on a rebound of a Cody Alcock shot.  Kingston was up 5-2.

The Fronts were really taking it to the net on this night.   Alcock obviously got the coach's message, after sitting out the second period of last night's game due to perceived lack of effort.  The Fronts scored 4 goals in 6:42 of the second and lead on the shot clock 40-21. Jacob Riley had a solid second.

Alcock was rewarded for his play in the game by being moved up to the first line with Greenaway, and the suddenly hot, Nathan Cull.  This decision, by coach Gill, proved to be the right one.

Draft eligible, defenseman, Alex Gudbranson wristed one from the point, that beat goalie Sadikov five hole. Alcock scored his second of the game at the 5 minute mark of the third, for Kingston's 7th consecutive goal of the night.  After Jake Evans made it 7-3, Cody Alcock completed his hat trick as he blasted one past Sadikov short side on the powerplay, from Warren Steele, and Darcy Greenaway. Ryan Kujawinski sniped his 12th, on a beautiful pass from Billy Jenkins at 18:08.  Ryan has now scored in 5 consecutive games for the Frontenacs!

This made the final score 9-3 for the Fronts. Final shots on goal were 57-33 for Kingston. The three stars were Cody Alcock (3g, 1a) Nathan Cull (2g) and Alex Gudbranson (1g, 2a).

Kingston goalie, Jacob Riley settled down nicely, after giving up two goals on Erie's first 5 shots.  He only gave up one goal on his last 28 shots to become the Fronts only goalie, not named Bobkov, to win a game for Kingston. Outstanding effort by the Fronts again tonight!

The Fronts are going to want to add me to their staff, as they have now earned at least a point in their last six games, including every game that I have written about them!

OHL Draft Eligible 3 Stars: Week 20

by Dominic Tiano

Here are your OHL's Draft Eligible 3 Stars for the week ending February 12, 2012 as voted on by a panel of independent scouts, media members and bloggers of the OHL :
1st Star - Billy Jenkins - Kingston Frontenacs : It's been a tough season for a very young and up and coming Frontenacs team, including Jenkins who now has 16 points in 17 games since being acquired from the Niagara Ice Dogs. Jenkins scored 5 goals and added 2 assists and was a plus 7 in three games. It gegan with a single assist effore in a 3-2 loss to the Belleville Bulls. That was followed by a 2 assist game in a 4-3 loss to the Oshawa Generals. Jenkins finished the week with 2 goals and 2 assists in a 6-3 victory over the Guelph Storm.
2nd Star - Trevor Morbeck - Kingston Frontenacs : Morbeck post the same two goals and 5 assists as his teammate and first star Billy Jenkins and was a plus 5. He posted an assist in the loss to Belleville, and then a goal in the loss to Oshawa, and like Jenkins had a big game in the win against Guelph. He has a goal and 4 assists, including the game winner in that contest.
3rd Star - Nathan Pancel - Sudbury Wolves : Pancel recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in three games for the Wolves. He scored twice in Sudbury's 6 to 3 win over the Soo Greyhounds. he followed that up with 2 assists in a 4-3 loss to the Barrie Colts. After coming off being named 1st star of the week on consecutive weeks, It looked like Pancel was on his way to receiving the honours for a third week until he was kept off the scoreboard in a 5-3 win over the Sarnia Sting that ended his 8 game point streak in which he had 7 goals and 7 assists.
To view three stars from throughout the season: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Anhf0akZmu64dFRIcTNTS1ZRdUJjQm1nUlB0Wm1MVWc#gid=0

OHL Game Report - GUE v KGN Feb 12/12

by John Duncan

Frontenacs Young Guns Explode !

Today marks the Guelph Storm's only visit to Kingston this season.  Entering today's game, the Guelph Storm were tied for the eight and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, with 49 points.  Needless to say, two points today would be huge for them.  Thanks to a breakout game by 3 young guns, it would be the Frontenacs celebrating in the end.

This was the third game in three days for both teams.  The Storm defeated the Ottawa 67's on Friday night 5-4, and lost to the Belleville Bulls 3-1 at Yardman Arena last night.

The Frontenacs lost in OT to the Bulls on Friday night, and lost in a shootout in Oshawa.

Early forechecking by Storm was rewarded, as Patrick Watling opened the scoring on a nice pass from behind the net byTyler Bertuzzi, 3:58 seconds into the first.

The Frontenacs responded with some early pressure of their own.  Warren Steele rung one off the left post. Jenkins was stopped off the rush by the quick glove hand of Sparks on a nice pass from Ryan Kujawinski.  Beranek,on a clear break, missed the net low to the right of the post.  The Fronts continued to apply pressure in the middle of the first period.

Jenkins scored his 6th of the year from Morbeck and Kujawinski at 9:18 of the 1st, on an afternoon which would prove to be his best as a Frontenac, tying the game at 1.

Matt Finn made it 2-1 on a wristshot from the point just as a penalty to the Fronts ended. The goal was unassisted.

Two quick goals by the Fronts at the beginning of second; the first at 1:15 by Cull (his 3rd) from Moffat, and Greenaway.  At 3:37 Fronts' rookie Ryan Kujawinski notched his 8th of season from Jenkins and Morbeck. The entire line was in on their second of the game.

Billy Jenkins then scored a beauty, bringing the fans to their feet at K-Rock, with a diving deke around Garret Sparks at 16:35, assisted by Morbeck and Nixon. Moments later, Jenkins  circled the net and fed Trevor Morbeck for his 7th of the year.  The other assist went to linemate, Ryan Kujawinski.  Time of the Fronts' 5th goal was 19:41 of the 2nd.

Play got a little nasty in the middle of the third, as Leslie from the Storm was called for high sticking, and later Nevins, Mazurek were called for crosschecking, resulting in a lengthy, unsuccessful, 5 on 3 advantage.  Thanks to solid goaltending by Bobkov, the Fronts' killed it off, but not before Moffat was awarded a rare penalty shot while killing a 5 on 3.  Sparks stopped him.

With 1:36 remaining in the contest, Bobkov stopped Guelph's Cody McNaughton on another penalty shot.  With 52 seconds to play, Ryan Kujawinski finished the scoring with an empty net, power play goal, from Trevor Morbeck, and Warren Steele.

Billy Jenkins was named the game's first star with 2 goals and 2 assists.  Linemate, Trevor Morbeck finished with a goal and 4 assists and was named second star. The third member of this line, Ryan Kujawinski was named the third star with 2 goals and 2 assists. An amazing game for these guys.

The Frontenacs accumulated 4 of the available 6 points this weekend, thanks in large part to an incredible 20 points by Kujawinski, Jenkins, and Morbeck in three games this weekend !

Kingston is off until Thursday when they travel to Peterborough to face the struggling Petes. One night later, the Fronts will host the Erie Otters at 7:30 at K-Rock Centre.

Does Igor Bobkov = Best in the OHL?

by Phil Phillips

Who is the best goalie in the OHL?

Is it Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls? When he has played his numbers say he is in the conversation, what about London Knights Star Michael Houser, Mark Visentin of the IceDogs, Scott Wedgewood or Matt Mahalak in Plymouth, maybe 67's Peter Mrazek. But on this day I'm not looking for just great numbers, I'm looking for which goalie is the best, based on what he means to his team. The search leads me to The K-Rock centre in Kingston Via Surgut Russia and Igor Bobkov. I was surprised he wasn't moved at the deadline to a team like Belleville. The Bulls have great goal tending when Subban is healthy, and John Chartrand and Charlie Graham have been very good in some games, But with injuries to Chartrand and a 16 year old goalie in Graham who has been good, but its just not fair to put the pressure on a kid who didn't even start the year in the OHL, to lead you in to the playoffs.

I think Chartrand for Bobkov straight up would have been a great deal for everyone, Bobkov comes and helps Belleville through the injuries and Chartrand gets to be a full time starter, he wont want to be 2nd banana next year. And I don’t feel he will be back anyways because next year Belleville goes with Subban and Graham.

But by not trading him shows just how important GM Doug Gilmour and Coach Todd Gill believe Bobkov is to the young team that Kingston has. Before coming to Kingston this year Igor already had an impressive resume, he was a Silver medal winner and goaltender of the tournament at the U18s in 2009. Bobkov was drafted that year by the Anaheim Ducks 76th over all. He was the fourth goalie taken in the 09 draft. The Ducks have signed him to an entry-level contract. He also came with a Gold medal from the 2011 WJC.

This year with the Fronts he has been outstanding. He's GAA 3.46 and SV% .905 don't top the OHL. But when it comes to Kingston goaltenders it leaps and bounds better, then the other options, both of the other goalies Kingston has used, have GAA over 6.14 and SV% under .825, but that doesn't tell the whole story, He is first in the league in Shots against, facing on average over 35 a night, 14 times he has faced more then 40 shots. He is also first in saves with 1427; Bobkov is 2nd in the OHL in minutes with 2585 and games played (45). The Fronts have 15 wins on the season; Bobkov has 15 wins on the season. He gets very little PP support, Kingston's PP is last in the OHL, or even strength goal support only Erie has scored less goals then the Frontenacs. Lots of nights he has to be the teams best penalty killer, their PK is also in the bottom half of the OHL. He has beat some good teams like Niagara, Brampton, London, and in division games he has beat Ottawa and Oshawa three times, Belleville twice and Peterborough once. He has been named a 3 Star selection 14 times; in 7 of those he has been the games 1st Star. 3 of his 1st Star selections have been on the road. His highlight so far has to be the 50 save performance he put in against his former team the London Knights on JAN 13th. I know when the Bulls face the fronts, we know who Darcy Greenaway, Cody Alcock are and what they do, but it’s Bobkov we worry about.

ITO Hot-Stove: which recently traded OHL player will make the biggest impact on his new team?

During the holidays I decided to take a couple weeks off from the hot-stove, but with the holidays over and everyone going back to work and to school, I decided to jump back on the horse and start producing hot-stoves again. Anyways, this is the fifth edition of ITO Hot-Stove since I've joined. Joining me today in this piece is Dwayne Williams, Brandon Sudeyko, Thayne Hallyburton and Phil Phillips.

Without further ado I'd like to introduce you all to this week's debate question: which recently traded OHL player will make the biggest impact on his new team?

Todd Cordell

Ryan Spooner

With Nail Yakupov out for approximately a month, and several other top players on the Sarnia Sting out with injuries Ryan Spooner will need to step up, and in my opinion he will.

I think Spooner will hold the Sting in the top four of the Western Conference until some key players return from injury, and go on an absolute offensive tear when some of the top guys return and he gets some help.

All in all I think he'll play a key role in righting the ship for the Sting until they can get some bodies back and play a big part in whatever playoff success the Sting have. Some other players who were moved will have big impacts as well, no doubt, but none as big as Spooner will have in Sarnia. Thus, in my opinion, making him the player that will have the biggest impact on his new team.

Dwayne Williams

John McFarland

I thought that Spooner would have the biggest impact on his team - and has 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 games team - but the Sting have been hit with the injury bug to go along with their aggressive trading activities. They are only 1 win  and 2 losses so far with him in the lineup. (Yakupov long term and Hottot took a shot in the leg today - left and didn't return)

 

My vote: Seems like John MacFarland has put an extra jump into the step of the 67's (like they needed an extra push to get going). He has played 2 games for them - kept off the scoresheet in the first game, and then 1 goal and 1 assist in the 4-0 thumping delivered to the Majors. Offensively I think that Ottawa and Niagara are now the elite teams that the rest of the East will be looking up at for the second half.

Brandon Sudeyko

Jamie Oleksiak

Believe it or not I have to go with Jamie Oleksiak. Not necessarily based on his play, but based on the fact that he is the ‘big’ acquisition for the IceDogs and if they do not make the OHL Finals… this can be a huge disappointment. Then again a new opportunity in a city that will cheer his name may be what the Dallas Stars pick needs. Either way, I believe Jamie will have the biggest impact either negatively or positively… if Niagara can not do it this year… maybe they should have picked Brock Beukeboom’s former Soo Roommate instead of the Big O….

Thayne Hallyburton

Brett Ritchie

 

The Niagara Ice Dogs did not get the superstar that they wanted. Rumours floated around town that they were close to getting Gregg McKegg and that they were in on Ryan Spooner. What they ended up doing was getting Brett Ritchie in one of the deals that they completed this past week when fellow-contender Sarnia Sting, decided they wanted JP Anderson and needed the right draft picks to acquire him. Marty Williamson mad a very smart move here in acquiring the big forward.

 

Ritchie will step right onto the second line in Niagara and bring size and grit to a lineup that might only lack that, making their top 6 extremely scary. Ritchie will be the big body in front of the net on the PP, making what is already the scariest PP in the league even more scary and will provide the secondary scoring that a championship caliber team needs. This move is more of a tinkering move than a huge acquisition and history teaches us that they are usually the most productive of moves. Brett Ritchie will be one of the main story lines if the Niagara Ice Dogs make the trek East in late may for the Memorial Cup.

Phil Phillips

Ryan Spooner

I think the trading of Ryan Spooner to the Sarnia Sting from the Kingston Frontances for Ryan Kujawinski involves the player(s) that will have the biggest impact on their new teams both, short and long term.

The impact that Spooner will have on the Sting has been felt immediately (3GP 3G 1A).  With highly ranked Nail Yakupov joining, Sarnia's another promising young 2012 prospect Alexander Galchenyuk, on the IR. Spooner comes to a 1st place club, where attendance is up 15%, the Sting are hoping for a long playoff run.  Having never made it by the 2nd Rd since the franchise moved to Sarnia, the hope was that Spooner would give the Sting a nice depth scoring option, but now with Yakupov joining Galchenyuk on the IR, his role will increase.  Spooner a 2^nd round pick of the Boston Bruins was an invite to Team Canada’s Selection Camp this past December but could not participate after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. Ryan also is looking for more playoff succsesse, never making it by the 1st Rd in his OHL Career with both the Peterborough Petes & Kingston. Sting GM called Spooner "one of the elite players in all of junior hockey".  In order to acquire him they had to pay a very high price. That being said they feel that Spooner is another piece that will help them contend for an OHL Championship this season.”

That high price they paid was rookie centreman Ryan Kujawinski. The 6'2" 195lbs, 16 year old was Sarnia’s 1st Rd selection in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, 4th overall, giving the Fronts a 1st rounder from 2011 draft after trading Max Domi to the Knights of London.

“This is part of the rebuilding process,” said General Manager Doug Gilmour. Kujawinski brings an imposing size, he's a good skater for his size and loves to shoot the puck, and in the words of Gilmour has "a ton of potential". Ryan recently competed for Team Ontario at the U17’s in two games with Kingston he has already matched his goal total he had with the Sting in 29 games.  In Kingston he will get more ice and be a big part of this team moving forward.

from the CCHL to the OHL

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Chris Messina

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The Central Canada Hockey League has done a good job at developing players that have gone on to have successful careers in the Ontario Hockey League. The Junior ‘A’ league is run out of Eastern Ontario and its alumni list from recent years is pretty impressive. Players such as Calvin De Haan (Kemptville 73’s) who established himself as one of the League’s premier defenseman as a member of the Oshawa Generals and was also on two Canadian World Junior Teams and Jason Akeson (Cumberland Grads) who developed into one of the league’s premier scoring threats as a member of the Kitchener Rangers, capped off his OHL career by being one of the league’s co-scoring leaders last year.

There is a new crop of up and coming players from the CCHL enjoying their rookie year in the OHL. Many that have followed the league would even claim last year’s group of sixteen year olds (1994 born players) was the strongest rookie class the league has ever seen. Let’s take a look at how they are doing thus far:

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Daniel Altshuller – Oshawa Generals (Nepean Raiders):

He was made famous by being the only none OHL player on Team Ontario’s gold medal winning roster last year at the U17s. Originally drafted by the Belleville Bulls he had his rights dealt to Oshawa this past summer. In 11 games with the Generals, Altshuller has posted a 5-5 recorder with 2.95 GAA and .909 save percentage.

Warren Steele - Kingston Frontenacs (Smiths Falls Bears):

He played last year in Smiths Falls but found his way into seven games with the Frontenacs as a sixteen-year-old. With the Bears he played in 62 games, scored 3 goals and added 25 assists for 28 points. This year he has been one of the few bright spots on a team in Kingston that is struggling. His style of play has drawn comparisons to another former CCHLer Calvin De Haan. In his first 15 games this year, he’s collected 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points.

Nathan Pancel – Sudbury Wolves (Gloucester Rangers):

He was the CCHL Rookie of the Year last season. He scored 37 goals and had 62 points in 58 games with Gloucester last year. Shortly after the Gloucester Rangers were swept out of the playoffs by the eventual RBC Cup Champion Pembroke Lumberkings, Pancel signed with the Wolves. He saw action in 2 playoff games for the Wolves before his season came to an end. In his first 12 OHL regular season games he’s amassed 1 goal, 2 assists for 3 points.

Zach Lesile – Guelph Storm (Gloucester Rangers):

With Gloucester last year he scored 13 goals as a rookie defenseman in 56 games. The only other defenseman under 18 to have double digits in goals was Kevin Tansey (13) of the Cumberland Grads (currently playing for Clarkson in NCAA).  In 11 games with the Storm to this point he has 2 assists and 14 penalty minutes.

Spencer Cobbold – Mississauga St. Michaels Majors (Kanata Stallions):

Known for his lighting quick speed he had a good season with Kanata Stallions a year ago. He was tied for fourth on his in goals with 17. He’s scored twice in 12 games so far for the Majors.

Brandon Lesway – Kitchener Rangers (Kemptville 73s):

Last year with the Kemptville 73s he’s recorded 9 goals and28 points in 62 games. This season he’s been pointless in 10 games with the Rangers.

Curtis Meighan – Kitchener Rangers (Cumberland Grads):

In 55 games with the Grads last year he scored 9 goals and had 23 points. This year in 11 games with Kitchener he’s scored a goal along with two assists for 3 points.

Adam Lloyd – Brampton Battalion (Gloucester Rangers):

He was able to get in one regular season game and one playoff game last season with the Battalion. In 11 games this year with the Battalion he’s recorded 2 assists.

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For more information and to ask Chris some questions about the CCHL or its Graduates follow him on Twitter @cmessina85

Prospect Files Week 4: Warren Steele

This week we stray away from the sexier prospects that everyone probably already knows about and take a look at what could be this year’s poor man’s Mark Scheifele. The Kingston Frontenac’s defender played Junior A last year in the CCHL and after making the big team at the start of this season, he has had a great start and is surprising many people around the league. Let’s get to know a little bit more about one of the best young players and, maybe, the best name in the league…Warren Steele.

NHL Draft Prospect: Warren Steele – Kingston Frontenacs

The Line:
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 187 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
Draft Eligible: 2012

After only playing 7 games with the Kingston Frontenacs last season, amassing 0 points and a minus 1 rating, Warren Steele is impressing everyone, scouts included, this season. The Wallaceburg, Ontario native has put up 3 goals and 7 points in just thirteen games thus far and has played big minutes for a very young and inexperienced Frontenacs squad.

Even though the points are nice and you can have a glimpse at the stats sheet and see that he is having a great start, you have to see him play live to truly appreciate what he brings to the table. He is a stalky kid, built to handle a physical beating and he has shown that he can; oftentimes winning puck battles down low in his zone, but what separates him from many of the other draft eligible OHL defenseman is his passing ability. He makes very quick decisions as soon as he has the puck, showing off his vision and his passing ability. Short or long, the pass is always crisp and usually tape-to-tape.

He is a raw talent at this point, fresh out of the Junior A Smiths Falls Lumberjacks organisation, but you can see that the ability is there. His defensive zone coverage is adequate and with his skill-set it will only improve as he gets used to playing against larger and more talented players. His skating needs to be worked on but isn’t a hindrance to his game at this level.

This is one of those prospects where you watch play and see a very large ceiling. He is a project at this point, but one that I am sure all 30 NHL clubs would love to take on. I look forward to watching him progress as the year goes along and, if the Panthers send back Erik Gudbranson, (he is off to a terrible start) Steele could really mature quickly, learning from one of the top prospects in the game.

NHL Player Comparison: Mark Giordano

2007/12 Team Needs - East Division

As we continue the content-a-day giveaway... We get to the final division, the East. So lets take a look at who these teams may be targeting on Saturday. and don't forget the OHL Priority Draft this Saturday May, 7th live on ontariohockeyleague.com.

To preface, the lists of what the team declares as 'holes to be filled' is not FACT. These are my opinions and are corroborated with others and is a general guess as to what they may be trying to fill come draft day. If they are not adressed during draft day remember that they can also trade for players already in the league. Also, this is 'in a perfect world scenario' as the first 7-10 picks will be best player available and defy the logic of what I am talking about.

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Kingston Frontenacs - With all the scrutiny that this team goes through in terms of not having this, or giving away that. This is Kingston's time to get this or that. But the question is where to begin. This team needs a better blueline, they need confident goaltending and they need people to put the 'biscuit in the basket'. So i guess with my babbling I would have to say, Kingston's draft board will be filled with the best available players. I do have to say that even though many are not to happy about the potential of a Palazzese, Perry goalie tandem. You have to understand it could be worse... and that the Fronts will not be contending next year so it is not that big of an issue.

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Belleville Bulls - It came down to the wire to earn the playoff spot and whether you believe in Teichmann or not. The team has quality goaltending in Subban, and possibly Altshuller. Or even another year with Tyson. Their defence is basically returning as a whole unit for the 11/12 season so that leave the forward position for the Bulls. The team has a top pick so more likely they will fall into a best available but they would kill for an impact forward the likes of a Brendan Gaunce... hopefully not the playoff hair. then again... a Subban is eligible to be drafted... so all bets out the window here.

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Peterborough Petes - Peterborough had a tough year, on and off the ice. With all of the changes around the team nailing one position will be difficult. Peterborough needs to have confidence between the pipes, but a 95 birth year goalie wont bring that. Their young Defence is not comparable to Brampton, but with all the ice time and experience they gained this year, could be a force next year. That leaves the forward position for the Petes and considering they draft 2nd overall... they have the pick of any 95 birthday they want. Nicholas Ritchie.

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Oshawa Generals - This team is poised for a tremendous run come 2011/12. What do they need... nothing. No one this team can draft in the first round will help them improve in terms of pushing them over the age. They do need a goaltender, because if the team believed in Kevin Baille... they wouldn't have traded for DiSalvo. The D will suffer a bit as an OA moves on, De Haan will be in NYI of the NHL and Maggio or Zupancic will be your veteran defender. as for offence... a big CHECK! so stick with a defenceman here.

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Ottawa 67's - After the disappointing first round exit by the 67's this year... They will be looking for a spark plug to show the fans the best is still to come... even though they will more than likely lose Martindale and Toffoli to the AHL if not NHL next season. Mrazek is back. So no worrying about Goaltending as there are two goalies who could come on up for experience. Their young forwards really stepped up in the later third of the season so there is no reason to think they will regress. That leave the blueline which will lose an OA to graduation and possibly 1 or both 91 birth years. to the Dfence could be young and need some more top quality help.

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We are done the divisions and you now know what to possibly expect from each team when they are on the clock. Make sure you look at In The O... Mock Predictions for the First Round in the OHL Priority Draft. Starting Monday there will be a more indepth look at each of the 20 rosters in the OHL.

Game Preview: Ottawa 67's vs Kingston Frontenacs, March 9

GAME PREVIEW: Ottawa 67’s @ Kingston Frontenacs, March 9, 7 p.m.

Radio: Team 1200

TV:  Rogers 22

The Ottawa 67’s travel to Kingston and take on the Frontenacs for the 8^th and final time of the regular season. Last game featured Thomas Nesbitt scoring a pair of goals halfway through the third period in attempts to spark a comeback. Franky Palazzese and the Frontenacs hung on to edge the 67’s by a score of 4-3 in regulation.  Michael Fine had a goal and an assist for the winning club while Palazzese (called upon for an injured Philipp Grubauer) turned aside 22 of the 67’s 25 shots.

The 67’s come into tonight’s game ridding off a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Kitchener Rangers in overtime on Sunday afternoon where Tyler Toffoli was held pointless.  Toffoli is looking for his 100^th point and has only 3 more to reach this milestone. Alike the last 50 goal season, the last 100 point season for a 67’s player was by Corey Locke in the 2003-04      OHL season where he played alongside with Matt Foy and Scott Sheppard.

The Frontenacs are coming off a disappointing 5-4 shootout loss after coughing up a 3 goal lead in the 3^rd period.  Ryan Spooner had a goal and 4 assists and added another in the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to hold on.  

Palazzese is slated to start in nets marking his 12th straight starts.  He is 4-8 in his last 12 games.  Shayne Campbell is expected to make his 3rd start in a row after filling in for Petr Mrazek who still isn’t 100% with a groin injury.  Campbell played lights out last weekend posting 2 wins and 64 saves on 67 shots.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

The 67's are five points ahead of the Generals for first in the Eastern Division (Gens have a game in hand).  The Frontenacs sit comfortably in the middle of the pack guaranteed a playoff spot but in a battle for 5^th place with the Brampton Battalion.  The Frontenacs are currently 4 points ahead of the Battalion.

Ottawa 67’s

41-19-1-2, 85pts

2^nd Eastern Conference

AWAY: 18-14-0-1

Injuries

Petr Mrazek, day-to-day, lower body

Jon Carnevale, IR, concussion

Marc Zanetti, day-to-day, lower body

Cosimo Fontana, IR, concussion

Julian Luciani, day-to-day, upper body

Top performers vs Fronts

Tyler Toffoli – 10 goals, 14 points (7 GP)

Cody Lindsay – 5 goals, 11 points (7 GP)

Thomas Nesbitt – 4 goals, 9 points (7 GP)

Shane Prince – 3 goals, 9 points (5 GP)

Kingston Frontenacs

28-26-4-4, 64pts

5^th Eastern Conference

HOME: 13-12-2-3

Injuries

Philipp Grubauer, mono, indefinite

Jeff Braithwaite, groin, day-to-day

Nathan Moon, ankle, 1-2 weeks

Corey Durocher

Top performers vs 67’s

Ryan Spooner – 4 goals, 8 points (7 GP)

Nathan Moon – 3 goals, 7 points (7 GP)

Michael Fine – 2 goals, 6 points (7 GP)

Taylor Doherty – 0 goals, 6 points (7 GP) 

No Room In The League For Guys Like Conor Stokes...

With guys like this in the league, there's no wonder why fighting is gaining a bad reputation throughout the hockey world. 

It began with banning the removal of the helmet prior to the fight because of one death in over 100 years of hockey. Now it's gone even further with the CHL's new rule regarding pre-staged fights, suspending players who drop the gloves off the opening face-off of a period. 

And with guys like Conor Stokes pulling moves like these game after game, it proves that one or two guys can ruin it for everyone - and it shows the lack of honour and mutual respect that enforcers are expected to have. 

This first video shows Stokes throwing a late, dirty punch that earned him a misconduct and a suspension, and below is a clip of his most recent fight against the Niagara IceDogs' Johnson Andrews, where Stokes proceeded to throw haymakers when the players both tumbled to the ice. 

The punches landed and bashed the IceDogs player's head off the ice causing severe bleeding, and Stokes was awarded a mere five minute fighting major. It is known among enforcers as an unwritten rule that once the fight reaches the ice, it's over. 

These types of actions are what cause people to doubt the necessity of fighting in hockey - and trust me, without the fight in the game of hockey, it is not hockey. It's already sad to see fighting majors decline due to the no buckets off rule; now players fear breaking their hands on the shield or helmet. For the amount of deaths or injuries caused by fighting with no helmet, there has to be plenty more beat up/broken hands by leaving them on. 

Back to the point, the gutlessness shown by Stokes should strike the league as a foreshadow of what this kid is capable of - no one I know personally in the sport would carry out actions like this, and if the kid is merely tapped on the wrist for these actions, I don't want to think about what he is capable of in the future. 

This is not how the game of hockey is meant to be played; grit and physicality is great, but dishonour and disrespect cannot be tolerated. 

If Michael Liambis was expelled from the league for his hit from behind as a repeat offender, I think Stokes' time should be soon. The fact he even wears an "A" on the Frontenacs shows that his behavior is obviously encouraged or supported by the team and coaching staff, which is totally shocking. 

If a player who continually throws cheap shots while fighting and carrying out his role is a leader on your team, something is going wrong.

So instead of making senseless rules that effect the enforcer that wants to do things right - we should re-evaluate what gives fighting in hockey controversy, and that's classless players like this...

View the videos and judge for yourself.