By Steve Fitzsimmons /
The competition in the OHL is intensifying, as teams vie for playoff spots with only seven weeks left in the regular season. The Kitchener Rangers continue to excel, with a 12-point lead over the next best team, the Belleville Bulls. The moves made at the trade deadline in the Eastern Conference seem to indicate that Eastern Conference GM’s feel the Rangers will be in the OHL final on the Western Conference side, which would leave the finalist in the East with a berth in the Memorial Cup. Many of them went for broke.
1. Kitchener Rangers
Have an .849 win percentage this year. The scary thing is they might actually get better. G Steve Mason is the Cadillac of junior hockey goalies and will improve their already strong goaltending. C Nick Spaling and his 28 goals are still on the shelf with mono, but will add to the mix when he returns. Kitchener fans love how things are going.
2. Belleville Bulls
Have been on a tear of late, winning eight in a row and surging into the Eastern Conference lead. Have been getting great mileage from RW Bryan Cameron, who has 26 goals and 52 points in 42 games, after registering 58 points last season. Adding overage LW Adam Perry from London will add experience. C Shawn Matthias opened eyes with his strong performance at the World Juniors and will try and keep the momentum going.
3. Oshawa Generals
Picked up a world-class goalie in Michal Neuvirth from the Windsor Spitfires, along with making a few other moves. The cost was high, but they are going for it. LW Brett MacLean leads the OHL in scoring with 89 points in only 37 games and was scoring just fine while C John Tavares was at the World Juniors. RW Dale Mitchell has resurrected his season after a poor start, with 14 goals and 38 points in 40 games.
4. Soo Greyhounds
Played well in spite of the absence of head coach Craig Hartsburg, RW Wayne Simmonds and D Josh Godfrey representing Canada at the World Juniors. G Kyle Gajewski is enjoying his finest hour as an OHL goalie, with 25 wins in 38 outings. A team that has a strong chance to make some playoff noise.
5. Windsor Spitfires
What a difference a year makes. Last year they were mired in second last place in the league. Did a courageous thing at the trade deadline, in assessing that next year may well be their year, dealt G Michal Neuvirth to Oshawa for G Jakub Kovar and Oshawa’s 2007 first round pick LW Justin Shugg, along with two future second round picks. They are still contenders and will gain some valuable playoff experience, but they are geared toward next season.
6. Brampton Battalion
LW Cory Emmerton returned from mono, which was a relief given what they gave up for him. C Cody Hodgson has been very impressive, with 28 goals and 57 points in 43 games, good for 11th in league scoring. D Bobby Sanguinetti leads all blue-liners in scoring, with 18 goals and 47 points in 36 games. A dangerous club if G Bryan Pitton can continue to deliver great goaltending.
7. Plymouth Whalers
Supposed to be suffering after an OHL title last season, but they continue to play well. C Chris Terry is fourth in league scoring, with 31 goals and 72 points in 42 games, after having 66 points last season. LW A.J. Jenks has impressed NHL scouts, putting up 21 goals and 35 points in 43 outings. Jenks is ranked 20th among North American prospects by NHL Central Scouting.
8. London Knights
Give them credit. They made a tough decision to trade G Steve Mason to the Kitchener Rangers and dealt long-time F Adam Perry to Belleville, but GM Mark Hunter got excellent returns. The Knights will still make the playoffs. LW Patrick Maroon continues to lead all OHL rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 57 points in 38 games.
9. Niagara Ice Dogs
A streaky club that is hard to figure out. Not many players have been hotter than LW Luca Caputi, who has shot up the OHL scoring list, now sixth in league scoring with 32 goals and 64 points in 42 games. G Sebastien Dahm’s acquisition from Sudbury gives the team a proven playoff goalie.
10. Sarnia Sting
A team gambling much of their future on this year. Gave up a lot to get G Andrew Perugini and RW Vlad Nikoforov, who is now hurt and is out for a month. GM Alan Millar is banking on this team putting it together. C Steve Stamkos continues to rank first among North American prospects, as judged by NHL Central Scouting.
11. Ottawa 67’s
This team always seems to creep up the standings slow but sure. Coach Brian Kilrea has them playing playoff style disciplined hockey. They have no scorers ranked in the top 20, but are still in the middle of the pack in goals for. A scary first round opponent for some unlucky team.
12. Saginaw Spirit
Playing very well lately, with an 8-2 record in their past 10. C Jack Combs continues to defy reason, with 67 points in 40 games, after scoring 60 points total in his first three seasons. Getting good mileage out of rookie C Tyler Murovich, who has popped 13 goals and 21 points. G Edward Pasquale, acquired from Belleville, has been very sharp with three wins in four starts.
13. Guelph Storm
Playing much better and are back at .500. Getting some quality play from G Tom McCollum, ranked 3rd among North American goalies for the NHL draft. C Brandon Buck is making a strong case for the most improved player, with 18 goals and 37 points in 33 games, after a modest three-goal and 12-point rookie year.
14. Barrie Colts
Pack up the gear. Fold up the tent. After trading Nikoforov and Perugini to Sarnia, they just don’t have the horses. But don’t fret Colts fans. They will still get a playoff spot and have acquired some important pieces for future success.
15. Mississauga St. Mikes Majors
Hovering near the .500 mark and heading towards a playoff spot. That’s a lot better than last year. Got a nice building block for the future in C Jordan Mayer in a trade with the Soo. Heading in the right direction.
16. Peterborough Petes
Have been getting great production from D Zach Bogosian, who has put up 8 goals and 42 points in 37 games. C John Armstrong has been on a point-per-game pace, with 40 points in 40 games. Just not enough depth for this team to be major contenders.
17. Owen Sound Attack
Not a lot of experience and depth. LW Chris MacKinnon has been solid, with 13 points in 15 games since joining the club. G Tyler Beskorowany, ranked eighth among N.A. goalies for the NHL Draft, has shown great potential and has gained a lot of fans on the Bayshore. Hanging around in the playoff race.
18. Kingston Frontenacs
The franchise is bottoming out. Made a trade at the deadline to get promising G Mavric Parks from the Rangers. They have acquired lots of draft picks, but have a poor record of using them to draft successfully. A tough year to be a Fronts fan.
19. Sudbury Wolves
Dealt both C Kevin Baker and G Sebastian Dahm for future help. A rebuilding effort is underway and coach/GM Mike Foligno has made some positive moves for the future of the team. Better days ahead, but 10 wins in 43 games is pretty ugly.
20. Erie Otters
Things are not getting any better for the woeful Otters. A 2-8 stretch in their last 10 leaves them dead last. Rookie C Ryan O’Reilly remains a bright spot, with 13 goals and 36 points in 35 games. C Justin Hodgman has been their best player, with 24 goals and 54 points in 40 games. Too many others have not produced as expected. |