By Sam Laskaris /
Here’s a look at what’s happening on the Junior A hockey scene around Ontario.
ONTARIO JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE
Villanova Knights take major steps forward
It took them a couple of seasons but the Villanova Knights have become a rather respectable team.
The Toronto-based Knights – an organization that had five previous monikers dating back to the early 1980s – won just six games during each of their first two years as Villanova.
But by late November of this season, it was pretty evident the Knights’ woes were over. The club had won 17 out of its first 29 matches this season, thus easily surpassing the dozen wins it compiled during the past two years.
With its 37 points, Villanova was tied for fifth place, with the Trenton Golden Hawks, in the standings of the 15-team league. The Knights, however, had played two games less than Trenton.
Villanova was being led by forward Chris Lochner, who had earned 49 points (24G, 25A) through his first 29 contests. Another Knights’ forward who was a key contributor was Matt Lorito, who had 39 points, including 17 goals, also through 29 matches.
Villanova was also on a bit of a roll as it entered December. That’s because the Knights won six out of their last seven games in November.
Lochner scored once and added a pair of assists as the Knights downed the visiting Aurora Tigers 8-5 during the final game of the month, on Nov. 29.
CENTRAL JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE
Kanata Stallions struggle in Yzerman Division
After almost being a .500 team last season, not too many people would have predicted things would have been as bad as they are this year for the Kanata Stallions.
How bad have things been?
Well, the Stallions won just two out of their first 32 regular season contests. And with just eight points to show for their efforts, the Stallions, who were cellar dwellers in the Yzerman Division standings, trailed the fifth-place Ottawa Junior Senators by a whopping 25 points.
Kanata had scored a league-low 76 goals and allowed a league-high 167 goals against.
As for the Stallions’ supporters, they were still waiting to witness Kanata’s first home victory.
The Stallions both wins thus far had come on the road.
Kanata did win its season opener 5-3 versus the Hawkesbury Hawks back on Sept. 11. But it was Nov. 13 before the Stallions won again, 7-4 over the Gloucester Rangers.
Though Kanata did not win either match, it ended the month of November on a bit of an upbeat note, earning points in its final two games.
The Stallions were blanked 1-0 by the Carleton Place Canadians on Nov. 24 in a match decided with a shootout. Kanata also lost 3-2 in overtime to the Cornwall Colts on Nov. 28.
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE
Abitibi Eskimos domination East Division standings
It’s going to be almost impossible for any teams to catch the front-running Abitibi Eskimos in the league’s East Division standings.
The Eskimos, who won 20 out of their first 22 matches, had built up a commanding 15-point lead in the divisional standings by late November.
The Abitibi club even picked up points in the two games they didn’t win. The Eskimos lost both of those games in a shootout, thus earning a single point from each setback.
As for the West Division, it appears there’s going to be a two-team battle for divisional supremacy.
The Ontario-based Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds were holding down top spot with 35 points, thanks to their 17-6-1 mark.
But Michigan’s Soo Eagles, who had compiled a 15-5-1 record, were just four points behind the T-Birds. And the Eagles were hoping to make up some more ground and possibly even surpass the T-Birds as they had played three fewer matches.
Top honours in the West Division could very well go to the team that plays better on the road down the stretch.
Both the T-Birds (11-1-1) and Eagles (9-2-0) had rather impressive home records. But they were not faring as well on the road; the T-Birds were 6-5-0 while the Eagles were 6-3-1.
SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Kennedy blasts off; trio of stars lead scoring race
Colton Kennedy has been doing his best to provide some leadership for the Fort Frances Lakers this season.
The 20-year-old forward had accumulated 35 points (17G, 18A) during his first 22 games this season. With his 35 points, Kennedy was tied for fourth place in the league-scoring race with Trevor Gamache, the Fort William North Stars’ sniper.
As for the top three scorers in the league, they all wear Fort William jerseys. Mitch Forbes was leading the way with 41 points while Ryan Magill and Jordan Davis had 37 points apiece.
Despite Kennedy’s high-scoring ways, the Lakers were not having a good season. The Fort Frances squad had won just six out of its first 24 matches.
The Lakers had an especially tough go during the month of November. They suffered through a seven-game losing streak and registered just two victories in 10 outings.
The month had started off with some promise as Fort Frances doubled the Sioux Lookout Flyers 4-2 back on Nov. 3. The Lakers didn’t taste victory again until Nov. 24 when they defeated the Wisconsin Mustangs, 9-6.
The Mustangs, members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League, are also playing 20 games against SIJHL squads this season.
Though the Lakers trailed the fourth-place K and A Wolverines by five points, Fort Frances had played four fewer games. |