CCHL This Week

Brockville Braves have been a consistent force in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) over the years. After a slow start to the current campaign Braves are one of the hottest teams in the league at present and their strong play has included wins over four of the CCHL’s elite clubs.

Braves have posted an impressive 6-1-0-2 mark in their last nine starts. The 14 points accumulated during the hot spell has improved their standing considerably. Monday morning Braves (16-15-0-3) were fourth in the Robinson Division, seven points behind arch rival Cornwall Colts. They also hold two games in hand on Colts who handed them their only setback in nine games Thursday night in Cornwall. Brockville dominated the contest territorially but was stymied by the work of Colts’ net minder Jordan Piccolino. He made 35 saves as Cornwall edged Brockville 4-3 in the latest installment of their Highway 401 series.

The rest of the week was much better for Braves. They won a 4-3 overtime decision against the league leading Bears in Smiths Falls last Tuesday night. Friday they skated past Cumberland Grads, the tail-enders in the Yzerman Division, by a 3-1 count at Brockville Memorial Centre.

During the current streak Braves have defeated the Bears, Pembroke Lumber Kings, Carleton Place Canadians and Cornwall, all teams who are well above them in the overall CCHL standings.

Brockville head coach and general manager Jason Hawkins is hopeful his young team has turned a corner.

“We have back-to-back games with Ottawa (Junior Senators) this week so that will be a huge test for us,” Hawkins says. Ottawa is the hottest team in the league with seven consecutive victories.

Braves had a major turnover in personnel going into the 2012-2013 campaign. They went into the season with 14 line-up changes.

“We went with a younger team – a lot of 17 and 16-year-olds,” Hawkins observes. “The challenge has been moulding the younger players into a team.

“I think we are fortunate that after a tough couple of months we are still in it (league race).

“I like our work ethic. The kids have worked hard to play above some very good teams lately. Their attitude is very good.”

Hawkins isn’t allowing his team to rest on their laurels however!

After playing five games in seven nights Braves were off Saturday and Sunday. But Monday morning, with the freezing rain pelting down outside, they were back on the ice for an early morning skate. They are preparing for Wednesday’s difficult match-up with Junior Senators at Jim Durrell Recreation Complex in Ottawa. The face-off for that one is at 7:30 p.m.

Brockville has been bolstered by the return of veteran goaltender Andrew Pikul. The 19-year-old Aurora, Ontario native posted the third best goals against average in the CCHL last season. His record was 19-6-1-1 and he also rang up one shutout in helping Braves finish third overall in 2011-2012.

Pikul decided to try his hand in the United States Hockey League this season. When that didn’t work out he jumped to another American junior loop, the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

“He didn’t like it there (NAHL) so he decided to come back to us,” Hawkins explains.

The coach and GM is glad he did! Pikul is 1-1 in two starts but Hawkins says he “has to get back in game shape.

“He’s working on that.”

Offensively Braves have been paced by the big line of Ben Blasko, David Ferreira and Chris Roll, who is also the team captain. They have combined for 133 points even though Roll missed 10 games due to injury.

Monday Blasko had 58 points including 39 assists and was just one behind CCHL scoring leader Chris Maniccia of Smiths Falls. Ferreira stood sixth on the league scoring chart with 44 points, an even 22 goals and 22 assists.

“They have been excellent for us,” Hawkins underlines.

“Now we are hoping to keep it going.”

Monday the overall league standings showed Smiths Falls, who lost twice last week, holding onto first place with 50 points. Ottawa, who has played three fewer games, is just three points behind. Two Yzerman Division teams Pembroke and Nepean Raiders have 46 and 45 points respectively while Carleton Place is second to Bears in the Robinson loop and fifth overall with 43 points.

Topsy-turvy Sunday

Ottawa 2 – Smiths Falls 1: The red hot Junior Senators continue to demonstrate they are a force to be reckoned with. Sunday afternoon in Smiths Falls they won a battle of the league’s elite, surprising the CCHL-leading Bears. It was Ottawa’s seventh straight victory, but their first in three starts against Smiths Falls. Sens took a two point lead atop the Yzerman Division standings, courtesy of Carleton Place’s win over second place Nepean Raiders. Playing in front of 428 partisan fans, Bears held a 34-27 shots on goal advantage. But they were kept at bay by Ottawa goalie Charlie Millen who leads the league with a sparkling 2.27 goals against average. Millen made 33 saves to record his 15th win against six losses. The first period was scoreless. In the second the visitors struck for two powerplay goals. Sens’ scoring leader Ben Robillard notched his 19th of the campaign at the 12:30 mark and defenceman Owen Werthner fired his third exactly a minute later. Werthner’s strike proved to be the winner. Millen held the home team off the score sheet until, with just 3:37 left in regulation, Bears’ centre Karson McCartney triggered his eighth of the season to set up a tight finish. Millen stood tall! Patrick Martin was the losing net minder. Ottawa was assessed 15 of 26 penalties but Smiths Falls was a disappointing 0-9 with the man advantage. Millen was a deserving first star selection!

Pembroke 4 – Kemptville 2: Lumber Kings vaulted into second place in the see-saw Yzerman race, doubling the last place 73’s in front of more than 800 supporters at Pembroke Memorial Centre Sunday night. It was the second win in three games for Scott Mohns who replaced the departed Sheldon Keefe as Kings’ head coach last week. It wasn’t easy though as Kemptville goalie Billy Cooper turned aside 37 shots to keep his team in the contest. Pembroke outshot the visitors 41-27 but they needed a late goal by centre Owen McDade to wrap it up. Lumber Kings jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and looked to be sailing, outshooting Kemptville 15-7 in the opening frame. Emilio Audi on a powerplay, Ryan Erickson and Jordan Boucher-Gould were the goal-getters. In the second they took their foot off the gas and Cooper blocked all nine shots he faced. Rookie centre Jacob Smith scored twice for 73’s, including a powerplay marker, to make it 3-2 after 40 minutes. Cooper kicked out 14 shots in the third to keep it close. McDade’s seventh of the year with 4:03 remaining iced the two points for Pembroke. Audi also had an assist for the winners while defenceman Philippe Drouin set up a pair. Kemptville right winger Steven Cooney assisted on both of Smith’s tallies. Andy Munroe made 25 stops for the net minding win, his 12th in 21 decisions. Pembroke took 10 of 17 penalties.

Carleton Place 4 – Nepean 2: Canadians emerged from a mini-slump, doubling the visiting Raiders. They took advantage of Smiths Falls’ slip to move back into second place in the Robinson Division. Carleton Place remains seven behind the pace setters in the division and the league, but hold a game in hand. Line mates Luke Martin and Anthony McVeigh had a goal and an assist each to help Canadians break a four game slide. Almonte native and team captain Martin broke a 2-2 tie with his 10th marker of the season at 14:53 of period three. McVeigh wrapped it up with an empty netter, his seventh of the campaign, with just 20 seconds left. The home team took a 2-0 first period lead with two unlikely players providing the offence. Light scoring defenceman Devan Campbell netted his second early in the first period. Five minutes later forward Jim Pearson triggered his first in 10 appearances. Veteran Zach Rodier, acquired in a recent trade with Cumberland Grads, fired his second goal in three games for Nepean with 6:01 remaining in the first. Veteran winger Kenneth Neil unleashed his seventh at 2:46 of the final frame to lift Raiders into a tie. Carleton Place out shot Nepean 36-33. It was their first win over the defending champions in three starts this season. Brendan O’Neill made 31 saves for the net minding win while Matt Zawadzki suffered the loss. Neil also had an assist for Nepean while Raiders’ scoring leader Dalen Hedges maintained his third place standing in the CCHL scoring race with two assists. Each team was assessed six penalties. Carleton Place winger Stephen Baylis and Nepean forward Alexander Vazquez were ejected for fighting in the second period.

Hawkesbury 5 – Cumberland 3: Hawks continued their ascent Sunday afternoon, scoring a rare road victory to improve their record to 14-14-1-3. It was just their fifth victory in 15 games on foreign ice this season. With the result Hawkesbury moved to within three points of idle Brockville who hold down fourth place in the Robinson Division. The final score might have been much higher had it not been for the performance of Grads’ goalie Devan Tremblay. He kicked out 38 shots as Hawks out chanced the home team 43-28 in front of just more than 200 fans at Navan Memorial Centre and Arena. Five different players connected for Hawkesbury with left winger Pietro Antonelli and defenceman Holden Anderson leading the way with a goal and two assists apiece. Centre Jean-Pierre Larmoyeux scored his fifth of the season and added one helper. Single goals were credited to Carl Faucher and Yanik Laliberte. The visitors led 3-2 and 4-2 at the intervals. Chris King and David Higgs had first period powerplay goals for Cumberland with Colin Kruse connecting midway through the third period. Right winger Travis Douglas set up two in a losing cause. Carmine Guerriero recorded his 11th win in Hawks’ cage. The visitors were assessed 12 of 21 penalties. Two players from each team were sent for early showers following separate fights in the third period.

Kanata 6 – Gloucester 3: Stallions sent Rangers crashing to a ninth consecutive defeat in front of a small turnout at Earl Armstrong Arena in Orleans Sunday night. Brandon Lane 32 saves to earn his 15th win in 27 decisions and Stallions recorded their sixth victory in 10 starts to stay in the thick of the Yzerman Division pennant race. Monday the fourth place Stallions stood six points behind pace setting Ottawa and five back of Pembroke. The contest was scoreless after 20 minutes but the visitors struck twice in the second and added four more in the final stanza. Centre Fabian Walsh led the Kanata attack with four points including back-to-back shorthanded goals less than six minutes apart in the second period. Walsh now has a dozen goals as does left winger Joe Breslin who also netted twice for Kanata. Team leader Derian Plouffe had another big night. He also scored a pair giving him 23 goals, the second best total in the CCHL and he set up another. Plouffe was in a seventh place tie on the league scoring chart Monday. Matt Rosebrook, with his team leading 20th goal, and Andrew Rossy had third period powerplay strikes for Gloucester while newly arrived blueliner Carl-Philippe Ouimet fired his third goal in four games for Rangers. Kanata held a 37-35 shots advantage on the night with hard luck Gloucester goalie Dylan BrindAmour losing his sixth game in as many starts. There were just six minor penalties called, four of those going to the visitors.  

Friday summaries

Smiths Falls 3 – Carleton Place 2: Chris Maniccia broke out of a mini slump firing two goals, including the winner late in the third period, as Bears edged visiting Carleton Place. Maniccia, who was held to one assist in his previous four outings, moved back into the CCHL scoring lead with his two markers. He tied the game 1-1 with a shorthanded strike early in the second. With the game deadlocked 2-2 Maniccia triggered his league high 25th goal with 5:24 left in regulation. The victory was the seventh in 10 tries for Bears and they also took a 3-1 lead in their season series with arch rival Carleton Place. For the hard luck Canadians, who have fallen to third place in the Robinson Division, it was their fourth straight loss after a strong 9-2 run. Two of the setbacks have been by identical 3-2 counts and the others featured empty net goals in the dying seconds by their opponents. Newly acquired Blaine Byron netted his second Smiths Falls’ goal in the middle stanza. For Canadians, who outshot the home team 35-34, it was little used forward Tyson Stewart scoring his first of the season while Brock Edwards connected during a third period powerplay to temporarily tie the score 2-2. The opening frame was scoreless. Patrick Martin was solid making 33 saves for his league high 17th goaltending win. Newcomer Brendan O’Neill fell to 2-4 despite blocking 31 shots. It was a testy affair with 27 penalties called, 14 of those going to the visitors. Fourteen calls came during an unfriendly second period, including half a dozen inciting an opponent calls.  

Nepean 5 – Kemptville 0: The defending league champions moved back into first place in the Yzerman loop by blanking the last place 73’s in Kemptville. Ryan Mulder earned his third shutout in 12 appearances, kicking out 34 shots. Five different players counted for Nepean who led 1-0 and 3-0 at the intervals, outshooting 73’s by a 47-34 margin. High scoring defenceman Vincent Llorca fired what proved to be the winner after just 15 seconds. It was his ninth of the campaign and he added two assists to move to 23 points in 29 games. That’s the eighth best total among CCHL blueliners. Kenneth Neil and recently acquired forward Zach Rodier each had a goal and an assist while single tallies came off the sticks of centre Mitchell Herlihey and defenceman Stephan Beauvais. Neil and Herlihey counted during powerplay opportunities. Jacob Tugnutt was the losing goalie. There were 16 penalties called including one double minor. Ten went to the home team.

Pembroke 3 – Gloucester 2: Lumber Kings won their first game under newly installed head coach Scott Mohns, edging the sliding Rangers on a last minute goal at Earl Armstrong Arena in Orleans. Pembroke (21-12-1-1) stood just a point behind Yzerman co-leaders Nepean and Ottawa following Friday’s play. Gloucester slumped to their eighth straight loss and they were just two points ahead of last place Cumberland in the division. Rangers were outshot 40-28 but were kept in the game by the strong work of net minder Dylan BrindAmour. He has yet to win in five outings with his new club. BrindAmour was named the game’s third star. The home team was up 2-1 after 20 minutes but Pembroke netted once in each of the second and third periods. Rookie left winger Jordan Boucher-Gould unleashed his second goal in eight games with just 28 seconds left in regulation to win it for Kings. Stephen Hrehoriak had the second period goal while Liam Biard opened scoring for the visitors in the first. For Gloucester it was ex-Pembroke defenceman Carl-Philippe Ouimet with the game’s first goal just three and a half minutes in. He connected for his second in three games since being traded to Rangers Dec. 1. Rookie right winger Dean Derouchie scored his first goal in five appearances for Gloucester to give them the first period lead. Darren Smith made 26 saves for his 10th win in 15 starts in the Pembroke cage. There were just six minor penalties called, four going to Gloucester. All the goals were even strength efforts.

Hawkesbury 5 – Cornwall 4 (OT): Hawks continued their Friday night magic on home ice, winning for the eighth time in 12 Friday appearances at Robert Hartley Arena. This one was Hawks’ third overtime decision in four tries and Carl Faucher was the game hero! The veteran winger tied the game with just 13 seconds left in regulation and Hawkesbury goalie Carmine Guerriero on the bench in favour of a sixth attacker. Then, with 1:03 left in the mandatory five minute overtime, Faucher triggered his second of the night and 11th of the campaign to win it. He also had two assists in the game to earn first star honours. The victory kept the fifth place Hawks within five points of surging Brockville in the Robinson Division race. With the single point Cornwall moved one ahead of Carleton Place and into second place in the division. The home side trailed 1-0 and 3-1 at the intermissions. But back-to-back powerplay markers by Pietro Antonelli and Francis Landers, just over a minute apart early in the third, tied the contest 3-3. Antonios Roumeliotis with his 10th tally of the season had the other Hawkesbury goal in period two. Cornwall scoring leader Michael Pontarelli netted twice on the powerplay giving him 22 goals and 47 points. Roman Ammirato is right behind Pontarelli on the team chart. He also connected twice Friday to move to 21 goals and 45 points. Hawks led 39-38 in shots with Jordan Piccolino the losing net minder. Fifteen of the game’s 22 penalties were called during a feisty second period. Included were fighting majors to Mathieu Galipeau of Hawks and Colts’ Billy Ulrick.

Brockville 3 – Cumberland 1: The surging Braves won for the fourth time in five appearances and are suddenly a factor in the Robinson Division and overall league races. They scored two late goals to break a 1-1 tie and move within seven points of third place in their division. Cumberland, who trails the Yzerman loop, had won two in a row going into the match-up at Brockville Memorial Centre. With the game deadlocked 1-1, left winger Jonathan Power fired his third goal in five games and eighth of the season with 1:48 remaining to win it. Winger Anthony Pino clinched it with an empty netter with 38 seconds remaining. David Ferreira had a first period powerplay goal for the winners. For the Navan-based Grads, who were outshot 30-22, it was Matt Allan connecting for their only goal midway through the middle frame. Matthew Jenkins made 21 stops to improve his record to 10-13. Reilly Turner was the losing goaltender, kicking out 27 shots. It was a fast, well-played game with just three minor penalties called to each side. Braves had the only man advantage score.      

Early week action

Cornwall 4 – Brockville 3: Three first period goals was the difference as the surging Colts won the latest installment of the ‘Seaway Series’ with near neighbours Brockville. It was the sixth win in 10 starts for Cornwall who also lost twice in shootouts during that span to earn 14 points and move into contention. The visitors were stymied by the work of Colts’ net minder Jordan Piccolino who made 35 saves. Brockville led 38-26 in scoring chances. Cornwall centre Roman Ammirato netted twice, once on the powerplay, giving him 19 goals. His 42 points is second to teammate Michael Pontarelli who assisted twice to move to 44 points. Brandon Howes and Kevin Hope had first period strikes for the winners and Hope also earned an assist. Red-hot forward Mitch Zion helped out on two markers giving him nine points including seven assists in five games. Trent Durocher also set-up a pair. Braves’ leader Ben Blasko triggered goal No. 19 and added his league leading 38th assist. Blasko moved even with Smiths Falls’ Chris Maniccia atop the CCHL scoring list. Winger Anthony Pino with his first goal in 32 games and Chris Roll with his 11th tally had the other Brockville goals. Andrew Pikul was the losing goalie. There were just five minor penalties called, three going to Braves. Nearly 700 fans took in the action at Ed Lumley Arena in Cornwall.

Ottawa 1 – Gloucester 0: Charlie Millen’s fourth shutout of the season had to be the easiest yet. Junior Senators’ goalie faced just 15 shots as Ottawa blanked crosstown rival Gloucester at Jim Durrell Recreation Complex Wednesday. A crowd of more than 250, attending a special promotion night, watched Senators move into temporary possession of first place in the crowded Yzerman Division. The busiest player on the ice was Millen’s opposite number, veteran Rangers’ net minder Dylan BrindAmour. He was spectacular, blocking 40 shots and earning first star honours. BrindAmour has been good since joining Gloucester recently. He has little to show for it however. The 19-year-old Metcalfe native is winless in four decisions since donning Gloucester green. He came to Rangers in a trade with Kemptville Nov. 19 and has also played for Nepean and Hawkesbury in the CCHL. The faltering Gloucester team lost their seventh straight game and they have dropped 10 of their last 11, picking up just three points during the slide. Ottawa is one of the league’s surprise teams. Wednesday they were frustrated at virtually every turn by BrindAmour. But right winger Joey Champigny’s sixth goal at the 1:34 mark of the first period was all they needed. Champigny has three goals and five points in five games. There were 10 minor penalties called, six of those going to the home team.

Tables turned Tuesday

The CCHL week began with three games last Tuesday night. In two of them lower echelon teams turned the tables on division high flyers with Cumberland upending visiting Pembroke and Brockville beating leaders Smiths Falls in overtime.

Brockville 4 – Smiths Falls 3 (OT): Hayden Hulton’s second powerplay goal, just 14 seconds into overtime, gave the improving Braves their third victory in succession. The win came at the expense of long-time rivals and league leaders Smiths Falls. With the single point Bears did manage to pad their lead to five points over Nepean and Ottawa who were idle. For Brockville it marked the seventh game in a row in which they have taken points. Included are five victories and two shootout setbacks. Light scoring centre Hulton moved to 10 points with his two goal effort. Winger Jonathan Power had an unassisted goal in the opening stanza while team captain Chris Roll fired a shorthanded, unassisted marker in the second period. League scoring leader Chris Maniccia was held pointless for the second straight game. Braves’ leader Ben Blasko, who was just two behind Maniccia in the league race, was also held off the score sheet. For the hometown Bears Ryan Eardley opened scoring in the first period. Braves led 3-1 after 40 minutes. In the third period Tyler Akeson, the highest scoring defenceman in the CCHL with 34 points, netted his fifth during a powerplay. Soon after, dependable Connor McLaren, with his 16th, tied it to force OT. The visitors held a 41-31 shots advantage with Matthew Jenkins the winning goalie. Jimmy Howe suffered the loss despite making 37 stops. Braves were two for five on the powerplay while Bears were one for four. 

Cumberland 3 – Pembroke 2: Playing their first game following the departure of long-time head coach Sheldon Keefe, Lumber Kings were upended by the last place Grads in Navan Tuesday. While Keefe took over his new duties, as head coach of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (Major Junior), his assistant Scott Mohns had his baptism as Pembroke bench boss. Cumberland made Mohns’ debut a losing one, thanks to a late winner by Mark Golberg. Grads outshot the visitors 44-32 but the contest seemed headed to overtime until Golberg struck with two minutes, 20 seconds left in regulation. A powerplay strike by Matt Allan and newly arrived defenceman Andrew DeBrincat’s first goal and fourth point in two games gave Grads a 2-0 edge after one period. DeBrincat was obtained in a Dec. 1 trade with Nepean that sent veteran forward Zach Rodier to Raiders. He also assisted on Allan’s opener. Early in the second winger Emilio Audi netted during a Kings’ powerplay. It remained 2-1 until 16:41 of the final frame when Tyler Gaudet tied it for Pembroke with his 10th of the season. Just 59 seconds later Golberg triggered his 10th to win it. It was Grads’ first win in six games against Pembroke, going back to the last campaign. They lost their previous two meetings with Lumber Kings this season. Reilly Turner made 30 saves to improve his record to 4-8. Andy Munroe was the losing goalie. Kings took six of nine minor penalties.

Kanata 3 – Kemptville 2: Stallions needed a late game, powerplay goal to squeeze past a rejuvenated Kemptville side at Kanata Recreation Complex Tuesday. Defenceman Mike Zajac was the hero for Kanata, beating 73’s goalie Jacob Tugnutt with his first goal of the campaign with 4:52 left. Tugnutt kicked out 33 shots. His opposite number, Kanata veteran Brandon Lane, was named the game’s first star for his 25 save effort. Tugnutt, who made 19 stops in the third period alone (which the home team dominated), was the second star. The win moved Kanata four points behind the leaders in the Yzerman race. Joey House on a first period powerplay and Kemptville scoring leader Lucas Gonu with his 18th goal late in the opening stanza gave the visitors the early advantage. Newly arrived forward Brandon Seatter helped out on House’s marker, giving him five points in three games since joining Kemptville from Carleton Place. Kanata ace Derian Plouffe made it a one-goal game with his 21st goal, an unassisted powerplay effort early in the middle frame. Rookie defenceman Alex Robinson, with his first goal and first point in 10 games, tied it for Stallions at 11:26 of the third. Plouffe assisted on Robinson’s marker and also on Zajac’s winner, moving him to 41 points which was good for sixth on the league chart. The third period turned nasty with two players from each team ejected for their roles in separate fights.

A lighter than usual 13 games is on the schedule in the CCHL this week, Tuesday through Sunday. Four games will be played on both Friday and Sunday. 

Jeff Maguire is a career journalist based in Carleton Place. He has covered junior hockey in Ontario for 41 years. Jeff’s report will appear on the CCHL website every Monday throughout the season. He can be reached by e-mail at: jeffrey.maguire@rogers.com

NOJHL This Week

NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA RELEASE

Release Date: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012

Soo stopper Horodziejczyk maintains place among CJHL GAA leaders

SUDBURY -- Much of the success for the defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and Dudley-Hewitt Cup champion Soo Thunderbirds has been based on their goaltending.

Both Joel Horodziejczyk and Steven Dombrowski have impressed for the T-Birds sitting first and third respectively in NOJHL goals-against average at 1.87 and 2.64.

As for Horodziejczyk his numbers also continue to rank him among the elite in the entire 128-team Canadian Junior Hockey League.

Looking at the statistics across the CJHL we see the first-year Soo puck stopper is fourth overall in average currently sporting a stingy 1.87 GAA among those who have played a minimum of 600 minutes so far this season.

Only the Superior International Junior Hockey League-leading Minnesota Wilderness tandem of JoJo Jeanetta and Gordie Defiel along with Matt Hrynkiw of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos presently possess better goals-against averages.

Jeanetta leads at 1.40 followed by Defiel’s 1.59 and Hrynkiw’s 1.82 mark.

Horodziejczyk’s .928 save percentage ties him for sixth best among the CJHL goals-against average leaders.

He is also knotted for fifth in shutouts in this group of netminders with two.

CJHL goals-against average leaders (Minimum 600 minutes played)

Goaltender                  Team        League GP Record AVG SV%  SO
JoJo Jeanetta              Minnesota SIJHL    12 10-2        1.40 .945 4
Gordie Defiel               Minnesota SIJHL     13 11-1        1.59 .941 3
Matt Hrynkiw               Humboldt  SJHL       18 12-6       1.82 .938 3
Joel Horodziejczyk   Soo           NOJHL   13 10-2-1    1.87 .928 2
Victor Adamo               Trenton     OJHL      12 9-2        1.89 .931 0
Devin McDonald          Camrose   AJHL      16 7-6-1     1.97 .934 1
Shayne Campbell        Truro         MHL        19 15-2-2   1.98 .928 1
Jared D’Amico             Okotoks     AJHL       17 11-5-1   1.98 .927 2
Michael Fredrick           Brooks      AJHL      25 24-1     1.99 .906 4                  

WEEK 13: A six-game slate is in store for week 13 in the NOJHL with action getting underway this evening as the Sudbury Nickel Barons host the Soo Thunderbirds at 7:30 p.m.

Two more tilts will go Friday as North Bay entertains Kirkland Lake at 7 p.m. while the Abitibi Eskimos kick-off a three-game weekend road trip at Elliot Lake. Puck drop in that one is set for 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s competition features Abitibi heading to Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River welcoming Elliot Lake with both match-ups getting underway at 7:30 p.m.

Wrapping up play will be a Sunday matinee as the Beavers entertain the Eskimos at 2 p.m. at the Blind River Community Centre.
  
NOJHL THREE STARS: Both sides of the coin are featured this week as a pair of goalies and a sharp-shooter ,who makes their life difficult, swept the honours in this latest installment of the NOJHL Three Stars of the Week for the time frame concluding Dec. 2.

DARCY HAINES – SUDBURY NICKEL BARONS: It was feast or famine for Valley East native Darcy Haines and his Sudbury teammates last week. The eighteen-year old forward struck for a five-goal performance at home on Wednesday night as the Nickel Barons dumped the Blind River Beavers 7-2.

Unfortunately, the tables were completely turned Saturday night in Iroquois Falls as Haines and company were shutout 7-0 by the Abitibi Eskimos.

Still, his offensive outburst earlier in the week leaves Haines second only to Eskies captain Richard Therrien in the goal-scoring parade, finding the back of the net 22 times in as many games.

JACKSON WINKLER – ABITIBI ESKIMOS: There is no question the 2012-13 edition of the Abitibi Eskimos can score goals. Now the team is hoping the answer to keeping the other team off the board might have been found.

Starting just his third game between the pipes for the Eskies, Jackson Winkler tossed a shutout against the Sudbury Nickel Barons Saturday night, turning aside all 39 shots he faced.

The 20-year-old puckstopper was acquired a few weeks back from the Fairfield Flyers in Alberta.

BRANDON CURRIE – BLIND RIVER BEAVERS: Capreol native Brandon Currie has faced more than his fair share of rubber since making the jump from the Great North Midget League to the NOJHL a few years back.

Facing the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners at home last Saturday night, Currie would keep his net clear of the Goodyear product, making 32 saves in chalking up his first shutout of the year.

The 19-year-old Nickel City Sons alumnus has split the time in net this year with Aaron Cormier, helping to keep Blind River just ahead of Elliot Lake in the league standings and within striking distance of Abitibi.

2013 DUDLEY-HEWITT CUP: The North Bay Trappers will serve as the host team for the 2013 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A championship tournament.

The five-day event will be held at North Bay Memorial Gardens April 30 through May 4. It will feature the Trappers along with the champions of the NOJHL, Ontario Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League taking part.

Should North Bay go on to capture the NOJHL championship, then the league finalist will round out the four-team field with a berth to the Royal Bank Cup national Jr. A championship in Summerside, P.E.I. in May on the line.

CJHL TOP 20: The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Soo Thunderbirds maintained their position in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 rankings while the North Bay Trappers have also moved back in the mix.

Earning themselves a second consecutive week in seventh spot overall in the CJHL listings released Monday; the Thunderbirds remain in the top 10 with the Trappers garnering Honourable Mention laurels.

Currently sitting in first place in the NOJHL with a league-best 17-2-2-2 overall record on 38 points, the T-Birds have gone 14-1-2 in their past 17 outings as they continue to be one of the premier squads among the 128-team CJHL.

As for North Bay, they currently hold down second spot in the NOJHL standings a mere one point in arrears of the Soo with a 16-3-2-3 mark and 37 points.

The CJHL Top 20 is formulated each week in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting and is based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the teams belong to as well as regular season results.

Boasting a spectacular 27-1 overall record heading into play this week, the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Brooks Bandits are once again rated the top club in the CJHL.

At 19-3-0-3 the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime Hockey League come in at No. 2 overall while the Minnesota Wilderness (21-3) of the Superior International Junior Hockey League have jumped one notch to third in the rankings.

The following are the CJHL Top 20 as of Dec. 3 listing the overall ranking, their listing last week, the team as well as the league they are a member of.

1. (1) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. (2) Truro Bearcats (MHL)
3. (4) Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
4. (5) Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
5. (3) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
6. (6) OCN Blizzard (MJHL)
7. (7) Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
8. (8) Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL)
9. (11) Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
10. (10) Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
11. (9) Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
12. (16) Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)
13. (15) Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
14. (13) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
15. (12) Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
16. (NR) Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
17. (HM) St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
18. (19) Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)
19. (20) Saint Jerome Pantheres (LHJAAAQ)
20. (NR) College Francais Longeueil (LHJAAAQ)

Honourable Mention: North Bay Trappers (NOJHL), Surrey Eagles (BCHL), Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL), Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL), Nepean Raiders (CCHL)

The CJHL is an amalgamation of 10 Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada.

More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website www.cjhlhockey.com.

TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTEBOOK

ABITIBI ESKIMOS – Riding a mini two-game win streak the Eskimos take to the road this weekend with a trio of away contests in Elliot Lake, Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River. … The club remains fifth in the league standings with an 8-12-0-1 overall record. … Abitibi’s leading scorer, in Richard Therrien, has been on a real tear as of late racking up 16 points in his past six games.  … Therrien leads all NOJHL skaters in goals with 24 and has moved into third spot in league offensive production with 39 points. … Peter Poulin-Roy is next on 22 points and is tied for 12th best overall.

BLIND RIVER BEAVERS – Fresh off their first shutout of the season in their last outing the Beavers look to continue their winning ways this weekend with home games Saturday and Sunday against Elliot Lake and Abitibi. … The club trails the Eskimos by two points in the race for fifth in the league standings with a 5-14-2-3 mark. … Samuel Wilbur has 10 points in his past six outings and is tied for eighth in NOJHL scoring with 25 points.

ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS – The Bobcats take to the ice twice this weekend as they host Abitibi on Friday before heading to Blind River Saturday. … The team remains seventh in the NOJHL standings with a 6-15-0-1 mark. … They have gone 3-2 in their last five games. …Elliot Lake has scored the fewest goals in the league so far this season at 57 while their 112 against is the most given up in the league. … Steve Gaul leads the team in scoring with 14 points. … When scoring first in a game the Bobcats are 5-0-1, but a mere 1-15 when their opposition strike first.
 
KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD MINERS – The Gold Miners will look to get back to their winning ways after going 0-2-1 on the road last weekend. … The club’s lone contest this week will be in North Bay Friday. … Kirkland Lake sits in third place in the league standings with a 13-10-2-1 overall record. … The club has allowed third fewest goals against to date with 82. … Jordan Briand has points in nine of his past 11 games and leads the team offensively with 22 points. … Connor McNally and Royce King are tied for second on the squad with 20 points apiece. … Chris Komma sits fourth in NOJHL goals-against average at .2.95 while playing the most minutes overall at 1200:33. … He is second in the NOJHL in victories with 11.

NORTH BAY TRAPPERS – Second place North Bay earned Honourable Mention in the most recent CJHL rankings. … The Trappers have one game this week and it is vs. Kirkland Lake Friday. …They have allowed the second fewest goals in the NOJHL this season at 60. … Goalkeeper Greg Dodds leads the league the NOJHL in wins with 12. He is second in goals-against average in the league at 2.28 and in save percentage at .928. … Brandon Janke is sixth NOJHL scoring with 29 points. … Brennen Dubchak and Corbin Bean are next on the club with 23 points, which knots them for 10th in NOJHL scoring. … Cole Klippenstein leads all NOJHL D-men in points with 19. … North Bay is 9-0-1 when Graham Pickard picks up a point in a game.

SOO THUNDERBIRDS – Two games are on tap for the Soo this week beginning tonight at Sudbury. … The Thunderbirds were seventh in the CJHL rankings for a second straight week. … They sit in first place in the NOJHL standings with a 17-2-2-2 record. They have scored the second most goals in the league with 106 and have allowed the fewest against at 53. … Rookie netminder Joel Horodziejczyk leads all NOJHL netminders in goals-against average at 1.87 and save percentage at .928. His GAA is the fourth best in the 128-team CJHL. … Another first-year netminder in Steven Dombrowski has won his last seven starts and sits third in GAA at 2.64 and in save percentage at .912. … Adam Ritchie leads the T-Birds with 37 points and is fourth overall in the league. … Darcy Casola is fifth in the NOJHL with 35 points. Derek Battagin (28pts) and Greg Sartoretto (25pts) sit seventh and tied for eighth respectively in league offensive numbers.

SUDBURY NICKEL BARONS – Sudbury entertains Sault Ste. Marie this evening in their lone NOJHL contest of the week… The club features the top two scorers in the league with Sebastien Leroux and Darcy Haines having 45 and 40 points respectively. … Leroux has been held of the score sheet three times in 23 games this season. … Haines is second in the league in goals with 22. … Sudbury is third overall in goals scored with 97, but has allowed the fifth most against at 102. … Michael Muzyka remains fifth in the NOJHL in goals-against average at 3.66. … Sudbury plays two straight at home before two away. … The Nickel Barons have gone 4-10 in their past 14 games after starting the year 8-0.

CCHL This Week

The biggest news in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) this week is the departure of its most successful head coach and general manager.

This morning (Monday) it was announced that Sheldon Keefe is stepping down from his duties as coach and GM of Pembroke Lumber Kings to become head coach of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He replaces Mike Stapleton.

Greyhounds are currently in seventh place in the 10-team Western Conference of the OHL with a 13-14-2-0 mark and just 28 points from 29 games. The decision to replace Stapleton apparently came following a 2-1 loss to Owen Sound Attack on Saturday.

Keefe, 32, leaves the CCHL as one of its most successful coaches. In a relatively short coaching career he led Lumber Kings to an unprecedented five straight league championships from 2007-2011. In the spring of 2011 Pembroke won their first ever national Tier 1 Junior A championship, capturing the Royal Bank Cup. Keefe’s teams also won the 2007 and 2011 Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian championship tournaments.

Last season, after losing some 18 players from the previous year’s title team, Keefe guided Kings to the CCHL semi-finals where they lost in the maximum seven games to eventual league champion Nepean Raiders.

He has also served as a coach for Team Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge tournament, including at this year’s event in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in November.

The Brampton native was a star forward in the OHL with Toronto St. Michael’s Majors and Barrie Colts. In the 1999-2000 OHL campaign the right winger scored 48 goals and added 73 assists in 66 games for Barrie.

In the 1999 NHL entry draft he was selected in the second round (47th overall) by Tampa Bay Lightning. Keefe made his NHL debut in October 2000. In 125 games with Lightning he scored 12 goals and added 12 assists. He also played for three different American Hockey League teams and one in the former International Hockey League.

On June 6, 2006 he became Lumber Kings’ head coach and GM. He has enjoyed incredible success in Tier 1 Junior A and is highly respected in the sport in general.

In making the announcement of Keefe’s appointment Monday, Greyhounds’ GM Kyle Dubas said, “As a young coach, Sheldon has had unprecedented success in Pembroke. He is a proven winner as a head coach and we feel his experiences with Pembroke and Hockey Canada will allow him to have success at the Major Junior level.”

CCHL Commissioner Kevin Abrams led the tributes to the departing Keefe Monday!

“On behalf of the CCHL I would like to congratulate Sheldon Keefe on his appointment as head coach of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. After an amazing career in our league I’m certain future success awaits,” Abrams said Monday morning.

“Sheldon makes three OHL coaches that moved directly from the CCHL to head coaching roles, joining Chris Byrne (Ottawa 67’s) and Todd Gill (Kingston Frontenacs).

“Once again the CCHL demonstrates it develops players, coaches and officials as well as any league in North America,” Abrams adds.

“While we lose people to higher levels it also confirms we have attracted and will continue to attract quality people like Sheldon Keefe.”

Smiths Falls Bears’ head coach Mark Grady, who coached against Keefe in his last CCHL game Sunday night in Pembroke (the first place Bears won 3-0) was also high in his praise.

“I’m very pleased for Sheldon. I enjoyed coaching against him. I’m sure he will do very well in the OHL.

“This goes to show we (CCHL) aren’t only a development league for players but also for coaches who want to move up,” Grady notes.

Keefe himself was unavailable for comment Monday morning.

Lumber Kings’ website says Keefe is leaving the club “in order to pursue other opportunities.”

The story on Lumber Kings’ site says long-time assistant coach Scott Mohns will assume Keefe’s duties with assistant GM and coach Shawn Cation continuing in his current role.

Keefe is also part of the Lumber Kings’ ownership group and the story says that structure will remain unchanged.

Bears bulk up

Smiths Falls Bears clearly have no intention of hibernating this winter!

Grady and company made several moves in an effort to strengthen the league pace setters prior to Saturday’s league trade freeze.

In two separate deals with last place Kemptville 73’s, Bears added forwards Blaine Byron and Jake Butler and defenceman Jesse Lussier. They also picked up blueliner Patrick Crampton in a trade with Hawkesbury Hawks but dealt him to Kemptville as part of the moves involving 73’s. In addition Bears have acquired the CCHL rights to former Kemptville star Brandon Lesway.

Traded to 73’s were forwards Jesse Blais and Cole Allard and the rights to Dean Galasso.

Grady is pleased with the moves.

“Jesse Blais is just 17 and he is going to be a star in this league,” he says of one of the players moved to Kemptville.

“But Blaine (Byron) is a dynamic, skilled forward. Jesse Lussier is a big defenceman and we are lacking in size in certain areas. Jake (Butler) is a big kid who will also give us some more physical presence.”

Grady says he doesn’t expect to see Lesway in a Smiths Falls’ uniform anytime soon.

“He’s playing for Sherbrooke in the Quebec (Major Junior) league. But he’s an area boy and he will be added to our reserve list. I don’t expect to have him this season, but you never know how things will go.”

As for Sunday’s win in Pembroke, Bears’ head man wasn’t overly pleased with the club’s performance.

“We didn’t play very well. Our goalie was really good. Patrick (Martin) has been excellent lately.”

Martin leads the league in shutouts with five. All have come in Bears last 17 games.

Grady says all the player moves are no guarantee of ultimate success.

“Everyone knows how competitive this league is. Any team in the upper echelon can win. I’m just happy we are opening a little space right now.”

Busy Sunday in CCHL

Smiths Falls 3 – Pembroke 0: Bears continue to demonstrate why they have been on top of the league standings for most of the current campaign. Sunday night they blanked a strong Lumber Kings squad and right in Pembroke. The win left Smiths Falls with a four point lead on their nearest opponents, Nepean and Ottawa who are tied atop the Yzerman Division standings. Bears’ goalie Patrick Martin picked up his fifth shutout and his 16th victory. Both are league highs. The visitors dominated proceedings in front of more than 900 fans at Pembroke Memorial Centre, outshooting Kings 40-28. Smiths Falls scored once in each period. Light scoring forward Nolan Trombetta fired what proved to be the winner just past the midway mark of the opening stanza. It was his fourth goal in 22 appearances. Karson McCartney with his seventh and newly acquired Blaine Byron with his first in a Smiths Falls uniform had the other goals. Byron is one of three players Bears acquired in two separate deals with last place Kemptville on Nov. 30. Andy Munroe made 37 saves but suffered his eighth loss against 11 wins in the Pembroke cage. Each team picked up five minor penalties. All of the goals were even strength strikes. Martin earned first star honours.

Nepean 5 – Cornwall 1: The defending champion Raiders moved into a tie for first place with Ottawa in the see-saw Yzerman race with an important win over a much improved Cornwall team Sunday afternoon at Nepean Sportsplex. Nepean and Ottawa stood a point ahead of Pembroke in the six-team loop Monday morning. Colts led 32-30 in shots but only managed to put one puck behind Raiders’ net minder Ryan Mulder who won his seventh game against three setbacks. Recently returned centre Mitchell Herlihey had a big game scoring a hat trick and adding an assist to boost his points total to eight in 11 games. Herlihey opened scoring with a powerplay effort at 5:47 of the first and eight minutes later he rifled what proved to be the game winner past Cornwall goalie James Edwardson. He completed his hat trick with just 3:25 left in the game. Vincent Llorca and Phillip Nasca also had powerplay strikes for Raiders who were an impressive three for four with the man advantage. The home team scored three in the first and added two more in the third. Roman Ammirato had the only Cornwall goal early in the second period. Sixteen of the game’s 23 penalties came during an unfriendly third period which saw two Nepean players and one from Cornwall ejected. Forwards Tanner Spink of Colts and Cameron Yarwood of Raiders will miss their team’s next games for fighting in the last 10 minutes of play. Their scrap occurred with just 14 seconds remaining.

Brockville 8 – Carleton Place 5: The visiting Braves completed a two-for-two weekend by downing a suddenly struggling Carleton Place side who suffered their third loss of the week and second straight on home ice. Canadians had started the week as the hottest team in the CCHL with nine victories in 11 games. The trio of setbacks leaves them six points behind Robinson Division and league leaders Smiths Falls. They are just two ahead of Cornwall who lost twice on the weekend. Despite their victories Brockville (14-14-0-3) is fourth in the Robinson, eight points behind Colts. Carleton Place outshot the visitors 34-29 but found themselves up against newly returned Braves’ goalie Andrew Pikul who made his first start of the season a winning one. Pikul appeared in 29 games for Brockville last year posting a solid 19-6-1-1 mark. Braves emerged from a hectic first period with a 4-3 lead. They then outscored the home team 2-1 in each of the second and third periods. Justin Laforest started in goal for Canadians. He was lifted just seven minutes, 50 seconds into the game after surrendering three goals on just six shots. His replacement Brendan O’Neill stopped 18 of 22 shots but suffered the loss. Braves’ ace Ben Blasko moved within two points of CCHL scoring leader Chris Maniccia of Smiths Falls by scoring once and helping out on three to reach the 55 point mark. Brockville’s second leading scorer David Ferreira led the way with a hat trick and one assist. Zach Todd added a goal and one set-up for the winners. Impressive rookie defenceman Kelly Summers triggered his first CCHL hat trick for Carleton Place while centre Evan Peterson netted twice and set up one of Summers’ strikes. Braves’ Erik Brown wrapped up the scoring parade with an empty netter with three seconds remaining. Canadians were a good three for seven with the man advantage.

Kemptville 6 – Hawkesbury 4: With several new faces in the line-up as a result of pre-deadline trades, the new-look 73’s handed the visiting Hawks a setback in their bid to move up in the Robinson Division and overall league standings. Forward Brandon Seatter, acquired in a deal with Carleton Place, lit it up for Kemptville in just his second game. Seatter, a 17-year-old centre from Ottawa, fired a first period powerplay goal and set up three others. He had seven points in 12 appearances for Canadians prior to last week’s move. Seatter’s goal came in the first period after the visiting Hawks had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Sunday afternoon’s contest. Kemptville trailed 3-1 and 4-2 at the intervals but erupted for three unanswered in the final stanza to ground Hawks. Right winger Jesse Blais, picked up in one of two trades with Smiths Falls, scored in his first game for his new club. Defenceman Shane Snow and forwards Brett Varrin and Joey House had the third period strikes for 73’s. House’s goal was an empty netter with 18 seconds left. Hawkesbury scoring leader Brandon Bussey had two of the early goals to give him 10 markers and 31 points. Centre Jean-Pierre Larmoyeux and high scoring defenceman Holden Anderson had a goal and one assist each in a losing cause. Kemptville goalie Jacob Tugnutt was excellent turning aside 32 shots as the visitors held a slight 36-35 advantage in scoring chances. The 73’s were an impressive three for four on the powerplay which greatly aided their cause. Hawks picked up six of nine penalties with each team having a player ejected as the result of a first period fight.

Cumberland 4 – Gloucester 2: Grads won only their eighth game in 29 appearances this season at home Sunday afternoon. But the two points moved last place Cumberland within four points of the fifth place Rangers in the Yzerman Division. Grads also have a big four games in hand on their nearest opponent. The Navan club led 1-0 and 4-1 at the intermissions and they outshot Gloucester 42-37. Forwards Matthew Morin and Mark Golberg each scored twice for the winners. Both players now have nine goals. Newly acquired defenceman Andrew DeBrincat, picked up in a trade with Nepean, had two assists in his first game for Grads. Defenceman Carl-Philippe Ouimet, playing in his first game after being dealt to Gloucester from Pembroke, scored his first of the campaign during a second period powerplay. Patrick White with his 11th for Rangers rounded out scoring early in the third period. Reilly Turner was the winning net minder while Gunner Rivers suffered the loss. Cumberland picked up five of the game’s eight minor penalties. Each team struck once with the man advantage.

Bears continue charge

Smiths Falls 7 – Gloucester 2: The first place Bears looked sluggish early but came to life in the third period to record their 22nd win in 32 tries in front of more than 600 at Smiths Falls Memorial Centre Friday. Five unanswered goals in the final frame did it for Bears who outshot Rangers 38-33. It was their seventh victory in 10 games while Gloucester, who is fading fast in the Yzerman standings, dropped their fifth in a row and eighth in the last 10. The visitors held league scoring leader Chris Maniccia to one assist. But rookie defenceman Cameron Romoff triggered a hat trick (his first goals in 12 games) and added an assist. Veteran forward Jeffrey Carroll had a five point night, including his 11th goal. Right winger Connor McLaren set up four. Goalie Patrick Martin backstopped the win with a strong 31 save performance to move to an impressive 15-5, the best mark in the CCHL. Gloucester led in shots over two periods and goalie Dylan BrindAmour was steady as the teams were deadlocked 1-1 and 2-2 at the intermissions. Patrick White and Christian Leger were the Gloucester goal-getters. Rangers collected seven of 12 minor penalties and Bears responded with a pair of powerplay markers in the five-goal third period.

Ottawa 5 – Kemptville 2: Junior Senators, the Yzerman Division leaders, rang up their fifth consecutive win at the expense of 73’s who have fallen into a deep hole at the bottom of the 12-team league. Still, Kemptville had to be inspired by the tremendous display put on by rookie goalie Jacob Tugnutt. He turned aside an incredible 53 shots as the visitors held a wide territorial edge, out chancing Kemptville 58-25.Tugnutt, the game’s second star, kept his club in the game for two periods. Sens led 2-1 and 3-2 at the intervals before finally putting it away with two unanswered in the final stanza. Sens’ scoring leaders Ben Robillard and Ryan Collins each had a goal and one assist with single markers credited to Dylan Giberson, Michael Evelyn and Eric Witzel. Mason Nowak and Brett Varrin replied for lowly Kemptville. The home team took 11 of 15 penalties but their penalty kill worked well most of the night. They limited Ottawa to one powerplay strike on eight opportunities. Alexandre Savard-Belanger was the winning goalie improving his record to 8-4. Kemptville maintained their improved attendance average with 211 in the stands. The 73’s are 10th in the league in attendance with an average of 200 fans per game at North Grenville Municipal Complex.

Pembroke 3 – Carleton Place 2: The charging Lumber Kings stayed hard on the heels of Junior Senators, edging Canadians in Carleton Place Friday night. It was the third consecutive victory for Lumber Kings and their seventh in the past 10 outings. Carleton Place fell to fourth overall in the tight overall standings, dropping their second game of the week to Yzerman Division teams. They lost a heartbreaker in Ottawa two nights earlier. This one was tight all the way! Pembroke outshot Carleton Place 31-27 but the clubs were deadlocked heading into the third period. Right winger Brendan McGuire’s second of the night and 11th of the season, just one minute, 46 seconds into the final stanza, proved to be the winner. Winning goalie Darren Smith stopped all 11 shots Canadians fired at him in the third. Patrice Wren had the game opening goal for Kings in the first. Alex Frere with a first period powerplay marker and Carleton Place goal scoring leader Kevin Dufour, with his 17th, answered for the home side. Recently arrived Canadians’ goalie Brendan O’Neill saw his record evened at 2-2. Both teams were assessed seven penalties. Carleton Place forward Stephen Baylis picked up a major penalty and a game misconduct for head contact late in the opening period.

Nepean 1 – Hawkesbury 0: Raiders stayed in the thick of the battle for first place overall in the league, squeezing past the much improved Hawks in Hawkesbury Friday night. This one was obviously a defensive struggle. But it can’t be called a “goaltender’s duel” because there were just 41 shots recorded in the game, 21 of those by the home team. Matt Zawadzki picked up his first shutout of the season in 22 net minding appearances for Raiders. He improved his record to 13-8. Neither goalie figured in the three star selection however. Nepean centre Dalen Hedges, the third leading scorer in the CCHL, potted the only goal of the game during a powerplay with just 36 seconds remaining in period two. Hedges, who moved to 22 goals and 47 points, was the game’s second star. Hawks led the penalty parade taking seven of 11 minors called by veteran referees Chad White and Patrick Brown. Hawkesbury defenceman Ryan Kruss was assessed three penalties. The second, a boarding call, was the only penalty whistled in the middle frame. It proved costly as Hedges triggered the game’s only goal while Kruss was in the box. Carmine Guerriero was the losing goaltender.

Brockville 6 – Cornwall 5 (SO): Braves won the latest in their Highway 401 series with arch rival and Seaway neighbours Cornwall. They needed a shootout to record their first win in three tries against Colts this season. Friday’s game was played in front of 864 fans at Brockville Memorial Centre. It was only the fourth win in 10 tries for Braves who remained a distant fourth in the Robinson Division. Colts fell for the third time in four games but two of those setbacks came in shootouts. The rivals were deadlocked at two after 20 minutes and Cornwall led 4-3 heading to the third. Brockville struck twice in the third period. Defenceman Zach Todd tied the game and forced overtime with his ninth goal at the 11:33 mark. Overtime was scoreless although the home team led 4-1 in shots on goal. In the shootout phase Braves outscored Colts 2-1 to pick up the bonus point. Centre and team captain Chris Roll scored twice in regulation giving him nine goals and 26 points. Brockville’s second leading scorer David Ferreira had a goal and two assists. Team leader Ben Blasko improved his second place standing in the CCHL scoring race to 51 points with four assists. Centre Mitch Zion and defenceman Stephen Johnson had a goal and two assists apiece to lead Colts. Centre Roman Ammirato and winger Kevin Hope had a goal and one helper each in a losing cause. Braves held a solid 46-30 edge in shots with Matthew Jenkins the winning goaltender. Jordan Piccolino was the hard luck loser despite making 40 saves. Cornwall was two for five on the powerplay while Brockville was one for six.

Early week games

Cornwall 8 – Kanata 4: The stampeding Colts easily tamed Stallions Thursday night, dominating territorially and using a big third period to finish off the visitors. The result further tightened the already compact overall standings. Colts, who earned 13 points from 10 games, moved within three points of Carleton Place and Ottawa who were tied for second overall in the CCHL. Kanata, who split their last 10 outings, remained four behind the first place Junior Senators in the Yzerman. Cornwall outshot the visitors 43-21 but was kept at bay by Stallions’ goalie Brandon Lane who made 35 saves including 16 in the first period alone. Colts led 1-0 after 20 minutes and the teams traded three goals apiece in the middle stanza. Cornwall connected four times in the third including three markers in a span of two minutes, eight seconds that sealed the deal. Veteran forward Mitch Zion led the winners with two goals and an assist. Team scoring leaders Marly Quince, Michael Pontarelli and Roman Ammirato each had a goal and one helper. Billy Ulrick assisted on three Colts’ tallies. Veteran left winger Doug Harvey, who has seen limited action for Kanata this season, scored twice, his first goals of the campaign. Team leaders Derian Plouffe and Brandon Petrie had the others. There were just nine minor penalties called, five going to Cornwall. Each team netted twice on the powerplay.

Ottawa 3 – Carleton Place 1: Junior Senators won a goaltender’s duel at home Wednesday edging Canadians in an outstanding match-up of two of the league’s elite clubs. Carleton Place missed an opportunity to pull even with first place Smiths Falls at the top of the CCHL’s tight overall standings. Ottawa moved level with Carleton Place in points with 41. Sens topped the Yzerman tussle following the game while Canadians remained second to Bears in the Robinson. The visitors held a 26-25 shots edge but couldn’t put enough rubber past Ottawa goalie Alexandre Savard-Belanger, the game’s first star. New Carleton Place net minder Brendan O’Neill was no slouch either. He kicked out 22 shots and was the hard luck loser, falling to 2-1. O’Neill was named third star! Dependable Brock Edwards gave Canadians a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, netting No. 10. Younger brother and line mate Luke assisted on the play to take over the team scoring lead with 31 points. Right winger Joey Champigny tied it with his first of two at 13:37 of the middle stanza. Ottawa leader Ben Robillard fired the winner during a Sens’ powerplay midway through the third. The outcome was in doubt until Champigny put his fifth of the campaign into the empty Carleton Place cage with five seconds left. Robillard also earned an assist to up his team leading points total to 35. There were just seven minor penalties in the well-played contest, four going to the home team.

Pembroke 7 – Kanata 2: After falling behind 2-0 the visiting Lumber Kings triggered seven straight goals Tuesday to rout Stallions in front of more than 300 Kanata fans. Centre Tyler Gaudet and defenceman Keegan Harper both fired a pair of markers as Pembroke won for the seventh time in 10 games. In the process they moved into top spot in the highly competitive Yzerman Division and stood third overall in the league following the contest. Stallions remained fourth in the division, three points off the pace. Lumber Kings outshot the home side 33-23. Kanata starter Brandon Lane was replaced by rookie goalie Brayden St-Germain after the fifth Pembroke goal. High flying right winger Timmy Moore had four assists giving him eight points in five games. Gaudet added one helper for a three point night while defenceman Charlie Connell and newly arrived forward Jordan Boucher-Gould each had a goal and one assist. Rookie winger Braedan Moffatt with his sixth and team scoring leader Derian Plouffe with his 19th gave the home team their short-lived two goal advantage. Kanata picked up nine of the game’s 17 penalties and the visitors took advantage scoring three times on six powerplay chances. All three came during a five goal second period for Pembroke.

This week’s 14 game CCHL schedule opens with three games on Tuesday night. Pembroke travels to Navan to face Cumberland Grads at 7 o’clock, Kanata hosts Kemptville and Brockville will be in Smiths Falls. The latter contests are both 7:30 starts.

Jeff Maguire is a career journalist based in Carleton Place. He has covered junior hockey in Ontario for 41 years. Jeff’s report will appear on the CCHL website every Monday throughout the season. He can be reached by e-mail at: jeffrey.maguire@rogers.com