SAINT JOHN, NB --- The 2009-10 edition of the Saint John Sea Dogs made history on Sunday afternoon, capturing the Jean Rougeau Trophy as QMJHL regular season champions for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Halifax Mooseheads by a score of 5-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 6,488 at Harbour Station.

Toronto, ON - As teams wrangle for playoff positions, U.S. fans will get a taste of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) action in the month leading up to the league's pinnacle tournament -- the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The NHL Network U.S. in association with the CHL today announced it will carry three regular-season CHL games during the month of March -- highlighted by a Windsor-London clash on March 12. Windsor's roster includes two of the top three rated prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, LW Taylor Hall and D Cam Fowler.

Kamloops, BC - Kamloops Blazers General Manager Craig Bonner announced the signing of sixteen year old forward Lyndon Martell to a standard WHL contract. Martell, from Prince George, BC, was listed by the Blazers in September of 2009 following the conclusion of training camp.

 

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings for week twenty-four of the 2009-10 season. The weekly rankings of the Canadian Hockey League's Top 10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Jake Allen of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the CHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this month.

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that forward Tyler Johnson, of the Spokane Chiefs, has been named the HUSKY WHL Player of the Month for February.

The 19-year-old forward from Spokane, Washington, notched 24 points through the month of February finding the net 10 times and accumulating 14 assists to go along with a +8 rating. Johnson led all WHL players in scoring through February, picking up points in 10 of his 13 games played, 10 of which were multi-point nights, including four three-point games.

Johnson's 24 points in February has him sitting 3rd in Chiefs team scoring with 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games played. His consistent play led the Chiefs' to a 11-2-0-0 record on the month and currently sit 4th in the WHL Western Conference with a 40-21-3-1 record for 84 points, just three points back of the third place Everett Silvertips. Johnson's efforts also earned him a Three Star selection in seven games, with four being 1st Stars.

Johnson is playing his third full season in Spokane after the Chiefs selected him in the 11th round of the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft. He has appeared in 188 WHL regular season games collecting 159 points (70 goals, 89 assists) and recently helped lead Team USA to a Gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships.

His accomplishments make Tyler Johnson a deserving choice as the HUSKY WHL Player of the Month for February.

HUSKY - proud sponsor of the WHL Education Program and the Canada West WHL Graduate of the Month.

2009-10 HUSKY WHL Player of the Month

February: Tyler Johnson, Spokane Chiefs

January: Linden Vey, Medicine Hat Tigers

December: Brad Ross, Portland Winterhawks

November: James Reid, Spokane Chiefs

September/October: Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats

 

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Patrick Killeen of the Brampton Battalion is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 28. This marks the second straight week and third time this season where a goaltender has claimed the award. Killeen went 3-0-0-0 with two shutout victories posting a goals-against-average of 0.67 and save percentage of.972.

(Windsor) Left-winger Taylor Hall is the Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week as selected by the Spitfires coaching staff for the week ending Sunday, February 28th, 2010. In three games last week, Hall scored two goals and added four assists for six points. He posted a +5 plus-minus rating as he led the CHL's #3 ranked team to a 2-1 record.

Calgary, AB - Just two weeks remain in the 2009-10 Western Hockey League regular season as teams continue the battle for the few remaining playoff spots and important playoff positioning.

So far, 13 of the possible 16 playoff spots have been claimed, with just three Eastern Conference playoff berths still up for grabs. In the Western Conference, all eight playoff spots are accounted for.

This season, the WHL's Eastern and Western Conferences will use a Conference playoff format.

The first place teams in the two Divisions in each Conference will receive the top two playoff seeds based on regular season points. The next six Clubs in each Conference, based on regular season points, will receive the 3rd - 8th playoff positions. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5 in a best-of-seven series.

The first place Clubs in each Division will be guaranteed the top two playoff seeds in the first round. As in previous seasons, the format for the remaining three rounds of the WHL Playoffs will remain the same. The four Clubs winning first round series in each Conference will advance to the second round, where they will be ranked in order of regular season points. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 4, and 2 vs. 3 in best of seven series.

The two Clubs winning the second round series in each Conference will advance to the third round (WHL Conference Championships), where they will be ranked in order of regular season points. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 2 in a best of seven series.

The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will advance to the best of seven WHL Championship Series, with the Club having the most regular season points receiving home ice advantage

EASTERN CONFERENCE

X denotes clinched playoff spot Y denotes clinched division, *denotes Division leader

1) Calgary Hitmen* X 45-17-1-2, 93pts, 7 games remaining

2) Saskatoon Blades* X 43-15-3-4, 93pts, 7 games remaining

3) Brandon Wheat Kings X 44-18-1-3, 92pts, 6 games remaining

4) Kootenay Ice X 39-22-3-2, 83pts, 6 games remaining

5) Red Deer Rebels X 38-23-0-4, 80pts, 7 games remaining

6) Medicine Hat Tigers 35-23-3-5, 78pts, 6 games remaining

7) Moose Jaw Warriors 31-24-5-4, 71pts, 8 games remaining

8) Swift Current Broncos 33-29-0-4, 70pts, 6 games remaining

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9) Prince Albert Raiders 30-30-3-2, 65pts, 7 games remaining

10) Regina Pats 27-32-3-4, 61pts, 6 games remaining

11) Lethbridge Hurricanes 19-39-5-3, 46pts, 6 games remaining

12) Edmonton Oil Kings 16-37-4-9, 45pts, 6 games remaining

The Red Deer Rebels added their name to the list of teams to have clinched playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, while the Medicine Hat Tigers can lock up a spot with any combination of wins and Prince Albert losses totaling two.

The race for first place in the Eastern Conference appears to be heading down to the wire with the Calgary Hitmen and Saskatoon Blades sitting tied with 93 points apiece and the Brandon Wheat Kings just one point back.

The Hitmen hold a comfortable 10-point lead for the Central Division title and will clinch their third straight division crown with one more victory from their remaining seven games or if Kootenay and Red Deer both drop two more points. The Hitmen face the Ice in Cranbrook next Saturday before hosting the Blades on Sunday in another key Conference battle.

The Blades hold a one-point lead over the Wheat Kings for the East Division crown, and also hold a game in hand on the Wheaties. The two teams hook up for a crucial head-to-head battle in Brandon on Wednesday, live on SHAW.

The Kootenay Ice currently hold a three-point lead over the Red Deer Rebels for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and home-ice advantage in at least the first round of the playoffs, but the Rebels hold one game in hand on the Ice. The teams meet up for a home-and-home series next week for what could be a preview of a possible first-round playoff encounter.

The Tigers are two points back of the Rebels for fifth place in the Conference, but have played one more game than the Rebels. The Tigers face both the Rebels and Ice once more each, and close out the season with a home-and-home series versus Lethbridge. The Tigers will book their spot in the post-season with just one more win or a Prince Albert loss.

The race for the final playoff berths in the Conference has eased up slightly over the last week. The Moose Jaw Warriors are in seventh with 71 points while the Swift Current Broncos are just one point back in eighth place. Having lost three straight games, the Prince Albert Raiders have fallen five points back of the Broncos for the eighth playoff spot in the Conference, but still hold one game in hand.

The Warriors hold two games in hand on the Broncos and a game in hand on the Raiders. The Warriors play six of their remaining eight games away from home, and will face the Broncos two more times this season while also playing Brandon twice and Saskatoon once.

The Broncos play four of their remaining six games on the road, including tough trips to Calgary and Red Deer, and will also pay a visit to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Needing to close a five-point gap for a playoff spot, the Raiders face a difficult schedule in the final two weeks of the season. A three-game road trip awaits them this week, with stops in Calgary, Red Deer and Regina, while they also face the Wheat Kings once more and the Blades twice more before the end of the regular-season.

The Pats now find themselves nine points adrift in the playoff race, and have just six games remaining to close that gap. The Pats can afford to drop no more than three points while hoping the Broncos don't gain more than three points or the Warriors gain more than two points if they have any hope of making the playoffs.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Tri-City Americans * X 44-18-1-2, 91pts, 7 games remaining

2) Vancouver Giants* XY 39-22-2-3, 83pts, 6 games remaining

3) Everett Silvertips X 41-19-3-2, 87pts, 7 games remaining

4) Spokane Chiefs X 40-21-3-1, 84pts, 7 games remaining

5) Portland Winterhawks X 40-23-2-1, 83pts, 6 games remaining

6) Kelowna Rockets X 30-30-2-4, 66pts, 6 games remaining

7) Kamloops Blazers X 30-31-2-4, 66pts, 5 games remaining

8) Chilliwack Bruins X 29-31-1-5, 64pts, 6 games remaining

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9) Seattle Thunderbirds 17-36-7-5, 46pts, 7 games remaining

10) Prince George Cougars 11-51-1-2, 25pts, 7 games remaining

The Chilliwack Bruins and Kamloops Blazers both claimed playoff berths over the last week, meaning all eight Western Conference playoff teams have been determined. All that's left to decide is playoff positioning.

The Vancouver Giants have already clinched the B.C. Division for a fifth straight year, meaning they are guaranteed the first or second seed in the Conference. Currently eight points back of the Tri-City Americans for the Western Conference lead, the Giants cannot drop any more than four points from their remaining six games while hoping the Ams gain no more than three points for any hope of finishing first in the Conference.

The Americans currently hold a four-point lead over the Everett Silvertips, a seven-point lead over Spokane and an eight-point cushion over Portland for first place in the tough U.S. Division. The Ams, 'Tips and Chiefs have all played 65 games while the Hawks have played one more.

The Ams are looking for their third straight U.S. Division title, but face a tough stretch run with five of seven games on the road. The Ams will visit the Hawks twice more before closing out the season with a home-and-home series versus archrival Spokane.

The Silvertips also play five of their remaining seven games away from home, but face a less daunting schedule with only one game versus a top-four opponent in the Western Conference. The 'Tips are in Kamloops on Tuesday before heading to Prince George for a pair of contests on Friday and Saturday.

The Chiefs have won nine of their last 10 games and find themselves on the heels of Everett for third place in the Conference. A three-game road trip will take them through Kelowna, Portland and Seattle this week. However, they face a tough test on the final weekend of the season with a home-and-home series versus the Americans before a final meeting with Everett on the season's last day of action.

The Winterhawks sit only one point back of Spokane for fourth place in the Conference and home-ice advantage through at least the opening playoff round, but have played one more game than the Chiefs. The Hawks play their next four games at home, and all versus the teams they are chasing with two meetings versus Tri-cities and one encounter each versus Everett and Spokane.

The Rockets, Blazers and Bruins are all jockeying for sixth through eighth places in the Conference, though all three teams already know they will begin the post-season on the road.

The Blazers picked up a pair of wins from their last two games, and now share sixth place in the Conference with Kelowna. The Blazers, however, have played one more game than the Rockets and Bruins. Four of the last five games for the Blazers are at home, including two versus 10th-placed Prince George.

The Rockets play four of their remaining six games at home, but face tough tests down the stretch with two games apiece versus Vancouver and Spokane.

The Bruins return home this week after posting a 3-3 record on an East Division road trip. Tough opponents Tri-Cities and Vancouver will pay visits to Chilliwack next weekend.

BOB CLARKE TROPHY RACE

Jordan Eberle, REG 45g-50a-95pts, 6 games remaining

Craig Cunningham, VAN 37g-56a-93pts, 6 games remaining

Brandon Kozun, CGY 30g-63a-93pts, 7 games remaining

Jordan Weal, REG 31g-61a-92pts, 6 games remaining

Dustin Sylvester, KTN 34g-54a-88pts, 6 games remaining

•

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, March 1, 2010 - Montreal Juniors forward Nicolas Chouinard and Drummondville Voltigeurs netminder Jake Allen today were named the TELUS offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from February 22 to 28.

Chouinard scored six goals and added two assists in four Juniors road games. The Matane native collected a career-high five goals in a 9-7 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs on Tuesday. Moreover, he posted a +4 rating and won 66.7% of his draws. Finally, he registered a game-winning goal and added a shorthanded marker.

Gabriel Dumont (Voltigeurs), Zack Phillips (Sea Dogs) and Sean Couturier (Voltigeurs) were also considered.

The Voltigeurs goaltender was spectacular, going 188 minutes and 47 seconds without allowing a single goal; the second longest streak in QMJHL history. Allen also recorded four wins, including two by shutout. He maintained a 0.50 goals-against-average and .980 save percentage while facing an average of 25.5 shots per game.

Marc-Antoine Desnoyers (Voltigeurs), Jol Chouinard (Tigres) and Nathan Beaulieu (Sea Dogs) were also in the running.

 

Barrie, ON- The Barrie Colts are currently ranked as the number one team in all of Canada. The CHL released the top-ten rankings in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

LEWISTON, ME - Nicholas Chouinard's five goals lifted the Montreal Junior to a wild 9-7 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs Tuesday night at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. The game featured 12 different goals scorers.

Lewiston took a 3-1 lead on its first four shots on goal, chasing Jean-Francois Berube from the game. Three times the MAINEiacs held two goal leads, but Montreal was able to battle back, inspired by a solid effort by Chouinard who scored five goals on 11 shots in the final two periods of play.

The Montreal comeback began after Jess Tanguy scored a power play goal, giving the a MAINEiacs 5-3 lead. David Rose scored less than a minute later to pull the Junior within one. From there, Chouinard scored the next five for Montreal to seal the win. Lewiston went three for five on the power play. The MAINEiacs were outshot 37-30

Chouinard's five goal performance set a franchise record for most goals in one game by a player. Pierre-Olivier Morin finished with three assists. The loss now lands the MAINEiacs five points ahead of Baie-Comeau for the final playoff spot with eight games remaining in the regular season.

 

 

Calgary, AB - Three weeks remain in the 2009-10 Western Hockey League regular season as teams battle for remaining playoff spots and important playoff positioning.

So far, 10 teams have clinched playoff berths, with six Western Conference teams already locking up their place in the 2010 post-season and four Eastern Conference club assured of playoff hockey.

This season, the WHL's Eastern and Western Conferences will use a Conference playoff format.

The first place teams in the two Divisions in each Conference will receive the top two playoff seeds based on regular season points. The next six Clubs in each Conference, based on regular season points, will receive the 3rd - 8th playoff positions. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5 in a best-of-seven series.

The first place Clubs in each Division will be guaranteed the top two playoff seeds in the first round. As in previous seasons, the format for the remaining three rounds of the WHL Playoffs will remain the same. The four Clubs winning first round series in each Conference will advance to the second round, where they will be ranked in order of regular season points. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 4, and 2 vs. 3 in best of seven series.

The two Clubs winning the second round series in each Conference will advance to the third round (WHL Conference Championships), where they will be ranked in order of regular season points. The Clubs will be paired 1 vs. 2 in a best of seven series.

The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will advance to the best of seven WHL Championship Series, with the Club having the most regular season points receiving home ice advantage

EASTERN CONFERENCE

X denotes clinched playoff spot, *denoted Division leader

1) Saskatoon Blades* X 41-14-3-3, 88pts, 11 games remaining

2) Calgary Hitmen* X 43-17-1-1, 88pts, 10 games remaining

3) Brandon Wheat Kings X 42-17-1-3, 88pts, 9 games remaining

4) Kootenay Ice X 39-19-3-2, 83pts, 9 games remaining

5) Medicine Hat Tigers 34-22-3-5, 76pts, 8 games remaining

6) Red Deer Rebels 35-22-0-4, 74pts, 11 games remaining

7) Swift Current Broncos 31-29-0-4, 66pts, 8 games remaining

8) Prince Albert Raiders 30-27-3-2, 65pts, 10 games remaining

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9) Moose Jaw Warriors 28-24-4-4, 64pts, 12 games remaining

10) Regina Pats 26-29-3-4, 59pts, 10 games remaining

11) Edmonton Oil Kings 15-36-4-8, 42pts, 9 games remaining

12) Lethbridge Hurricanes 17-39-4-3, 41pts, 9 games remaining

Three more teams clinched playoff spots in the Eastern Conference over the last week, with the Calgary Hitmen, Saskatoon Blades and Kootenay Ice all booking their place in the 2010 post-season.

At the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the race is tight for first place as the Hitmen, Blades and Wheat Kings all sit deadlocked at 88 points apiece.

The Blades have a game in hand on Calgary and two games in hand on the Wheat Kings, and play both teams one more time each this season. The Blades have an even number of home and away games remaining on their sked.

The Wheat Kings have a relatively light schedule remaining, with only two of their remaining nine games against teams among the WHL's top 10. They also play seven of their remaining nine games at home, where they are a dominant 22-5-0-2.

The Hitmen have a five-point lead over Kootenay for the Central Division lead, but face a tough stretch run. Although they play seven of their remaining 10 games at home, they face tough opponents like Red Deer - three times - Kootenay and Saskatoon.

The Kootenay Ice clinched a playoff berth for the 12th consecutive season, and are looking to lock up one of the top four spots in the Conference. The Ice currently lead Medicine Hat by seven points for fourth place in the Conference, and have a game in hand. All nine of their remaining games are against divisional opponents.

The Tigers currently lead Red Deer by two points for fifth place in the Conference, but the Rebels hold three games in hand on the Tigers. Seven of Red Deer's remainin11 games are versus the Ice, Tigers and Hitmen. The Tigers play six of their remaining eight games on home ice, where they boast a 19-8-1-2 record.

Just four points separates seventh-placed Swift Current from ninth-placed Moose Jaw, with the Prince Albert Raiders sandwiched in between - only one point back of the Broncos.

The Broncos have only eight games left to play, and will face the Warriors twice and the Raiders once, along with tough games versus Calgary, Vancouver and Red Deer.

The Raiders have two games in hand on the Broncos, and will play six of their remaining 10 games on the road, where they have struggled with just seven road victories this season.

The Warriors hold four games in hand on the Broncos and two in hand on the Raiders. The Warriors play a season-ending home-and-home series versus the Broncos, but also face tough tests with two games each versus the high powered Wheat Kings and Blades.

The Regina Pats are six points adrift in the race for a playoff berth, and play six of their remaining 10 games on the road where they have won just eight times. The Pats also face the Wheat Kings and Blades twice more this season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Tri-City Americans * X 41-17-1-2, 85pts, 11 games remaining

2) Vancouver Giants* X 37-20-2-3, 79pts, 10 games remaining

3) Everett Silvertips X 39-19-3-1, 82pts, 10 games remaining

4) Spokane Chiefs X 38-20-3-1, 80pts, 10 games remaining

5) Portland Winterhawks X 28-22-2-1, 79pts, 9 games remaining

6) Kelowna Rockets X 29-29-2-3, 63pts, 9 games remaining

7) Kamloops Blazers 28-30-2-4, 62pts, 8 games remaining

8) Chilliwack Bruins 27-29-1-5, 60pts, 10 games remaining

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9) Seattle Thunderbirds 15-35-7-4, 41pts, 11 games remaining

10) Prince George Cougars 11-46-1-2, 25pts, 12 games remaining

The defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets added their name to the list of teams who have clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Meanwhile, the race for the Western Conference lead also got a bit more heated over the last week, with the Everett Silvertips closing to within three points of the Conference-leading Tri-City Americans and the hard-charging Spokane Chiefs now just five points back of the Ams.

The Ams still lead the Conference with 85 points while holding at least one game in hand on their immediate challengers. The Americans have a tough road down the stretch as they play eight of their remaining 11 games away from home. The Ams face stiff competition, too, with three more games each versus Portland and Spokane and one more versus the Silvertips.

The Vancouver Giants maintain a healthy 16-point lead over the Kelowna Rockets for first place in the B.C. Division, but trail Tri-Cities by six points for the Western Conference lead. The Giants play eight of their remaining 10 games on the road, but will face only one team - the Brandon Wheat Kings - who is currently among the WHL's top 10. Vancouver needs just three more points or for Kelowna to drop three points to clinch their fifth straight B.C. Division title.

The Everett Silvertips sit just three points back of Tri-Cities for the U.S. Division lead while holding a two-point lead on Spokane and a three-point lead on Portland for third place in the Conference. The 'Tips play a light schedule down the stretch, with only four games combined versus Portland, Tri-Cities and Spokane.

The Chiefs charged back into contention for the U.S. Division thanks to their current seven-game winning streak. However, they face a tough schedule with three games versus the Ams, two versus Everett and one versus the Winterhawks.

The Winterhawks are just one point back of Spokane for fourth place in the Conference, and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, but have played one more game than the Chiefs and Hawks and two more than the Tri-City Americans. The Hawks face the Ams three more times this season - a team they have only beaten once in seven tries this season.

The Rockets currently sit 16 points back of Portland and 17 back of Spokane for fifth and fourth places, respectively, in the conference, and will be resigned to no better than sixth place if either of those teams gains two or more points. The Rockets still hold a one-point edge on Kamloops and a three-point lead over Chilliwack for sixth place. Five of the Rockets' nine remaining games are versus tough opponents in Vancouver, Spokane and Calgary.

The Blazers need just two more points or for Seattle to drop two points to clinch a playoff berth in the Western Conference, but can finish no higher than sixth place. The Blazers close out the season on a five-game home stand.

The Bruins need just four points or for Seattle to drop four more points to clinch a playoff spot and end their one-year absence from the post-season. Seven of the Bruins' 10 remaining contests are on the road.

The Seattle Thunderbirds are 19 points back of the Bruins for the eighth and final playoff spot, and will be eliminated if they drop four more points or if the Bruins gain four points and the Rockets gain two more points.

 

Kent,February 21, 2010 - Prab Rai tallied two goals and an assist including an empty-netter with 19 seconds remaining to help the Seattle Thunderbirds defeat the Kelowna Rockets 3-1 Sunday evening at the ShoWare Center.

Neither team was able to score during the first 40 minutes of action with the Rockets holding a 30-15 shot advantage going into the second intermission.

The T-Birds (15-35-7-4) took a 1-0 lead at 2:07 of the third period with Branden Troock-s first Western Hockey League goal. Erik Fleming fired a slap shot from the left point that Troock deflected past Rockets- goalie Mark Guggenberger. Prab Rai earned the second assist.

Troock was the Thunderbirds first round selection in the 2009 Bantam Draft.

Rai put the T-Birds in front 2-0 at 11:10 of the third when he forced a turnover inside the Rockets- defensive zone and snapped a low wrist shot from just inside the left circle that beat Guggenberger five- hole for his 36th goal of the season.

Kelowna (29-29-2-3) cut the Seattle lead to 2-1 at 16:46 of the period with Tyson Barrie-s 16th goal of the season. Brandon McMillan earned the assist.

Rai-s empty-net goal was his 37th goal of the season. Center Brendan Rouse earned the lone assist.

T-Bird goalie Calvin Pickard faced 43 shots and made 42 saves. His record improves to 13-29-7-4.

Guggenberger faced 22 shots and made 20 saves. He is now 3-10-1-0.

 

SARNIA, ON -- The Plymouth Whalers used excellent offensive balance Sunday in hammering the Sarnia Sting, 11-3, in an Ontario Hockey League game played before 2,687 at RBC Centre in Sarnia.

Eight Whalers scored at least one goal and fourteen skaters scored at least one point as Plymouth led, 4-1 after one period and 8-2 after forty minutes.

Plymouth won its fourth straight game (12-3-0-1 since Jan. 16) and improves to 36-22-0-2, good for 74 points and fourth seed in the OHL's Western Conference playoff race. In winning, the Whalers clinched a playoff berth for the 19th straight season, the current OHL record for making the playoffs in consecutive years. Plymouth missed the OHL playoffs in it's first-ever season in 1990-91 and has made the playoffs every season since.

The Whalers are now five points behind the third place Kitchener Rangers (37-17-3-2), who lost 5-4 in Oshawa on Sunday.

The last time Plymouth scored 11 goals came on Sept. 30, 1995 when the Whalers - known at that time as the Detroit Whalers - beat the Oshawa Generals, 11-5, in the team's first-ever game at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Although Plymouth center Tyler Seguin (the OHL's leading scorer with 45 goals and 53 assists for 98 points in 55 games) was named the game's first star with two goals and an assist, he had plenty of support from his teammates. Ryan Hayes also scored twice (13-14) and added an assist. Tyler Brown also scored twice (10-11) while Beau Schmitz (8), Garrett Meurs (14), Robbie Czarnik (12), Jamie Devane (6) and Stefan Noesen (3) all added singles. Defenseman Leo Jenner recorded three assists and was +5 and right wing James Livingston also added three assists.

Brett Ritchie (12), Jesse Stoughton (10) and Nathan Chiarlitti (5) scored for Sarnia, now 16-40-3-1.

Plymouth effectively put the game away in extending a 2-1 lead to 6-1 on first period goals by Seguin (17:05 of the first period), Hayes (19:57 of the first period), Seguin again (2:02 of the second period) and then Hayes again (3:29 of the second frame). Stoughton scored for Sarnia at 6:18 of the period, but the Whalers countered with goals by Brown (10:46) and Czarnik (11:52).

Leading 8-2 after forty minutes, Plymouth head coach Mike Vellucci pulled starting Plymouth goaltender Matt Hackett in favor of Scott Wedgewood at the start of the third period and used everyone on the roster the rest of the way. Plymouth rookies Stefan Noesen, Colin MacDonald and Nick Malysa saw their most extensive ice time of the season in this game.

Plymouth outshot Sarnia, 44-29.

 

SAINT JOHN, NB --- A season-high 6,128 fans witnessed the Saint John Sea Dogs capture their 48th win of the year in thrilling fashion on Sunday afternoon, as the Port City's major junior squad defeated the Rimouski Oceanic by a score of 3-2 in overtime at Harbour Station.

After sixty minutes of hard-hitting, back-and-forth action produced a 2-2 deadlock, superstar sniper Mike Hoffman netted his 13th game-winning goal of the year in the opening minute of OT to give the Sea Dogs a dramatic, sudden-death victory. Pittsburgh Penguins prospects Nick Petersen and Simon Desprs also scored for Saint John in the gritty home ice effort, with sophomore goaltender Karel St-Laurent improving to 16-4 on the year after turning aside 27 of the 29 shots sent his way by Oceanic skaters on the afternoon.

At the other end of the ice, Patrick Delisle-Houde and Ryan Kavanagh each tallied markers for the visitors, while overage net minder Matthew Dopud suffered his 35th career loss despite turning in a highly-impressive 44-save performance for Rimouski.

Dopud was pounded with vulcanized rubber in the early-going, with the Sea Dogs registering the first five shots on goal as the ice surface appeared to be tilted towards the Oceanic's net in the opening minutes of play. Saint John defenseman Yann Sauv also administered a bone-crunching body check upon star Rimouski forward Petr Straka early in the first period, setting the tone for the afternoon in doing so.

Nick Petersen gave the home team a 1-0 lead at the 4:33 mark of the opening frame, beating Dopud from close range on a low wrist shot during a four-on-four session. Mike Hoffman and Pierre Durepos both picked up assists on Petersen's marker, his 35th of the year.

Rimouski tied things up at one apiece midway through the second period, with Patrick Delisle-Houde knocking home a rebound produced by a Casey Babineau point shot to improve his 2009-10 goals total to 16. Superstar blue-liner Simon Desprs put the hosts back on top late in the middle frame, carrying the puck into Oceanic territory and ripping a high wrist shot past Dopud's blocker to send Sunday's showdown into the second intermission with the Sea Dogs ahead 2-1.

Ryan Kavanagh re-tied the match up in the opening minute of period number three, firing home a net-seeking missile of a long-range wrist shot to tally his 13th man-up marker of the year. Neither team was able to add to their respective goal totals over the course of the closing 19:08 of regulation, as the sixty minute mark was reached with the score deadlocked at two apiece.

It didn't take long for overtime to produce a winner, as Mike Hoffman fired a loose puck past a sprawling Dopud 35 seconds into the extra frame to make the 38th goal of his season of the skate-off, game-winning variety. 

 

The Niagara IceDogs were defeated in a tough battle against the surging Sault St. Marie Greyhounds Saturday night. After dropping the gloves Thursday night against Brampton, assistant captain Dylan MacEachern opened the scoring for the IceDogs at the 4:01 mark of the first, with Shaw and Petgrave.

Former St. Catharines resident Jordan Nolan answered back for the Greyhounds as he netted his 20th goal of the season on a power play. Sault St. Marie was awarded another power play shortly after, and over-ager Jacob Muzzin capitalized on the advantage, with Nolan picking up an assist and second point of the game.

The Greyhounds struck again as Brett Thompson beat Visentin to give the Hounds a 3-1 lead. Thompson followed up by notching his second goal of the game on the power play with Nolan picking up yet another assist, giving their team a comfortable 4-1 lead after the first period of play.

Johnson Andrews also stirred things up in the first by getting into the fisticuffs with Dylan King, who currently has the title for most fight majors in the league, with 25.

John Chartrand got the start for the Dogs in the second period, giving Visentin a rest.

Agozzino got things going for the Dogs at the 6:44 mark after making a nice play to Matt Petgrave, who scored his 4th goal of the season, cutting the Greyhounds lead to 4-2.

The Soo wouldn't give the Dogs much space, as Jordan Nolan picked up his third assist of the night by passing the puck across the crease to Nick Cousins who tapped it past Chartrand to give the game a score of 5-2.

It was all Nolan all night - another assist, another Greyhounds goal. Jake Carrick buried this time, giving the Hounds a 6-2 lead.

Johnson Andrews got involved in the game once again, this time by scoring a goal. Andrews has picked up his play immensely as of late, as the goal was his second in 3 games.

However, the score would remain at 6-3 in favour of the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds.

The IceDogs will return to action next Thursday night as they visit the Peterborough Petes, as they continue to chase a playoff spot.

 

With the loss, the CHL's #2 ranked Barrie Colts defeated the Spitfires, ranked #3 in the CHL. The Colts have swept the season series with two wins over the Spitfires. Barrie now leads the OHL with 96 points with Windsor ranked second in the league at 95 points.

Windsor was down 7-2 with seven minutes left in the third period before Marc Cantin, Greg Nemisz and Stephen Johnston scored goals for Windsor in a span of 2:20 to cut the lead to 7-5 before taking three penalties to close out the game.

Forward Scott Timmins scores two goals and adds one assist for the Spits tonight and was selected as the game's third star. Timmins has six goals and six assists in eight February games. Overall, he has 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points in 49 games this season.

Defenseman Ryan Ellis registered two assists tonight, extending his point streak and assist streak to thirteen consecutive games, which are the highest streaks posted amongst all OHL defensemen this season. Ellis' assist streak is the second longest in the OHL this season behind teammate Taylor Hall's 16 game assist streak and Ellis' point streak is now the fourth longest amongst all OHL players this season. He now has 52 points in 41 games this season and is tied for fourth amongst OHL defensemen in scoring.

Windsor records 53 shots on goal, the 15th game in which the Spitfires have recorded 50 or more shots on goal in this season.

Forward Justin Shugg registers two assists tonight and he moves into a tie for 15th in the OHL scoring race with 67 points in 60 games this season. He is also enjoying a ten game point streak. Shugg is also tied for tenth in the OHL with teammates Greg Nemisz and Adam Henrique who have 33 goals apiece this season.

Forward Taylor Hall registered one assist tonight and has at least one point in 21 of his past 22 games. Hall is second overall in the OHL scoring race with 89 points in 51 games. Hall is tied for first in the OHL with 55 assists and is also tied for seventh in the OHL in goals scored with 34.

With tonight's loss, goaltender Philipp Grubauer is now 10-2-0-0 since joining the Spitfires as he allowed four goals on twelve shots faced. Gruabuer was pulled from tonight's game in favour of Troy Passingham at the 13:44 mark of the second period. Passingham made 21 of 24 saves in relief of Grubauer.

Four Spitfires are ranked in OHL's top 20 scorers (Hall 2nd with 89 points, Nemisz tied for 13th with 69 points, Shugg tied for 15th with 67 points, Henrique 17th with 66 points)

Windsor was without Zack Kassian tonight due to suspension and Dale Mitchell due to injury

Windsor scored one goal on nine power play opportunities tonight. Windsor is tied for the lead in OHL power play efficiency, operating at a 26.7% clip. They have scored at least one power play goal in 21 of their past 23 games and have scored two or more power play goals in eight of their past ten games.