Still working on the game recap from Saturday. I had some family in town over the weekend, so didn’t spend much time on the blog. It’ll be up today with some video and audio from the weekend!
Here’s some news to tie you over til then:
In case you missed it on social media from Sunday afternoon, Powell River Kings forward Kurt Keats has been named Captain for the Canada West squad competing at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge in Nova Scotia. It’s Keats’ 2nd trip to the tournament and he won a silver medal (with Kings trio Evan Richardson, Jonah Imoo and Luke Ripley).
Keats is the lone King on the roster after 6 players (including Imoo and Ripley) went to Calgary for selection camp. The tournament gets underway Monday, with Canada West taking on Switzerland. Congratulation Kurt.
Sticking with the WJAC, Kings goaltender Jeff Smith, along with defenceman Luke Ripley have been named to the top-prospects game. The West and East prospect teams will play a pair of games on Friday and Saturday, and the squad will feature some of the top youngsters in the country that didn’t make the tournament squads. Congratulations Jeff and Luke.
Finally, after a 1-1 weekend, the Kings slipped to 5th in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings, published Monday. The team is still 1st in BC, ahead of Penticton in 18th and Langley named an honourable mention. Here’s the full rankings from the CJHL:
The Spruce Grove Saints went undefeated this week and move up to #6 in the Top 20. Brooks and Okotoks stumbled this week, each losing a couple of games, while AJHL teams like the Drumheller Dragons, Calgary Mustangs and the Canmore Eagles are starting to play a lot better recently.
In the BCHL, the Powell River Kings drop three spots to #5 after splitting a pair of games with a hot Nanaimo Clippers team. The Langley Rivermen had a solid week with two wins and enter the rankings this week as an Honourable Mention.
Kindersley and Melville are neck and neck in the SJHL. The Klippers move up to #7 on the strength of a 3-1 week, while the Millionaires move up to #17 after winning 2 games. The Estevan Bruins and the Nipawin Hawks are starting to get some serious attention with their strong play of late.
In the MJHL, the Steinbach Pistons stay on top of the overall standings and move up to #2 this week. Selkirk and Portage are making it interesting, and the Virden Oil Capitals and Winnipeg Blues are playing much better of late.
The Fort Frances Lakers rolled through the week and the Thunder Bay North Stars remain in the mix with more than several games in hand in the SIJHL.
In the NOJHL, the Soo Thunderbirds remain the class of the league, but the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners are only eight points behind the Soo with four games in hand.
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are dominating the OJHL’s West Division. They went 3-0 this week and move up six spots to #9. The Wellington Dukes and Toronto Lakeshore Patriots come it at #12 and #16, respectively, as they continue their strong play. The Kingston Voyageurs are right on Wellington’s heels in the East Division, where only six points separates the top from the bottom.
In the CCHL, the Carleton Place Canadiens move up two spots to #10, and are widening their lead atop the Robinson Division. In the Yzerman Division, Ottawa, Nepean and the Pembroke Lumber Kings are tied for top spot.
Les Cougars de Sherbrooke have found their mojo again as they leap back into top spot in the LHJAAAQ. Les Montagnards de Sainte-Agathe garner an Honourable Mention after two decisive victories this weekend.
In the MHL, Yarmouth dropped to #11 after a tough week that saw them lose both of their games. The Pictou County Weeks Crushers have entered the Top 20 rankings at #19 after winning two games this week and six in a row. The Dieppe Commandos and Truro Bearcats are coming alive and continued fine play will merit consideration over the next few weeks.
Top 20 Rankings
1. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (1)
2. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (3)
3. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (4)
4. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) (5)
5. Powell River Kings (BCHL) (2)
6. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (7)
7. Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) (8)
8. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (6)
9. Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) (15)
10. Carleton Place Canadiens (CCHL) (12)
11. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (9)
12. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) (11)
13. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (13)
14. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) (HM)
15. Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) (HM)
16. Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL) (NR)
17. Melville Millionaires (SJHL) (18)
18. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (14)
19. Weeks Crushers (MHL) (NR)
20. Les Cougars de Sherbrooke (LHJAAAQ) (NR)
Honourable Mention: Langley Rivermen (BCHL), Yorkton Terriers (SJHL), Portage Terriers (MJHL), Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL),
Les Montagnards de Sainte-Agathe (LHJAAAQ).
