The Edmundston Blizzard and Yarmouth Mariners remain the lone MHL teams to gain recognition in the latest CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings. The Blizzard maintain their hold on the 19th slot while the Mariners are an Honorable Mention.
The Blizzard went 2-0 on the week. On Friday night at home, they rode a four goal first period to a 7-3 victory over the St. Stephen Aces. Alexandre Jacob led the way with a goal and four assists while Logan Johnston sored twice and added two assists and Kyle Ward completed a natural hat trick in the win. Myles Hektor made 19 save between the pipes for Edmundston. On Sunday afternoon, they took on the Yarmouth Mariners in another home contest. After trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Blizzard rattled off three goals in both the second and third periods to defeat their closest rivals in the overall standings byt a score of 6-3. Jacob was again the top offensive performer with two goals and an assist. Johnston chipped in with a pair of assists, one of eleven Edmundston players to record at least a point in the game. Francis Asselin made 29 saves en route to being named the game’s first star.
With the win, the Blizzard maintain their hold on top spot overall in the MHL standings with a record of 32-9-3-0 and 67 points, two more than the Mariners with one game in hand (44 games played for Edmundston versus 45 for Yarmouth). They also lead the Eastlink North Division standings by ten points over the Summerside Western Capitals. The Blizzard suit up just once this coming week when they travel to Miramichi on Saturday night to take on the Timberwolves at 7:30PM.
The Mariners went 2-1 on a challenging three-in-three New Brunswick road trip over the weekend. On Friday night in Campbellton, they roared ahead 5-0 on the hometown Tigers before going on to win 5-3. Luc Poirier potted a pair of goals, Matt Smith scored once and added an assist and Matt Barron and Brendan Young provided singles. First star honors for the game went to Thomson Phinney, who stopped 30 of 33 shots to earn the victory in nets. The next night in Miramichi, the Mariners engaged in a back and forth battle with the Timberwolves. Third period goals by Aaron Maillet and Luc Poirier would give Yarmouth the 6-5 come from behind victory. Poirier’s game winner completed his hat trick. Kyle Bergh and Adam Pilotte also connected for goals while Leif Hertz made 29 saves for the win. On Sunday afternoon, the team travelled to Edmundston and fell 6-3 to the Blizzard in the game noted above. Adam Martell scored twice and Pilotte again found the back of the net as the Mariners saw their winning streak come to an end at an impressive eight games.
Despite the setback, the Mariners still lead the Eastlink South Division with a record of 32-12-1-0 for 65 points, seven ahead of the South Shore Lumberjacks. Their lone game this week occurs on Saturday night when they host the Campbellton Tigers at 7:30PM.
Below are the latest CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings in their entirety:
1. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (1)
2. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (2)
3. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (4)
4. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (3)
5. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (5)
6. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (6)
7. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (7)
8. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (8)
9. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (9)
10. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (11)
11. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (10)
12. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (13)
13. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (12)
14. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (15)
15. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (16)
16. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (14)
17. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (HM)
18. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (HM)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
20. North York Rangers (OJHL) (18)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Wenatchee Wild (BCHL), Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL), Rayside-Balfour Canadians (NOJHL), Aurora Tigers (OJHL), Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)