The MHL is once again represented by two teams in the latest edition of the CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings. Both the Edmundston Blizzard and Yarmouth Mariners maintain their spots at number 19 and as an Honorable Mention, respectively.
The Blizzard won their lone game last week. Travelling to Miramichi on Saturday night, Edmundston rebounded from a 3-1 deficit early in the second period with six goals over the final two frames to defeat the Timberwolves 7-4. Seven different players registered multiple points in the high scoring affair for the Blizzard, led by Alexandre Bernier, Logan Johnston and Nolan Alward with three points each. Francis Asselin made 29 saves between the pipes as Edmundston finished the month of February on a four game winning streak. The victory improved their record to a league best 33-9-3-0 and 69 points, two ahead of the Yarmouth Mariners. The Blizzard also hold a game in hand on the Mariners. They sit ten points ahead of the Summerside Western Capitals for top spot in the Eastlink North Division and could clinch that crown with one more point.
The Blizzard will get their first opportunity to clinch the division on Friday night in Berwick when they face the Valley Wildcats at 7PM. The other game on their slate this weekend occurs on Saturday night when they travel to Amherst to battle the Ramblers in another 7PM start.
The Mariners also won their lone game last week. At home against Campbellton on Saturday night, Yarmouth engaged in a see-saw battle with the Tigers up until the midway portion of the second period, when four unanswered goals led to a 7-3 Mariner victory. The offense was largely spread out during the contest with 12 different players recording at least a point. Andrew Martell, with a pair, Aaron Maillet, Matt Barron, Chris Goreham, Matt Smith and Derrick Johnson all scored for Yarmouth, who received a 22 save effort from Leif Hertz in goal. The win gave the Mariners a 7-1 record for the month of February and improved their record to 33-12-1-0 and 67 points, seven ahead of the Amherst Ramblers for first place in the Eastlink South Division.
The Mariners take to the ice just twice this weekend. On Saturday evening, they face the Summerside Western Capitals at Mariners Center. Game time is 7:30PM. On Sunday, they make their way to Berwick to take on the Valley Wildcats, once again at 7:30PM, in the makeup of a game previously postponed in January due to poor weather conditions.
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) (3)
4. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (4)
5. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (6)
6. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (8)
7. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (10)
8. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (5)
9. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (15)
10. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (11)
11. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (12)
12. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (16)
13. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (9)
14. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (17)
15. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (14)
16. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (13)
17. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (7)
18. North York Rangers (OJHL) (20)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
20. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (NR)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Vernon Vipers (BCHL); Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL); Aurora Tigers (OJHL); Georgetown Raiders (OJHL); Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL: The Canadian Junior Hockey League is made up of the 10 Junior ‘A’ leagues across Canada. Representing 132 teams and over 3,000 players, the CJHL also boast over 2,800 alumni furthering their hockey careers at the NHL, AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA and CIS level across North America.
ABOUT THE CJHL RANKINGS: Selected by an independent scouting service, the rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including winning percentage.
Will MacLaren – themhl.ca
Rankings Courtesy of www.cjhlhockey.com