For the sixth week in a row, the MHL is represented by both the Edmundston Blizzard and Yarmouth Mariners in the CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings. The Blizzard continue to hold down the 19th spot on the list while the Mariners jump from the Honorable Mention section into the 20th slot.
The Blizzard suited up for just one game last week but made the most of the opportunity nonetheless. On Sunday afternoon at home, Alexandre Jacob scored once and added an assist while Kyle Ward tallied twice in the third period as Edmundston defeated the Campbellton Tigers 3-0. Francis Asselin made 23 saves to notch his third shutout of the season to help the Blizzard win their third straight game on home ice before a sellout crowd. With the victory, Edmundston improves their league leading record to 28-8-3-0 and 59 points, two ahead of the Mariners for top spot overall and eight over the Summerside Western Capitals for first place in the Eastlink North Division.
The Blizzard take to the road for three contests this week. On Wednesday night, they head to Truro to take on the Bearcats at 7PM for a game that was previously postponed due to poor weather conditions in early January. From they, they travel to Summerside to face the Western Capitals on Thursday night at 7PM. Finally, the team wraps up the week at the AYR Motor Center on Saturday night for a 7:30PM encounter with the Woodstock Slammers.
The Mariners broke into the Top 20 thanks to a 2-0 week. On Friday night at home, the team received multi point games from six different players – led by Aaron Maillet’s two goal, one assist performance – in a 6-1 victory over the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. Brent Broaders, Adam Pilotte, Logan Timmons and Kyle Bergh also tallied for Yarmouth while Leif Hertz earned the win in nets thanks to a 36 save performance. The following night, once again on home ice, the Mariners secured a 4-1 victory over the Woodstock Slammers. Again, the offense was spread out with Pilotte, Timmons, Keegan Gauthier and Connor Peveril providing the offense. This time, it was Thomson Phinney’s turn between the pipes. He didn’t disappoint, making 27 saves for the victory. The Mariners sit atop the Eastlink South Division standings with a record of 28-11-1-0 and 57 points, three ahead of the South Shore Lumberjacks.
This weekend is a pivotal one for the Mariners as they host the Amherst Ramblers in back to back games on Friday and Saturday night. Although the Ramblers sit seven points behind Yarmouth in the standings, they hold three games in hand, making this pair of games count substantially towards determining supremacy in the division standings. Game time for both contests is 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. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (3)
4. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (9)
5. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (4)
6. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (5)
7. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (7)
8. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (10)
9. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (6)
10. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (11)
11. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (12)
12. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (14)
13. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (13)
14. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (15)
15. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (8)
16. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (16)
17. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (17)
18. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (18)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
20. Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL) (HM)
Honourable Mention: Wenatchee Wild (BCHL); Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL); Aurora Tigers (OJHL); North York Rangers (OJHL); Oakville Blades (OJHL)
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, the league they compete in, strength of schedule, etc.
Will MacLaren – themhl.ca
Rankings Courtesy of www.cjhlhockey.com