Another week, another slow march to the post-season. On Thursday night I’ll be at the Saginaw Spirit - Niagara IceDogs game, so if you have any questions for Keaton Middleton let me know. I’m determined to find out if he’s related to our future queen.

Ontario Hockey League

#77 - Eemeli Räsänen (D) - 0G, 1A, +1
Kingston Frontenacs - 32-17-5-3
2nd in Eastern Conference, 5 points out of 1st.

Feb 14th: @ Ottawa 67’s
L 4-3 - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 16th: vs Peterborough Petes
W 2-1 - 0G, 1A, +1
Feb. 18th: vs Kitchener Rangers
W 6-1 - 0G, 0A, +2

One point this week in a close game against the Petes, and the Frontenacs aren’t slowing down in their chase for the Bulldogs spot in first place.

#55 - Keaton Middleton (D) - 0G, 1A, -1
Saginaw Spirit 27-21-8-0
6th in Western Conference, 4 points out of 5th

Feb. 14th: vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
W 6-5 SO - 0G, 1A, -2
Feb. 16th: vs Sarnia Sting
L 3-0 - 0G, 0A, -1
Feb. 17th: @ Flint Firebirds
W 5-3 - 0G, 0A, +2

Middleton got one point on the board as the Spirit upset the top Soo Greyhounds, and the rest of the week went as expected with a loss to Sarnia and beating the Firebirds.

#15 - Fedor Gordeev (D) - 1G, 0A, -4
Flint Firebirds - 16-36-3-2
10th in Western Conference, 21 points out of the playoffs.

Feb. 14th: vs Barrie Colts
L 8-5 - 1G, 0A
Feb. 17th: vs Saginaw Spirit
L 5-3 - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 18th: @ Windsor Spitfires
L 7-0 - 0G, 0A, -2

Three straight losses and they were outscored 20-7. Gordeev got a goal though so it’s nice to get one highlight.

#19 - Ryan McGregor (F) - 0G, 0A, -2
Sarnia Sting - 40-13-4-0
2nd in Western Conference, 15 points out of 1st.

Feb. 16th: @ Saginaw Spirit
W 3-0 - No Points
Feb. 17th: @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
L 7-1 - 0G, 0A, -2

The Sting are the Greyhounds biggest challenge in the West, but could barely manage to score a goal against them. The Sting have a solid lock on the 3rd seed in the Western Conference - The Kitchener Rangers are six points back but get the #2 spot for leading their division.

#52 - Nicolas Mattinen (D) - 0G, 0A, -3
Hamilton Bulldogs - 35-16-3-3
1st in Eastern Conference, 4 points ahead of 2nd.

Feb. 16th: @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
L 10-0 - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 17th: @ Sudbury Wolves
W 8-4 - 0G, 0A, -1

Mattinen was on the wrong end of some goals, as were all the Bulldogs as they got lambasted by the Greyhounds on the 16th. What some were calling a preview of the OHL Finals didn’t speak well of the top opponent for the Soo. Hamilton is maintaining a good pace over Kingston for the top spot in the East, but it’s close so every win is important.


Western Hockey League

#33 - Ian Scott (G) - 3sh, 3sv, 1.00sv% (played 16:14)
Prince Albert Raiders - 23-24-9-2
7 points out of final Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot.

Feb. 16th: vs Brandon Wheat Kings
W 5-2 - Did Not Play
Feb. 17th: @ Brandon Wheat Kings
L 4-3 - 3sh, 3sv, 1.00sv% (played 16:14)

Scott got the week off, well almost. The Raiders are a longshot for the playoffs but have a chance. We could see Scott on an ATO with the Marlies if the Raiders season does end in March. Even if he doesn’t play it would be good for him to spend some time there.


Junior A

#24 - Ryan O'Connell (D) - Injured
Penticton Vees, BCHL - 38-12-2-3
1st in Interior Division, 2 points ahead of 2nd.

O’Connell is injured and may miss the remainder of the regular season.


NCAA

#13 - Nolan Vesey (F) - 0G, 1A
Maine Black Bears
Overall: 16-12-4 / Conference: 10-9-3

Feb. 14th: @ New Hampshire
W 4-3 - 0G, 1A, +1
Feb. 17th: vs Boston College
L 5-0 - 0G, 0A, -1

The Black Bears tied for 5th in Hockey East and are a win or two away from jumping up to 4th place and skipping the first round of the playoffs.

#14 - JD Greenway (D)
Wisconsin Badgers
Overall: 14-15-3 / Conference: 8-11-2-1

No Games last week.

The Badgers are tied for 5th place in the Big 10 conference with Penn State.

#31 - Joseph Woll (G) - 59sv, 61sh, .967sv%, 1SO
Boston College Eagles
Overall: 16-13-3 / Conference: 16-5-0

Feb. 12th: @ Harvard
L 5-4 - Did Not Play
Feb. 15th: @ Massachusetts
W 5-2 - 26sv, 28sh, .929sv%
Feb. 17th: @ Maine
W 5-0 - 33sv, 33sh, 1.000sv%

Right now Boston College is firs tin Hockey East, with a three win lead over second place. They’ll be skipping the first round of the playoffs.

#8 - Dakota Joshua (F)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Overall: 19-8-5 / Conference: 12-8-2

Feb. 16th: @ Minnesota
L 2-1 - Did Not Play
Feb. 17th: @ Minnesota
T 1-1 - Did Not Play

Dakota missed two more games with a mystery illness/injury.  The Buckeyes need him rested for the playoffs, where they’ll be facing off against the lowly Michigan State in the first round.

Prospects points tracker

PlayerLeaguePointsGames PPGNHLe
Dakota Joshua (F)Big 1024300.8022.96
Nolan Vesey (F)Hockey East25370.6820.50
Ryan McGregor (F)OHL29470.6216.19
Ryan O’Connell (D)BCHL12230.529.84
Eemeli Räsänen (D)OHL30590.5113.34
Nicolas Mattinen (D)OHL29620.4712.27
Keaton Middleton (D)OHL23610.389.89
Fedor Gordeev (D)OHL23640.369.43
JD Greenway (F)Big 103120.257.18