Three MHL teams remain in CJHL top 20
Once again, three Maritime clubs have earned recognition in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League top 20 weekly rankings.
The South Shore Lumberjacks hold steady at number 10, the Edmundston Blizzard leap five spots to 14th and the Yarmouth Mariners nudge up one slot to 19th.
The Lumberjacks hit the ice just once last week but made the most of the opportunity.
On Friday night in Truro, the club would parlay leads of 1-0 after one period and 3-1 after two into a 5-1 victory over the Bearcats.
The Lumberjacks won for the fourth consecutive game and 13th out of their last 14. The win pushed their league leading record to 16-4-0 and 32 points, two ahead of the Edmundston Blizzard in the overall race and four ahead of the Yarmouth Mariners for top spot in the Eastlink South Division.
The Lumberjacks return to Truro Saturday for the Bearcats to have another go at them. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Blizzard went 1-0-1 in a pair of home games over the weekend.
On Friday night, 2,700 enthusiastic fans watched the team rally from a 1- 0 deficit after 40 minutes to defeat the St. Stephen Aces 2-1.
On Sunday afternoon, in a battle of two of the top clubs in the league, the Blizzard fell 2-1 in overtime to the Mariners. Though they trail the South Shore Lumberjacks by two points in the overall standings, the Blizzard hold a game in hand over their Eastlink South Division counterparts.
The Mariners faced a tough test last weekend with three games in as many days and came away with a 1-2 record.
On Friday night in Campbellton, in a game that featured a combined 76 shots, both goaltenders shone in a 2-1 victory by the Tigers.
The following night in Miramichi, the Mariners would rally from a 3-0 deficit only to fall to the Timberwolves by a count of 5-3.
The following afternoon in Edmundston, Kyle Bergh’s sixth goal of the season at the 1:24 mark of the fourth period would be the difference maker in a 2-1 Mariners win over the Blizzard.
With the win, the Mariners improved their record to 14-6-0 for 28 points.
As well as their Saturday game with the Lumberjacks, the Bearcats host the Miramichi Timberwolves this Friday for a 7 p.m. game at the RECC. Rankings (previous week’s
ranking in brackets)
1. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (2)
2. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL)
3. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (4)
4. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJQ) (3)
5. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (6)
6. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (8)
7. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (9)
8. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (13)
9. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (11)
10. South Shore Lumberjacks (MHL) (10)
11. Fort Mcmurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (7)
12. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (14)
13. Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) (15)
14. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
15. College Francais de Longueuil (LHJQ) (18)
16. OCN Blizzard (MJHL) (HM)
17. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (HM)
18. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (5)
19. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (20)
20. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) (12)
Honourable mention: Penticton Vees (BCHL); Vernon Vipers (BCHL); Winkler Flyers (MJHL); Oakville Blades OJHL); Wellington Dukes (OJHL)