VANCOVUER, BC – The Tri-City Americans are the WHL’s hottest team for the second week in a row. The Americans spent the week ranked 5th in the CHL, their highest position all year. Despite a loss to the surging Chilliwack Bruins last week, the Americans continue to roll, winning their last two games going 9-1 in their last ten. The Americans now share first place in the U.S. Division with the Portland Winterhawks, who seem to be coming down to earth after an exceptional start to the season. On the other hand, the Everett Silvertips are starting to come on, winning seven of their last ten games, including all three of their games last week. Although the Silvertips are eight points back of first in the U.S. Division, they have played six fewer games than Portland, and could close that gap as the schedule starts to even out. In the B.C. Division, the CHL’s 9th ranked team, the Vancouver Giants, lost to the WHL’s best team, the Calgary Hitmen, last week in what could be a preview of the championship series. Following the loss, the Giants roared back with eight goals to beat Chilliwack, who were 4-0-0-1 in their last five games coming in. The Bruins strong play drew them even with the second place Kamloops Blazers, who continue their fall from grace. The Blazers had only one game last week, a 7-1 blowout loss to the Bruins. Kamloops spent three weeks in the CHL top ten, but have since lost six in a row and fired their coach. The Kelowna Rockets are also starting to look like serious contenders in the B.C. Division, and are just a point back of the Bruins and Blazers. The Rockets looked strong in a 4-1 defeat of the CHL’s #1 ranked Calgary Hitmen, and are part of the reason for the tightening race in their division. Out of the picture is the B.C. Division’s fifth place team, the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars have managed just three wins in 15 games so far this season, and have the WHL’s worst record. Over on the prairies by this time next week, the East Division standings could be shaken up even more than they were this week. The Saskatoon Blades continue to slice through opponents and the standings. After four wins last week, including one against the second place Moose Jaw Warriors. The Blades now have sole possession of first place in the East Division. Helping Saskatoon make their leap up the standings was defenseman Stefan Elliot. The Colorado Avalanche prospect posted a +8 rating in four games to go with his two goals and four assists. He was named the WHL player of the week for his efforts. Moose Jaw seems to be cooling off after their hot start, and now share second place with the Brandon Wheat Kings. As for the Wheat Kings, they gained five of a possible eight points in four games, and continue their slow climb up the East Division standings. Also in the East, the fourth place Swift Current Broncos are on a three-game losing skid, leaving them just one point ahead of the Prince Albert Raiders, who have won four games in a row. The mobility in the East Division standings leaves each spot up for grabs in the coming weeks, but smart money is on the Saskatoon Blades to continue their momentum and stake a claim on first place. Still tops in the WHL are the Calgary Hitmen who spent last week ranked first overall in the CHL, regaining that spot after being bumped to second the previous week. However, Calgary could find themselves again ranked #2 in the coming week after losing two of three games on the road. Calgary has dominated the Central division so far, and although the Medicine Hat Tigers are just four points back in second place, the Tigers were unable to capitalize on an off week for the Hitmen. Medicine Hat lost three of its four games, getting outscored 17-4 over that stretch before beating up on the lowly Seattle Thunderbirds 11-2 to salvage the road trip and some self-esteem. The remaining Central Division teams don’t look like they’re going to be able to threaten Calgary’s dominance this year. All four of those teams have been inconsistent this year and sit below .500. Contact the author at Happy.Kreter@prohockeynews.com
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