VANCOUVER – The big news in junior hockey at this time of year is always the World Championships, which take place this year in Saskatchewan, Canada. But the WHL keeps rolling, even with some of its top players competing elsewhere.
The team hardest hit by the onset of the junior tournament is the Regina Pats, whose two top skaters, Colin Teubert and Jordan Eberla, are away competing for Team Canada. One of the most significant streaks in the WHL right now is the Regina Pats’ nine-game losing skid. The downturn comes on the heels of a big trade earlier in the month that cost the Pats some prospects and important draft picks.
The Pats will have to make up for lost time when Eberle and Teubert return, but in the meantime, their position in the conference is becoming increasingly severe. They sit at tenth place in the Eastern Conference, eight points out of a playoff spot.
On a positive note, Eberle, the Edmonton Oilers’ first round pick in 2008, is the tournament’s leading scorer, with five goals and five assists in three games heading into the semi-finals.
The Spokane Chiefs have also sent two skaters, Tyler Johnson and Jared Cowan, to the tournament, and similarly, they are without a win in five games. The Chiefs’ playoff hopes, however, will not be affected by a string of losses in the weaker Western Conference. That said, they will have to be on top of their game following the World Junior tournament if they hope to gain home-ice advantage in the post-season.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Giants retain their stranglehold on first place in the B.C. Division, despite a recent defeat at the hands of the league-worst Prince George Cougars. The Giants’ Craig Cunningham leads the team with 58 points in 40 games, third best in the WHL.
The Tri-City Americans continue their dominant play, winning their last seven games and putting some distance between themselves and the U.S. Division’s second place team, the Portland Winterhawks.
Back in the Eastern Conference, the Calgary Hitmen have started to feel the push from the Medicine Hat Tigers, who continue to climb the ranks of the Central Division. The Tigers have lost their last two games, but are now just three points behind Calgary, who enjoyed a sizeable lead for most of the year.
The dogfight in the East Division has seen two teams differentiate themselves in the past month. The first place Saskatoon Blades and second place Brandon Wheat Kings now stand 10 and 12 points respectively ahead of the third place Swift Current Broncos.
Contact happy.kreter@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.